Purvis High School


Purvis High School is a school within the Lamar County School District. It is located at 220 School St., Purvis, Mississippi.
The principal is Brad Skeen. The school colors are purple and gold. The school mascot is a tornado, named after the deadly tornado that struck on April 24, 1908.

Statistics

For the 20162017 school year the school had 587 students enrolled and about 39 teachers employed.

Athletics

Purvis High School is home to the Purvis Tornadoes. The school has football, basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, tennis, softball, track & field, and swimming teams.

Baseball


State ChampionsSouth State Champions/State Runner-upDivision Champions


Purvis Tornado Baseball Players at the next level
NameGrad YearCollegeCollege / ProComments-
Kenny Rayborn1993Seattle Mariners67th Rd Pick Rangers-
Chad Young1995Pearl River CC-
Scott Blackwell1996Pearl River CC-
Forrest Hudson1996Pearl River CCMississippi Valley State-
Curtis Young1996Texas Rangers47th Rd Pick Rangers-
Kris Rayborn1998St. Louis Cardinals6th Rd Pick Cardinals-
James Cagle1998Pearl River CC-
Walter Young1999Pittsburgh Pirates31st Rd Pick Pirates, MLB debut with Orioles 9/6/2005-
Eric Adkins1999Pearl River CCWilliam Carey UniversityWilliam Carey single season HR record holder -
Jeremy Chance1999Pearl River CC-
Derek Swan1999Pearl River CC-
Todd Sandifer1999Pearl River CC-
Paul Purvis1999Pearl River CC-
Brent Robertson2000Pearl River CC-
Andy McCarter2002William Carey University
Kyle Lindsey2005Pearl River CCUniversity of Southern Mississippi2009 College World Series as member of USM, 2008 PRCC All-American-
Nick Smith2006Pearl River CCUniversity of Southern Mississippi2009 College World Series as member of USM-
Robert Marzoni2009Pearl River CCBelhaven University-
Luke Gipson2010Southwest CC-
Bradley Rayborn2011Pearl River CC-
Trace Robinson2011Pearl River CC-
Logan Ferrell2012Southwest CCMississippi College2011, 2012 4a All State-
Phillip Lott2012Copiah-Lincoln CC2012 4A Player of Year-
Joseph Barrett2013Pearl River CC-
Lane Ratliff2013Jones County CCSeattle Mariners6th Rd Pick Mariners -
Brady Anderson2014Southwest CC2014 1st Team All-State-
Nathan Roseberry2015East Central CC-
Will Curtis2015East MS CC-
Jacob Williams2015Belhaven University-

The records, opponents, and season results have been verified using microfilm of past issues of the Hattiesburg American located in Cook Library on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi.

Football

The team plays in Cowart Stadium, named for past football coach Don Cowart. Below is a chart depicting the Tornadoes' history, followed by a synopsis of selected seasons. .
Playoff AppearanceDivision ChampionsWinning SeasonCoach's Totals

2005-2006 Season shortened by Hurricane Katrina.
Due to actions on part of both schools in a past season, Purvis High School and Lumberton High School can no longer compete with each other in football.

Arts

Pride of Purvis Band
The band, currently under direction of Nicole Allen, has achieved many honors.
Theatre


Under the former direction of Parker McMullan, the Purvis High School Theatre Department has prevailed in many competitions across the state. Every year, Purvis High School attends the Southwest Drama Festival hosted at the University of Southern Mississippi. They have received over thirteen All-Star cast medals, a distinguished play award advancing them to the Mississippi Theatre Association Festival, and an Outstanding Leadership Award. Purvis also participates at the Mississippi Theatre Association Festival. At MTA, Purvis has placed in the design competitions for the past four years, received several all-star cast medals, and have won awards in the 10 Minute Play Competition. At the end of the 2006-2007 school year, Purvis was selected to attend the 2008 American High School Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. In early August 2008, Purvis traveled to Scotland and performed. Mrs. Parker McMullan stepped down as director at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. The Purvis High School Theatre Department is currently under the direction of Ms. Dana Coghlan and is in a process of "reorganization".
Academic YearDirectorHonors and Awards
2003-2004Parker McMullanSouthwest Drama Festival All Star Cast – Wesley Guthrie, Mississippi Theatre Association Acting Award in 10 Minute Play Competition – Casey Keith
2004-2005Parker McMullanTennessee Williams Festival Honorable Mention in Scene Competition – Katie Johnson, Brandy Edick, Nathan Anderson, Southwest Drama Festival All Star Cast - Sassy Scheurich, Mississippi Theatre Association Best Writer in 10 Minute Play Competition – Matt Clark, ITS Festival All Superior Costume Design - Grant Stephens
2005-2006Parker McMullanSouthwest Drama Festival All Star Cast – Nathan Anderson, Kristi Masters, Melissa Barber, Ryan Siccone, Brandy Edick, Heather Miller, Tish Holden, Mississippi Theatre Association Best Writer in 10 Minute Play Competition and Overall Best Production – Zac Evans, 2nd Place Costume Design – Grant Stephens, 2nd Place Publicity Design – Kristi Masters, ITS Festival All Superior Costume Design – Grant Stephens
2006-2007Parker McMullanSouthwest Drama Festival Distinguished Play Award – Advancement to State Competition, All Star Cast – Nathan Anderson, Mississippi Theatre Association All Star Cast – Brandy Edick, Carrie Stanford, Kayleigh Webb, 1st Place Publicity Design – Nathan Anderson, 3rd Place Costume Design – Grant Stephens, American High School Theatre Festival chose The PHS Theatre Department to perform within an international forum.
2007-2008Parker McMullanSouthwest Drama Festival All Star Cast – Nathan Anderson, Mississippi Theatre Association Theatre for Youth All Star Cast – Nathan Anderson, Britni Ferguson, 1st Place Costume Design – Nathan Anderson, 3rd Place Publicity Design – Nathan Anderson, 3rd Place Scenic Design – Hannah Berman, Best Director in a Ten Minute Play - Kirstin Taylor
2008-2009Parker McMullanSouthwest Drama Festival All Star Cast – Kirstin Taylor, Kayleigh Webb, Outstanding Leadership Award - Kirstin Taylor, Mississippi Theatre Association Best Director and Best Ensemble in 10 Minute Play Competition - Kirstin Taylor, All-Star Cast in 10 Minute Play Competition - Adam Rouse, 2nd Place Costume Design - Kayleigh Webb, 1st Place Publicity Design - Terry Smith
2009-2010Dana CoghlanSouthwest Drama Festival All Star Cast – Shaun DeRusha
2010-2011Dana CoghlanSouthwest Drama Festival All Star Cast – Haley Ford