Delone Catholic High School

The History

Delone Catholic High School is a regional high school named for Charles J. Delone, Esquire, a prominent Catholic attorney of Hanover, Pennsylvania, who donated the land and the funds for the construction of the original building. The facilities that had been the education center for elementary and high school had been destroyed by fire in 1938 which precipitated Delone's donation. The cornerstone of the new school was laid in 1939 and the new building was dedicated by Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, Apostolic Delegate to the United States, on September 2, 1940. As a tribute to Delone, the school bears his name and its athletic teams have adopted his title "Squires" and "Squirettes".

Father Cyril J. Allwein was appointed the first principal. The Sisters of Saint Joseph were joined on the faculty by the Sisters of Mercy and, in 1941, by the Sisters of Christian Charity.

In 1952, the high school was accredited by the Middle States Association under the direction of Father William R. Lyons, Principal 1948-1977. Two additional wings were added to the original building in 1955 and in 1962. A chapel, bearing the title, "Our Lady, Queen of Peace", was constructed in 1966. The Lawrence B. (Sonny) Sheppard Memorial, a gymnasium complex, the gift of Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Sheppard in memory of their son, was built in 1968.

Delone Catholic High School serves the youth of parishes in Hanover, McSherrystown, Littlestown, Spring Grove, Abbottstown, New Oxford, Bonneauville, Gettysburg Fairfield in Pennsylvania, and Westminster, Emmitsburg, Reisterstown, Taneytown and Glyndon in Maryland.

Mission statement

Delone Catholic High School exists to educate and challenge students spiritually, academically, physically, socially and aesthetically within the traditions and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. This challenge will inspire students to experience Jesus Christ personally and to "Be Doers of the Word".

The alma mater

Come raise your voices
Join in our heartfelt praise
To our high school, let us sing
To our high school, let us sing
To our high school, let us raise our loyal song.
Ne'er can our spirit die
Ne'er can thy blessings end
May all thy sons defend thy spotless name.
Our colors red and blue
Ever to you be true
True to our colors bright
O, Delone High.

Freedom Shrine

Delone Catholic exhibits one of the first Freedom Shrines, donated by the Hanover Exchange Club and dedicated on March 26, 1957. The Freedom Shrine displays a variety of documents, including The Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address and the Treaties of World War II. A rededication ceremony was held on September 16, 2009. Joe Dittmar, a survivor of the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Centers, gave the keynote address.

Sports

The girls' basketball team won the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association State Championship in 2002-03, 2003–04 and 2004-05, all in PIAA section AA. The team took the 2004 title with a 46-33 win over Bishop Guilfoyle High School in the tournament final. In 2004-05, Delone won the state championship with a 47-43 win against Westmont Hilltop High School at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The boys' basketball team won the 1988-89 Class AA State Championship with a 68-61 win over Brentwood High School.

Sprinter Maggie Borden was 2001 and 2002 state champion in the 400 meters, and was named Division B Track and Field Player of the Year.

James "Jimmy" Smith won the PCIAA State Wrestling Championship in the unlimited weight class in 1972 before Catholic High Schools could compete in PIAA competition. Tom Koontz followed Smith to win the same PCIAA State Title in 1974. His brother, Tony Koontz, won the PIAA Class AA Wrestling State Championship in the unlimited weight class in both 1983 and 1984. Dana Gingrich won the 2003 State Championship in the 130 lb. weight class. In 2010, Tyler Small won the PIAA Class AA Wrestling State Championship in the 125 lb. weight class.

The football team's annual game against the cross-town rival Hanover High School is Pennsylvania's third-longest prep football series. The Squires now have a 43-28-5 lead in the 75-year-old rivalry with Delone taking 24 of the last 30 meetings.

Delone Catholic's 2009 track and field team was the first track team to win a District Championship. They received the trophy on May 16, 2009.

In 2009, Andrea Staub was placed 2nd and 3rd at the PIAA Swimming Championships. Staub is Delone Catholic's first D1 swimmer to sign with Louisiana State University.

Delone Catholic music/drama/art/forensics

The drama department is led by Ken Berry, a well known local performer and director. The department performs simple, elegant and classic plays, such as Romeo and Juliet, Any number can die, Secret Garden and And then there were none. A musical is held every other spring. The stage is located in the old gym.