St. Andrew's Parish High School
Formerly at 721 Wappoo Road, Charleston, SC 29407
Home of the ROCKS !
This site is dedicated to the preservation of St. Andrew's Parish High School and the mighty Rocks spirit. The site is a collection of historical aspects and means to connect fellow alumni. Information provided on this site is done so to preserve and memorialize the valiant efforts of all students and alumni of St. Andrew's. Feel free to look around, reminisce, and enjoy the information provided.
If you would like to contribute your knowledge, stories, images and pictures, historical accounts, or other information, please forward them to standrewshs.rocks@gmail.com
Daily updates of website changes are posted in the Facebook Group St. Andrew's Parish High School - History
Thank you for visiting and Go Rocks!
Mascot - Origins of the Rocks
The Rock
With such a unique mascot, the St. Andrew's Rocks are extremely proud of their school icon. There are a number of discussions of the origins of the "Rocks".
Newspaper Reference of the "Rocks"
It has been reported in public lore that the name "Rocks" originated from a then Charleston Post and Courier sports article referring to the football's defense "held them like rocks" or the defense was "rock solid".
School Property Built on a Rock Quarry
It has been reported in public lore that the name "Rocks" originated as the school mascot because it was built on a rock quarry.
It is known that phosphate mining took place in West Ashley over time. The Post and Courier published an interactive map of known phosphate mining that took place in the approximate area, but is difficult to pinpoint exactly any location on what is known as Wappoo Road. (9) In a report on the History of Phosphate Mining Industry in the South Carolina Lowcountry, a map of mining in the area of St. Andrews shows that there was land mining taking place and the St. Andrews Mines and Bolton Mines exists in the school's vicinity. (10)
1941 Football Team
In a 2014 Facebook Post by Robert Olson, former Principal of St. Andrew's Parish High School, he met with a Mr. Gomez, Quarterback of the 1941 Football Team who stated that that 1941 team decided on the nickname "The Rocks" during that football season. He further states that in the prior years to 1941 the school's nickname was the St. Andrew's Rebels. (11)
St. Andrew's Rebels
The "Rebels" was the original mascot for St. Andrews given in 1940. In a sports article dated November 14, 1940, it announced that " The Rebels, the name given to the squad only recently, are pointing to their record and saying wait until next year and we really will show you something" (20)
Use of the Caveman / Rockman image
School Publications
Blue and Gold - School Newspaper
Top Image - Newspaper header from 1958
Middle Image - Newspaper header from 1962
Bottom Image - Newspaper header from 1984
The Pelican - Yearbook
Les Arts / Azure Images - Literary Magazine
Les Arts (ran at least from 1960-1984)
"The Les Arts magazine has an important responsibility - to promote an active interest in the student body for literature and to expose the students to fascinating prose and poetry written by the staff members." (8)
Groups and Associations for the Rocks
St. Andrew's Parish HS https://www.facebook.com/StAndrewsParishHS/
St. Andrew's Parish High https://www.facebook.com/st.high.9
St. Andrew's Parish High School Friends https://www.facebook.com/groups/303142336693257/
St. Andrew's Parish High School Friends https://www.facebook.com/groups/1298263586878370/
St. Andrew's Parish High School Friends https://www.facebook.com/groups/1301190133271209/
St. Andrews High School Friends https://www.facebook.com/groups/887139944732594/
Dedicated to Those We've Lost From St. Andrew's Parish HS https://www.facebook.com/groups/109616856688/
Spirit of St. Andrew's Marching Band https://www.facebook.com/groups/36052122733/
You Know You Went To St. Andrews If https://www.facebook.com/groups/201525346569754/
You Know You Went to St. Andrews High School if you remember when... https://www.facebook.com/groups/232463140125347/
St. Andrew's Parish High School "Little Theatre" Alumni https://www.facebook.com/groups/109959950450/
CharlestonSC-St.AndrewsHighSchoolBand1965-1975 https://www.facebook.com/groups/522554711475225
Websites
St. Andrews Parish High School in the News and Print
Woman Reunited with class ring she lost 35 years ago. CBS Houston. By Courtney Schoenemann. Saturday, October 28, 2017
Four Decades Later, it's Time for a St. Andrew's Rocking Reunion. The Post and Courier. By Frank Wooten
West Ashley Flashback. West of Free Press. By Donna Jacobs
West Ashley Alumni Night. West of Free Press.
Sources
(8) Les Arts Promotes interests in the literary arts. 1966 Pelican. (9)Phosphate Mines Locator. The Post and Courier. By Bryan Brussee and Brandon Lockett. Located at https://www.postandcourier.com/phosphate-mines-locator/html_a35d7372-929b-11e9-b5ed-c7b713d9fceb.html (10) Map of Phosphatic Deposits of South Carolina. A History of Phosphate Mining Industry in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Brockington and Associates, Inc. By Kristrina S. Shuler and Ralph Bailey, Jr. 2004. Located at http://nationalregister.sc.gov/SurveyReports/hyphosphatesindustryLowcountry2SM.pdf (11) Bob Olson Facebook Post. September 3, 2014(20) St. Andrews to Engage Sumter Bees. Charleston Post and Courier. Page 9. November 14, 1940.Contact information: standrewshs.rocks@gmail.com