SOUTHAVEN, MS (abc24.com) - The school's mission statement says it all. The purpose of DeSoto Central High School is to get kids ready academically, socially and physically to be successful.
It certainly shows. If you need evidence simply check out the hardware. DeSoto Central High School has one of the best music programs in the state. In fact, at a recent regional competition they were crowned champions.
Choral Director Megan Morgan simply points to the kids. “I have a lot of really sweet, talented students that I get to work with everyday,” she said. “They love what they do, they’re really passionate about it and when they come in here they want to work and they want to do whatever they have to do to be successful.”
DeSoto Central 11th Grader Jimmy Rustenhaven adds, “You’ve got all of these talent kids who can be soloists as well, but having to work as one choir to sound as one has been a challenge for us, but we overcome it every year and work well together.”
But that’s not the only thing that makes DeSoto Central an “ABC24 Cool School.”
Students in the schools high-tech video journalism class are learning the media business from the ground up. Each year nearly 300 kids apply for the program, but only 18 are chosen.
According to the program's teacher Jeremy Greenslade, “This class is a television show that we produce every Friday."
“It’s extremely fun, we can do like music videos, we do different cuts from movies or TV shows that are funny - it’s just so much fun," said 11th Grade student Miranda Fortune. "It’s very hands on and very enjoyable.”
If all of the extra-curricular activities aren’t enough, think about this: DeSoto Central is one of the highest performing high schools in Mississippi. They’ve been named a "Star School” three years in a row and they have one of the state's highest graduation rates as well.
Principal Cory Uselton said, “Our students know that we have high expectations for them and I’m just encouraged when I go in classrooms everyday and see the special things they have going on.”
From choir room to the classroom and athletics as well, the students and staff at DeSoto Central High are truly proving to be a cool school.
