# Russellville High School (Arkansas)

Russellville High School is a comprehensive public high school established in 1893 serving the community of Russellville, Arkansas, United States. Located in Pope County and within the Russellville micropolitan area, Russellville High School is the sole high school managed by the Russellville School District and serves students in grades ten through twelve and its feeder school is Russellville Junior High School (grades 8–9).

## Curriculum

Students engage in regular and Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and exams to obtain at least 23 units before graduation. Exceptional students have been recognized as National Merit Finalists and participated in Arkansas Governor's School.
Known as the "Pride of Russellville," the instrumental music orogram has consistently scored superior ratings in competitions as well as placed a number of students in All-Region Band, Jazz Band, All-State Band, and All-State Jazz Band. The band has performed at three inaugural parades (1976, 1996, 2016) and holds the record for the most times a single band has performed for the inauguration. Along with the instrumental program, the choral program can boast "best of the best" and was invited to perform at a National Choral Competition in 2018. The choral program also consistently scores superior in competitions as well as placing a number of students in the All-Region and All-State Choirs. Academically, the music program also offers courses in General Music and Advanced Placement Music Theory (one of the first programs in the state to do so).

## Extracurricular activities

The Russellville High School mascot is the Cyclone, and crimson and black serve as the school colors.

### Athletics

For the 2024-2025 seasons, the Russellville Crimson Cyclones participate in the state's second largest classification (6A) within the combined 6A/7A Central Conference. Competition is primarily sanctioned by the Arkansas Activities Association with the Cyclones competing in baseball, basketball (boys/girls), competitive cheer, cheer, cross country, competitive dance, dance, debate, football, golf (boys/girls), soccer (boys/girls), softball, speech, swimming (girls), tennis (boys/girls, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.
RHS has won at least 40 state championships in its athletic history with the first coming in 1933 with the Cyclone football team being recognized by the Arkansas Activities Association as state champions. In 2014, the Cyclones won state Class 6A championships in baseball, volleyball, and boys' soccer. The boys' track and field team won nine state championships between 1951 and 2012. In 2014, Russellville won its third state baseball championship (1993, 2001). In 2024, the Cyclones won their eighth Class 6A state boys' soccer championship. Additionally, RHS has an excellent swim and dive program having won eight state championships.
The Cyclones (12–1) won the 2016 class 6A football state championship.

## Notable alumni

The following are notable people associated with Russellville High School. If the person was a Russellville High School student, the number in parentheses indicates the year of graduation; if the person was a faculty or staff member, that person's title and years of association are included:
* Scott Bradley—American composer most known for his works in Tom and Jerry (MGM) cartoons, was from Russellville.
* Natalie Canerday (1979)—Actress; roles include Sling Blade, October Sky, and Walk the Line.
* Jeff Davis—Arkansas Governor (1901–07), U.S. Senator (1907–13).
* Elizabeth Ward Gracen (1979)—Actress; crowned 1982 Miss America and 1981 Miss Arkansas.
* Greg Horne (1983)—All-American kicker/punter; four-year letterman at Arkansas; NFL professional football player.
* Zach Hocker (2010)-all-time leading scorer at the University of Arkansas with 354 career points, played for New Orleans Saints and St. Louis Rams of the NFL
* Eddie Meador (1955)—NFL professional football player and six-time All-Pro selection.
* Greg Standridge (1985) — member of the Arkansas Senate for District 16, which includes Russellville
* Corliss Williamson (1992)—1992 Gatorade National Male Basketball Player of the Year Award, Parade Magazine High School All-American, two-time All-American with the Arkansas Razorbacks, led the Razorbacks to the 1994 NCAA National Championship, 1994 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, 1994 and 1995 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, drafted 13th overall in the 1995 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings, played in the NBA from 1995 to 2007, 2002 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, won the 2004 NBA Championship with the Detroit Pistons, head coach of the University of Central Arkansas from 2010-2013, been an assistant coach in the NBA since 2013, currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
* Steve Womack (1975) — U.S. Representative for Arkansas's 3rd congressional district