Chattahoochee High School

For the Florida high school, see Chattahoochee High School (Florida).

Not to be confused with Chattahoochee County High School.

Chattahoochee High School
Address
5230 Taylor Rd Johns Creek , (Fulton County) , Georgia 30022 United States
Coordinates	34°02′53″N 84°12′28″W
Information
Motto	"A community dedicated to learning and committed to excellence."
Founded	1991
Status	Open
School district	Fulton County
NCES District ID	1302280
CEEB code	110146
NCES School ID	130228002172
Principal	Dr. Mike Todd
Teaching staff	114
Enrollment	1,951 (2018–19)
Student to teacher ratio	17.11:1
Area	4049108712
Campus type	Suburban
Color(s)	Royal blue   Gold
Athletics conference	GHSA Class AAAAAA Region 6
Mascot	Cougar
Nickname	Hooch
Team name	Cougars
Rivals	Johns Creek High School, Northview High School
USNWR ranking	328
Newspaper	The Speculator: Voice and Vision
Yearbook	Current
Feeder schools	Taylor Road Middle School
Website	www.chattcougar.com

Chattahoochee High School (colloquially referred to as "Hooch") is a public high school in Johns Creek, Georgia, United States, within the Fulton County School System. It is located next to its only feeder school, Taylor Road Middle School.

It has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as one of America's Blue Ribbon Schools. Chattahoochee was named the 6th Best Public High School in Georgia by Niche. In 2019, it was named a National PTSA School of Excellence and ranked as a top high school in US World & News Reports (#282 Nationally, #9 in Georgia). It was given a rating of 9 out of a possible 10 by Great Schools Rating.

History

The High School opened in the 1991–1992 school year replacing the now-closed Crestwood High School. In 1992, the first time a cougar appeared, which was the mascot of the school. 1993 saw enrollment rise to 2200 due to the rapidly growing Alpharetta area. The football stadium opened on September 17, 1993. The following year, the school population continued to increase to 2460. The auditorium and CT Halls were built to attempt to keep up with population growth. In 1995, increased enrollment (2600) forced it to go with a split day, starting freshmen (9 AM) two hours after upperclassmen (7 AM) which would continue for the next two years. Administration added a minute to the bell schedule and parking became a senior only privilege. This continued to increase, forcing the addition of 14 trailers in 1996 to accommodate the students in a school designed for 1800. The opening of Centennial High School in 1997 reduced student population by 600 students in 1997–1998 to 2200. The number of students would continue to fluctuate between 2000 and 2814 (2001-2002 school year) as the rapidly growing Johns Creek area was fueling student growth and the Fulton County School System was building schools to relieve the overcrowding such as Northview (2002), Alpharetta (2004), and Johns Creek (2009).

Athletics

Since the 2012–2013 school year, Chattahoochee High School has competed in Region 6–AAAAAA. From 2010–2012 Chattahoochee was in Region 7–AAAA due to redistricting and a decrease in the school's population after the opening of Johns Creek High School in 2009. However, the school moved back up to the highest classification after statewide reclassification. Chattahoochee was previously a member of Region 7–AAAAA.

Hooch shares an intense rivalry with its neighbor Johns Creek High School, located less than three miles away. The rivalry is competitive in many different sports and is important to many fans and alumni in the area.

Competitive sports at Chattahoochee include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, golf, track, and wrestling.

Baseball

• 1993: Tim Lemons leads the team to a 16-11 record.

The baseball team won the 2005 AAAAA state championship (with 33 wins and 4 losses), finishing 23rd nationally in Baseball America's Top 50 high schools.

Basketball (Boys)

• 1992: 15–8 record
• 1993: 15–8 record with 2nd place finish in the North Fulton County Tournament.
• 1994: 9–13 record
• 1995: 12–9 record
• 1996: 9–13 under new coach, Duke Mullis.
• 1997: 13-12 record
• 2000: 19-2 record

Basketball (Girls)

• 1992: 9–13 record coached by Russell Harrell.
• 1993: 15–7 record
• 1994: 17–8 record winning the Region Tournament.
• 1995: 15–10 record
• 1996: 14–6 record
• 1997: Record unknown, but made playoffs and Kelly Ginter sets school record with 32 points against Sprayberry.
• 1999: Tim Lemons is new head coach.

Cheerleading

The competitive cheerleading team won the AAAAA state championships in 1999 (AAAA), 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005. Since 1995, they have won eight region titles.

Cross Country

• 1991: Girls team finishes 2nd in Fulton Championships with Christian Hayes (2nd in Fulton) and Erinn Quigley (3rd in Fulton) under Coach Coleman Binford.
• 1992: Both teams finish 2nd in Fulton County with the girls taking 5th in Region, while the guys took 6th.
• 1993: Girls win Fulton County Championship.
• 1994: Girls State AAAA Individual Champion, Tanya Sotillo (19:07). Girls won Fulton County, boys 2nd. Girls placed 2nd in Region and then 3rd overall at the State Championships.
• 1995: Both teams sweep Fulton County Championships with Rachael Caruso capturing the individual title. They would go on their way to a 2nd(Girls) and 4th(Boys) team finish at Region. The girls finished 4th overall at the State Championships.
• 1996: Both teams sweep the Fulton County Championships with Rachael Caruso repeating as county champion. The girls would again finish 2nd in Region while the boys were one team shy of qualifying for state with their 3rd place finish. The girls would be runner-up at State, again losing to Pope High School.
• 1997: Both teams qualified for State with the girls placing 3rd.
• 1998: Girls win County Championship. Both teams qualified for State with the girls placing 6th, boys 18th.
• 1999: Girls win County and Region Championships. Boys finish 2nd in County and 4th in region.
• 2000: Girls win County and take 8th place in State. Boys finish 2nd in County.
• 2001: Girls win County, 2nd in Region, and 4th in State. Boys finish 2nd in County.

Football

Chattahoochee High School football stadium

The Chattahoochee High School football team had its first season in 1991, competing in Region 6-Division AAAA, the highest classification at the time. The team ended the season under coach Milo Mathis with a respectable record of 3-7 for their first year of varsity football. They repeated with a 3-7 record in 1992.

In 1993, Bill Waters was hired as football coach and led the Cougars to a 4-6 record. They would record their first winning season in 1994 at 6-4. The team made their first playoff appearance in the 1995 season when they played Wheeler High School in the regional playoffs. The Cougars won by a score of 21-0 to advance to the first round of the state playoffs, where they played the eventual state runner-up Parkview Panthers, losing by a score of 20-6. The Cougars finished with a final record of 8-4. In 1996, the Cougars suffered through a rebuilding year at 3-7.

The Cougars found the playoffs again in the 1997 season with a regular season record of 9-1 and their first region championship in school history. They advanced to the quarterfinals of the GHSA playoffs only to lose to the Brookwood Broncos by a score of 33-15, finishing the season with a record of 11-2. The next season the Cougars repeated as region champions, this time in region 7-AAAA, after another 9-1 season. However, they lost to the Pebblebrook Falcons 22-12 in the playoffs.

The 1999 season featured an outstanding run in the playoffs for the team after a 7-3 record. The Cougars won three straight playoff games to advance to the semi-finals of the state playoffs, where they met the Brunswick Pirates in the Georgia Dome. The Pirates won with a score of 29-7 and went on to lose in the state finals to the Lowndes Vikings.

The Cougars advanced to the playoffs again in 2000 after an 8-2 regular season and a region championship, losing to the Brookwood Broncos 20-12 in the second round of the playoffs. The team had their first undefeated regular season in the 2001 season and their fourth region championship. However, they again fell in the second round of the playoffs, this time to the Dacula Falcons by a score of 7-3. The team ended the season with an impressive 11-1 record. The Cougars would make the playoffs yet again in the 2002 season losing in the second round to the Harrison Hoyas 38-16. The team won their 5th region championship in 2003 but yet again lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Parkview Panthers 3-0.

The 2004 Cougars debuted for the first time under new head coach Terry Crowder in the Corky Kell Classic at the Georgia Dome where they lost to the Brookwood Broncos 35-7. The team finished with a 4-6 record and missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 1996. The following season ended with another disappointing record of 2-8, again missing the playoffs. The Cougars had a much improved 2006 season finishing 7-3 but losing in the first round to the North Gwinnett Bulldogs 21-17, and again in the 2007 season to the Grayson Rams 34-0.

In the 2008 season, the Cougars were moved to the much more competitive Region 7-AAAAA where they played mostly Gwinnett County schools that were much bigger than them as opposed to the smaller Fulton County teams. The team suffered in the '08 and '09 seasons with records of 3-7 and 4-6.

In the 2010 season, the Cougars were moved down to AAAA due to the opening of Johns Creek High School, pulling many students away from Chattahoochee. The team dominated Region 7 with a perfect record of 10-0 and a region championship, with their closest contest being a 35-14 victory over Forsyth Central. The Cougars rolled into the playoffs and cruised by the Pope Greyhounds 42-14. However, the team had a close contest in the second round against the Marist War Eagles (9-2). The score finished 31-28 and the Cougars advanced to the quarterfinals to face the Dutchtown Bulldogs, winning by a score of 37-14 to advance to the state semifinals, where they traveled to Statesboro to take on the Blue Devils. The Cougars found themselves down in the 4th quarter 21-13, but drove down the field late to score, making the score 21-19. After missing the 2-point conversion to tie the game, the Cougars were forced to hold the Blue Devils offense to get the ball back with two minutes to go. A game-winning field goal by Ammon Lakip gave the Cougars a 22-21 victory to send the Cougars to their first ever state championship. The Cougars met the also undefeated Starr's Mill Panthers at the Georgia Dome. Chattahoochee won 24-0, finishing off a perfect 15-0 season and their first ever state title. The Cougars finished first in the state of Georgia and nationally ranked.

Golf

• 1993: 5th place in State led by coach C.D. Gann.
• 1994: 4th place in District.
• 1997: 2nd in Region.
• 1998: Boys won State Championship.
• 2000: Female team was formed.

The boys' golf team won the 2007 Region 7 AAAAA championship by posting a phenomenal 295 and beating rival Northview by 5 strokes.

Lacrosse

• 2000: Lacrosse added as a club sport at Chattahoochee.
• The girls' lacrosse team won the state championship in 2009. The Lady Cougars defeated four-time defending state champions, the Milton Eagles, to take home the title. They won with a score of 9 to 7. This victory gave Chattahoochee their first girls' lacrosse state championship.
• The boys' lacrosse team finished ranked first in the state in 2003 despite losing in the state championship game to Westminster 11-9.
• The junior varsity boys' lacrosse team went undefeated in the 2015-2016 season.

Soccer

• 1993: Coach Louis Long leads boys to a 9-4 record. Girls coached by Trish Johnson.
• 1994: 11-1-2 boys record with a subregion championship.
• 1995: Boys finish 9-4-1, tied for 2nd in the sub-region. Girls coached by Wade Alexander finished 4th in the state with a 15-1 record.
• 1996: Boys coached by Brent King. Girls coached by Brenda Dowling.
• 1997: Boys coached by Rich Groeneveld.
• 1998: Boys had a 11-0-2 regular season record.
• 1999: Girls coached by Bill Wortman qualify for the state tournament.
• 2000: Girls have a winning season peaking at a #7 ranking in the state.
• 2002: Coach Les Meenan took over the boys' program while David Boyd takes over the girls.

The boys' soccer team was ranked second in the nation in 2008.

On May 14, 2011 the boys' soccer team won the AAAA state championship, defeating McIntosh High School 3-0.

In 2017 the boys’ soccer team won the AAAAAA state championship in Georgia.

In 2018, the boys' soccer team won the AAAAAA state championship in Georgia for the second year in a row. They defeated region rival Cambridge High School, 2-1, in Powder Springs, GA. Senior Ryan Kapper scored in the 1st Overtime to seal the victory for the Cougars.

Coach Les Meenan coached all three state championships (2011, 2017, 2018).

Softball

• 1991: 1-20 record under Coach Becky Salmon
• 1992: 4-12
• 1993: 10-8
• 1994: 15-12 under Coach Tim Lemons placing 4th in Region. Alicia Ouellette (6 HRs) and Stephanie Hsu (.447 BA) lead team.
• 1995: 18-10 with Alicia Ouellette leading Georgia in HRs, and Stephanie Hsu batting .534.

Fast Pitch

• 1995: 1-13 record under Coaches Becky Salmon and Laura Hood
• 1996: 7-12

Swimming

The girls' swim team won the GA High School State Championship in 1993, 1995, 1996 and 2000. They were runner up in 2001. The boys' swim team won the GA High School State Championship in 1996 while finishing runner up in 1993 and 1995.

Coached by Joan Garrett (1991-1994), Patricia Wise (1994-1996), Rhonda Fossum (1996-2000), David Boyd (2000-

Tennis

• 1994: Coach Milo Mathis led the boys team to a 13-1 record, while Coach Sandy Blake led the girls to a 10-2 record.
• 1996: Both the girls and the boys teams were runner-ups in state.
• 1997: Both teams placed runner-up in the Region Tournament with the girls going on to win the State Championship.
• 1998: Girls team won the 1998 AAAA State Championship, posting an undefeated record while being ranked 11th nationally at one point.
• 1999: Girls win 3rd State Championship in a row while being ranked 2nd nationally.
• 2000: Both Girls and Boys won North Fulton and Region Championships.

The boys' tennis team won the 2004 AAAAA state championship and the 2015 Region 6 AAAAAA championship while placing semi-finalist in the 2016 state championship. In their 2017 season, the boys' tennis team placed finalist in both regional and state championship

Volleyball

• 1991: Team finished 2nd in Fulton County and 8th in State. Nowy Prestera elected to the State's All Tournament team. Coach Karen Sullivan
• 1992: Team finishes 19-3 placing 3rd in State.
• 1993: Team goes 9-4 under first year head coach, Laura Hood.
• 1994: Team goes 24-12 losing to Marist and Roswell in Area Tournament.
• 1995: 10-9 record losing to Pope in Area Tournament under coach, Karla Rosenthal.
• 1996: 10-9 record under new coach, Jamie Tooley
• 1997: 37-11 record finishing 3rd in area.
• 1998: 26-18 record
• 1999: Losing record under first year coach, Jeff White
• 2000: 44-12 record with an Area Championship
• 2001: 45-5 record while winning the Region.

Wrestling

• 1992: Senior Hubbell Losson finishes 3rd at State.
• 1993: Place four wrestlers in the State Tournament coached by Joey Mathews.
• 1994: Coaches Mike Cloy and Coleman Binford led the team to a 15-8 record.
• 1995: Coach Coleman Binford and Adam Pitt led 11 wrestlers to the State Tournament with Ben McTier earning an Area Championship.
• 1996: Cougars finish 2nd in Area Tournament on their way to placing 6th at State with 12 wrestlers qualified for the State Meet. Jim Stortz, Mike Arold, and Jon Dickens finish 2nd in the state.
• 1997: Cougars posted a 21-4 dual-meet record and their first ever Region Championship.
• 1998: Five of six wrestlers who qualified for the State Championship medal, the highest being Steve Aikens who finished runner-up.
• 1999: Dual meet record of 18-13 while sending 8 wrestlers to the State Championship.

Fine Arts

Band

• Chattahoochee has one jazz band, three concert bands, an indoor percussion ensemble, and a marching band, conducted by Nicholas A. Garofalo. The Cougar Marching Band returned to Annapolis in 2010 for their third consecutive national competition, and most recently performed in USSBA Nationals 2013 in Met Life Stadium, coming first in their class in percussion. Jazz 1, the top jazz band, was invited to perform at the Annual GMEA State Convention on Friday, January 30, 2009 in Savannah, Georgia. It was the only high school jazz group invited to the event. The indoor drumline took first place in two WGI regionals in 2009. After serving as the director of bands since 2001, Frederick H. Chang left in 2010 to teach music at Piney Grove Middle School in Forsyth County.
• In 1997, the marching band when on a European tour performing in London and Paris.
• The Chattahoochee marching band was invited to participate in the 2007 London New Year's Day Parade. The band has also participated in the 2012 New York St. Patrick's Day parade and the 2013 Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona. The band was the 2007 USSBA Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee Tri-State champion. The marching band participated in the 2008, 2009, and 2010 USSBA National Championships in Annapolis, Maryland, and the 2013 championship in New Jersey. In 2008, the band took 7th in their class and 3rd overall in the percussion caption. In 2009, the marching band placed 6th in class AAAA. In 2010, the band placed 20th in class AAA. In 2013, the percussion placed first in their division.
• Directed by Abb Gunn (1991-1993), Tim McKinney (1993-2001), Frederick Chang (2001-

Orchestra

• Chattahoochee has an orchestra program which is currently conducted by Lori Buonamici.
• Directed by Abb Gunn (1991-1993), Vikki Oliphant (1993-1994), Dr. Nick Demos (1994-1995), Dr. Kathleen Horvath (1995-1997), Dr. John Sumrall (1997-1998), Dr. Perry Holbrook (1998-2001), Jim Palmer (2001-2008), John Peskey (2008-2009)

Chorus

• The chorus is headed by Jennifer Fabianski. Rhonda Fossum led the choral program until 2009, when she left to become the chorus teacher at Johns Creek High School.
• Directed by Cindie Thomas (1991-1992), Toni Jove (1992-1993), Meri Powers (1993-1995), Rhonda Fossum (1995-2009)
• In 1997, the chorus performed at |Carnegie Hall|.

Literary Activities

Student Newspaper

The Speculator: Voice and Vision is the school news magazine and news website for Chattahoochee High School. The Speculator originally began at Crestwood High School in 1974, and moved to Chattahoochee when the school opened in 1991. The Speculator was a monthly newspaper up until the 2010-2011 school year, when the staff decided to switch to a news magazine layout, allowing more incorporation of graphics and more involvement with the school's Imaginarium graphic design department. In the fall of 2011, the staff and graphics department jointly decided to add the "Voice" ending to the magazine title, to represent to magazine as the voice of the students. The Speculator: Voice is released five times a year. The Speculator: Vision is the news website version of the Speculator: Voice and was launched during the 2011-2012 school year.

Yearbook

The yearbook at Chattahoohee is called the Current and has published every year since it's opening in 1991.

Extracurricular Activities

CHS offers over 80 clubs. Notable clubs are the debate team (which has won nine state championships and been a frequent qualifier to the national Tournament of Champions, placing 2nd in 2005), Science Olympiad, Academic Bowl (which has been a constant state champion and national qualifier), chess club (which placed 3rd overall in the 2008 Georgia High School Team State Championship), and the Table Top Gaming Club which has won state 10 years in a row.

Academic Bowl

• 1991: Fulton County Champions
• 1997: Fulton County Champions
• 2000: Fulton County Champions
• 2009: Tied for 7th nationally at the National Academic Quiz Tournaments High School National Championship Tournament.

Debate Team

Chattahoochee fields a nationally competitive policy debate team. Chattahoochee has qualified multiple teams to the Tournament of Champions, including seven in 2006, five in 2007, six in 2008, five in 2010.

Alumni Pavilion

The Alumni Pavilion is located at the south end of the Arena. It contains 2,046 square feet (190.1 m²) of covered space and a 744 square feet (69.1 m²) viewing deck, and consists of steel beam construction, wood finished columns, and a concrete deck. The pavilion is positioned as an overlook to the Arena and has hosted numerous pre-game activities such as cookouts and booster meetings. Dedicated to all past and future graduates of Chattahoochee High School, the Alumni Pavilion's purpose is to serve as a meeting site for school and community groups.

Renovations

The school was slated to receive numerous renovations from the summer of 2014 until the summer of 2015. These renovations include:

• Cafeteria renovations with new serving lines and tables
• Updated front entrance restrooms
• Front office relocation
• Resource officer relocation
• Computer lab addition to the Media Center, as well as new carpets
• New ceilings and window replacements throughout the school
• New tile flooring throughout the school
• Replacing auxiliary gym flooring and bleachers
• Refinishing theater stage
• Replacing interlocking mat flooring in the weight room
• New HVAC with inclusion of AC to the press box
• Remodel of bus drop-off canopy
• Repair and resurfacing of student parking lot
• New lockers

People

Principals

• 1991 - Dr. Les Bivens
• 1992 - Dr. Robert Burke

Notable alumni

• Jaron Blossomgame, Clemson University men's basketball. NBA basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers #4

• Clint Boling, University of Georgia football player (2007-2010), drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 4th Round of the 2011 NFL draft, University of Georgia lacrosse player (2005–2008)
• Andi Dorfman, The Bachelorette (season 10)
• Geoff Duncan, Lieutenant Governor of Georgia.
• Jay Litherland, USA Olympic Swim Team
• Marcus Sayles, Buffalo Bills.
• Charlie Whitehurst, quarterback of the Cleveland Browns

Senior Class President

• 1992 - Kacy Cambell
• 1993 - Kristin Seem
• 1994 - Courtney Turner
• 1995 - Amy McKenzie
• 1996 - Lindsay Mackay
• 1997 - Vani Krishnamurthy
• 1999 - Courtney Hudson
• 2000 - Carolyn Morse
• 2001 - John Stephens

Homecoming Queens

• 1991 - Tammy Rizk
• 1992 - Leslie Johnson
• 1993 - Erin Groves
• 1995 - Whitney James
• 1996 - Emily James
• 1997 - Andrea Terrill
• 1998 - Kelly Mayer
• 1999 - Taylor Barnwell
• 2000 - Kelly Garrison
• 2001 - Pollye Smith

External links

• http://school.fultonschools.org/hs/chattahoochee/Pages/default.aspx
• https://twitter.com/HoochHappenings