Central High School (Saint Paul, Minnesota)

Infobox Secondary school
name = Saint Paul Central High School

motto = Many traditions, one school
established = 1866
type = Public
president =
students = 2500

grades = 9–12
city = Saint Paul
state = Minnesota
country = USA
district =
campus = Urban
colors = Red and Black
mascot = Minuteman
yearbook = CEHISEAN
newspaper =
free_label_1 = Phone number
free_1 = [phone]
website = http://central.spps.org/
picture =

Central High School of Saint Paul, is the oldest high school in the state of Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1866 in downtown Saint Paul, Central has educated many leaders in business, government, literature, arts, sciences, and education throughout the state of Minnesota and the United States. Central also boasts more Rhodes Scholars among its alumni than any other public high school in the U.S. [cite web |title = Saint Paul Central High School 2005-2006 Profile |url = http://central.spps.org/home/about/index.html |publisher = Saint Paul Central Senior High School |accessdate = 2007-03-01] with the most recent scholar, Matthew Landreman, being announced in 2003.

It is also one of the biggest high schools in the state and the largest in the city of Saint Paul. [ [http://choicecatalog.spps.org/All_High_Schools.html High School Comparisons] "Saint Paul Public Schools district"] It is also a national Blue Ribbon School. [cite web |url=http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf |title=Blue Ribbon Schools Program |accessdate= 2007-04-22|author= U.S. Department of Education |format=pdf |work= |publisher= |pages= Page 45]

History

Central High School has been situated in four locations, beginning with the first building in 1866.

1866 (third floor of Franklin School Building)

Central High School was founded in 1866 in response to student requests. Before 1866, there were no educational opportunities in Saint Paul beyond grade school. About a dozen students wished to continue their schooling so, in 1866, two rooms were set aside for the "High School" on the third floor of the Franklin School building, located at Broadway and Tenth Streets in downtown Saint Paul. Some people thought that the school was a waste of space. Eugene Foster (known as the "Father of the High School") was the principal, and Mrs. H.M. Haynes was the lone teacher. The first graduating class of the Saint Paul High School was in 1870, and consisted of two students: Fannie Haynes (the daughter of the teacher), and A. P. Warren. The first 2 diplomas were hand printed on sheepskin. Gradually, the classes enrolled in the Franklin Building became too large for the two little rooms to accommodate them.

1872 (Lindeke Building, 7th and Jackson, second floor)

In 1872, the Saint Paul High School moved to the Lindeke Building at 7th and Jackson streets where it occupied the second floor. That year, graduation exercises were held in the Saint Paul Civic Opera House where they were held until it was destroyed by a fire in 1899. Then the commencement exercises were held in the People's Church until the completion of the Saint Paul Auditorium. In 1872, the graduating class consisted of 12 students: five boys and seven girls.

In 1873, the graduating class of 12 students originated the custom of presenting each senior with a souvenir appropriate to his/her character. For several years, a prize was offered for the best essay: a Webster's Unabridged Dictionary and a holder for it. The President of the Board of Education also presented a prize to the one having the highest standing in the class, usually a fine set of Shakespeare's works.

1883/1888 (10th and Minnesota)

A new building opened in 1883 at 10th and Minnesota streets. The building was the first high school built in Saint Paul. In 1888, a 14-room annex was added for laboratories, but there was no money for an astronomical observatory. The Debate society decided to put on plays to make up the money to pay for it. Soon, Central was known as the only high school in the United States to have a fixed telescope with a lense ground and polished by the great telescope maker Alvan Clark (1804-1887), whose company built some of the largest and best telescopes in the world, including the telescope for the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Mechanics Arts High School, then known as Manual Training High School, was first housed in the basement of Central. The school was renamed Central High School in 1888.

Soon the building on 10th and Minnesota Street became too small, and the corner of Marshall and Lexington Avenues was chosen as the new site.Cite book | author=Millett, Larry | url=http://books.google.com/books?id=uegmzT1auoQC&pg=RA1-PA313&dq=Saint+Paul+Central+lost+twin+cities&sig=XWsr9mhEDLPsVtmZjj6rLzPM5a8#PPA100,M1 | title=Lost Twin Cities | date=1992 | publisher=Minnesota Historical Society Press | location=Saint Paul | isbn=0-87351-273-1 | pages=pg. 100-101]

1912 (Marshall and Lexington)

A new school, designed by Clarence H. Johnston, Sr., was built in 1912 on the corner of Marshall Avenue and Lexington Parkway, and was attempted to be renamed Lexington High School; alumni, however, wanted to keep the moniker Central High School. A compromise was reached when the Minuteman was adopted as a logo and mascot. In other words, the name of the school was retained, but for those who wanted the school to be named "Lexington," its logo and mascot were named after the colonial militia men of 1775 at Lexington, Massachusetts, who fought against the British in the first skirmishes of the War of Independence, and were required to be ready at a minute's notice. The adjacent stadium was built in the early 1940s by the WPA (Works Progress Administration), as denoted by a plaque on the brick facade of the stands. It was renamed James Griffin Stadium in 1998.

1912 Marshall/Lexington building construction: [Citation | date = 1910-05-31 | title = Building Permit for "Lexington High School", number 54749 | publisher = City of Saint Paul] [cite web | title = From the Past to the Present | publisher = Saint Paul Public Schools | url = http://www.spps.org/sites/dd77441e-b117-423c-90a1-6fcbdcc68b6f/uploads/SPPSF.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2007-05-07]

"Working name" - West End High School
"Proposed name" - Lexington High School
"Final name" - Central High School

"Architect" - Clarence H. Johnston Sr. - prominent Saint Paul architect, studied architecture in Saint Paul as well as MIT, and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, travelled Europe and Asia. Also designed houses for Summit Ave, buildings for the University of Minn, many others.

"Architectural Artist" - JC Trott (employed by the architect)
"Style" - Collegiate Gothic
"Land purchased" - 1909
"Designed" - 1909-1910
"Building Permit Issued" - May 31, 1910
"Builder" - C. Ash Company
"Construction started" - 1910
"Ready for occupancy" - 1911 (old school dropped from City Directory)
"Cornerstone laid" - April, 1912 (building completed)
"Flagpole installed" - 1914

"New gymnasium" - 1924 (added to the west side of the school, replacing the old one in the top floor of the middle section; see 1925 yearbook, history of Johnston's career, and spps history document)

"Stadium" - 1940/1943 depending on the source (building permits or spps).
"Cost for 1909-1943" - $650,000 (not counting maintenance, heating, etc)

1970s and 80s (Marshall and Lexington)

Rebuilding and modernization took place in the 1970s and 80s. Led by Ellerbe Architects in 1979, the "castle" exterior was removed or overlaid with cement, a pool and other athletic facilities were added, and the interior was gutted and rebuilt. The building now uses only the structural frame of the previous building. This resulted in a joke amongst students that it was designed by a prison architect because of the school's rather utilitarian exterior, metal gates, and few windows on ground level. Until 2006 a barbed wire fence extended around Griffin Stadium and portions of the school facing Interstate 94 and Lexington contributing to the joke. Larry Millett, a local architecture critic described the building as, "The nadir of modern school architecture in Saint Paul, a building so resolutely grim and uninviting that it suggests that education can only be viewed as a form of incarceration."cite book |last=Millett |first=Larry |authorlink=Larry Millett |title=AIA Guide to the Twin Cities: The Essential Source on the Architecture of Minneapolis and Saint Paul |year=2007 |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society Press |location= |isbn=0-87351-540-4 |pages=p. 554]

Academics

Central offers many higher-level classes. It has offered the International Baccalaureate program since 1988. [cite web | title = Central High School, Saint Paul | publisher = International Baccalaureate Organization | url = http://www.ibo.org/school/000501/ | accessdate = 2007-05-26] Central has the second largest IB program in the state of Minnesota. [ [http://central.spps.org/information/counseling/gifted_talented/IB.html International Baccalaureate Program (IB) at Central] "Central High School"] Students may also take Advanced Placement classes and their subsequent tests. Central was the only high school in Minnesota to be honored by the Siemens Foundation in their 2007-08 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement. Central received the award for "its commitment to students and leadership in AP participation and performance". [Walsh, James (March 8, 2008), " [http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/16416236.html East metro school briefs] ", "Star Tribune"] [(February 25, 2008) [http://alumni.siemens-foundation.org/general/announce.asp 2008 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement Winners Announced] "Siemens Foundation"] In 1970 Central began to offer the Quest program, the first gifted and talented program approved by Saint Paul Public Schools. [cite web | title = A History of Saint Paul Central High School | publisher = Central High School | url = http://central.spps.org/home/history/index.html | accessdate = 2007-05-26] This humanities based program was started in order to offer in-depth topics in the humanities that were not available in normal classes. The program continues to challenge students to think independently and to learn from each other and from the teacher in a discussion-based approach towards learning. Over 15 Quest classes are currently offered including classes on world culture, ancient civilizations, the Harlem Renaissance and Shakespeare literature. [cite web | title = Saint Paul Central High School | publisher = Central High School | url = http://central.spps.org/information/students/registration/0708/RegBook0708.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2007-05-26 ] Central has participated in the University of Minnesota‘s College in the Schools program since 1994. [ [http://central.spps.org/information/counseling/gifted_talented/questCIS.html College in the Schools Program (CIS)] "Central High School"] [ [http://www.cce.umn.edu/cis/schools.html College in the Schools - Participating Schools] "College in the Schools"]

Arts

Central is known for its strong music program. Many different music classes are offered including Concert Band, Varsity Band, Orchestra, Concert Choir, Men’s Choir, and Women’s Choir. Co-Curricular opportunities include Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, Central Singers, Minnesingers, and the Music Listening Contest. Central performing ensembles have traveled in recent years to San Diego, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. Central musicians have a tradition of first place awards and superior ratings at local, state, and national festivals and competitions. The Central Concert Band and Orchestra were selected to perform at the 2007 MMEA Mid Winter Clinic. The Central Concert Choir performed at the [http://www.acda-mn.org/ ACDA-MN] 2006 Fall Convention and the Central Singers were selected to perform at the 2007 Choral Arts Finale at Orchestra Hall. The Central Orchestra performed at Orchestra Hall in January of 2007, opening for the Minnesota Orchestra, as part of the Music-Up-Close series. The Central IB Music program offers instruction in music theory, history, composition, and solo-performance.

Athletics

Central has produced a long line of talented athletes, the most notable being Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield.

2006 Baseball

The Bill Peterson led squad won conference for the first time in 79 years. "A-Squad" took fourth place in sections, falling to St. Thomas Academy in a shoot out 14-13 in extra frames.

Girls Basketball

Run to history

In the 2006-2007 season, the Central high school girls basketball team set a state record for most victories in a single season, going 32-0 en route to the class AAAA state championship. During their perfect season, Central was considered by some to be the best team in the history of Minnesota High School girls basketball. [cite web | last =Millea | first =John | title =4A: Perfect finish for Saint Paul Central | publisher =Star Tribune | date =2007-03-18 | url =http://www.startribune.com/tourney/story/1062625.html | accessdate = 2007-08-31 ] Central beat their opponents by an average of 44 points per game, averaged 86 PPG and had all five starters average more than 10 PPG. Angel Robinson broke state records for steals in a single season and most career steals. The 2006-2007 girls basketball team also served as grand marshals for the 2007 Rondo Days parade.

History strikes again

Central would make history again the following year. Central won back-to-back state championships for the first time in school history, once again beating arch-rival Minneapolis South 49-44. This happened after Central lost to South in their two previous meetings 72-52 and 82-73. In the class AAAA title game, Central held South's top player, Tayler Hill, to 9 points. It was the only game that season Hill scored below double-digits.

Overall, Central has won four state titles in girls basketball: 1976, 1979, 2007, and 2008.

Extracurricular activities

Central's math team has also been highly successful. In 2007, led by Nick Arnosti, who did not miss a single point in the regular season, the math team was undefeated and won the state championship. [cite news |last = Goldman |first = Yuliya |url = http://central.spps.org/news/0607/march/march.pdf |format = pdf |title = Central's Math Team wins State|publisher = Central High Times |date = 2007-3 |accessdate = 2007-04-02]

Central High School is home to a budding policy debate program. Founded by 2007 graduates Molly Schnell and Maureen O'Brien in 2004, the program has since grown to a roster size of 14 in the 2006-2007 season under the leadership of coach Dan Allen. [cite news |last = O'Brien |first = Maureen |url = http://central.spps.org/news/0607/december/december.pdf |format = pdf |title = Debate Team is hard work |publisher = Central High Times |date = 2006-12 |accessdate = 2007-02-27] The team qualified juniors Ben Quam and Ilias Karim to the quarterfinals of the Minnesota State High School League Policy Debate Quarterfinals as the fourth seeded team before they were eliminated by Edina High School's seniors Doug Gschneidner and Logan Chin. [cite web |title = 2007 Policy Debate Final Rounds Results | publisher = Minnesota State High School League |date = 2007-01-20 |url = http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/upload/MSHSL0836482007PolicyDebateBracket.htm |accessdate = 2007-03-05 ]

Central High School has also improved their Mock Trial Team dramatically in recent years. Under the coaching of Stacey Sorensen and Prof. Peter Knapp, the Mock Trial team, captained by Liz Lee reached the state competition for the first time in 2007 as regional champions, and again in 2008 captained by Charlie Armitz and Sarah Ludwig. The 2008 team consists of returning members Charlie Armitz, Sarah Ludwig, Sulamita Yang, Laura Zats, Matt Carlyon and newcomers Kai Peterson, Ian Luby, and Abe Schwabacher.

Notable alumni

* Charles M. Schulz, author of the Peanuts comic strip. [cite web | last =Boxer | first =Sarah | title =Charles M. Schulz, 'Peanuts' Creator, Dies at 77
publisher =City Pages | date =2000-02-14 | url =http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/1126.html | accessdate = 2007-09-27 ]
* Gordon Parks, photographer, filmmaker, and writer.
* Dave Winfield, Baseball Hall of Fame left fielder.cite web | title =ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME | publisher =Central High School | url =http://central.spps.org/sports/hall.html | accessdate = 2007-09-15 ]
* Eddie Albert, TV actor "Green Acres" and "Switch".
* Ann Sothern, TV actress "Private Secretary" and "The Ann Sothern Show".
* Heiruspecs, underground hip-hop group. [ cite web | last =Roberts | first =Chris | title =The pride of Saint Paul | publisher =Minnesota Public Radio| url =http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/09/30_robertsc_heiruspecs/ | date=2004-09-30 | accessdate = 2007-09-15 ]
* Mint Condition, R&B/Funk band, known for the hit "Breaking My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)". [ cite web | last =Scholtes | first =Peter S. | title =We Got Us| publisher =City Pages | url =http://citypages.com/databank/26/1276/article13294.asp | date=200-05-18 | accessdate = 2007-09-15 ]
* Richard M. Schulze, founder of Best Buy. [cite web | title =Best Buy Founder Richard M. Schulze Presents $50 million to University of St. Thomas| publisher =Best Buy | url =http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=83192&p=IROL-SingleRelease&t=Regular&id=75574&| accessdate = 2007-09-25 ]
* Jawed Karim, co-founder of YouTube. [cite web | last =Reinan | first =John | title =Oct. 13, 2006: Whiz Kid: Jawed Karim, a graduate of Saint Paul Central | publisher =Star Tribune | date =2007-02-08 | url =http://www.startribune.com/535/story/989395.html | accessdate = 2007-09-16 ]
* Stanley Gordon West, author.
* Amelia Earhart, Aviation pioneer and women's rights advocate. Attended briefly before moving to Chicago. [cite web | title =Facts About Minnesota| url = http://www.uppercullen.com/minn.html | accessdate = 2007-09-15 ]
* Jeanne Arth, former U.S Open Doubles champion and Wimbledon Doubles champion.
* Jon Wiener, noted political commentator and activist. [cite web | title =Jon Wiener| url = http://www.thenation.com/directory/bios/jon_wiener | publisher =The Nation | accessdate = 2007-09-15 ]
* Martin Apple (1956), molecular biologist and pioneer of genetically modified food
* E.D.I. Mean, born Malcolm Greenidge, member of rap group Outlawz [cite web | last =Scholtes | first =Peter S. | title =One Nation, Invisible | publisher =City Pages | date =2004-08-18 | url =http://citypages.com/databank/25/1237/article12383.asp | accessdate = 2007-09-27 ]
*T. Denny Sanford, banker and ranked #117 on Forbes list of richest Americans. [Citation | last =Belden | first =Doug | title =Billionaire Alum Makes Gift For New Gym Floor$100,000 Includes Naming Deal For Sanford | newspaper =Saint Paul Pioneer Press | pages =B3 | date =2007-03-22 | url = ]
*Leigh Kamman, Jazz musician and radio host. [Citation | last =Bream | first =Jon | title =Music: The last radio show | newspaper =Star Tribune | pages =E1 | date =2007-09-29 | url =http://www.startribune.com/457/story/1452171.html ]
*Harvey Mackay, Chairman of MackayMitchell Envelope and New York Times Best Selling Author of Swim With The Sharks. [Mackay, Harvey [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6205850/ Excerpt from "We Got Fired!"] ISBN 978-0345471864]
*Nick Swardson, American actor and stand-up comedian. [Marsh, Steve (November 1 2005) [http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-4958923_ITM "Adam's boy: Saint Paul standup Nick Swardson takes a seat at Adam Sandler's Hollywood table."] "MPLS-St. Paul Magazine"]
*Midge Decter, editor and author.cite book |author=Blatti, Jo |title=Women's history in Minnesota: a survey of published sources and dissertations |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society Press |location=Saint Paul, MN |year=1993 |pages=pg. 74 |isbn=0-87351-291-X |oclc= |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=DJqM_9jVAAcC&pg=PA74&dq=%22Midge+Decter%22+%22Amelia+Earhart%22&client=firefox-a&sig=quo14ipD9g-TqJ5tqM3aZaWh_Ic |accessdate=]
*Lawrence D. Cohen, mayor of Saint Paul and former judge [http://central.spps.org/home/history/halloffame.html Hall of Fame] "Central High School"]
*Roger Awsumb, longtime children's TV host on WTCN (now KARE), portrayed railroad engineer Casey Jones on "Lunch with Casey" from 1954 to 1972. [" [http://www.lunchwithcasey.com/about_the_show.html About the Show] " lunchwithcasey.com. Retrieved August 13, 2008] [Haga, Chuck (July 15, 2002) [http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/11497826.html "Roger Awsumb, TV's Casey Jones, dead at 74"] "Star Tribune"]
*Micah Boyd, 2008 Summer Olympics crew rower [Souhan, Jim (August 13, 2008) [http://www.startribune.com/sports/olympics/26893639.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUX "St. Paul boys put joking aside and get caught up in drama"] "Star Tribune"]
*John Roethlisberger, three time Olympic gymnast [Johnson, Randy (July 10, 1989) [http://www.mndaily.com/search/gopherarticle.php?id=18915 "Gopher gymnasts take a tumble at U.S. championships"] "The Minnesota Daily"]

References

External links

* [http://central.spps.org/ Central High School]
* [http://www.spchs61.com Class of 1961]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fKN9lcT0Kc Video of Central's victory against South in the Twin Cities championship game]