Kamiak High School
| Kamiak High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
10801 Harbour Pointe Blvd Mukilteo, Washington | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1993 |
| Principal | Mike Gallagher |
| Faculty | Jack Kniseley (asst. principal) Patricia Schmidt (asst. principal) Laurynn Evans (asst. principal) |
| Enrollment | About 2300 |
| Information | (425) 356-6620 |
| Colors Mascot | Purple and Silver Knight |
| Website | http://schools.mukilteo.wednet.edu/ka/ |
Kamiak High School was opened in Mukilteo, Washington, United States, in September 1993. The school was built to handle overflow population from the overcrowded Mariner High School, which at the time was the only high school serving the Mukilteo School District.
After a dispute between district communities over which would provide Kamiak its student population, the Junior class at Mariner High School voted to remain at the school for their Senior year, leaving the then Sophomore class to open Kamiak High School as Juniors. Kamiak had no Senior class during its debut year. 1993 and the opening of Kamiak also marked a change in class distribution in the Mukilteo School District, with Freshman classes attending Kamiak and Mariner. Previously the Freshman classes attended the District's Junior High School.
The first graduating class from Kamiak (the class of 1995) chose its colors - purple, silver, and white - along with its mascot, a knight.
Facilities
Kamiak hosts over 40 classrooms, a physical education complex with two separate gymnasiums and a weight room, a half-Olympic sized swimming pool complex, a Performing Arts Center, six tennis courts, a softball field, baseball field, soccer field, football field, track facilities, and the school's East Campus, which houses science and math rooms as well as the "Multi-Purpose Room," which is modeled as a third gymnasium and used as a secondary cafeteria.
Special Events
At its completion, Kamiak High School had cost $54 million dollars, making it the most expensive public secondary school that had been built at the time. Kamiak had an additional $8 million expansion in 1999. Contrary to the popularly held belief, the school is not currently the most expensive public secondary school to have been built. That distinction belongs to Belmont High School in Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles.
Kamiak's Band Program
In 2002, the Kamiak Show Band performed for over 25 million viewers in the 2002 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—the first band from Washington State to participate in “America’s Parade!” The band also marched in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland in 2000. 2005-2006 New Years, the Kamiak Show Band performed in Paris, France. The Kamiak Show Band is the school's 200 person marching band which competes across the Northwest each Fall. The Kamiak Show Band has won sweepstakes awards awards at Northwest marching competitions in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. This Spring, the Kamiak Show Band will travel to Washington D.C. to perform in the Cherry Blossom Parade. Kamiak Band members are dedicated musicians and leaders who constantly strive for a higher level of excellence in their works.
Kamiak's Orchestra Program
The Kamiak Ochestra program includes three main orchestras (Intermediate, Philharmonic Strings I and Philharmonic Strings II) under the direction of conductor Brian Steves. The school is also home to an advanced, acclaimed chamber group called the Kamiak Uber Kammerstreich (or Kamiak Super Chamberstrings) consisting of 16 of the elite players from Philharmonic Strings I. Each group has been granted multiple awards and recognitions and performed in Italy in the spring of 2008.
Kamiak Drama Program
In August 2002, a group of Kamiak High School Drama students performed an adaptation of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer at the annual International Fringe Festival held in Edinburgh, Scotland. The show received 4 out of 5 stars for their performance. Kamiak was one of 25 American schools selected to perform at the festival and only one of two to be located west of the Mississippi River. In June 2005, the Kamiak Spring Musical Pirates of Penzance, by Gilbert and Sullivan, was pronounced the "Best Musical Show" in the entire state of Washington by Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. Kamiak has also had several students place at the Washington Music Educator's Association State competition.
Kamiak Associated Student Body
On June 3, 2005, Kamiak held a world-record breaking waterballoon fight, coordinated by then ASB Vice President Billy Johnson, with 10,850 balloons and 1,093 people. However, this record has since been broken.[citation needed]
Kamiak Knowledge Bowl
Kamiak is known for its great recent success at Knowledge Bowl. The "Golden Horde," a team consisting of four seniors and two juniors, won a narrow 1st Place against Curtis High School at the 2008 Washington State Tournament, after placing 6th place the previous year.
Kamiak Dulcineas Dance Team
The Kamiak Dulcineas Dance Team consists of students in freshman through senior year. Various activities include performing at football and basketball halftimes, competing in competitions, District and State Championships, as well as various parades and festivals. [1]
Notable Alumni
Billy Bergen, Class of 2009, is an active part of the Kamiak debate team, Billy is best known for his womanizing tendencies, currently Billy attends Edmonds Community College, and looks to join the track team in the spring.
Jennifer Gregerson, Class of 1996, currently serves on the Mukilteo City Council. From 2006-2008, she served as the Mayor Pro Tem of Mukilteo and as City Council President.
Marko Liias, Class of 1999, served on the Mukilteo City Council from 2006-2008, and currently serves as State Representative for the 21st Legislative District which includes Kamiak High School. In the 2008 general election, at the age of just 27, Liias was reelected in a landslide with 64% of the votes cast.
Carl Skerlong, Class of 2007, finished 6th place in the Atlantic Championship formula race car series. He drives for Pacific Coast Motorsports along with team mate and actor Frankie Muniz.
The progressive rock band, The Fall of Troy members Thomas Erak, Andrew Forsman and former bassist Tim Ward are all from the Mukilteo area, and all went to Kamiak High School.
Clubs and activities
|
References
External links |