Wichita North High School

For schools of a similar name, see North High School (disambiguation).

Wichita North High School
Address
1437 North Rochester Street Wichita, Kansas, 67203 United States
Coordinates	37.7091902°N 97.3451976°W / 37.7091902; -97.3451976
Information
School type	Public, High School
Established	1929
School board	boe.usd259.org
School district	USD 259
Superintendent	John Allison
CEEB Code	173207
Principal	Sherman Padgett
Athletic Director	Lance Deckinger
Grades	9 to 12
Gender	coed
Campus type	Urban
Color(s)	Red      White
Athletics	Class 6A District 7
Athletics conference	GWAL
Mascot	Redskins
Communities served	Wichita
Website	north.usd259.org

Wichita North High School, known locally as North, is a fully accredited high school located in Wichita, Kansas, USA, serving students in grades 9-12. Wichita North was founded in 1929 on the site where the United States government sent Company 'A' of the 10th Division to the forks of the Arkansas River to protect the incoming cattle drivers from the Indians.^{[citation needed]} Wichita North is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and offers a variety of sports programs. Athletic teams compete in the 6A division and are known as the "Redskins".^{[citation needed]}

History

Wichita High School North was the second high school for the city (following Wichita High School East). The school building for North High was completed in 1929.^{[citation needed]}

Due to the high school being located by a river, North is one of the few high schools in the United States that teaches canoeing. During the spring, the students hold an annual water festival called Waterfest which is held right before Wichita's annual Riverfest and it includes floats from the various student organizations. Unique landmarks in close proximity to North are Mead Island and the Minisa Bridge.^{[citation needed]}

Increases in enrollment at North necessitated a number of additions to the building: an auto mechanics shop (1950), girl's gymnasium (1951), and, in the fall of 1957 the three-story extension on the south wing. By 1972, thirteen annexes were in use. In 1975, North was allocated 1.7 million dollars from a bond issue. The funds were used to add a library, classrooms, provide extensive renovations to science classrooms, offices, and the woodworking room, add an extension to the small gymnasium, improve both the boys and girls physical education. dressing rooms and shower areas, and a number of other projects in rooms adjacent to the new or remodeled facilities. The improvements and/or additions made it possible to remove all but three annex buildings.^{[citation needed]}

Acquisition of land across from the school in 1977, 1980, and 1982 enabled the school district to provide ample student parking. Several senior classes have donated funds each year to be used to purchase a marquee sign for the student parking lot. The marquee is used to highlight student activities and provide recognition for worthy accomplishments of students. During the summer of 1988, the cafeteria was relocated to the first floor and classrooms were constructed in the former cafeteria. The change was made to make additional classrooms available to accommodate ninth grade students who started high school as a part of the restructuring plan.^{[citation needed]}

Since about 1977, the senior boys would participate in a rowdy school spirit club known as the "S" Section. The "S" Section is known for making obscure cheers and rants during North High's sporting events and pep rallies. Each member would have a red and white long sleeve t-shirt with the words "North High 'S' Section" on the front. The back would be the member's nickname as well as their graduation year. These would typically be worn by the members on days that pep rallies occurred.^{[citation needed]}

One of the famous pranks of North High students is to attempt to steal "Butch." "Butch" is a buffalo head that is mounted in the main hallway across from the administrative offices. This has been thwarted due to elaborate anti-theft alarms on the mascot. Although a prank with harmless intent, students who have attempted to kidnap "Butch" have been prosecuted.^{[citation needed]}

Extracurricular activities

Athletics

The Redskins compete in the Greater Wichita Athletic League and are classified as a 6A school, the largest classification in Kansas according to the KSHSAA. Throughout its history, Wichita North has won 12 state championships in various sports. Many graduates have gone on to participate in Division I, Division II, and Division III athletics.^{[citation needed]}

State Championships

State Championships
Season	Sport	Number of Championships	Year
Fall	Soccer, Boys	1	1981
Winter	Bowling, Girls	1	2008
	Swimming and Diving, Boys	5	1932, 1933, 1934, 1939, 1946
	Wrestling	2	1933, 1941
	Basketball, Boys	2	1954, 1987
	Basketball, Girls	2	1975, 1977
Spring	Baseball	3	1949, 1950, 1966
	Golf, Boys	3	1940, 1947, 1948
	Golf, Girls	2	1973, 1974
Total		21

Notable alumni

• Class of ?: Don Enoch, Mayor of Wichita 1969-1970
• Class of 1995: Tara Snyder, Senior US Open Tennis Champion
• Class of 1988: Gaylon Nickerson, professional basketball player
• Class of 1986: Barry Sanders, 1988 Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL running back
• Class of 1983: Brian Holman, MLB pitcher
• Class of 1977: Lynette Woodard, first female Globetrotter
• Class of 1975: Martha Davis, author and scholar of human rights and women's rights law.
• Class of 1970: Don Calhoun, former NFL running back
• Class of 1956: Curtis McClinton, former NFL running back, scored 1st AFL TD in Super Bowl I
• Class of 1954: Judy Bell, first female President of US Golf Association
• Class of 1953: Phil Ruffin, businessman and self-made billionaire
• Class of 1948: Vera Miles, Actress
• Class of 1944: Vernon L. Smith, Nobel Memorial Prize winner in economics
• Class of 1942: James Jabara, first American jet ace
• Class of 1940: Richard Cowan (soldier), Congressional Medal of Honor World War II
• Class of 1936: W. Eugene Smith, photojournalist

See also

• Greater Wichita Athletic League

Wichita Public High Schools

• Wichita East High School
• Wichita Heights High School
• Wichita Northeast Magnet High School
• Wichita Northwest High School
• Wichita South High School
• Wichita Southeast High School
• Wichita West High School

Wichita Private High Schools

• Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
• Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Wichita North High School or Wichita High School North

• Official school website
• USD 259, school district

Historical

• Excerpts from A History of Wichita Public School Buildings, USD 259

Photos

• Photos of Wichita High School North 2006

State

• Kansas State Department Of Education, KSDE
• Kansas State High School Activities Association, KSHSAA

Map

• Wichita School District High School Boundary Map, USD 259