Homestead High School (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

Homestead High School
Location
4310 Homestead Road Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
Information
Type	Public, Secondary
Established	1970
Locale	Suburban
Oversight	Southwest Allen County Schools
Principal	Mr. Rick Smith
Grades	9-12
Number of students	2,242
Color(s)	Blue and Gold
Athletics	Northeast Hoosier Conference
Mascot	Spartan
Yearbook	Retrospect
Website	Homestead High School

Homestead Senior High School, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States, is a public 4-year high school with a comprehensive intake of over 2,000 students. Homestead's school year consists of two 18-week semesters. Students are enrolled in seven 47-minute periods. Homestead is a class 5A high school that is well known for its academics and athletics (other than football), but mostly for its renowned music program. Part of Southwest Allen County Schools, the school receives accreditation from the Indiana Department of Education and the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

The class of 2009 is the first class of Homestead to utilize the newly annexed "Freshman Academy" (formerly Woodside Middle School). The two schools are connected to one another by two enclosed walkways.

Mission statement

Homestead High School will educate all students so they may reach standards of academic excellence and develop a foundation for life-long learning. Through shared efforts with the community, we prepare students to make successful life transitions.

Marching band

The Spartan Alliance Band competes in Class A Band in the Indiana State School Music Association. For the past twenty-five years they have gone to the ISSMA State Finals in Indianapolis, IN, under the direction of Steve Barber. The band is also directed by Brad Wadkins and the Color Guard is led by Jonathan Meader. The State finals have been held at the RCA Dome and Lucas Oil Stadium since it opened in 2008. The band has won five state championships (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2011), third all time in Class A behind Ben Davis High School and Avon High School. Since 1990 they have never finished lower than fourth place at State Finals, and have been either first or second twelve times. As of 2011, Homestead holds the record for most consecutive State Finals Appearances of any current Class A Band at 25. Ben Davis previously held the record at 24 consecutive years (1975-1998 all in Class A). Lewis Cass High School, currently a class D band, holds the record for the most consecutive State Finals Appearances of any Class Band at 30 (1982-2011, 1984-2005 in Class C).

• 2011 - 1st place, Show Title: Children of the Sun
• 2010 - 3rd place, Show Title: Becoming My Creation
• 2009 – 4th place, Show Title: Reactions
• 2008 – 4th place, Show Title: Magnetism
• 2007 – 4th place, Show Title: Expressions
• 2006 – 3rd place, Show Title: Within
• 2005 – 2nd place (tie), Show Title: Balance
• 2004 – 4th place, Show Title: Half The Fun Is Getting There
• 2003 – 2nd place, Show Title: Gravity
• 2002 – 4th place, Show Title: Sybil: The Art Of Insanity
• 2001 – 4th place, Show Title: Credentium
• 2000 – 4th place, Show Title: Reflections Of Earth- A Celebration Of Time
• 1999 – 3rd place
• 1998 – 2nd place
• 1997 – 2nd place
• 1996 – 1st place
• 1995 – 1st place
• 1994 – 1st place
• 1993 – 2nd place
• 1992 – 1st place
• 1991 – 2nd place (Class B)
• 1990 – 2nd place (Class B)
• 1989 – 5th place (Class B)
• 1988 – 9th place (Class B)
• 1987 – 9th place (Class B)

They have competed in competitions in Hawaii, Florida, Arizona, and California. In 1999 they performed at Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii. Recently they were runner-up at the National Field Show Competition at the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2000 they were crowned the Blue Cross Blue Shield Grand Champions at the same competition. Then in 2009 they again attended the Fiesta Bowl where the band came in fourth at the Blue Cross Blue Shield band competition and came in second at the Fiesta Bowl Parade. In 2003 They participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California as well as performing in the Disneyland parade in Anaheim. In 2006 and 2011, the band performed in the Walt Disney World parade in Orlando, Florida. Homestead annually hosts ISSMA District Competition, as well as hosts its own competition named Fall Festival of Bands, which showcases 10 Class-A Bands.

They are also one of the largest high school marching bands in the country, with more than 200 members each year. In the 2009-10 school year the band contained 225 members. In the 2011-12 year there was a record freshman class enrollment of 90, with a total membership of 240.

Radio station

Homestead High School has a working radio station inside its school, broadcasting live on 91.1 FM. The station's name is The Point, with a motto of "Fort Wayne's Only Alternative". It's a student-run high school radio station who broadcast live during the school day as well as Homestead High School sporting events on location.

• WCYT, 91.1 FM external link: www.wcyt.org

Accolades

Homestead Journalism Students Inducted Into Hall of Fame

• The Yearbook Retrospect, From Homestead High School, is one of nine publications that was recognized at an awards ceremony in Chicago, November 10–13.
• Recently, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce designated Homestead High School as a "best buy" high school. Homestead was one of 160 schools that were identified as ones that offer the highest educational achievement levels for the lowest amount of tax dollars.
• The Spartana, Homestead's student newspaper, was recently awarded the NSPA Pacemaker award for its 2004-2005 and 2008-2009 volumes. The current volume was awarded first in the Best in Show competition. The Spartana has won this award four times.

Sports

Homstead has a variety of sports teams and clubs which compete at the highest state level(5A/4A). Homestead also belongs to the NHC, and is a regular power in every sport.

• The Spartan tennis team has won 30 sectionals, 27 regionals and 17 semistates. They have finished as state runner-up nine times, most recently in 2006.
• The 1998 Spartan football team was runner-up at state.
• The 1992, 1993, & 2009 Spartan soccer team was runner-up at state.
• The 2008 Spartan baseball team was runner-up at state.
• The 2001, 1999, 1996, 1985, 1984, & 1983 Gymnastics Teams were State Champions.
• The 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, & 2010 Dance Teams won state. The 2004, 2006, & 2008 Dance Teams won nationals and were runner-up in 2010.
• The 2004 and 2006 men's swim team was runner-up at state.

Dave S. Walter Memorial Stadium is the school's athletic field and in 2006 was complete with artificial turf.

Notable alumni

• Rob Bowen, catcher, former Major League Baseball player
• Jordan Witzigreuter, singer as The Ready Set
• Ryan Wright, a 5th round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds

External links

• Homestead High School website
• Article on indianafind.com
• Homestead High School Radio Station - 91.1 FM