Washington Park High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Washington Park High School
type = Public secondary
grades = 9–12
city = Racine
state = Wisconsin
country = USA
enrollment = 2,400 (approx)
colors = Blue and orange
mascot = Panthers
newspaper = "The Beacon"
yearbook = "Kipikawi"
established = 1852
website = http://www.racinepark.org

Washington Park High School (also known as "Park" or "Racine Park" High School) is a public, four-year high school in Racine, Wisconsin with an enrollment of over 2,400 students. Its school colors are blue and orange. The school's mascot, the panther, was adopted by the Class of 1949, reportedly because of a nearby Native American effigy mound in the shape of a panther.

History

The school traces its roots to 1852 when Racine High School, the first public school in Wisconsin opened. In 1926, the Racine School Board decided to replace Racine High School with a new school that would eventually become Park. The new Washington Park High School opened in 1928. About the same time, malted milk magnate William Horlick opened his own school on the north side of Racine, setting up the long-time rivalry between the two schools.

Much of the history and memorabilia (including art, awards and traditions) from Racine High School were moved to Park. Most notable is the statute of Joan of Arc, displayed in Park's foyer, that was donated by the Racine High School Class of 1904. The school's newspaper, "The Beacon" (a reference to Racine's Wind Point Lighthouse), and the school yearbook "Kipikawi" (a Native American name for the Root River), were also both carried over from Racine High School.

Athletics

Park's sports teams compete in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA)'s Southeast Conference with schools from Racine, Kenosha and southern Milwaukee, including Park's long-time, crosstown rival Horlick High School and Case High School, the other major high school in Racine. Park is the only Division 1 high school in Wisconsin to have won a state championship in football, basketball, and baseball. [http://parkhs.racine.k12.wi.us/sportsindex.html]

tate championships

Notable graduates

*Kevin Barry: Professional football player with the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans.
*Caron Butler: Professional basketball player with the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards.
*Abdul Jeelani (nee Gary Cole): Professional basketball player with the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers.
*Brent Moss: Professional football player with the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams.
*Fredric March (1897–1975), a two-time Academy Award and Tony Award-winning stage and film actor.

chool Song

Hail to thee, Park High.
Hail thy orange and blue.
Thy light shall guide us,
Our beacon bright and true.
We'll serve thee always.
This our pledge shall be:
Park High, forever,
Hail, hail, hail to thee.

ee also

*The World's Best Prom: An award-winning documentary and forthcoming feature-length documentary about high school prom in Racine, Wisconsin.
* [http://www.jsonline.com/news/racine/may04/227798.asp "Park High School Turns 75"] , "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel", May 8, 2004.

External links

* [http://www.racinepark.org Official Park High Web site]
* [http://washingtonparkpanthers.pso.com/ Park High School athletics Web site]
* [http://www.parkalumni.com/ Park Alumni page]
* [http://homepage.mac.com/fbpark/parkhs/hallfame/hallfame.html Park Alumni Hall of Fame]