The Community

The Southern Local District encompasses the rural communities of Gavers, Highlandtown, Millport, Salineville, and Summitville. The district is located approximately 30 miles east of Canton, 35 miles south of Youngstown, and 25 miles north of Steubenville. Major employers in the district are Summitville Tile, Inc., producers of ceramic tile, Huntington Bank, Inc., a large regional financial institution with branches throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, JPI Group, plastic recycling industry, and Alpine Natural Springs, providers of bottled water. The Southern Local School District combines a rural atmosphere with the advantages of nearby metropolitan area.

Tradition

The music for the Southern Local Alma Mater and Fight Song were composed by Oscar Gartrell in 1963. Mr. Gartrell is a former band director and teacher of Southern Local. The words for the Alma Mater were written by Sally Griffith. 

Dear Southern, how we love thee,

to thee we shall be true.

All hail our high school colors

of grand old gold and blue.

We're always there to cheer thee,

what e're the deed may be.

To our grand old alma mater,

we'll always honor thee.

Below are the words to the original Alma Mater for Salinville School, before it became our current Southern Local.

Lying in Ohio's hills

Is our fair Alma Mater

Bounded by Her rocks and rills,

Salineville is Her name.

Sing to Her, cheer to Her,

Our Alma Mater true.

Here our hearts are filled with joy,

All hail the Gold and Blue.

The words of the Fight Song were written by the cheerleaders; Kathy Rose, Sherry Mercer Jackie Needham, Bonnie Chevorant, Patty Briceland, and Loretta Phillips.

Fight you Southern Local Indians
Fight with all your might,
Fight to win our school a victory,
To show them what is right,
Fight you Southern Local Indians,
Blue and Gold will fight,
To win our school a victory
SO FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

School Mascot

The school mascot was the mascot of Salineville High School, the Indians.

The Pandemic of 2019 and After

The Pandemic of 2019 known as COVID-19 has changed our normal daily lives. Cases started in the United States in late December. By March of 2020, Governor Mike DeWine ordered schools and businesses closed. Only essential workers were working. This meant all school activities were cancelled. The school play, spring sports, Prom, District Showcase, and graduation were either cancelled or greatly modified. Education went from face-to-face to remote learning. But keeping the students morale up was not easy. 

The school website became a way to showcase the students' work and hopefully give them something to look forward too. The first virtual art show was created. The art teacher, Mrs. Ronshak had been collecting student works since January for the District Showcase. Normally the District Showcase was held in March but had been moved to May this year. Instead of matting the works, the pieces were photographed and displayed on the front page. The 2020 - 2021 school year was not a "normal" school year. Although we would play sports, the crowd size was reduced. Although we had homecoming, there were no dances. The decision to have the District Showcase in May was made in the spring was held outdoors. A Virtual Art Show was in the process of being created to be published on the school website. 

VIRTUAL ART SHOWS

• 2019 - 2020 Virtual Art Show
• 2020 - 2021 Virtual Art Show
• 2021 - 2022 Virtual Art Show

SENIOR TRIBUTES

• Class of 2020 Senior Tribute
• Class of 2021 Senior Tribute
• Class of 2022 Senior Tribute
• Class of 2023 Senior Tribute

VIRTUAL GRADUATION

The Class of 1959 published the school's first yearbook. The named the yearbook The Warrior. Two staff members, Mrs. Eleanor Whelan and Mr. Richard Jones agreed to sponsor the new venture.

Thanks to The Warrior we have a look our history. In 1959, the superintendent was called Executive Head. Mr. Jack Baker provided a word of advise to the all who reads the yearbook. "Learn to understand and improve yourself today - that you may make your maximum contribution to society tomorrow."

In 1959,  The  Warrior documented athletics and organizations students were involved in.  The boys enjoyed football, basketball, and basketball. The girls enjoyed cheerleading. Their activities in 1959 included, majorettes, senior band, chorus, Quill and Scroll, Librarians, Science Club, Latin Club, Student Council, Blue and Gold and Yearbook Staff.

In 1963,  the last class to graduate from Salineville High School documented the events of the year. The Warrior was dedicated to the all the Salineville High School Alumni and to Allen Richardson, Class of 1959 who was responsible for the first Salineville High School's first yearbook. By 1962-63, Salineville High School had a football and basketball teams. Their organizations included National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, Latin Club, Chorus and Librarians. Their activities included The Warrior staff, The Blue and Gold staff, Marching Band, Concert Band, Solo and Ensembles, Homecoming, Senior Class Play, Junior-Senior Prom, Senior Class Trip, and Graduation. Included in the yearbook are a few construction pictures of the new Southern Local High School.

The old football stadium

The new football stadium in 2003

The football field 2014-2024

November 11, 2021 - Veterans Day Assembly

November 11, 2022 - Veterans Day Assembly

November 10, 2023 Veterans' Day Assembly

November 11, 2024 Veterans' Day Assembly

Blank Walls Become Colorful

The senior hallway is painted with the mission and vision statement. To view the walls transforming, click on the picture.

2006 - 2007
The Mascot is painted on the Gym Wall

Area schools were painting their mascots on their gymnasium walls. Southern Local commissioned Campbell Signs to paint our mascot on the wall.

Campbell Signs purchased an Indian statute  to use as the model for the painting. When the work was completed, they donated the statute to the school.

The yearbook advisor dedicated the 2007 yearbook theme to the new mascot.