Shadle Park High School

Shadle Park High School
North entry of school
Location
4327 N. Ash St. Spokane, Washington United States
Coordinates	47°41′53″N 117°26′13″W / 47.698°N 117.437°W / 47.698; -117.437Coordinates: 47°41′53″N 117°26′13″W / 47.698°N 117.437°W / 47.698; -117.437
Information
Type	Public High School
Established	1957
School district	Spokane Public Schools
President	Cameron Duty (ASB: 2014-2015)
Principal	Julie Lee
Grades	9–22
Enrollment	2,550 (2003)
Color(s)	Green and Gold
Athletics	WIAA Class 3A
Athletics conference	Greater Spokane League
Mascot	Highlanders
Rival	North Central
Yearbook	Sporran
Elevation	2,030 ft (620 m) AMSL
Website	www.spokaneschools.org/shadle/

Shadle Park High School is a four-year public secondary school in Spokane, Washington, part of Spokane Public Schools. Northwest of downtown Spokane, Shadle Park was the first new high school in the city in a quarter century when it opened in 1957.^[1] It had an enrollment of 1,950 students in 2003.^[2]

History

In 1954 it was very apparent that a new school was needed on the north side of Spokane. In the spring of that same year the school board officials were presented with plans for a new Northwest High School to be named Shadle Park High.

The generous amount of land was donated to the city by Jessie Comstock Shadle, the widow of Eugene Shadle, for the city to build a park. Only a small fraction of this land was taken to build Shadle Park High School. In May 1956, the firm Culler, Gale, Martell and Norrie started construction. The structure was completed in 1957 with the total cost coming to $2,787,475. This building was the first high school built in Spokane since 1932 and at the time of construction was the most expensive one in the area. In September, 1957, the first principal, William W. Taylor, greeted the first enrollment of 1,331 students. During that first year, the group of students held an all-school election and chose green and gold as their colors and the Highlanders as their nickname. In 1960, the first class held their commencement exercise for a graduating class of 403 Highlanders.^[1]

The Henderson Clan

Eugene Shadle was a descendant of the Scottish Clan Henderson. This clan plays a major role in the traditions of Shadle Park. The school colors, green and gold, are derived from the Henderson tartan.^[1]

The Crest

The crest, which represents Shadle throughout the school, was presented to Shadle by the class of 1964 . The symbolism on the crest is: a crescent and a star for Eugene Shadle and the Henderson clan; crossed Scottish thistle to portray the Highlander theme; a grouse foot from a game bird found only in the highlands; and the Henderson clan and the Spokane Falls landmark across the top.^[1]

Modernization and Addition

In 2009, a major project was completed to expand and modernize Shadle Park High School. The modernization of Shadle Park High School was funded through the support of the Spokane community in passing the $165.3 million facility improvement bond in March 2003.^[3] Designed to serve 1,600 students and accommodate a vigorous career and technical education program, the project was conceived as a modernization with minor remodeling of the 1994 gym and new additions. Designed by NAC Architecture, the project retained, modernized and renovated the original 1957 building (202,969 square feet) and its recent addition (14,945 square feet), removed the portable classrooms and provided approximately 49,350 square feet in new construction. The total new size of Shadle Park High School is 267,264 square feet. The modernization of the facility included creating a public-friendly and efficient layout with many views towards the park to the west. The demolition of the vacant Field Elementary School, on the corner of Wellesley and Ash created additional parking spaces for visitors and staff.

During construction, students remained on campus. A multi-phased construction approach was utilized over the 24+ month modernization with extensive use of portable classrooms as well as the old elementary school (Field School) which was located on the north end of the property.^[3]

Traditions

The Spirit Potty

The spirit potty is a green and gold toilet seat that a chosen senior student uses to motivate Shadle's students. The toilet seat is lifted to reveal a RAH! The senior lifts the seat and yells to a person or group of his choice "Give me a RAH!"

Mascot

Mr. McTavish is the mascot embodied as a mannequin. McTavish was created by Pat Fisk in 1960. Pat Fisk worked on the 3-foot 10-inch Scotsman every morning for three months before revealing McTavish to the student body at a pep convocation. McTavish is dressed in a kilt of "Ancient Henderson," the official Shadle tartan, a sporran, clan pin, and tam and spats.^[4]

The Victory Bell

The victory bell was a present from the Shadle class of 1965. The first victory bell was named after Shadle's first principal, Mr. William W. Taylor. The history behind the bell demonstrates the first victory bell which was to be rung after any athletic or academic victory. In the year of 1967, during the winter, the bell was cracked by a victorious basketball team after a crucial game. The same class then gave another victory bell to replace the cracked one.

Groovy Shoes

Groovy Shoes is a spirit competition between Shadle and their rival school North Central High School. Two basketball games are played: one between the boys' teams and one between the girls' teams. Members of the community judge spirit competitions, ultimately deciding who deserves the Groovy Shoes, a pair of shoes that is made up of a shoe decorated by the art department of each school. The judges decide which school wins the shoe by evaluating each schools' spirit through their involvement in community service and their participation in cheers.

The Bagpipe Band

The Shadle Park High School Bagpipe Band and Highland Dance Team is a group of Shadle students continuing Scottish tradition. The pipe band was founded in 1957 along with the school. Bill Thomas was the original pipe major and still works with the student pipers. Dan Grimes is the current Pipe Band director and Brielle Balazs is the current Highland Dance Team coach. During the 1980s, the pipe band tradition died out but was rekindled in 1990 by Shelley and some students.^[5]

Academics

Shadle Park offers a variety of Advanced Placement classes:

• AP Calculus
• AP Statistics
• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature and Composition
• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Physics
• AP Psychology
• AP Digital Photography
• AP Seminar
• AP U.S. History
• AP U.S. Government and Politics
• AP Comparative Government
• AP World History
• AP Human Geography^[6]

Principals

• William Taylor (1957-1971)
• Keith Rostvold (1971-1978)
• Jack Mathews (1978-1985)
• James Hutton (1985-1990)
• Michael Dunn (1990-1996)
• Emmett Arndt (1996-2001)
• Thomas Gresch (2001-2004)^[7]
• Herbert Rotchford (2004-2011)^[8]
• Eric Sylling (2011-2016)^[9]
• Julie S. Lee (2016–present)

Notable alumni

• Terry Davis, a novelist and professor in the English department at Minnesota State University, Mankato^[10]
• Mark Rypien, former NFL quarterback, MVP of Super Bowl XXVI^[11] Class of 1981.
• Craig Mitchell, Former MLB player (Oakland Athletics)
• Rob Ryan, Former MLB player (Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics)
• Don Lynch, author and historian to the Titanic Historical Society
• Michael Chiesa^[12], winner of Season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter, professional Mixed Martial Artist currently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship^[13]
• Matty Mullins, Lead Singer/Vocalist for Memphis May Fire.
• Bryan Braman, NFL Linebacker Philadelphia Eagles
• Derek Ryan, current NHL player for the Carolina Hurricanes.^[14]

References

External links

• Official website