Cottonwood High School (Murray, Utah)

Cottonwood High School
Location
5715 South 1300 East Murray, Utah 84121
Coordinates	40°38′50″N 111°51′08″W / 40.64722°N 111.85222°W / 40.64722; -111.85222Coordinates: 40°38′50″N 111°51′08″W / 40.64722°N 111.85222°W / 40.64722; -111.85222
Information
Type	Public
Principal	Mitch Nerdin
Assistant principals	Geoff Murdock, Ben Anderson
Grades	10-12
Enrollment	1600
Color(s)	Black, Gold, and White
Athletics conference	5A, Region III
Mascot	Colt
Information	[phone]
Website	Official Cottonwood High website
[1]

Cottonwood High School is a public high school located in Murray, Utah. Founded in 1970 by Tyson Burton after the Granite School District condemned the property and obtained the land from farmers, it is regarded as one of Utah's best high schools for its highly regarded campus and strong academic institution. The current enrollment is just above 1,500 with many ethnic groups represented. It hosts traditional schooling, grades 10-12, as well as a public charter school, the Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science which utilizes unused school space.

History

The mascot is the Cottonwood Colt and the school colors are Gold, Black, and White. Cottonwood High School belongs to the Granite School District.

The building features what is rumored to be the largest high school auditorium in America west of the Mississippi River (maximum capacity is just over 3,000). Because of the auditorium's size, it has been used for many concerts and public functions over the years. The annual production of Michael McLean's The Forgotten Carols is held there in December every year. The auditorium has hosted concerts for, among others, Gordon Lightfoot, William Hung, GG Allin, Van Halen and Tori Amos who actually attended Cottonwood^{[citation needed]}. The facilities are also used year-round for many city-wide events, a night school for adults, summer school for young children, and other activities.

The building has an innovative layout which includes an open air courtyard, several atriums and gifts from graduating classes, the most visible of which are a bronze statue of a colt located near the lunchroom and the school's seal in tilework in the main foyer. Seniors at Cottonwood take great pride in the seal and were so enthusiastic in punishing anyone who dared walk across it that it was enclosed in a small guardrail. It is surrounded by display cases filled with the various honors won by the student body over the years.

Academics

ADVANCED PLACEMENT classes offered at Cottonwood High School include:

• Biology taught by D. Hummer.
• Calculus BC taught by A. Wilson and P. Cannon. Cannon instructs Calculus BC in a two-block period in cojunction with both Physics C classes taught by Duncan. This is what is known as the C-Block program.
• Chemistry taught by D. Hummer.
• English Literature & Composition taught by A. Harrison.
• European History taught by D. Gardner.
• French Language taught by E. Timpson.
• Government & Politics: Comparative taught by D. Gardner. Gardner instructs Government & Politics: Comparative in a one-block period in cojunction with Government & Politics: United States taught by Watson.
• Government & Politics: United States taught by C. Watson. Watson instructs Government & Politics: United States in a one-block period in cojunction with Government & Politics: Comparative taught by Gardner.
• Music Theory taught by A. Tuckness.
• Physics B taught by E. Duncan in cojunction with Honors Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry taught by Cannon. This is what is known as the B-Block program. This particular program provides a quarter of the Utah students who take the AP Physics B standardized test in May.
• Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism taught by E. Duncan. Duncan instructs both Physics C classes in a two-block period in cojunction with Calculus BC instructed by Cannon. This is what is known as the C-Block program.
• Physics C: Mechanics taught by E. Duncan. Duncan instructs both Physics C classes in a two-block period in cojunction with Calculus BC instructed by Cannon. This is what is known as the C-Block program.
• Spanish Language taught by S. Cochrane-Alejo.
• Statistics taught by R. Heagren.
• Studio Art: 2D-Design taught by G. Fuller.
• Studio Art: 3D-Design taught by J. Fackrell.
• Studio Art: Drawing taught by G. Fuller.
• United States History taught by C. Watson.
• World History taught by L. Schwen.

HONORS COURSES include:

• Mathematics: Honors Algebra, Honors Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, Honors Geometry, CC Mathematics (through Salt Lake Community College)
• Science: Honors Physics, Honors Chemistry, Honors Biology
• English: Honors English Sophomore, Honors English Junior
• World Languages: American Sign Language, CC Spanish, CC French, Latin
• Business: Academy of Finance, CC Computer Technology
• Fine Arts: CC Calligraphy, CC Drawing

Clubs and organizations

• A'Capella advised by E. Tall is one of few concert choirs in the state to have achieved so many superior Region and State titles.
• Anime & Otaku advised by K. Balling is a club centered around the growing enjoyment of Japanese Animation, one of the only clubs of this kind in the entire state of Utah, within its first week it became one of the schools most populated and popular clubs.
• Colt Roundup advised by C. Morgan is a nationally awarded school newspaper.
• Concert Band advised by A. Tuckness is small, relative to other 5A bands, is a legend having received countless superiors at Region, State, and Out-of-State competitions through the years and is arguably the best in the state.
• Dance Company advised by A. Gagliardi is an ever-growing powerhouse in the Salt Lake Valley.
• Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) advised by J. Riches is one of the top programs in Utah having qualified competitors to the National DECA Competition in previous years.
• Famila, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) advised by M. Greenwood is an active organization and annually provides a tree to the "Festival of Trees" held at the Southtowne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.
• Forensics (Debate) advised by Dr. C. Tuckness and P. Kittel is arguably the best program in the state. Having continuously placed in the top five in all years in which it was active, the "Colt 4N6 Team" dominates through Debate Events such as: Congress, Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas and is the top Individual Events team due to their strength in areas such as: Extemporaneous Speech (National & Foreign), Original Oratory, Impromptu, Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, and Spontaneous Argumentation. The only event in which the team does not participate is Policy.
• French Committee advised by E. Timpson is an active club and has a friendly rivalry with the Spanish Club having events such as the end-of-year soccer game.
• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advised by L. Holmberg is a very active charter in the region. Having numerous competitors sweep the Region and State events as well as qualify multiple competitors to the National FBLA Competition.
• Jazz Band advised by A. Tuckness is, again, one of the top bands in the state. Having received countless superiors in Region, State, and Out-of-State competitions, it defies all odds by possibly having the smallest 5A band in Utah.
• KOLT News advised by J. Shelline is the school's broadcasting team.
• Madrigals advised by E. Tall is, again, one of the top choir programs in the state having received countless superiors in Region and State competitions.
• Math, Engineering & Science Achievement (MESA) advised by C. McDonald is arguably the best program in the state. With McDonald named as the 2010 MESA Advisor of the year, the 2009 MESA Team placing 4th in the National Trebuchet Engineering Competition, 2nd in the 2010 JET/TEAMS Competition, 4th in 2010 State Science Olympiad, and 1st in the Granite District Windmill Design.
• Math Club advised by A. Wilson is a relatively new club. The prepares students for the American Math Competition as well as the State Math Competition having gained recent successes with one student placing second in state.
• Men's Choir advised by E. Tall performs regularly at school functions.
• Mixed Choir advised by E. Tall performs regularly at school functions.
• National Honors Society (NHS) advised by L. Helotes is a very active charter having volunteered for organizations such as Festival of Trees, Bend-in-the-River, Salvation Army, Utah Food Bank, etc.
• Orchestra advised by A. Tuckness is, again, one of the top orchestras in the state having obtained superiors in countless Region, State, and Out-of-State competitions.
• Parent, Teacher & Student Association (PTSA) advised by a PTA member is in charge of the school's club awareness as well as teacher appreciation week among other things.
• Service Club advised by S. Perkins is a very active organization. In years past, it has switched in and out of Key Club membership depending on the students but has recently showed it's just dedication to service, and not name. It has been very active in UNICEF, Utah Food Bank, Bend-in-the-River among other things and has a yearly tradition of planting at least one new tree on the school grounds.
• Spanish Club advised by S. Cochrane-Alejo is a very busy organization at school hosting monthly activities and recent membership of 70+ members. It has competed in BYU Espanolandia competitions in the past and placed either 1st or 2nd. Its annual tradition is hosting its own Espanolandia, a "Spanish land" in which AP students can practice their Spanish right before the AP test or for any other student to have fun.
• Student Conservation Alliance (SCA) advised by P. Cannon is probably the only club of its kind in the valley. It works on various projects each year, recently focusing on a school-wide recycling program and hosting a very active aluminum can drive.
• Theatre Society advised by A. Wilkins is legendary in Utah history. Having gone through only two other directors/teachers: Joan Christiansen Hahn and Dr. C. Tuckness, it is the top drama program in the state boasting the most Region and State superiors and wins. The Theatre Society wins various Greensheets Awards each year and is arguably the most productive in Utah. It produces around six plays a year, by far the most any other school has produced.
• Wind Ensemble advised by A. Tuckness is, again, one of the top bands in the state. Having received countless superiors in Region, State, and Out-of-State competitions, it defies all odds by possibly having the smallest 5A band in Utah.
• Women's Choir advised by E. Tall performs regularly at school functions.
• Yearbook advised by S. Wynder is an award-winning publication at Cottonwood High School. It's new designs and layouts have inspired other high schools' theme and color selection for future yearbooks.
• Young Democrats advised by C. Watson is one of few in the state and regularly helps local, state, and national Democratic candidates. Members have also raised $2 million dollars in other organizations such as the Salt Lake County Youth Government Commission. Members have volunteered for Peter Corroon for Governor, Utah for Obama, Mike Lee, Charles Henderson, the Young Democrats of Utah, etc. It also has a friendly rivalry with the school's Young Republicans.
• Young Republicans advised by D. Hummer is a relatively quiet club in the school and has a friendly rivalry with the Young Democrats.

Athletics

The athletics in Cottonwood High School are tremendous in size and in force. Several teams are state champions and others are ever-growing who are to be reckoned by other teams.

• Baseball (Boys)
• Basketball (Boys/Girls)
• Drill a.k.a. Chapparrals (Girls)
• Cross Country (Boys & Girls)
• Football (Boys)
• Golf (Boys/Girls)
• Hockey (Boys & Girls)
• Lacrosse (Boys & Girls)
• Soccer (Boys/Girls)
• Softball (Girls)
• Swimming (Boys & Girls)
• Track & Field (Boys & Girls)
• Tennis (Boys/Girls)
• Ultimate Frisbee (Boys & Girls)
• Volleyball (Girls)
• Water Polo (Boys & Girls)
• Wrestling (Boys)

Notable alumni

• Gary Andersen, Head Football Coach at Utah State University
• David Cruz Thayne, small businessman, former chief of staff of Utah State Minority Leader Scott Howell, and 2012 congressional candidate.
• Klea Blackhurst, Actress, Broadway and The Onion
• Josh Burkman, mixed martial artist
• Richard Paul Evans, author and founder of the Christmas Box House International charity
• Lt. Ryan P. Finn, Blue Angels stunt pilot^{[citation needed]}
• Charles Halford, actor
• kCopes, Local rapper
• Stanley Havili, football player at the University of Southern California
• Randy Horiuchi, Salt Lake County Council member^{[citation needed]}
• Vince Horiuchi, Salt Lake Tribune TV columnist^{[citation needed]}
• David Litvack, Minority Leader in the Utah House of Representatives
• Michelle Money, actress
• Lindsay Pulsipher, Actress
• Chris Shelton, professional baseball player
• Will Swenson, actor and director
• Joey Worthen, professional soccer play
• Scott Metcalf, Professional Rugby Player
• Doug Cartwright, Inventor of the word HELLA

See also

• List of high schools in Utah

Notable Alum - Timothy McCuen Piggee, Actor (Broadway, Regional) Theater Professor, Cottonwood High Hall of Fame.

References

1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Cottonwood High School

External links

• Official Cottonwood High website
• Other information on Cottonwood High School