HAGERSTOWN – In 2026, South Hagerstown High School will reach another milestone in
serving students. Next fall will mark the platinum anniversary of the first day students occupied
the building nestled in Hagerstown’s South End community.
In conjunction with the school’s 70th anniversary, a planning committee is currently being
formed. Preliminary plans include smaller periodic methods of celebrating the school’s rich
history during the entire 2026 calendar year surrounding a “main event” on a date to be
determined in the fall of 2026.
Previous documented milestone celebrations at South Hagerstown High School include the 50th
anniversary in 2006 and the 25th anniversary in 1981.
The planning committee is open to all South Hagerstown alumni, current and former staff, and
any other members of the community who bleed green and would like to join. The committee
will meet on evenings at the school unless notified otherwise. The first meeting is planned for a
date to be determined in September after the 2025-2026 school year begins.
Interested persons should contact SHHS Historical Archive curator Brayden Leather (‘18) by
email at [email protected] or complete the interest Google Form on the South
Hagerstown Media Facebook page.
IN BRIEF ABOUT SOUTH HAGERSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
South Hagerstown High School opened on Sept. 10, 1956. The school was considered
state of the art featuring modern award-winning architecture, combining steel, glass and stone
rather than the traditional multi-story brick school buildings of the past.
The school colors are Kelly Green and white. The mascot nickname of “Rebels” was chosen by the first group of
students to attend the school, inspired by the 1955 film “Rebel Without a Cause” starring James
Dean. In the best sense of the word, the United States was founded by a group of “rebels” who
had the courage to question the British King and fight for the country we have today.
The school motto “Fama Semper Vivant” loosely translates from Latin to “May your fame forever live” or
“May South Hagerstown High School’s fame forever live” in the final line of the school’s alma
mater. The crest logo features key elements of a high school education.
