Highland High School (Gilbert, Arizona)

Highland High School
Location
4301 E. Guadalupe Rd. Gilbert, AZ
Coordinates	33°21′49″N 111°41′53″W
Information
Type	Public
Established	1993
School district	Gilbert Public Schools
Principal	Domonic Salce
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	2,957 students
Color(s)	Black and Teal
Mascot	Hawk
Newspaper	The Highland Sun
Yearbook	Talon
Website	www.hhs.gilbert.k12.az.us

Highland High School is a public high school located in Gilbert, Arizona, serving as part of the Gilbert Unified School District. The school has served the area since 1993.

Academics

In 2004, it was honored as a Blue Ribbon school.

Sports

Robotics

Highland High's official FIRST Robotics FRC team is the 39th AeroSquadron (FRC Team 39).

Highland High's official FIRST Robotics FTC team is the 4314th AeroSquadron (FTC Team 4314).

In previous years Highland high school had been partnered with two other schools under the parent known as "Team 64 — The Gila Monsters." As the Gila Monsters, the school garnered numerous awards at both regional and national competitions in technology and innovation, as well as becoming multiple regional champions. In 2002, the Gila Monsters team took 2nd place in the nation at the FIRST National Competition in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World. In 2005 the Gila Monsters won 14 awards and were Regional Champions in Las Vegas as well as bringing home 2nd place in the National FIRST Robotics National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia.^{[citation needed]} The Gila Monsters dissolved after the 2005 season. Starting with the 2006 Season, Highland became registered as FRC Team 39 with the team name of The 39th Aero Squadron.

The 39th AeroSquadron won the Arizona Regional (State) in 2007 and were finalists in the Las Vegas Regional. Additionally, they were quarter-finalists in the Newton Division at the World Championship event in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 2008 the 39th Aero Squadron again won the AZ Regional (State) FRC competition with teams 60 and 1165 as their alliance partners. Team 39 also won the Las Vegas regional (State) competition and were semifinalists in the Newton division at the World Championships in Atlanta Georgia.

In 2009 the 39th Aero Squadron again won the AZ Regional (State)FRC competition with teams 1726 and 1165 as their alliance partners.

In 2008 HHS robotics team students won second place in the High School division in the NURC (National Underwater Robotics Competition). This was the team's rookie year. The robot underwater ROV was constructed in 13 days.

In 2009 and 2010, HHS robotics team students took first place in NURC competing at the university level in partnership with several ASU students as part of Team 0x27. A second ROV was built for 2009 in a record 17.5 hours.

In 2011, HHS Robotics Team students won first place in the AZ Regional (State) FTC competition as Team 4314. This was the team's rookie year in FTC robotics.

In 2012, HHS Robotics Team students won first place in the AZ Regional (State) FTC competition as Team 4314.

Tennis

Highland is well known for their accomplished tennis team over the years.^{[citation needed]}

Soccer

The Highland Hawks varsity soccer team took home its first 5A-I state championship in 2007, defeating rival Gilbert High School 1-0, goal by Sean Miller.

They have also won in 2009 as well, defeating Red Mountain with a score of 1-0. This is the Highland boys second championship in 3 years, and 3rd straight year finishing in the top 4.^{[citation needed]}

Cross Country

Highland High School has a very impressive girls cross country team. In 2008 and 2009, the Lady Hawks finished 3rd in state in the very competitive 5A I Division, with 6 of the 7 runners finishing in the top 28 places. They consistently win their region and city meets as well. They are not only one of the best teams in Arizona, but also in the surrounding five state Southwest region. They were ranked by Nike Cross Nationals as 12th in the Southwest Region which includes Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. Four of Highland's runners were recognized by the East Valley Tribune for their talent. Freshman Ashley Hatch earned a spot on the 2009 All-Tribune Second Team, while freshman Kristi Rush, sophomore Tory Haberman, and senior Danielle Bonlender were listed under Honorable Mention. Despite the deep talent of this team, no girl has yet broken the 5000m run record of 18:50.40 set by Ann Bawden in 2008. These ladies owe their success to their excellent coach, Coach Monty.

The boys cross country team is also noteworthy, featuring the highly attractive and talented junior Cory Breinholt, the third of the Breinholt triad. His older brothers Derek and Craig were also exceptional runners; Craig Breinholt won the state meet in 2004.

Track and Field

Legendary record holders from Highland include Jonathan Brown, who ran a 4:12 1600 as a senior and was the 2009 5A I State Champion in the 1600m run and 3200m run, and runner-up in the 800m run. He was known for his signature tie-dye tube socks. Hurdle records were set by Callie Davis in 2009. Tyler Arnold was a top sprinter, setting records in 100m, 200m, and 400m in 2006. Notable jumpers include Josh DeKonty, Chelsea Johnson, Shannon Jacobs, Chenea Schacher and Rob Harrison. Shannon Jacobs is also one of the top sprinters in the state in the year 2010, with a 12.02 100m time. The girls 4x100m relay team is one of the top in the state in 2010, with a time of 48.11. Prominent throwers of Highland track include Nuku Latu and Kourtney Harney. Kristi Rush is the freshman sensation of 2010, breaking school and meet records and earning herself a national ranking in the 1600m run with a time of 5:06.85. Several of Highland's relay teams hold meet records. The boys distance medley relay, consisting of Colton Rutherford, Jef Marsicola, Cory Breinholt, and Jonathan Brown, broke the Basha Relays record in 2009 with a time of 10:58.16. The girls distance medley relay, run by Danielle Bonlender, Rachel Woods, Stephanie Helland, and Kristi Rush, broke the Basha Relays record as well in 2010 with a time of 12:50.49. The girls 4x800m relay team of Stephanie Helland, Danielle Bonlender, Maddie Riggs, and Kristi Rush broke the Mesa Hohokam Invitation record in 2010 with a time of 9:42.

Boys' Volleyball

Coached by Vee Hiapo, the Highland boys' volleyball team won back-to-back state championships in 2004 and 2005. The team also finished second in the state in 2006, 2007, and 2010. In 2004, state player of the year Shaun Bluth, was a member of the team. In 2005, team captain BJ Hiapo was the Arizona state player of the year.

Performing arts

Marching Band

The HHS "Marching Pride" has received national recognition, marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day in 2001 and in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November 2004. Other accomplishments include marching in the Disneyland Light Parade in 2000 and in the Fiesta Bowl Parade and National Band Championship Competition in 1999. The school's Marching Band frequently receives ratings of Superior With Distinction in Arizona festivals and often travels out-of-state to California and Nevada to compete. In 2007, The Marching Pride placed in the top ten in a Bands of America (BOA) competition, located in Flagstaff, AZ. In 2009, the band has qualified to compete in the ABODA State Championships. The competition featured the 10 best marching bands from each division. The band received first place in the division I competition.

Choirs

The choirs at Highland frequently perform in-state and out-of-state at festivals, consistently earning superior ratings. The Concert Choir traveled to New York City in March 2007 to perform at Carnegie Hall under the direction of then Mormon Tabernacle Choir director Dr. Craig Jessop, as well their own director, Ms. Rita Scholz, as part of the Carnegie Hall National High School Choral Festival. The Concert Choir and Advanced Vocal Ensemble have also sung at numerous state and national conferences, including the 1998 MENC National Conference.^{[citation needed]}

Orchestras

Highland's orchestra program is also award-winning, having performed at Carnegie Hall in 2002. The Highland High Symphonic Orchestra has performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December 1997 and 2007. Currently, HHS is the only school in Arizona to have been selected twice to perform at the Midwest Clinic.^{[citation needed]}

Extracurricular Clubs and Activities

FFA

Highland's Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter has competed for many years with other schools and has done well to get Highland recognized. In the 2006-2007 year, The Ag Sales Team got first in state, as well as the Ag Business Team.^{[citation needed]} Jace M. got second place at the Creed competition.^{[citation needed]} The Soils Team came with a close second.^{[citation needed]}

AcDec

Highland's Academic Decathlon (AcDec) has been around since the opening of the school. The club has won many awards.^{[citation needed]} They also have competitions every year. This class counts as an elective credit.

Army JROTC

The Program of Instruction is taught using the latest instructional technologies and focuses on student centered learning in a structured environment. Through participation in the learning process cadets are able to get a deeper understanding of the subjects and how they may apply what they have learned.

March 3: The Highland Hawk Battalion has become one of the few units in the nation to achieve Honor Unit with Distinction after the Brigade Formal Inspection. It took a lot of hard work and long hours for the students to achieve this recognition.

Drill Team

The Drill Team is an organization in which cadets compete with different JROTC units in different regulations of Army Drill. Highland High School Army JROTC offers a highly acclaimed Drill Team. Known as the "Black Hawk Drill Team." The Drill Team has won awards in Color Guard (1st place, Gilbert Days Parade, 2009) Inspection (3rd place, West Mitchael Air base, 2009) Armed Exhibition (3rd place Cesar Chavez hs,2011)and Armed Exhibition again (2nd place Carl Hayden hs, 2011) Participation in the Drill Team earns the cadet awards based on performance. Drill Team members compete in Regulation Drill, Exhibition Drill, Color Guard, and may also compete in solos and duet teams. Regulation Drill has two components: Armed and Unarmed. Exhibition Drill has two components: Armed and Unarmed, and provides for Duets and Solo performances. Color Guard has two components; Competition Color Guard and Battalion Color Guard.

Notable alumni

• Cooper Brannan, minor league baseball player
• Marquis Cooper, former linebacker for the Oakland Raiders
• Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback for the Buffalo Bills
• Tyson Stevens, lead vocalist for post-hardcore band Scary Kids Scaring Kids
• Spencer Larsen, fullback/linebacker for the Denver Broncos
• Shane Loux, relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Matt Pagnozzi, catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
• Kimberly Joiner, Miss Arizona USA 2008
• Chaz Schilens, Wide Receiver for the Oakland Raiders

External links

• HHS Website
• HHS Robotics Team Website
• Team0x27 Website