Franklinton High School (Louisiana)

This article is about the high school in Louisiana. For the high school in North Carolina, see Franklinton High School (North Carolina).

Franklinton High School
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Old High School building, currently Franklinton Junior High
Location	Franklinton, Louisiana
Coordinates	30°50′58.07″N 90°9′29.12″W
Built	1939, the former high school on Main Street is now the junior high
Architect	Herman J. Duncan & Co.; Caldwell Bros. & Hart
Architectural style	Late Gothic Revival
NRHP reference No.	98000988
Added to NRHP	August 6, 1998

Franklinton High School is a public high school in Franklinton, Louisiana, United States. As of 2015 the principal is Lisa Tanner, who entered the position for the 2009-2010 school year, replacing long time Principal Beverly Young. Under Young's leadership, the school went from a small 3A high school with both academic and discipline problems to a top-of-the-line learning facility that is now a 4A school and a model public school for Louisiana. The school colors are purple and gold, and the sports teams are known as the Demons. Franklinton High is a part of the Washington Parish School System.

The school building (the old high school, currently the Junior High) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

Athletics

The Franklinton High School Demon football team went to the Louisiana Superdome for the state championship for the first time in nearly thirty years in 2009, and was well represented with a tide of purple and gold from the hometown fans. The Franklinton High School Demons football team brought home the trophy as runner-up. With the 2009 season, Franklinton High School broke the record for the highest scoring football team in state history, scoring an average of at least 50 points per game. In 2010, the Demons pushed their way through the 2010 season with a 14-1 record to return to the LHSAA State Farm Prep Classic for the second consecutive year. In the 2010 season the Franklinton Demon football team brought home the first state championship in the long history of Franklinton High School under head coach Shane Smith. They again set the state single season scoring record eclipsing their own record set in 2009. Previously the Demons football team had played for the class "A" state championship in 1969 under head coach Buck Hellen but lost to E.D. White 20-7. In 1981 they played for the class "AAA" state championship under head coach Donald Currier but lost to St. Martinville 14-7.

Arts

Franklinton High School's band program, has grown considerably under the direction of Mr. Loyman Prestenbach. The program offers the following ensembles: the "Demon Regiment" marching band, the "Screamin Demon" jazz band, the "Purple Haze" basketball pep band and the Franklinton High School Symphonic Band. Past directors include: James Bailey, Cecil Tranthom, Alec McGuire, Clay Magee and Chris Talley. The band participates in the Louisiana Music Educators Association Large Ensemble Assessment every spring. Individual students are given the opportunity to audition for various Honor Ensembles throughout the year including: the Tangipahoa Association of Music Educators Parish Honor Band, the Louisiana Music Educators Association District IX Honor Band, the Southeastern Louisiana University Honor Winds Ensembles and the Louisiana Music Educators Association All State Honor Ensembles to name a few. Over the past 10 years, more than 100 students have been selected to these and other honor ensembles.

Franklinton High School is one of the few schools in Louisiana to have a show choir. The show choir is called the "Demonaires." It is an ensemble of about 30 students. It has a history of performing for the local area schools and events, like the Washington Parish Free Fair. In 2009, however, the Demonaires participated in their first ever show choir competition, the Mississippi Showchoir Competition, hosted by Pearl River Community College in Hattiesburg, MS. The choirs of Franklinton Jr. High and Franklinton High are currently directed by Mr. Kyle Jones. Past directors include: Ms. Jerry Dick, Ms. Beverly Bailey, Mr. Clay Magee, Ms. Robin Cooke, Mr. Chris Babb, and Mrs. Tonya Matthews. In addition to the show choir involvement, members of the choral department participate in the LMEA district and all-state honor choirs.

Other arts programs: Talented Art (IEP), Fine Arts, and Music Appreciation classes. 1

Clubs

Franklinton High School has a substantial array of clubs and organizations, including: BETA Club, National Honor Society, Louisiana Youth For Excellence (formerly the Governor's Program on Abstinence), Student Council, Family Community and Career Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America, TLC (Teens Living for Christ), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 4-H, Interact, and the American Sign Language Club.

Marine Corps Junior ROTC

In 1996 Franklinton adopted a Marine Corps Junior ROTC unit. Today it is headed by LtCol Claude E. Clark Jr. and Gunnery Sergeant Jeffery Brown, known to the school as the Colonel and Gunny.

Notable alumni

• John L. Crain (born 1960), president of Southeastern Louisiana University
• Katherine Haik (born 2000), Miss Teen USA 2015

Ryan Thomas (born 2001) President of the United Sates of America 2040

External links

• Franklinton High School official site