Muscle Shoals High School

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Location
Muscle Shoals High School
1900 Avalon Avenue Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Information
School district	Muscle Shoals City School District
Principal	Mr. H.L. Noah
Enrollment	700-800
Type	Public school
Grades	9-12
Mascot	Trojans
Color(s)	Scarlet & Black
Established	1962, new facility opened in 1999
Information	(256) 389-2682
Homepage	MSHS

Muscle Shoals High School is the sole public secondary education institution in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. MSHS was recently awarded the Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Award for Excellence.

1 Mission Statement
2 Academics
3 Athletics
4 Alumni
5 Band
6 External links
7 References

[edit] Mission Statement

To engage each student in an active and meaningful learning process that inspires individual success in a changing world.

[edit] Academics

Traditionally, Muscle Shoals students excel academically. Based on the Alabama Reading and Math Test scores, the system has consistently placed among the top 10 school districts in one or more areas in most grade levels. Another tradition is the strong parental support of the school's programs with a majority of the parents being involved in one or more programs throughout the year. Still, another tradition is the large number of students who pursue post-secondary educational programs each year. It is not uncommon for this number to be at or above 90%. ^[1]

[edit] Athletics

Muscle Shoals High School currently plays in Class 5A of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA).

Football
On February 26, the Muscle Shoals Board of Education unanimously approved Scott Basden as new Head Coach and Athletic Director for MSHS. His salary was reported to be one of the highest in the states: $83,500. He is replacing former Head Coach Curley Hallman who resigned in December after compiling a dismal 4-6 record for the 2007-2008 season and a 14-26 record in his four years at Muscle Shoals.

Basketball
In 2007, the Boys' Basketball team advanced to the Alabama Northwest Regionals at Wallace State Community College beating Wenonah High School in the Quarterfinals but losing to Decatur High School in the Semi-Finals. In 2008, after losing a number of seniors and starters, the Boys' team made it back to Wallace; in Quarterfinals, they beat opponent Walker High School. In the Regional Semi-Finals, the Trojans went up against Russellville High School; the final score was 67-Russellville 66-Muscle Shoals.

Volleyball
The Muscle Shoals Lady Trojans Volleyball team have been quite successful in the past: from 1998-2001, they were the Class 5A State Champions.

Tennis
The Boys' Tennis team was Class 5A State Champions in 2002 and 2005.

[edit] Alumni

Jason Allen- currently playing safety for the Miami Dolphins
Dennis Homan- a wide receiver that played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs
Leigh Tiffin- currently the place kicker for the Alabama Crimson Tide

[edit] Band

The Muscle Shoals High School band program is known throughout the State of Alabama as one of the finest programs the state has to offer. The marching band has received Superior ratings every year since 1966, along with dozens of First Place, Best in Class, and Grand Champion awards. In 2001, they traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to be the first band from Alabama to compete in Bands of America (BOA). Since then, the band has been Class A Champions in Atlanta four times(2002, 2003, 2004, 2005). At the Alabama Bandmasters Association State Festival, the Muscle Shoals High School Symphonic Band has earned Superiors for the past 13 consecutive years. In 2005, the band traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in the All-Star Music Festival. There they were awarded Grand Champions in Parade Band, Concert Band, Concert Percussion, and Jazz Band.

During the 2007-2008 season, the marching band won the Grand Champion trophy at the Dixie Pride Marching Classic and the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational and won 3rd Place in Class A at the Bands of America Atlanta Super Regional. With the conclusion of marching band, the percussion began work on percussion ensemble. After many years of in-state competition, the ensemble decided to move to the national level and enrolled in various WGI and SCGC (Southeastern Color Guard Circuit) events. At the 2008 SCGC Championships, the ensemble placed 1st in Scholastic Concert Open and at the WGI World Championships they placed 3rd in the nation in Scholastic Concert Open.

The band is currently under the leadership of Pat Stegall (Director of Bands), David Waters (Assistant Director of Bands, Percussion) and Terry Ownby (Assistant Director of Bands, Brass, Director of Muscle Shoals Middle School Bands).