Oscar F. Smith High School
Encyclopedia
Oscar Frommel Smith High School was originally built in South Norfolk, Virginia
, to replace the aging South Norfolk High School in 1954. In 1994, a new school was constructed in the Greenbrier/Great Bridge area of Chesapeake, Virginia
, and has a current enrollment of over 2,100 students. OSHS was authorized to begin administering the IB Diploma Program by the International Baccalaureate Organization
in 2002 and IB students from all six Chesapeake zones feed into it.
, it houses some of the newest technology in the district, including numerous networked computer, business, and technology labs; a 1,000-seat auditorium; and the Linda P. Overton Theatre, which houses technology for student presentations. The 3,850-seat J. William Myers Gymnasium (also known as the "Dollar Dome" gym), is one of the largest gyms in the Hampton Roads
area, housing three full basketball courts. The Beard-DeLong-Easley Field stadium, named in honor of three Oscar Smith alumni who went on to play in the NFL, seats 7,000 and is the current home of the Oscar Smith Tigers football team.
Oscar Smith High School has an excellent football program. Under the guidance of Coach Richard Morgan, the Tigers have been Southeastern District Champions for seven years in a row, and have lost only two regular season games in 7 years. In 2004, Oscar Smith High celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the Tigers provided the excitement by posting an undefeated season and winning the Southeastern District Championship. In 2005, the Tigers had a repeat performance, claiming back-to-back district championships. In 2007, the Tigers won the Eastern Region title for the first time, avenging their loss against Salem High School from 2006, and moving on to the State semi-finals. There, the team suffered a loss to Westfield High School, but would come back and get to the same spot during the 2008 season. This time, a hard-fought 10-7 victory over Oakton High School with kicker Ryan Trotman kicking a field goal in the closing minutes of the game to win the game. Oscar Smith advanced to the Division 6 state finals against Osbourne High School. This game, held at Virginia Tech, was one of the most memorable state final games ever. Oscar Smith posted 54 points, triumphing 54-24 in a game played in the cold and snow. Quarterback Phillip Sims set a state final record with 6 touchdown passes, as did wide receiver Tim Smith with 4 touchdown receptions. This team is still ranked in the top 10 in the nation on most, if not all, polls. On August 28, 2009, Oscar Smith was rewarded for their excellent performance with a primetime game at home against Venice High School of Florida on ESPNU in which Sims, an Alabama commit and one of the top recruited quarterbacks for 2010, faced off against Trey Burton, another excellent quarterback for 2010 who now plays for Florida. The Oscar Smith Tigers won this game, 27-13.
Knights, ending their undefeated run.
The Oscar F. Smith High School Chamber Orchestra earned a standing ovation for its outstanding performance as the final orchestra performance of the 2005 Virginia Music Educators Association(VMEA) In-Service Conference. They have also performed by invitation at the 2007 National Band & Orchestra Festival in Carnegie Hall, the 2008 Music for All National "Orchestra America" Festival in Indianapolis and the 2009 ASTA National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta (as a part of the American String Teachers Association's National 'ASTA' Conference).
held a Town Hall Meeting in the J William Myers gymnasium as part of his 2008 Presidential Campaign. In 2004, John Kerry
held a similar event in the gym as well.
South Norfolk, Virginia
South Norfolk was an independent city in the South Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia and is now a section of the City of Chesapeake, one of the cities of Hampton Roads which surround the harbor of Hampton Roads and are linked by the Hampton Roads Beltway.-History:Located a few miles south of...
, to replace the aging South Norfolk High School in 1954. In 1994, a new school was constructed in the Greenbrier/Great Bridge area of Chesapeake, Virginia
Chesapeake, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 199,184 people, 69,900 households, and 54,172 families residing in the city. The population density was 584.6 people per square mile . There were 72,672 housing units at an average density of 213.3 per square mile...
, and has a current enrollment of over 2,100 students. OSHS was authorized to begin administering the IB Diploma Program by the International Baccalaureate Organization
International Baccalaureate Organization
The International Baccalaureate , formerly the International Baccalaureate Organization , is an international educational foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and founded in 1968. IB offers three educational programmes for children ages 3–19.The organization's name and logo were changed...
in 2002 and IB students from all six Chesapeake zones feed into it.
Facilities
One of the newest schools in the Chesapeake City Public SchoolsChesapeake City Public Schools
Chesapeake City Public Schools is known as CPS in the Hampton Roads area. It is the primary public education system, for the Virginia city of Chesapeake. The Superintendent is Dr. James T. Roberts.Elementary schools* B. M...
, it houses some of the newest technology in the district, including numerous networked computer, business, and technology labs; a 1,000-seat auditorium; and the Linda P. Overton Theatre, which houses technology for student presentations. The 3,850-seat J. William Myers Gymnasium (also known as the "Dollar Dome" gym), is one of the largest gyms in the Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name for both a body of water and the Norfolk–Virginia Beach metropolitan area which surrounds it in southeastern Virginia, United States...
area, housing three full basketball courts. The Beard-DeLong-Easley Field stadium, named in honor of three Oscar Smith alumni who went on to play in the NFL, seats 7,000 and is the current home of the Oscar Smith Tigers football team.
Athletics
Oscar Smith football started excelling in 2004 and 2005, winning the Southeastern District both years. The Tiger's football program was led by quarterback Greg Boone, runningback Andre Cook, and Coach Morgan.Oscar Smith High School has an excellent football program. Under the guidance of Coach Richard Morgan, the Tigers have been Southeastern District Champions for seven years in a row, and have lost only two regular season games in 7 years. In 2004, Oscar Smith High celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the Tigers provided the excitement by posting an undefeated season and winning the Southeastern District Championship. In 2005, the Tigers had a repeat performance, claiming back-to-back district championships. In 2007, the Tigers won the Eastern Region title for the first time, avenging their loss against Salem High School from 2006, and moving on to the State semi-finals. There, the team suffered a loss to Westfield High School, but would come back and get to the same spot during the 2008 season. This time, a hard-fought 10-7 victory over Oakton High School with kicker Ryan Trotman kicking a field goal in the closing minutes of the game to win the game. Oscar Smith advanced to the Division 6 state finals against Osbourne High School. This game, held at Virginia Tech, was one of the most memorable state final games ever. Oscar Smith posted 54 points, triumphing 54-24 in a game played in the cold and snow. Quarterback Phillip Sims set a state final record with 6 touchdown passes, as did wide receiver Tim Smith with 4 touchdown receptions. This team is still ranked in the top 10 in the nation on most, if not all, polls. On August 28, 2009, Oscar Smith was rewarded for their excellent performance with a primetime game at home against Venice High School of Florida on ESPNU in which Sims, an Alabama commit and one of the top recruited quarterbacks for 2010, faced off against Trey Burton, another excellent quarterback for 2010 who now plays for Florida. The Oscar Smith Tigers won this game, 27-13.
2008 Virginia State Football Champions
Following another undefeated regular season and winning their fifth district title in as many years, the Tigers marched into the playoffs as a dominant force, consistently ranked No. 1 in the state and breaking into the Top 10 in national rankings. On November 29, 2008, the Tigers defeated Oakton to advance to the state championship game. The following Saturday, on a cold and snowy December afternoon in Blacksburg, Virginia, the Tigers exploded into Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium and continued their dominant ways, shutting out the Osbourn Eagles in the first half and emerging victorious with a final score of 54-24. The Tigers could be heard ringing their victory bell in the wee hours after their return home early Sunday morning, bringing with them the first team state championship for Oscar Smith High School in any sport since the school opened in 1954.2009 Virginia State Football Semifinals
Oscar Smith lost 17-20 in overtime against the Thomas Dale High SchoolThomas Dale High School
Thomas Dale High School is a public school located in Chester, an unincorporated community in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States.It was named for Sir Thomas Dale, a 17th century leader in the Virginia Colony...
Knights, ending their undefeated run.
Orchestra
Earning a reputation for excellence during the past eleven years, the Oscar Smith High School Orchestras have grown from forty eight members to over one hundred members. The orchestras have earned top awards at music festivals in Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Florida, New York and Indiana and have consistently earned superior ratings at the VBODA/VMEA District IV Orchestra Festival.The Oscar F. Smith High School Chamber Orchestra earned a standing ovation for its outstanding performance as the final orchestra performance of the 2005 Virginia Music Educators Association(VMEA) In-Service Conference. They have also performed by invitation at the 2007 National Band & Orchestra Festival in Carnegie Hall, the 2008 Music for All National "Orchestra America" Festival in Indianapolis and the 2009 ASTA National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta (as a part of the American String Teachers Association's National 'ASTA' Conference).
IB Program
The International Baccalaureate, or IB program, offered at OSHS is a great opportunity for students who love to learn. It is an academically challenging and balanced program of education that mixes the learning of life skills with global awareness, with final examinations that prepare students for success at university and in life.Politics
On August 21, 2008, Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
held a Town Hall Meeting in the J William Myers gymnasium as part of his 2008 Presidential Campaign. In 2004, John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
held a similar event in the gym as well.
Notable alumni
- Ed BeardEd BeardFor the football player of the same name see Ed Beard .Ed Beard, or Edward Beard, aka Edward "Red" Beard, was a gambler and saloon keeper of the Old West....
: San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, player from 1965–1972 - Steve DeLongSteve DeLongSteven Cyril DeLong was an American football defensive lineman who played professionally in the American Football League and the National Football League . He played collegiately for the University of Tennessee, and professionally for the San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears...
: San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, player from 1965–1972 - Kenny EasleyKenny EasleyKenny Mason Easley Jr. is a former American football strong safety who played seven seasons for the Seattle Seahawks from 1981 to 1987 in the National Football League...
: Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
, player from 1981–1987 - Richard MottRichard MottRichard Mott was mayor of Toledo, Ohio, and a U.S. Representative from Ohio.-Biography:Born to Quaker parents in Mamaroneck, New York, Mott attended a Quaker boarding school and seminary in Dutchess County, New York. In 1815, he moved with his parents to New York City, in 1818 became a clerk in a...
: Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, player 1981 - 1985 - Clinton Day: Naval Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCCs)2003-2006
- Greg BooneGreg BooneGreg Boone is an American football fullback for the Milwaukee Mustangs from Virginia Tech. Boone originally went to Virginia Tech as a quarterback and made the move to tight end during the 2006 season...
: rena football player}],2011-present - Crystal Woodley: Professional Basketball Player in Europe, 2009- Present