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Grayson County High School (Leitchfield, Kentucky) was established in 1974 after the three high schools throughout Grayson County were consolidated. Grayson County originally had one high school in each major community: Clarkson School (Red Hawks), Leitchfield High School (Bulldogs), and Caneyville High School (Purple Flash). The new unified county school system chose the Cougar for its mascot, with orange and blue as the school colors. The mascot and colors were chosen as neutral factors that did not favor any of the old schools, who had developed fierce rivalries.
History
In the fall of 1974 students who were only months before rivals, came together to begin a new chapter in Grayson County. The school has undergone several major changes since these first students came onto the campus. The school has had a fairly eventful history, including student protests in 1993 and 2007 that garnered attention from local media. The campus of the school has also underwent several improvements, including the construction of technology center to teach vocational education, and the addition of a new wing in the front of the main building to allow for more classrooms. In 2006, the school implemented a controversial Freshman Academy, designed to improve performance of Freshman, and make their transition easier.
Extra Curricular Activites
The school has been able to move past its internal rivalries and compete with external foes in various competitions. The Girls' Tennis team has won several regional titles, and is a perennial regional favorite. The Softball team has been very sucessful as well, even once gaining the ranking of #1 in the state and #25 in the nation. They have developed a strong rivairy with the other regional powerhouse, Owensboro Catholic. The Baseball team has also been somewhat successful, winning several regional titles. The football team has stuggled for much of its history, but did make the semifinals of the state playoffs in 1982. The team has seen a ray of hope in recent years, finishing the 2007 season with a 7-4 record and a second straight playoff appearance. The Boys' Basketball Team has been moderately successful, winning regional championships in 1993 and 2002.
The Cougars main rivals are the Edmonson County High School Wildcats. The football teams play each year for the Tobacco Stick in the "Tobacco Bowl". The two schools also compete in the same district and region in many other competitions. GCHS also has rivalries with Ohio County High School, Breckinridge County High School, Butler County High School, and Elizabethtown High School.
The school also fields competitors in Track and Field, Soccer, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance Team, Golf, Boys' Tennis, Girls' Basketball, and Academic Team. The GCHS band is regarded as one of the better bands in the state, and were asked to march in Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear's Innaugural Parade. The school also has an orchestra and chorus, and sponsors several clubs, including DECA, Beta Club, National Honor Society, and FFA.
