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Wichita North High School

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School type
  
Public, High School

School board
  
boe.usd259.org

Superintendent
  
John Allison

Phone
  
+1 316-973-6300

CEEB Code
  
173207

Established
  
1929

School district
  
USD 259

Principal
  
Sherman Padgett

Founded
  
1929

Colors
  
White, Red

Wichita North High School

Address
  
1437 N Rochester St, Wichita, KS 67203, USA

Senior video wichita north high school 2016


Wichita North High School, known locally as North, is a fully accredited high school located in Wichita, Kansas, United States, serving students in grades 9-12. The school was founded in 1929 on the site where the United States government sent Company 'A' of the 10th Division to the forks of the Arkansas River to protect the incoming cattle drivers from the Indians.

Contents

Wichita North is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and offers a variety of sports programs. Athletic teams compete in the 6A division and are known as the "Redskins".

Wichita north high school marching band at band o rama 2012


History

Wichita North High School was the second high school in the city of Wichita, completed in 1929. Wichita East High School was the first high school.

Due to the high school being located by a river, North is one of the few high schools in the United States that teaches canoeing. During the spring, the students hold an annual water festival called Waterfest which is held right before Wichita's annual Riverfest and it includes floats from the various student organizations. Unique landmarks in close proximity to North are Mead Island and the Minisa Bridge.

Increases in enrollment at North necessitated a number of additions to the building: an auto mechanics shop (1950), girl's gymnasium (1951), and, in the fall of 1957 the three-story extension on the south wing. By 1972, thirteen annexes were in use. In 1975, North was allocated 1.7 million dollars from a bond issue. The funds were used to add a library, classrooms, provide extensive renovations to science classrooms, offices, and the woodworking room, add an extension to the small gymnasium, improve both the boys and girls physical education. dressing rooms and shower areas, and a number of other projects in rooms adjacent to the new or remodeled facilities. The improvements and/or additions made it possible to remove all but three annex buildings.

Acquisition of land across from the school in 1977, 1980, and 1982 enabled the school district to provide ample student parking. Several senior classes have donated funds each year to be used to purchase a marquee sign for the student parking lot. The marquee is used to highlight student activities and provide recognition for worthy accomplishments of students. During the summer of 1988, the cafeteria was relocated to the first floor and classrooms were constructed in the former cafeteria. The change was made to make additional classrooms available to accommodate ninth grade students who started high school as a part of the restructuring plan. 2013 saw the addition of a new gymnasium and pool located on the north side of the building to replace the obsolete 1928 gymnasium which is still used for pep rallies today.

Since about 1977, the senior boys would participate in a rowdy school spirit club known as the "S" Section. The "S" Section is known for making obscure cheers and rants during North High's sporting events and pep rallies. Each member would have a red and white long sleeve t-shirt with the words "North High "S" Section" on the front. The back would be the member's nickname as well as their graduation year. These would typically be worn by the members on days that pep rallies occurred.

One of the famous pranks of North High students is to attempt to steal "Butch." "Butch" is a buffalo head that is mounted in the main hallway across from the administrative offices. This has been thwarted due to elaborate anti-theft alarms on the mascot. Although a prank with harmless intent, students who have attempted to kidnap "Butch" have been prosecuted.

Athletics

The Redskins compete in the Greater Wichita Athletic League and are classified as a 6A school, the largest classification in Kansas according to the KSHSAA. Throughout its history, Wichita North has won 22 state championships in various sports. Many graduates have gone on to participate in Division I, Division II, and Division III athletics.

Notable alumni

  • Class of 2014: Nico Hernández, 2016 Olympic boxing bronze medalist, men's light flyweight division
  • Class of 2004: Elbert Mack, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback
  • Class of 1995: Tara Snyder, former Junior US Open tennis champion
  • Class of 1992: Craig Dingman, former Detroit Tigers pitcher
  • Class of 1991: Wendell Davis, former Dallas Cowboys cornerback
  • Class of 1989: Rolf Potts, travel writer and author
  • Class of 1988: Gaylon Nickerson, former professional basketball player
  • Class of 1987: Russ Campbell, former Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
  • Class of 1986: Barry Sanders, former Detroit Lions running back, 1988 Heisman Trophy winner, 2004 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee
  • Class of 1986: Brad Holman, former Seattle Mariners pitcher and current Texas Rangers bullpen coach
  • Class of 1983: Brian Holman, former Seattle Mariners pitcher
  • Class of 1977: Lynette Woodard, 1984 Olympic basketball gold medalist, first female Globetrotter
  • Class of 1975: Carl Brewer, mayor of Wichita
  • Class of 1975: Martha Davis, author and scholar of human rights and women's rights law
  • Class of 1970: Don Calhoun, former New England Patriots running back
  • Class of 1962: Riney Lochmann, former Dallas Chaparrals forward
  • Class of 1956: Curtis McClinton, former Kansas City Chiefs running back, scored first AFL touchdown in Super Bowl I
  • Class of 1956: Art Risser, naturalist and zoo scientist, former manager of the San Diego Zoo
  • Class of 1954: Judy Bell, first female President of US Golf Association
  • Class of 1953: Phil Ruffin, businessman and self-made billionaire
  • Class of 1952: John Dalley, violinist, Gaurneri Quartet between 1963-2009
  • Class of 1948: Vera Miles, actress who worked closely with Alfred Hitchcock; starred in movies like Psycho and The Wrong Man
  • Class of 1947: Gregory Kent Frizzell, US District Court Judge
  • Class of 1946: Vern Miller, former lawman and attorney-general
  • Class of 1946: Ray Romero, former Philadelphia Eagles guard
  • Class of 1946: Barbara Sinatra, philanthropist, former model and showgirl, fourth and final wife of Frank Sinatra
  • Class of 1944: Vernon L. Smith, Nobel Memorial Prize winner in economics
  • Class of 1942: James Jabara, first American jet ace
  • Class of 1940: Richard Cowan, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II
  • Class of 1940: Les Layton, former New York Giants outfielder
  • Class of 1936: W. Eugene Smith, Life Magazine photojournalist
  • Class of 1935: Bob Thurman, former Kansas City Monarchs and Cincinnati Reds outfielder
  • Class of 1933: Don Enoch, former mayor of Wichita 1969-1970
  • References

    Wichita North High School Wikipedia