Freedom High School (Pennsylvania)

Freedom High School

Freedom High School, 2007
Location
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania USA
Information
Type Public high school
Established 1967
School district Bethlehem Area School District
Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy
Principal Michael J. LaPorta
Staff ~ 170
Enrollment ~ 1,800
Campus Suburban
Color(s)      Black
     Gold
Athletics conference Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Mascot Patriot
Website www-fhs.beth.k12.pa.us

Freedom High School is a public high school, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, in the United States. Freedom is one of two public high schools in the Bethlehem Area School District. It is located at 3149 Chester Avenue, Bethlehem Township. The total student population is about 1,800 students. The principal for the 2014-2015 school year is Michael LaPorta.

History

1960s

Joseph McIntyre was appointed as the first Freedom High School principal. Freedom High School Patriot Marching Band created.

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

Academics

Freedom's Scholastic Scrimmage team has turned in several first and second-place finishes in the Lehigh Valley region. The team placed first in 1976, 1980 and 1989 and second in 1981 (losing to Emmaus High School), 2005 (losing to Allentown Central Catholic High School), 2012 (losing to Pen Argyl Area High School), and 2013 (losing to Moravian Academy). In 2007, Freedom went undefeated in the Lehigh Valley Conference regular season, losing to Liberty High School in the East Division championship. The team defeated Allentown Central Catholic High School for third place in the conference. In 2008, the team advanced to the quarterfinal round of "Scholastic Scrimmage", where they lost again to the Liberty Hurricanes, on a disputed last-second ruling that is still under review. In 2012, Freedom's team qualified for the Pennsylvania Academic Competition in the state's capitol for the first time in school history, where they tied for second in the state.

Wikinews has related news: Girls sweep Siemens science competition for US high schools

Freedom's Math Team also had many successes, including placing in the top three in at least two of the three events at Bloomsburg Math Competition since 2006. Two Freedom students, Eashwar Rangarajan and Yiran Lin, were also chosen to join the Lehigh University chapter of the American Regions Mathematics League, a prestigious mathematics competition.

In 2007, senior Isha Himani Jain placed first in the Siemens Competition, one of the two most prestigious science competitions in the United States.[1][2]

Athletics

Freedom competes in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference in the District XI athletic division of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. Diane Jordan is currently the athletic director at Freedom High School. It holds the record for the most Lehigh Valley Conference championships in boys volleyball.[3]

In boys athletics, Freedom has football, basketball, golf, ice hockey, soccer, baseball, tennis, volleyball, lacrosse, swimming, and Diving teams. In girls athletics, Freedom has basketball, soccer, lacrosse, golf, cheerleading, tennis, volleyball teams, swimming, and diving teams.

The FHS football, soccer, and field hockey teams play their home games at Frank Banko Field at Bethlehem Area School District Stadium, which seats 13,600 and can accommodate up to 15,000 in the standing room section.

Their most recent championships include:

The Freedom Patriot Band

Freedom vs. Liberty High School pre-game show, 2006

Ronald H. Demkee was the original director of instrumental music at Freedom and conductor of the Patriot Band and Orchestra from 1967 until his retirement in 1997. The first year band had a membership of 90. In 1970, band members made their first major national appearance (3 years after the school opened) as they marched down the streets of Miami, Florida in the Orange Bowl parade, in front of a national television audience. Under the leadership of current band director Michael Moran, the Freedom Patriot Band has performed at the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida. In 2004, the Freedom High School Patriot Marching Band performed at the Boscov's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. The Patriots turn in several District Band Members each year (from Freedom High).

In March 2008 the Patriot Band performed in both the Limerick and Dublin St. Patrick's Day parades. In Limerick, the band won Best Uniform and won Best International Band. At the Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade, the band was honored with the award for Best Overall Band.

Freedom High School Planetarium

Freedom High School is home to one of two Planetariums in the Bethlehem Area School District, the other being located at Broughal Middle School. It is operated by astronomy teacher Bill Safranek, who is an alum of Freedom High School himself, and has been a teacher since 1987. The Planetarium provides instruction for 2nd, 3rd, and 8th through 12th grade students in the Bethlehem Area School District. The Freedom High School planetarium and astronomy clubs also make use of the only Bethlehem Area School District planetarium. Planetarium visits may be arranged by contacting the school.

Freedom High School Theatre Company

Freedom High School is well known for its high-quality theatre company. The current theatre company director is Freedom High School's teacher Jennifer Wescoe. The company produces two plays per year (Fall and Spring) and participates in a local awards show called The Freddy Awards. Since The Freddy's began in 2003, Freedom has been nominated for Best Musical and performed at the ceremony 10 out of the 12 years. The performances include: "Dance at the Gym" (West Side Story), "Crapshooters Ballet" (Guys and Dolls), "I Got Rhythm" (Crazy For You 2005), "Anything Goes," "Honestly, Sincere" (Bye Bye Birdie), "Jitterbug" (The Wizard of Oz), "Go, Go, Go Joseph" (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), "The Speed Test" (Thoroughly Modern Millie), "One Day More" (Les Misérables), "Slap That Bass" (Crazy For You 2014), and "You Can't Stop the Beat" (Hairspray) Both the 2005 and 2014 productions of Crazy For You, the 2007 production of Anything Goes, and the 2015 production of Hairspray received 14 Freddy nominations. Joseph in 2011 and Les Misérables in 2013 each received 15 nominations. Thoroughly Modern Millie garnered 17 nominations, a Freddy record at the time. Crazy For You 2005 still has the distinction of receiving 8 Freddys, the most received to date in Freddy history.

Freedom High School has won the Freddy Award for Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical three times. The productions were Crazy For You in 2005, Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2012, and Crazy For You most recently in 2014. As of 2014, Freedom currently holds the record for the most Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical wins.

Freddy Awards Results:

2003: West Side Story

Win(s)

Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Member (Tim Sampson as Action)

6 Other Nominations
Outstanding Overall Production Musical
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Erich Jones as Tony),
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Adam Chisnall as Bernardo),
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Kate Christopher as Anita),
Outstanding Performance by a Featured Dancer (Tim Sampson as Action),
Outstanding Production Number (Gee, Officer Krupke),

2004: Guys and Dolls

Win(s)
Outstanding Choreography

10 Other Nominations
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Lauren Zito as Miss Adelaide)
Outstanding Duet Performance (Tim Sampson and Lauren Zito, "Sue Me")
Outstanding Performance by a Featured Dancer (Mariel Letourneau)
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Production Number (Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat)
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Outstanding Stage Crew In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert
Outstanding Use of Scenery
Outstanding Use of Costumes

2005: Crazy for You

Win(s)
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Outstanding Male Lead (Andy Truscott as Bobby Child)
Outstanding Featured Dancer (Andy Truscott as Bobby Child)
Outstanding Use of Scenery
Outstanding Use of Costumes
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Production Number (I've Got Rhythm)

6 Other Nominations Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Mariel Letourneau as Irene)
Outstanding Performance by a Small Ensemble (Josue Rivera, Jose Gonzalez, Alex Shuck, "Bidin' My Time")
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Outstanding Use of Lighting (Vincent Roscioli -LD, Ryan Hay-ALD)
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Julie Boring as Polly Baker)
Outstanding Stage Crew In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert

2006: Into the Woods

Win(s)
Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actress (Brittany Stahlberg as The Witch) (Into the Woods)

7 Other Nominations
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Kristin Stachina as The Baker's Wife)
Outstanding Performance by a Small Ensemble (Alex Shuck & Justin Glessner, "No More")
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Outstanding Use of Costumes
Outstanding Use of Lighting (Ryan Hay)
Outstanding Use of Scenery
Outstanding Stage Crew In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert

2007: Anything Goes

Win(s)
"Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actor" (Drew Stonesifer as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh) (Anything Goes)

13 Other Nominations
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Amanda Kostalis as Reno Sweeney)
Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actress (Christine Stehly as Bonnie)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Alex Shuck as Moonface Martin)
Outstanding Performance by a Small Ensemble (Amanda Kostalis, Alex Shuck, & John Andreadis, "Friendship")
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Outstanding Use of Costumes
Outstanding Use of Lighting (Ryan Hay)
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Use of Scenery
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Stage Crew In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert
Outstanding Production Number (Anything Goes)

2008: Bye Bye Birdie

Win(s)
Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actor (John Andreadis as Conrad Birdie)
Outstanding Production Number (Honestly, Sincere),
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Stage Crew In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert

11 Other Nominations
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Nick Conti as Albert Peterson)
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Amanda Kostalis as Rose Alvarez)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Zachary Gibson as Mr. Harry MacAfee)
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Elena Zervos as Mrs. Mae Peterson)
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Alison Christopher as Kim MacAfee)
Outstanding Performance by a Female Ensemble Member (Karly Kaschak as Ursula Merkle)
Outstanding Use of Costumes
Outstanding Use of Lighting
Outstanding Use of Scenery
Outstanding Choreography

2009: Wizard of Oz

Win(s)
Outstanding Production Number (Munchkinland Musical Sequence),

11 Other Nominations
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (Alison Christopher as Dorothy)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Nick Conti as Hickory/Tin Man)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Cameron Benda as Hunk/Scarecrow)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Ensemble Member (Cameron Benda as Guardian at the Gate)
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Use of Costumes
Outstanding Use of Lighting
Outstanding Use of Scenery
Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance (Alison Christopher, "Over the Rainbow")

2010: The Sound of Music

4 Nominations
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Outstanding Use of Lighting
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Use of Scenery" (The Sound of Music)

2011: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

15 Nominations
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Danny Youngelman as Joseph)
Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actress (Brianna McCullough as Narrator, Kate Dawson as Narrator)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Ensemble Member (Justin Mathis as Judah)
Outstanding Performance by a Featured Dancer (Dedrea Becker as Apache Dancer)
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Outstanding Use of Costumes
Outstanding Use of Lighting
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Use of Scenery
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Stage Crew In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert
Outstanding Production Number (One More Angel in Heaven")
Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance" (Danny Youngelman, "Any Dream Will Do")

2012: Thoroughly Modern Millie

Win(s)
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Hannah Arnold as Millie Dillmount)
Outstanding Use of Costumes
Outstanding Use of Lighting
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Production Number (The Speed Test)

11 Other Nominations
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Danny Youngelman as Jimmy Smith)
Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actor (Joseph Rivera as Ching Ho)
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Kate Dawson as Mrs. Meers)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Greg Adams as Mr. Trevor Graydon)
Outstanding Performance by a Featured Female Ensemble Member (Sydney Duffy as Miss Flannery)
Outstanding Small Ensemble Performance (Hannah Arnold and Daniel Youngelman, "I Turned the Corner")
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Outstanding Use of Scenery
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Stage Crew In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert
Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance (Danny Youngelman, "What Do I Need with Love?")

2013: Les Misérables

Win(s)
Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance (Daniel Youngelman, "Bring Him Home")
Outstanding Stage Crew In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert
Outstanding Use of Lighting (Jakob Klo)

12 Other Nominations
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Daniel Youngelman as Jean Valjean)
Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actor (Greg Adams as Javert)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Adam Conti as Thenardier)
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Emily Anderson as Cosette)
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Hannah Arnold as Eponine)
Outstanding Small Ensemble Performance (Emily Anderson, Lex Donatelli and Hannah Arnold, "A Heart Full of Love")
Outstanding Use of Costumes
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Use of Scenery
Outstanding Production Number (One Day More)
Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance (Hannah Arnold, "On My Own")

2014: Crazy for You

Win(s)
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Daniel Youngelman as Bobby Child)
Special Freddy MVP Award (Daniel Youngelman)
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra
Outstanding Choreography (tied with Dieruff High School's Chicago)

9 Other Nominations
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Hannah Arnold as Polly Baker)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Justin Roth as Bela Zangler)
Outstanding Performance by a Male Ensemble Member (Ian Bethmann as Moose),
Outstanding Small Ensemble Performance (Daniel Youngelman and Justin Roth, "What Causes That?")
Outstanding Performance by a Featured Dancer (Daniel Youngelman as Bobby Child)
Outstanding Use of Lighting
Outstanding Production Number (Slap That Bass)
Outstanding Stage Crew In honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert
Vic Kumma Award for Outstanding Solo Vocal Performance (Hannah Arnold, "Someone to Watch Over Me")

2015: Hairspray

Win(s)
Outstanding Small Ensemble Performance (Kelly Donah, Lizzie Trostle, Olivia D'Aprille, Brady Hill, Nikki Slavic, and Victoria Scovens, "Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now")

13 Other Nominations
Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Kelly Donah as Tracy Turnblad)
Outstanding Stage Crew In Honor of Capt. Christopher Seifert
Outstanding Production Number (Good Morning Baltimore)
Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actress (Victoria Scovens as Velma Von Tussle)
Outstanding Featured Performance by an Actor (Ben Adams as Corny Collins)
Outstanding Choreography
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role (Brady Hill as Edna Turnblad)
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Lizzie Trostle as Penny Pingleton)
Outstanding Chorus
Outstanding Use of Lighting
Outstanding Use of Costumes
Outstanding Use of Scenery

Recent construction

Freedom High School, 2008

A new main entrance was completed in June 2006 and Freedom's athletic facilities opened in December. Other additions created new main offices, classrooms, a business wing, a refurbished pool & old gymnasium, a fitness center, a new athletic office, a new trainer's room, and a state-of-the-art gym. A larger combined cafeteria opened for the fall semester of 2007. The academic wings of the school still remain in their original state with no current plans for remodeling.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ Catherine Arnst (2007-12-03). "Girls Dominate the Siemens Competition". Business Week. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
  2. ↑ Amanda Millner-Fairbanks (2007-12-04). "Girls Make History by Sweeping Top Honors at a Science Contest". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-12-06.
  3. ↑ LVIAC Historical Stats.

External links

Coordinates: 40°39′50″N 75°20′24″W / 40.664°N 75.340°W / 40.664; -75.340

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