.:: Fairmont Senior High School

Band curriculum includes Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Marching and Concert Bands as well as one of the few schools in the state to have a full Steel Drum Band perform at various state venues. The band took first place at the Tygarts Valley Tournament of Bands competition and qualified and earned second place at the Tournament of Bands Championship in Pittsburgh during the recent competition season.

TV Studio, WFHS-TV, with state-of-the-art digital equipment earned through grants of over $100,000.00 in 1999, broadcast the 10-minute closed circuit production of daily announcements, weather, sports, and highlight videos. As the skill level increases and with a $10,000 grant from the Bowers Foundation, a collaborative effort with the art department provides opportunities for graphic art design and other additions to the curriculum through an Apple network. The studio initiative maintains five websites related to FSHS from a generous donation by Bill Goodwin, class of 1964, to the FSHS Foundation, in memory of his mother, Helen Goodwin, who taught at the school in the 60s.

Art department presents an amazing display of student talent in the spring. Art I, II, III, and IV offers a variety skill development through a diverse curriculum taught by a master teacher and artist.

Choral department includes Choraliers, Madrigals, Freshman, Mens’ and Womens’ Chorus, and piano instruction. The elite Madrigals, an Elizabethan style choral group, entertain in authentic costumes. The group has won competitive prestigious prizes and performed at the inauguration of West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin.

Drama performances play to enthusiastic audiences at the “Home of Thespian Troupe #2” (where the International Thespian Society originated) with over 50 current members, FSHS won one of the top 5 plays at the state drama festival. The qualifiers swept the playwriting awards by capturing both first and second place and had 3 students on the all festival cast.

Speech team members placed third recently in the state speech tournament; students have won over 60 competition trophies during the year. Averaging 50 trophies for the past 25 years the teams total trophy accumulation numbers over 1200. FSHS has placed more students in the top 48 at Octo Finals than any high school in the state of WV.

Journalism students have received National gold crown awards for years for the Yearbook of Merit. Publishing a special Maple Leaves yearbook with the theme of “If These Walls Could Talk,” the students produced a 100th anniversary commemorative edition.

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