Fort Collins High School
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| Fort Collins High School | |
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| The old Fort Collins High School
Home of the Champions/Where excellent is expected
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| Location | |
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| Fort Collins, Colorado United States |
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| Coordinates | 40°32′24″N 105°02′14″W / 40.54°N 105.03722°WCoordinates: 40°32′24″N 105°02′14″W / 40.54°N 105.03722°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public high school |
| Established | c. 1890 |
| School district | Poudre School District |
| Principal | Mark Eversole |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Number of students | ~1,800 (Near Full Capacity)[citation needed] |
| Campus | single building |
| Color(s) | Purple, Gold, and black |
| Athletics | 5A |
| Mascot | Lambkin |
| Website | schoolweb.psdschools.org/fchs/ |
Fort Collins High School, located at 3400 Lambkin Way, Fort Collins, Colorado, is one of four public senior high schools in the Poudre School District. Its school colors are purple and gold and the mascot is a lambkin. The school serves approximately 1,800 students and has a staff of about 130 faculty.
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[edit] History
Fort Collins High School is over 100 years old. Classes were originally held on the second floor of the old Franklin Grade School at the corner of West Mountain and Howes Street. Almost 40 students were in the first classes at the school. By 1903, the need for a new building was apparent. At this time, the high school was moved to a new building on Meldrum Street where the present Lincoln Center stands. During the ensuing years, additions were placed on this building in 1915 and 1921. In 1924, a brand new building which currently stands at 1400 Remington Street, was constructed. Classes were held in this building from 1925 to 1995. In 1953, a large gymnasium was built on the north side of the building. A science addition was added to the south end in the late 1970s.
Due to increasing student numbers, a new Fort Collins High School was built at the corner of Horsetooth and Timberline Roads at 3400 Lambkin Way, and it opened in the fall of 1995. The enrollment at Fort Collins High School for 2006 will exceed 1500 students. As of 2006, the largest graduating senior class passed through the doors with almost 600 students. Approximately 30,000 students have graduated since the beginning class in 1893.
Starting the 2009 school year, 9th graders will also come to FCHS. Before that time, they only had grades 10-12. Population is estimated to be close to 2000 after the transition.
[edit] Physical properties of FCHS
The new Fort Collins High school is considered to be in the "Post-Modern" segment of architecture, with its asymmetrical walls, pent style roofs, acute wall angles, and monolithic windows. Unlike the old structure, the new Fort Collins High School is completely lacking of peaked roofs, but instead consists of flat and pent style roof-tops. This building designed to hold 1800 students comfortably, but has held up to 2,200 with success. It contains 285,000 square feet (26,500 m2) of space, one cafeteria with an LCD television, three Gymnasiums, 7 computer labs, 1 green house,11 sets of restrooms, and a weight room. It is also the home of the McNeal performing arts center, which holds a large Auditorium inside that can seat 700. FCHS is one of the largest high school buildings in the state of Colorado.
All sections of the school are joined by one main hall, a long curved hallway called "Remington" named after the street the old structure was located upon. The three academic halls are Prospect, Mulberry, and Laporte. Each hall has a very similar design, but different lengths. The wall on each hall facing the main entrance is slanted so that the halls are wider at the entrance and narrower at the exit (while the walls facing the music hall are straight). All three halls are joined by an elevated glass walkway.
Perhaps the most famous landmark of the facility is the FCHS tower, a sail-shaped, 75' tall tower with purple letters spelling "FCHS" vertically. It features purple neon lighting underneath which lights up at night. This new facility located at Timberline and Horsetooth roads is significantly larger than the old one, and is more spread out.
When Poudre School District were seeking designers, they did something they wouldn't usually do. PSD looked out of town for their architects of choice and went to the Architectural firm giant Perkins and Will of Chicago to take on the task of creating a new building. Perkins and Will is most well known for designing massive structures, and not small singular buildings, thus being the reason they were picked, since the overcrowding issues demanded a very large school. The mega-firm were well known for projects such as JFK International Airport TWA, Center for Disease Control, Time Warner Headquarters, Best Buy corporate Headquarters, New York Stock Exchange interiors, Dubai International Financial Centre, International School of Beijing, Signature Place, Los Angelos United States Courthouse, MIT technology square and center, Boeing Headquarters, Sears Headquarters, and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Charles William Brubaker, the leading educational architect at Perkins and Will at the time, was chosen to design Fort Collins High School. To cut costs, Poudre School District removed the swimming pool from Brubaker's design for the building, and the rest of the building remained. If the whole design was built, Fort Collins High School would be the largest k-12 private or public grade school in the district, exceeding Fossil Ridge's size. Currently, Fort Collins High School is the second largest grade school building in Larimer county, beat by Fossil Ridge with 4% more space. There is still room for the swimming pool, which is connected to the rest of the structure via steel beams with a courtyard underneath. If PSD does receive enough funds in the future, the swimming pool could be added.
Recently, the three main class halls were repainted to reflect the school colors. LaPorte is Grey (they believed black would be too depressing), Mulberry is Gold, and Prospect is Purple. There is also a statue of a lamb above the main entrance and the school song transcribed just outside the Prospect hall. Remington Hallway was featured on C. William Brubaker's book "Planning and Designing Schools" as the cover photo.
[edit] Competitions
In 1991, the Fort Collins High School Symphony Orchestra under its former music director Steve McNeal and the Choir were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City in the Big Apple Concert Series.
Again, in 2002, portions of the music department were invited to Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Symphonic Band, Orchestra and Fort Collins A Cappella Choir were all asked to come and perform in this famous venue.
The Symphony Orchestra traveled to Germany and Austria in March 2005 under the direction of Matthew Spieker.
In 2001, the school's Science Olympiad team took 3rd place at the National Science Olympiad Tournament at North Carolina State University.
[edit] Traditions
Fort Collins High School takes pride in many of its traditions including:
- Mascot and Colors - The "Lambkins" take pride in their mascot, as it is literally a "baby lamb". Their colors are purple and gold.
- Landing Sing - Every Friday, the A Capella Choir sings the two school songs on the flight of steps in the first hall.
- Athletics - various sport activities which inspired other traditions such as "'the superfans'".
- Homecoming Dance - Formal dance, preceded by a week of designated dress up days and a homecoming football game.
- Sadie Hawkins Dance - Dance in which girls ask the guys and dress alike.
- Theater - Tower Theater presents four shows each season, consisting of two plays, Vaudeville, and a spring musical. Currently 5 theater courses are offered, including Acting 1 & 2, a technical theater course, and Theater Practicum, which gives credits for being involved in shows.
- Concerts - band, orchestra, and choir perform numerous times throughout the year, with a yearly "Holiday Gift" concert raising money for a community organization or a family in need at FCHS.
- Boosters Dance - a formal girls-ask-guys dance put on by the FCHS Booster's club
- Junior-Senior Prom - the last dance of the year.
- After Prom Party - a free fun event to make sure people do not drink and drive.
- Lamb Slam and Powderpuff - takes place the day before Pops in the Park and includes a beach volleyball tournament (Lamb Slam) and a Seniors versus Juniors girls flag football game.
- Pops in the Park - the last performance of all music groups on the senior's last day. Yearbooks are distributed and signed.
- Junior Escorts - juniors in good standing help to run graduation ceremonies.
- Baccalaureate - an optional Christian send-off for graduating seniors.
- Graduation - perhaps the most honored tradition, graduation ceremonies have built up many traditions of their own. The choir sings songs such as "Battle Hymn of the Republic" in joint with the band and orchestra, and there are individual performers who are handpicked by the music instructors and the principals. The choir also sings "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" two times, the first time with all the current music students, and the second time through graduating seniors that are a part of the music department walk back to their seats leaving the current sophomores and juniors singing.
- Mr. Fort Collins High School - A male beauty pageant and talent show.
[edit] School Songs
These are two Songs sung on the landing of Prospect hall every Friday at 2:00 P.M.
'1. The Lambkin Way" a.k.a "Travel'
Travel, Travel the Lambkin Way
Travel by night, travel by day!
Travel, Travel the Lambkin Way
Travel by night, travel by day!
Who goes there on the Lambkin Way?
A goodly company.
Virtue the carry in their hand,
To build a fairer, better land,
kindly people, fair of face,
With flow'rs of gentleness and grace.
Down the valley the Lambkins go
Up the hill where the fierce winds blow;
hope goes with them ever kind,
And patience with a quiet mind.
Eager, they look with long eyes,
Straight before them the city lies;
Over pathways rise and dip,
The City of sweet fellowship.
Travel, Travel the Lambkin Way
Travel by night, travel by day!
Who goes there on the Lambkin Way?
A goodly company, a goodly company.
M. Rose & S. Young (from the song, "The Pilgrim Way")
'2. Fort Collins High School Alma Mater'
Hail to thee, Fort Collins High School
We will ever faithful be.
Thou hast builded strong foundations.
Thou hast made the future free.
To the pillars firmly standing.
To the tower that guides our way.
Thou wilt lead our sons and daughters
To the light of eternal day.
-Roger Davidson '54
The A Capella Choir has been Singing these Songs for over 50 years every Friday at the end of 7th period.
[edit] Awards and honors
[edit] Music Department
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- Choir, Band, Orchestra have played in Carnegie Hall
- All three departments send numerous students to All-State Choirs, Bands, and Orchestras
[edit] Athletics
[edit] Cross Country
The cross country team is widely considered one of the best in the nation. The boys team has won 6 state championships since 1988, and were back to back state champions in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, the boys qualified for the national meet (Nike Team Nationals), and placed 9th overall. The girl’s team has won 4 state titles since 1989. In 2007, they went to NTN and placed 7th, despite losing the state championship to Dakota Ridge High School. In 2008, the girls team came roaring back to win the regional, conference and state title. At NTN they finish 7th. Both teams are led by coaches Chris Suppes and Craig Luckasen.
[edit] Boy's Soccer
Lead by then coach, Jason Odorizzi, the team reached the State Championship game in 2005 and 2006. The 2005 Lambkins featured five future division I players and beat Smoky Hill High School 2-1 with an overtime goal off the head of Dusty Geisert. In 2006 they again played Smoky Hill, but came up a bit short with a 2-0 loss.
In 2009 under coach Justin Stephens, Fort Collins High claimed its third state title by sweeping the boys soccer team of Abraham Lincoln. Being undefeated through the season, Lincoln was the clear favorite to win. In the end, the Lambkins came out on top 3-0 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Collins soccer notched its first state title in 1990.
FCHS alum Collin Clark now plays professional soccer with the Colorado Rapids of the MLS. Other recent alums playing Division I soccer include Dave Martin (2006), Aaron Kepler (2007), and Alex Dietz (2008) at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. As well as, Colin (Izzie) Audley (2006) and Kris Banghart (2006) at the University of Denver.
[edit] Football
Fort Collins holds the second most state titles in Colorado history with 12, occurring in 1922, 1923, 1926, 1927, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1941, 1945, 1950, 1952, and 1953.
Trevor Martin of the graduating class of 2003 now plays Defensive Tackle for the Denver Broncos. He is number 73.
[edit] Extracurricular activities
For 8 of the 10 years the award has been given out, FCHS has received the prestigious Wells Fargo Cup given to the Colorado school with the most outstanding activities program. In addition to a full Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) slate of sports for boys and girls, FCHS has a variety of clubs and activities that include:
• Amnesty International • Art Service Group • Asian Culture Club • Black Student Alliance • Boosters • Cheerleaders • Chemistry Olympiad • Climbing Club • CSU Math Field Day • Creative Writing Club • Distributive Education Clubs of America • Diversity Club • Eco People • EPYCS- El Pomar • Family Career & Comty Leaders of America • Fishing Club • French Club • Future Business Leaders of America • Gay-Straight Alliance • Hispanic Senate • History Club • International Students • Junior Class/Prom • KLYD TV • Knowledge Bowl • Latino American Student Alliance • LINK Crew (sophomore orientation) • Math Olympiad • Mock Trial Team • Model U.N. • National Forensic League • National Honor Society • National Ocean Sciences Bowl • Peer Counselors • Pep Band • Physics Bowl • Remington Street Review • Science Bowl & Science Olympiad • Senior Class/Graduation • Spilled Ink (student newspaper) • Student Response Team • Students Against Drunk Drivers • Swing Club • Tower Dancers • Tower Troupers • Yearbook
