Chopticon High School

Chopticon High School is a public high school located in Morganza, Maryland, United States serving students in grades 9–12. It offers college preparatory programs and programs that prepare students for business and technical occupations. It serves the community in the northern portion of St. Mary's County, Maryland, between the Potomac River and Patuxent River. The area is mainly rural communities, with a recent rise in suburban development. Many of the families are employed by NAS Patuxent River, government contractors, St. Mary's College of Maryland, St Mary's County government, and traditional agriculture and water-related businesses.

Chopticon High School
Address
25390 Colton Point Rd

Morganza
,
Maryland
20660-9999

United States
Information
TypePublic Secondary
MottoPride Inside
Established1965
School districtSt. Mary's County Public Schools
NCES School ID240060001218[1]
PrincipalMr. Pirner
Faculty75 (2018–2019)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1,679 (2018–2019)[1]
CampusRural
Color(s)Red and Black
AthleticsSouthern Maryland Athletic Conference
EmblemBraves
WebsiteChopticon High

Chopticon High School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the Maryland State Department of Education. Chopticon also offers the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA) and the Academy of Finance (AOF). Chopticon High School belongs to the St. Mary's County Public School System (or SMCPS) and is associated with two other county high schools: Great Mills High School and Leonardtown High School.

The high school made news in 2015 when, on May 20, several students broke in at 3:40 am and released 72,000 ladybugs throughout the school. The four students, who were seniors at the school, were charged with 4th degree burglary, property destruction under $1,000 and disruption of school activities.[2][3]

Chopticon High School was founded in 1965, as a replacement to Margaret Brent High School (founded in 1921 – now Margaret Brent Middle School).

Music

Chopticon High School has a music program led by Mr. Matthew Ordille, Mrs. Sarah Lorek, and Ms. AnneMarie Karnbach. The Chopticon marching band, also known as "The Showband of Southern Maryland," won 7 consecutive USBands Maryland State Championships from 2009 to 2015 and their 8th in 2018. Under the direction of former director Todd Burroughs, the Chopticon marching band also won the USBands 2A National Championships in 2012.

Sports

Chopticon High School Athletics belongs to the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference, and competes in Maryland Division 4A in state competitions. On March 24, 2014 the Chopticon varsity softball team ended the Northern varsity softball team's state record 77-game winning streak by a score of 5–3. The baseball team won the 2015 3A State Championship by defeating Mt. Hebron High School 1–0 in the championship game. The pitcher in that game, LJay Newsome, ended up being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 2015 MLB Draft.[4] In 2016, the softball program made their first state championship since 1985, however they lost 7–2 to Sherwood High School.[5]

On June 12, 2017 Chopticon saw another alumnus get selected in the MLB Draft. Former Catcher Robby Kidwell was drafted in the 36th round by the New York Mets.[6]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Search for Public Schools - Chopticon High (240060001218)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  2. Jessica Goodell (May 25, 2015). "Ladybug senior prank leads to criminal charges". thebaynet.com. TheBayNet. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  3. WUSA 9 Staff (May 26, 2015). "Students release 72,000 ladybugs at Md. school for senior prank". MD News. WUSA 9. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  4. Gallen, Daniel (10 June 2015). "MLB draft: Angels select former All-Met player of the year Kenny Towns; Chopticon's Ljay Newsome goes to Mariners". Recruiting Insider. Washington Post. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  5. Hiatt, Gabe; Mullan, Dillon (25 May 2016). "Chopticon makes first Maryland softball state title game in 31 years, will face Sherwood". AllMetSports. Washington Post. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  6. "Mets Draft Local Baseball Player". sports. The Baynet. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  7. "Jamie Shupe". 2018-11-25. Archived from the original on 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2019-03-17.
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