Southside High School (Elmira, New York) - Basic Information

Basic Information

In its time of existence, which came shortly after EFA, Southside High has had two different buildings in use. Currently, it is using a newly renovated building on South Main Street on Elmira's southside. The school colors have been green and white since the establishment of the high school as well as its sports teams, called the Green Hornets. In 2011, the Elmira City School District stated that although the sports teams would now be maroon and have the Express train as a logo, that both Southside and EFA would keep their own individual identities through retaining their original colors and mascots for special occasions.

Each year, Southside and EFA would do battle for the Erie Bell, a trophy donated to the two schools by a local railroad company. Starting in 2011, the Decker Bell will replace the 64-year Erie Bell tradition. The new Elmira Express combined team has begun somewhat of a new rivalry with the Corning Hawks from two recently combined schools in Corning, New York. Both team combinations were due to severe budget issues that are still imminent and pose a threat to combine the schools altogether. The Elmira budget problem also jeopardizes the education of the students in the district, as well as the futures of the employed staff.