South Hagerstown High School opened its doors in the fall of 1956. Buildings for Washington County's newest (in 1956) education facility were planned by Washington, D.C. architects McLeod & Ferrara, and they were built by Norman S. Early and Son of Hagerstown. The architectural design of the school won first place in a national competition that year. The school was dedicated to the service of youth and the community.
The first principal was Carl R. Beer. The successive principals were Richard T. Whisner, Donald Zilch, Walter Galbraith, John Peckyno, Richard Martin, Michael Shockey and current principal Richard Akers. More than 14,000 students have graduated from South High.
The student body have always been called the Rebels, originally named because of the school being in the south end of town. Green and white have remained the school colors - green standing for truth and white for purity.
The administration and staff continue to be respected throughout the county for their dedication and desire to help and guide the young people who pass through SHHS.
