Cairo High School

Cairo High School is a public high school in Cairo, Georgia. United States. The school's motto is "With Pride, We Give Our Best." Cairo High School was recognized as the SAT Region Winner for Class AAA and Region 1-AAA for 2005 and 2006. CHS students showed three-year average gains in reading and math SAT scores.

History
Cairo (pronounced "kay-row" instead of "ki-row" like the Egyptian city) is nicknamed the "syrup city" because Roddenbery's syrup plant was formerly located in Cairo. The syrup made in Cairo is cooked from sugar cane juice and is not the corn syrup known as Karo syrup, although the names are pronounced the same. During a driving rainstorm in the middle of a football game many years ago, workers at the local syrup shelter brought over their rain coats labeled "Roddenbery's Syrup" on the backs of the jackets to keep the players dry. Reflecting this heritage, the Cairo High School football team was named the Cairo Syrupmakers. In 1986, ESPN named "Syrupmaker" the number one nickname for a high school sports team.

The school mascot is depicted as a syrup pitcher. In 1994, Amy Gerleman created the team's first syrup pitcher mascot costume and began wearing the "pitcher" to pep rallies and football games. The term is often shortened to "Maids" for the girls or "Makers" for the boys.

Athletics

 * Boys' sports
 * Basketball - junior varsity and varsity
 * Baseball - JV and varsity
 * Cross country
 * Football - JV and varsity
 * Golf
 * Soccer - JV and varsity
 * Track
 * Tennis
 * Wrestling
 * Girls' sports
 * Basketball - JV and varsity
 * Cross Country
 * Golf
 * Mat Girls (wrestling)
 * Soccer - JV and varsity
 * Softball - JV and varsity
 * Track
 * Tennis

The 2008 Football Syrupmakers are Class AAA State Champions after the school's second undefeated season (1990 was the other).

Concert and Marching Band
The Cairo High School band was first established in September 1946 and the first director was William "Major" T. Verran. Major conducted the band from its inception until 1959. The marching band first took the field in 1947 during a football game.

After the retirement of Major, the band was under the direction of several other directors including Tommy Greenhaw (1959–64), Sanford Campbell (1964–67), Jack Willis (1967–72), Wes McKenzie (1972-74), Joe David III (1974–80), Doyle Thornton (1980-83), Randy Jefferies (1983–84), Joe David III (1984-96), Dr. Joe Parisi (1996–99), Johnny Folsom (1999-12), Michael Thomas (2012–15) and is currently under the direction of John Scanling. Mr. David was an inductee into the Georgia Bandmaster's Hall of Fame and also awarded the GMEA Distinguished Career Award. A music scholarship was established after his death to aid members of the band in a pursuit of a music major in college. The award is $1000 and awarded annually.

The band was referred to as "The Pride of Dixie" and is currently known as the "Pride of the Syrup City."

Activities and clubs

 * Academic Club
 * Art
 * Cairo High School Marching Band
 * Co Ed Y
 * Dance
 * Debate
 * FBLA
 * FCCLA
 * FFA - Future Farmers of America
 * French Club
 * History
 * Interact Club
 * Key Club
 * Latin Club
 * Library Club
 * National Honor Society
 * Navy Junior ROTC
 * Outdoors
 * SADD
 * SAGE
 * Science Club
 * SkillsUSA
 * Spanish Club
 * Student Council
 * Technology
 * Theatre

Alma Mater written by Reba Spears
We salute thee Alma Mater Thou to us art dear May thy virtues and thy teachings Guide us every year. Cairo High in future years Our memories will turn back To the days of Cairo High School To the Red and Black.

Expansion
A $3 million construction project for a new career academy at Cairo High School is being constructed. The school was one of three centers in the state chosen to receive the $3 million grant. Career Technical and Agriculture Education courses will cater to a variety of career paths like nursing, graphics and design. The academy will also offer a new course called mechatronics.

Notable alumni

 * Teresa Edwards, former professional basketball player; Olympic gold medalist
 * Cliff Hammonds, professional basketball player
 * Willie Harris, member of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox; member of the Cincinnati Reds
 * David Ponder, former NFL defensive tackle
 * Daryle Singletary, country music singer
 * Bill Stanfill, former All-Pro National Football League defensive end
 * Gordon Thomas, British secret intelligence author and journalist
 * Mickey Thomas, lead singer for rock band Starship
 * Bobby Walden, member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame; punter, kick returner, and halfback for the University of Georgia from 1958 to 1960; played with the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers starting punter for the Super Bowl IX and X champion teams; nicknamed "The Big Toe from Cairo"
 * J.J. Wilcox, professional football player drafted 2013 by Dallas Cowboys (2013-current); safety