Paul R. Wharton High School

Paul R. Wharton High School (also known as Wharton) is a public high school located on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in New Tampa, Florida . It is one of 27 traditional (9-12) high schools in the Hillsborough County Public Schools system.^[1] The facility was dedicated to Mr. Paul R. Wharton, who served the Hillsborough County school system for 38 years. The school opened on August 21, 1997.

Administration

Wharton's attendance boundaries include several Tampa subdivisions located in the New Tampa area.

Wharton's principals have been the following:

The school's colors are navy blue, white and black, and its mascot is the Wildcat. The school newspaper is called The Predator and its yearbook is Felidae.

Academics

In 2010 Wharton earned a grade of C from the Florida Department of Education.^[2]

Graduation Rate

In 2012 Wharton's graduation rate was 75% as compared to a statewide rate of 74.5% and a Hillsborough County rate of 72.6%. npr^[3]

Demographics

Wharton HS is 32% White, 31% Black, 25% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 1% Native American, and 6% multiracial.^[4]

Athletics

Wharton is known for some of the most vocal sports fans in the area, to the extent their team spirit has sometimes raised questions about what the nature of high school sports should be.^[5] The "Blue Crew" as they are known, are arguably the most spirited and vociferous group of fans in Tampa Bay. There have been complaints lodged about them with the FHSAA.^[6]

Soccer

In 2008, the boys' soccer team won the class 5A state championship.^[7]

Tennis

The Wildcats boys tennis include team won state championships in 2008, 2009, and 2010.^[8]

Notable alumni

• Vernon Hargreaves III, NFL cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Larry Edwards, NFL linebacker for the Buffalo Bills^[9]
• Candice Dupree WNBA all-star basketball player
• Ettore G. Ewen - Professional bodybuilder and current WWE athlete.
• Adam Kluger Music executive, Owner of The Kluger Agency

Newspaper publication

Wharton High School's student-run newspaper publication, The Predator, was introduced when the school was opened.

2013 Graduation incident

Wharton High School's graduation on June 3, 2013 was disrupted when the principal ordered the microphone shut off during the salutatorian's address. The salutatorian was removed from the ceremony by off-duty law officers who were working security for the event. He did not receive his diploma during the event, but did get it later. The Hillsborough County School District defended the principal's actions.^[10]

References

External links

• Paul R. Wharton High School
• School newspaper

Coordinates: 28°09′31″N 82°21′17″W / 28.15856°N 82.35476°W / 28.15856; -82.35476