History of Southern High School

 

Southern High School came into existence in 1951. In 1950, the Jefferson County Board of Education wanted to separate high school students from elementary school students at Okolona High School. That year the board met with architect Fred J. Hartstern to plan the construction of Southern High School.

Southern was designed to be "an entirely fireproof three-story structure". The original building measured 316 feet in the front and had a depth of 342 feet for a total of 169,370 square feet. It was designed to accommodate 1700 students. The original construction also included six shop buildings connected to the main building by a covered walkway. The total cost of construction was approximately $1,800,000. By the Fall of 1951, the construction was complete and ready for classes. Southern High School became a reality, and Okolona High School was renamed Okolona Elementary as it remains today.

High school students and teachers from the then Okolona High School and some students from Fairdale High School were reassigned to Southern. Mr. T. T. Knight, the Principal of Okolona High School, was appointed the first Principal of Southern High School. By the summer of 1952, Southern had graduated 142 students as its first senior class. This class will forever have the honor and distinction of being the first graduating class of Southern High School.

A contest was held in 1952 to select a school mascot. Bill Cundiff, class of 1953, had the winning entry with the Trojans. He said he picked the name because of the fighting spirit and tenacity of Roman soldiers. The senior class of 1954 presented Southern High with the Alma Mater and Fight Song.

By 1956 lights were added to the football field. By 1961 Southern was growing again with the addition of a gymnasium and locker rooms and in 1963, an Olympic size swimming pool was also added.

As the student age population swelled after the end of World War II, Southern had more students that it could accommodate. In 1970 portable classrooms were added to handle the growing number of students. In the 1972-73 school year, Southern had enrolled 2350 students. The year 1973 saw many changes at Southern. Construction began on a 125,000 square foot addition to the academic building and the addition of a new gymnasium. Once the additions were complete, the "portables" and "gray buildings" were no longer needed and were removed.

In 1970 Mr. T. T. Knight retired from service and Mr. Irvin Brooks, former Assistant Principal to Mr. Knight since Southern's founding, became Principal.

In 1974, Southern High, Okolona and all of Jefferson County were rocked by controversy and strife as Federal Judge James Gordon ordered the cross-county busing. Busing was designed to racially integrate Jefferson County schools. Uncertainty, mistrust and riots nearly tore the Okolona community apart. Just as Southern has become the center of community pride in Okolona, in 1975, it quickly became the lightning rod of controversy and contention. Through those turbulent years, however, Southern students and faculty provided a model of citizenship and understanding in the community. They formed new friendships, learned new ways, and taught those ways to others to once again become the focal point of knowledge and learning in the Okolona community.

Upon the retirement of Mr. Brooks in 1975, Mr. James Burch became the third Principal at Southern High School. Although social changes threatened to interfere with campus life and student learning, Mr. Burch, a 1956 Southern graduate, provided the sound leadership and vision that lead Southern through the turbulent 70's and into a focused learning environment filled with many changes, challenges and opportunities for Southern students.

In 1989, Southern said farewell to Principal Burch who accepted a promotional appointment at the Board of Education. Longtime teacher and former football coach, Steve Stallings, became the fourth Southern High Principal.

In 1994, Southern was again growing. A 93,000 square foot technology center was added. This technology center specializes in preparing students for careers in manufacturing and industry. Along with the new facility, Southern received a new name. It was now called Southern High School Magnet Career Academy.

In 1997, Mr. Stallings retired as Principal and Mr. Jerry Keepers, an Assistant Principal, took his place. Mr. Keepers is tasked with preparing students to face the challenges and opportunities of a changing economic and work environment. As with all of the Principals in Southern's past, we know Mr. Keepers is up to the task.

For over 50 years, Southern has been educating and graduating students. But Southern has done more than that. Southern has been molding the future by mentoring young minds that will one day be scientists, business men and women, and/or great leaders that will determine the future success of our country and world. As the Alma Mater says, "Our love to thee both now and ever more, we hail thee, Southern High".

---Excerpt from Southern High School Magnet Career Academy 1998 Alumni Directory 

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Last update 30 March 2002