Benton Community High School
| Benton Community High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
600 1st Street , United States | |
| Coordinates | 42°00′46″N 92°05′14″W / 42.012876°N 92.087262°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public secondary |
| School district | Benton Community School District |
| Principal | James Bieschke |
| Teaching staff | 28.95 FTE [1] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 471 (2018-19)[1] |
| Color(s) | Blue and yellow |
| Athletics conference | WaMaC Conference |
| Nickname | Bobcats |
| Rival | Vinton-Shellsburg |
| Website | www |
Benton Community High School is a rural public high school located in Van Horne, Iowa. It is the only high school in the Benton Community School District, and serves students from Van Horne, Atkins, Blairstown, Elberon, Keystone, Newhall, Norway and Watkins.
History
While the Benton Community School District was formed in 1964, Benton Community High School did not open until the fall of 1965. The new BCHS drew students from the former Keystone School District, Van Horne School District, Newhall School District and Blairstown School District.[2] Beginning in 1967, BCHS absorbed students from the former Elberon Independent School District.[2] In a controversial 1991 decision, nearby Norway High School was merged into BCHS.[3]
Demographics
The student body of BCHS is 96 percent white, two percent Hispanic, and one percent black, while all other races make up the remaining one percent.[1]
Athletics
Benton Community's athletic teams compete in the WaMaC Conference in the following sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, volleyball and wrestling.[4][5][6]
| Sport | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Baseball[7] | 1971 |
| Cross country (girls)[6] | 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Softball[8] | 1966, 1998, 2016 |
| Track and field (girls)[9] | 1997, 2007, 2008 |
Performing arts
BCHS has two competitive show choirs, the varsity-level Celebration Co. and the junior varsity-level Jubilation, Inc.[10] The program has hosted its own competition, Touch of Class, annually since 1996.[11] Celebration Co. won four competitions during the 2019 season.[12]
BCHS also has a competitive marching band program.[13]
Notable alumni
- Amber Fiser, softball player[14]
- Thomas Gerhold, member of the Iowa House of Representatives[15]
- Chad Hennings, American football player[16]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Benton Community High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Embray, Douglas D. (April 16, 2020). "Benton Community History". Vinton Newspapers. Community Newspaper Group. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Norway recalls its 'Final Season'". The Gazette. July 23, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Rivalry victory has Benton Community boys' soccer poised for the postseason". The Gazette. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "WaMaC Conference". WaMaC Conference. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ^ a b Iowa High School Sports
- ^ "2020 BASEBALL STATE TOURNAMENT STAT BOOK" (PDF). Iowa High School Athletic Association. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ "State Softball Record Book" (PDF). Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ "Track Record Book" (PDF). Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
- ^ "SCC: Viewing School - Benton Community High School". Show Choir Community. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Benton holding Touch of Class choir event". The Gazette. February 10, 2004. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "SCC: Viewing Choir - Celebration Co. 2019". Show Choir Community. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ Delaney, Robin (September 17, 2019). "FMHS Marching Band to compete in Mt. Pleasant". Fort Madison Daily Democrat. Mississippi Valley Publishing. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ Christensen, Josh (June 26, 2019). "Benton Community holds homecoming for former ace pitcher Amber Fiser". KCRG. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Tom Gerhold Biography". Iowa House Republicans. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "Chad Hennings, another Iowan athlete who made good and stayed good, urges responsibility and hope". The Gazette. Retrieved July 4, 2020.