North Harford High School

North Harford High School is located in Pylesville, Maryland. It is one of the few schools in Harford County, Maryland to have an FFA Chapter, and the only school in Harford County to have a barn with a semi-working farm on campus.^[1] North Harford finished undergoing renovations and additions at the beginning of the 2008 school year. Its re-dedication ceremony was held on April 13, 2008 in the new auditorium. It was named by Baltimore Magazine as one of the Baltimore area's best high schools

Student Government

North Harford's Student Government program is one of the most active in Harford County. Currently, North Harford's SGA is a member of both the Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils, and the Maryland Association of Student Councils. North Harford is allotted nine votes in the Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils.

North Harford's SGA is made up of an Executive Board, individual Class Boards that report to the Executive Board, and Forum Representatives elected from every English class.

Events sponsored by the SGA include the Homecoming Dance, holiday food drives, Quarterly General Assemblies, Red Cross Blood Drives, an annual School Beautification Day, HCRASC General Assemblies.

The Student Government Association is the primary vehicle of communication between the student body and the administration at North Harford High School. In addition to sponsoring events and acting as a liaison between the students and administration, the SGA allocates money to all clubs and organization needing funds for the school year. Student organizations can apply for funds via the Executive Board President or Treasurer. Some organizations receiving funds for the 2007-2008 school year include the Spirit Club, the Science Department, the Student of the Month Program, and several others.

Major Clubs

Envirothon

In the 2009 competition, North Harford's B-team placed 3rd for B-teams and 7th overall. In 2010, North Harford's team won the presentation portion of the competition. The A-team placed 7th and the B-team placed 4th. In the 2015 5th topic presentation North Harford won 1st place beating the reigning 9 year champions Harford Christian. Also in the competition the A-team placed 2nd and the B-team placed 3rd.

NHHS Jazz Band

In past years, the band has performed for WJZ-13's "It's Academic" program. They have also played at the Lincoln-Regan Dinner. The Jazz Band has also played for the Harford County Public Library for the Christmas Holidays. Every once in while, the Jazz Band holds coffee houses right in the newly constructed band room. The Jazz Band is led by the band teacher, Mr. Wacyk.

Spirit Club

The Spirit Club has been responsible for many important events. One of the most popular events created was the Mr. North Harford High School Contest . The contest is essentially to determine who NH's best all around guy is. The contest features a series of contestants competing for the title and they must display a special talent, model evening wear, and swim wear and entertain the crowd.

The first contest was held in 2008. Ryan Polakoff was crowned the very first Mr. North Harford. He had some very funny impressions including a dead-on Sean Connery and President George Bush. He also does a very funny impression of the German teacher at the high school, Herr Blake. The second contest was in 2009. Polakoff came back to do stand-up comedy, he did new routines with his old impressions and several new impressions including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Seinfeld. Polakoff passed the title of Mr.NHHS to the 2009 Winner to Everett Glovier. Both are expected to return for the 2010 contest.

Natural Resources and Agricultural Science Magnet Program

The Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences Magnet Program (NRAS)is located at North Harford High School.

The Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences Magnet (NRAS) is composed of three clusters focusing on Large Animal / Equine Sciences, Plant Sciences, or Natural Resources Sciences. Programs provide students with the opportunity to experience challenging course work and experience science and technology with emphasis on career development and real world application. The Harford County Agricultural Economic Advisory Board, the University of Maryland, Harford Community College, and Harford County Public Schools has partnered to develop a program where each cluster will provide students with the quality background knowledge, and skills necessary for continued education or to gain entry into their work based field of choice.

Students will have the opportunity to earn college credits and various industry level certifications while still in high school. All students will learn geospatial applications and may earn nationally recognized certification through NASA. In the senior year, students will take part in a capstone project. This will occur either in a work based environment, a school based practical learning activity, or an off-site research activity with a mentor. The capstone is based on the student’s areas of interest and future goals.

Senior Pranks

Major Controversies

2003 Graduation Prank

On May 30, 2003, the day after graduation, students arrived to the high school to find that they were not allowed inside. As it turned out, the administrators were inside chasing down and trying to catch barn animals that had been released into the school sometime after the graduation the night before. To make matters worse, pennies were glued over all of the locks of the outside doors. A horse that had been released in the school found it's way down a stair well which could have ended very badly if the horse had fallen and broken it's leg, it would have had to been put down. The incident led to an investigation by the police, who speculated that a group of people snuck into the on-campus barn and then released the animals inside the school. The incident has become a legendary prank known as the "Lockdown" as a result of a flag flown from the flag pole with corresponding words. An investigation into the incident was unsuccessful due to the complexity of the prank.

2007 Graduation Vandalism

A group of students went to the school and spray-painted all over the school and buses; spray-painting 07's on the poles, as well as vulgar language and insults directed at the school and the administration. In addition the keyholes were glued shut. This led to a full-scale investigation between the school and the local sheriff's office, and the school put a $500 reward to inform the school on who the vandals were.

Athletics

Baseball

-2008 record: 16-5

-ranked #10 in the state by The Baltimore Sun high school baseball poll

-Regional Champions: 1999, 2000, 2005

Football

-2010 record (Varsity): Lost One Game

-2010 record (JV): Undefeated

-2009 record (JV): Undefeated.

-2007 record: 10-2, The hawks were led once again by Dan Griffin.

-2006 record: 8-3, The Hawks made the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Wrestling Tom Stewart took second place in the state tournament. David Hoeck won the state championship in his weight class in 1973.

Softball JV 2009: 7-2

Varsity 2005: Reached the regional championship game where they suffered a loss against Easton High School.

"Basketball" Women's Varsity helped teacher Lin James to her 500th career win in 2004

Women's Varsity coach, Lin James, reached her 600th career on December 10, 2012 in her 46th season.

Soccer

1985 - Harford County and regional champions. State semi-finalists. Ranked 12th in State of Maryland.

1992, 1994 - State semi-finalists.

References