Milford High School (Ohio)

Milford High School is a college preparatory high school in Milford, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Milford Exempted Village School District, the largest building of the district's eight school buildings, and the largest high school in Clermont County, Ohio. The high school and the Milford Exempted Village School District serve the City of Milford, Miami Township, Miamiville, and parts of Loveland, Goshen, and Union Township.

School history

District beginnings

Milford High School's origins are parallel with that of Milford Exempted Village Schools, which began humbly in log houses and other single room buildings. The public schools first organized in 1867 when voters approved the first board of education and established Milford Union School. The community constructed an eight classroom school that included a high school. The newly organized high school graduated its first class in 1883. The Union School closed in 1913 when Milford Main School, originally called the Main Street School, opened with a total student enrollment of 381.^[3][4] The location in the city housed all grades and was a state-of-the-art building when completed before World War I. The original building was later used as a middle school, grades 5–6, and then when Milford underwent an expansion of its elementary schools so they could cater to K–6, the building became a storage site for the district. Today, Milford Main houses several educational programs, including Fit-4-Kids, meal services for nearby St. Andrews school, and the Clermont County ESC has a school on the grounds. With these programs, Milford Main is self-sustaining. ^[3] Milford Main was sold and torn down in 2016. In 1914, Milford High School issued its first yearbook. "The Mirror" is on file at the Promont Museum along with every other yearbook issue ever created. In 1919, the yearbook gained a new name, "DROFLIM", which it continues to have to this day. The Milford Board declared its independence in 1917 when it passed a resolution that relieved the school of district supervision. At that point, the Milford Exempted Village School District was born.^[3] At a time when most schools were strictly segregated throughout the country, Milford High School was open to all children in the area regardless of race in 1917. Students posed in front of the school for class photos in 1917. Overcrowding was a problem for Milford Schools even in the 1920s. The district solved the problem by housing students in temporary buildings or by reducing school to half-day sessions. In 1923, Milford High School started a newspaper called the Hi-Letter. The name changed to the Reflector in 1933. The student publication has maintained that name all of these years.^[3]

The Milford Main building, formerly the Main Street School

Yearbook photo of 1917 graduate Jessie Clark

Expansion: 1930-1970

During WWII, Milford High School students and staff did their part to contribute to the war effort. Some boys left school before graduation to join the military. The Milford Area Historical Society's book on the history of Milford, Bridge to the Past recounts the following: "Students collected tin cans, scrap metal, paper and rubber, which were piled on the school ground for pickup by large tractor-trailer trucks. High school boys were released from school to help local farmers harvest their crops before frost. Girls knitted and rolled bandages. Defense stamps and bonds were sold in classrooms and ration books and stamps were distributed from the school." The district experienced tremendous growth for the next several decades. James H. Fley became superintendent in 1952. Under his leadership, the district expanded from one K-12 school to many different buildings. The district also looked to neighboring school systems to find additional classroom space.^[3] In the late 1950s to early 1960s, Ohio initiated a consolidation of school districts across the state. Milford merged with Miami Rural Schools and then Miamiville to become a larger district incorporating much of Miami Township. Before the consolidations, the district was five square miles. Today, the district covers 49 square miles and is responsible for 6,500 students.^[3] Sidney Cutlip was principal of Milford High School from 1952 to 1971. He saw many changes and proved to be an effective leader during a challenging time for the district. In 1962, a new high school campus and Pleasant Hill Elementary, now called Seipelt Elementary, opened to provide much needed space for the growing district. Despite the new buildings, overcrowding continued to be a problem at the high school. The growth and transformation of the district continued for the next twenty years under the direction of Boyd E. Smith who served as superintendent from 1965 to 1985. The new Milford Junior High (current high school) opened in 1966. The district moved the ninth grade class to join grades 7-8 at the junior high. The high school handled grades 10-12.^[3]

Centralization: 1970-1990

Student overcrowding continued into the 1970s as more families moved into the schools and the district struggled to find enough classroom space. In 1971, Milford Main became a middle school for sixth and seventh graders. Elementary grades were divided among the elementary schools while most kindergarten students attended classes in a variety of churches in the area.^[3] In 1978, another bond issue became necessary for the construction of more schools. The plan called for the construction of Boyd E. Smith Elementary and renovations or additions to Main, Miami Elementary on St. Rt. 28, as well as the high school and junior high. In 1980, renovation work began at the high school (current junior high).^[3] The high school enrolled grades 10–12, and the adjacent Milford Junior High School campus enrolled grades 8 and 9. The first major renovation at One Eagles Way occurred in 1986. By 1987, the district needed more space at the high school level, so the decision was made to renovate the then junior high and convert it to the high school. The renovated high school on Eagles Way opened in 1989.

1990-present

Four new elementary schools opened in 2003 and 2004, joining Boyd E. Smith and Charles Seipelt Elementaries: McCormick, Meadowview, Mulberry, and John Pattison. Enrollment increases also called for further improvements to the high school and junior high and additional space at the elementary level. In 2004, the first class of freshmen students were welcomed into the new Ninth Grade Community, functioning as a freshman school within Milford High School. The Ninth Grade Community was first housed in modulars, and would later be housed in its separate wing of the high school.

In 2009, construction began on the new additions to the Milford High School. The additions include the Ninth Grade Community wing, the new cafeteria and gymnasium, and renovated entrances and athletic fields. The project took 18 months and cost Milford School District over $33,000,000. The new expansion includes a state-of-the-art wing set aside for only the ninth grade. In addition, a new cafeteria has been built and a new music wing. Every room in the new music room has a projector and a tower with $10,000 worth of equipment inside. In the Ninth Grade Community, each room has a DVD player, a clock, and a speaker worn around the teacher's neck. Each ninth grade teacher was also given a Fujitsu Life Book tablet computer running Windows 7. In addition a new main entrance was built complete with new front offices and administration areas. These additions include a nurse office, principal offices, a new school store, and a main waiting area. Lastly, the old cafeteria has been renovated into new science labs. On August 29, 2009, Principal Dr. Raymond Bauer died suddenly from a heart attack while exercising in his home. Bauer was honored with an 800-pound granite memorial stone that sits at the high school, as well as with renamed space at the Milford High School Commons, a scholarship fund, and a website.^[5] In 2012 it was announced that the Milford Eagles athletic teams will leave the Fort Ancient Valley Conference and become charter members of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.^[6]

On September 9, 2012,^[7] Democratic Vice President Joe Biden^[8] came to Milford High School and spoke inside the cafeteria to a packed house on issues relevant to the 2012 election.^[9][10]

In early 2013, the Milford Exempted Village Schools Board of Education passed a motion to demolish and rebuild both Boyd E. Smith Elementary and Charles A. Seipelt Elementary. These renovations will be complete in 2016 and will provide a solution to the persistent problem of overcrowding in the Milford Schools system. In June 2016, it was announced Nancy House, an educator with 23 years in the district, will serve as the first woman superintendent.

The Ninth Grade Community at Milford High School in 2012

Academics

Milford Exempted Village Schools achieved the rating of Excellent with Distinction in 2011. The high school is college preparatory, and as of the 2012–2013 school year, Milford High School offers thirteen Advanced Placement Courses:
AP Biology
AP Calculus
AP Chemistry
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Environmental Science
AP French Language and Culture
AP Government and Politics: United States
AP Physics
AP Spanish Language
AP Statistics
AP United States History
AP Psychology
AP World History

Student life

Athletics

The Milford Eagles compete under colors red and white. The Milford High School Athletic Department is located at One Eagles Way.

Milford High School is a charter member of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC), founded in 2012. The Eagles have maintained a dominant record for all sports in the conference, except football.

The Eagles have competed in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (2012–present), Fort Ancient Valley Conference (2008–2012), Greater Miami Conference (1989–2008), Eastern Metro League (before 1989), and the Eastern Hills League (before 1989). The Eagles, prior to 2008, competed in the larger Greater Miami Conference (GMC) and are still arch-rivals with the Sycamore High School (Ohio) Aviators, as both the Eagles and Aves had entered the GMC in 1989, are division-I, and maintain academic excellence amongst their teams. Sycamore students used to dress up as "Millbillies" before the rivals competed, and Milford students would shout "suck-a-more."

In Spring 2008, a majority of varsity athletes signed a petition opposed to leaving the Greater Miami Conference. The Milford Board of Education unanimously voted to leave the GMC and enter the Fort Ancient Valley Conference (FAVC). The athletes' petition had called for further review and reconsideration by the board before voting. Statements released by the school board upheld the unanimous opinion of coaches, desiring to soften athletic competition. The student-athletes, which included basketball and football players, released statements concerning equity amongst sports in athletic department decisions (such was the argument against granting football and basketball teams more gravity in the decision to leave the GMC than soccer and running teams), greater respect for the voices of student athletes, and equal treatment for misconduct following events concerning Men's basketball and Fastpitch Softball. The board's 2008 decision to enter the FAVC is highly criticized for overlooking the accomplishments of sports outside the football and basketball programs.

The Eagles competed in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference (FAVC) Buckeye Division, having traded Mason High School its position in the Greater Miami Conference, before entering the ECC. The Eagles' compete against the Loveland Tigers for the Cross-County Shootout Trophy in men's basketball.

• Fall Sports

Girls Cross Country
Boys Cross Country
Football
Marching Band
Boys Golf
Girls Golf
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Girls Tennis
Girls Volleyball
Boys and Girls Water Polo

• Winter Sports

Cheerleading
Academic Team
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Boys and Girls Bowling
Chess
Dance
Boys and Girls Diving
Boys and Girls Swimming
Wrestling
Winter Drumline
Winter Guard

• Spring Sports

Baseball
Softball
Boys Tennis
Boys Track
Girls Track
Boys Volleyball

The Milford Eagles varsity athletic teams boast three statewide championships:

• Boys Golf – 1989 ^[11]
• Boys Water Polo - 2006, 2008*^[12]
  • Water Polo is not an OHSAA sanctioned sport

Band programs

Milford is well known for its strong overall band program. It is one of the largest and most successful groups in Milford High School. The Milford High School Marching Band, directed by Brian Brown, is an award winning and nationally renowned marching band and is the largest student organization at Milford High School. The band is a fourteen time BOA regional finalist, and has made semi-finals at Bands of America Grand National Championships seven times, most recently in 2015, when they placed 29st in a field of 95 high school bands from across the nation. The Milford High School Band is supported by a large staff including:

• Director Brian Brown
• Assistant Directors - John Espy, Jodi Smith, Jacob Carpenter
• Percussion Instructor - Tim Greenlee, Tim Wilburn, Ashley Sferra, Colby McClellan, Patrick Gauding, Nick Marques, Dylan Whitt, Bradley Davis
• Color Guard Directors - Drew Steinbrecher, Megan Scott
• Drill Writer - Mike Hardiek
• Visual Coordinator - Kyle Haas
• Music Writer - Andrew Markworth, Wayne Markworth
• Music Writer (Battery) - John Espy

§-Denotes a Semi-Finals Appearance

Milford High School boasts a rich and successful Concert Band Program. Although smaller than other schools, the Concert Band system at Milford is strong and organized. Students begin the band program in 6th grade and continue through 7th and 8th grade concert bands. The 8th Grade Band annually competes at the OMEA District XIV Concert band contest and frequently earns a Superior Rating. In High School, students continue in either the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or Wind Ensemble. Students are placed in Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble based on audition; those not selected for either the Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble are placed in the Concert Band. The Concert band play High School Class B pieces and has received Superior at the OMEA High School Concert Band Competition in recent years. The Symphonic band, which plays Class A and AA pieces, has also enjoyed success, having earned Superior for many years running. In addition to these bands, the school offers a Jazz Band as an extra curricular activity, a percussion ensemble, and a Pep Band. In 2010, twenty-three Milford High School band students were selected for the District XIV Honor Band; this encompassed almost a third of the ensemble. Unlike many other schools, Milford High School lacks a string program and an Orchestra.

In addition to a strong band program, the Milford High School Winter Guard has enjoyed recent success. The guard program in Milford consists of an Elementary, Junior High, and High School Junior Varsity and Varsity Guard. The varsity guard's 2011 show, "Jar of Hearts", won bronze in Scholastic A class at WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. The group also won gold at the Mid-South WGI Colorguard regional in Nashville, Tennessee.

In recent years, the Milford Winter Drumline has enjoyed success. The ensemble made WGI Scholastic A class finals for the first time in its history in 2016 with its show "Out of the Blue"; placing 7th place after semi-finals and 12th overall after their finals performance.

Organizations

Milford High School student organizations include Student Council, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Drama, Robotics Club, Chess Club, Key Club, Hi-Y, Yearbook(co-curricular), Reflector(co-curricular), DECA(co-curricular) and JROTC(co-curricular). The school's Latin Club functions as a local chapter of both the Ohio Junior Classical League (OJCL)^[13] and National Junior Classical League (NJCL).^[14]

Noted Eagles

• Michael A. Banks - Class of 1969? - New York Times Bestselling Author
• John Van Benschoten - Class of 199? - Former Major League Baseball Player
• Barry Bonnell - Class of 1971 - Former Major League Baseball Player
• Mark Fischbach - Class of 2007 - YouTuber and Internet Personality
• Eben Franckewitz - Class of 2014 - American Idol Semi-finalist in 2012
• Dou Hong - Class of 2007 - Animator for Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon
• Napoleon McCallum - Class of 1981 - Former National Football League Player
• Zach Strief - Class of 200? - National Football League Player of the New Orleans Saints
• Katrina Knuckles - Class of 2008 - Star on Made on MTV airing 30 October 2006
• John Sence - Class of 198? - NCAA All-American distance athlete
• James R. Terrell - Class of 197? - US Olympic Canoeist; 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996
• Earl T. Wilson - Class of 196? - All-American Linebacker at the University of Cincinnati

District statistics

There are nine schools in Milford Exempted Village Schools, including:

• Milford High School—1917 students (Capacity, 1,365)—including vocational students;
• Milford Junior High School—920 students (Capacity, 650);
• McCormick Elementary—540 students (Capacity, 600);
• Meadowview Elementary—675 students (Capacity, 600);
• Mulberry Elementary—620 students (Capacity, 600);
• Pattison Elementary—715 students (Capacity, 600);
• Seipelt Elementary—403 students (Capacity, 356);
• Boyd E. Smith Elementary—565 students (Capacity, 407);
• Miami Elementary (now the Milford Preschool)—192 students.

The district currently has about 6547 students in grades Preschool through 12th grade. The cost per pupil has become an important statistic for the aging community to compare Milford to other schools. The following information details the costs per pupil for area schools and the state average for the 2007–2008 school year, with Milford students garnering less funding than in other districts:

• Sycamore—$13,159
• Mariemont—$12,152
• Forest Hills—$10,097
• STATE AVERAGE—$9,939
• Loveland—$9,322
• Lakota—$9,129
• Milford—$8,938
• Oak Hills—$8,713
• Fairfield—$8,191

External links

• District Website
• High School Website
• Fort Ancient Valley Conference Website
• Milford High School Athletics Site
• Milford Band Homepage

Notes and references