Apple Valley High School (Minnesota)

Apple Valley High School
Apple Valley High School depicted from its western side Home of the Eagles
Address
14450 Hayes Road Apple Valley, Minnesota, USA
Information
Type	Public
Established	1976
Principal	Steve Degenaar
Number of students	approx. 1,650
Mascot	Eagle
Colors	Brown, Gold, and White
Website	www.district196.org/AVHS/

Apple Valley High School, commonly referred to as AVHS, is a public four-year high school in Apple Valley, Minnesota. It is a part of Independent School District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District). It is also affiliated with the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). The school was completed in 1976, and at that time was the second high school added to the district. As of 2006, it is one of five high schools serving District 196. At the 2011 Apple Valley High School Homecoming Pep Fest the Faculty performed in a Flash Mob for the students.

Accomplishments and recognitions

Academics

Apple Valley High School received an award from the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which is considered the highest accolade an American school can receive. It has also been selected as one of the "140 Best High Schools" in the United States, and has gained recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Scholastic Coach and Athletic Journal, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science.

Athletics

Apple Valley High School played in the Lake Conference, which is part of the Minnesota State High School League. Since being opened in 1976, the school has accumulated 60 state championships, placing it second overall in the number of state championships won in Minnesota. Starting for the 2010-2011 school year they will be part of the South Suburban Conference(MN).

Forensics

Apple Valley High School is also noted for its outstanding forensics program. It offers both speech and debate, and students must try out for both these teams near the beginning of the year. Outstanding accolades have been received at the National Forensics League (NFL) National Tournament. The Speech team has received numerous Speech & Debate Team of Excellence awards, and has had many national champions.

Notable alumni

For alumni who have gained significant success or notoriety.

• Colin Achenbach, a Forward in the National Lacrosse League for the Minnesota Swarm.
• Rebekah Bradford, a 2010 U.S. Olympic speed skater; class of 2001.
• Arden Cho, a model and actress who is also currently debuting her singing and songwriting talents on YouTube.
• Matt Demaray, a two-time NCAA Division I individual wrestling champion.
• Breanne Duren, a member of the band Owl City.
• David Fischer, a first-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2006.
• Michael Gifford, a two-time U.S. National Table Tennis Champion. Currently playing professionally in Slovenia.
• Karl Goehring, a goaltender for the Nashville Predators.
• Anne Hjelle, survivor of a highly-publicized mountain lion attack in 2004. (Graduated 1991.)
• Erik Jensen, an actor who played the assistant district attorney on CSI and appeared on Law & Order and "The Bronx is Burning" as well as the films The Dark Half and Blair Witch 2.
• Jarrod Johnson, a reality television participant who appeared on TLC in six episodes of the series Sheer Dallas.
• Daniel Krekeler, a double bassist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York since 2005.
• Trevor Laws, drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, former Minnesota Gatorade Player of the year and Defensive Lineman at Notre Dame.
• Mike Lundin, a defenseman in NHL for the Minnesota Wild.
• Shani Marks, a triple jumper who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics. -
• Tara Mack, a Minnesota State Representative.
• Matthew Mahre, an actor who has appeared in Paul Blart: Mall Cop, as well as episodes of Tyler Perry's House of Pain, One Life To Live, and Vampire Diaries.
• Leyna Nguyen, on-air anchor and reporter with KCAL-TV in Los Angeles, California since 1997.
• Christopher Orr, an actor who appeared in episodes of Sex and the City, Beverly Hills 90210, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU and All My Children, as well as in D3: The Mighty Ducks and in the Off-Broadway production of The Author's Voice with Philip Seymour Hoffman.
• Stephen Perrier, a mixed martial arts fighter.
• Derek Rackley, a tight end and long snapper for the Seattle Seahawks.
• Kristine Reese, an actress who plays Nessarose in the current national tour of Wicked.
• Reggie Rolle, an actor who portrayed the Green Ranger in Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy.
• Nicholas Sadler, an actor who has appeared in the films Scent of a Woman, Disclosure, Mobsters, as well as TV shows like The Cosby Show and ER -
• Dan Setzler, a reality television participant who appeared on Road Rules: Northern Trail (among other reality spin-offs).
• Dan Sexton, Right Wing for the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL.
• Joe Sexton, professional snowboarder.
• Maria Thayer, a sitcom and film actress.
• Erik Westrum, a Center for the Toronto Maple Leafs farm team but now he plays in Europe.
• Kyle Wifler, a middle weight UFC fighter and Muay Thai yellow belt.
• Vincent Kartheiser, an actor most notable for his performance on the AMC drama Mad Men
• Dan Smith, Class of 1987, former player for the Texas Rangers

State championships

State Championships
Season	Sport	Number of Championships	Year
Fall	Soccer, Boys	9	1984, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2006, 2009, 2010
	Soccer, Girls	1	1995
	Volleyball, Girls	2	1985, 1992
	Football	2	1986, 1993
	Swimming and Diving, Girls	2	1990, 1994
Winter	Hockey, Girls	2	1995, 1998
	Dance, Girls	4	1984, 1985, 1991, 1995
	Wrestling	20	1983, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
	Gymnastics, Girls	2	1989, 2001
	Hockey, Boys	1	1996
	Swimming and Diving, Boys	2	1989, 2001
	[Spring	Baseball	1	2006
Golf, Boys		2	1992, 1993
Track and Field, Boys		3	1986, 1991, 1992
Track and Field, Girls		7	1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2006
Total		61

External links

• Official website of Apple Valley High School
• Robotics Team Site