Capital High School (Boise, Idaho)

Infobox school
name = Capital High School


city = Boise
state = Idaho
country = USA
oversight =
principal = John Ruzicka
students = 1,589
faculty = 87
type = Public
mascot = Eagles
colors = Gold and Silver
grades = 10-12
established = 1966
free_label = IHSAA Division
free_text = 5A
website = [http://www.sd01.k12.id.us/schools/capital/ Capital High School]

Founded in 1966, Capital High School is a high school in Boise, Idaho, the third of four public high schools constructed in the city. The others are Boise (1902), Borah (1958), and Timberline High School (1999).

Notable alumni

* Jake Plummer - Class of 1993
* Curtis Stigers- Class of 1983
* Matthew Barney - Class of 1985
* Gary L. Stevens

School Mascot

The Golden Eagle is the official mascot of Capital High. Traditionally known as The Eagles, the school's various clubs, performing groups and sports teams are also referred to as the Capital Eagles.

School Colors

Black, Gold and Silver are the official colors of the school. Traditionally Black and Gold were the only colors that were represented on school uniforms, graduation gowns and letterman's jackets. However, present-day has the silver color prominent on all sports teams and at graduation.

Official Songs

The school alma mater is "Our Own Dear Capital" with music and lyrics by Capital's first choir instructor Burt Burda.

The official fight song is "Men of Ohio" with lyrics by Burt Burda.

Golden Eagle Marching Unit 70s-80s

"'The late 70's and all through the 80's saw the dominance of The Golden Eagle Marching Unit as one of the premier marching bands in the city as well as throughout the Pacific Northwest region. During these years, the performing organization (marching band and Golden Girls) under the direction of John King and Julie Stevens, was awarded top honors at numerous competitions and top honors at the Idaho District 3 Marching Festival from 1977 through 1992 with the exception of 1985 where they placed 2nd.

Modern drum corps can draw its roots from the collaboration of King/Stevens. At a local competition in the late 70s, then-corps director Mike Moxley of the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from Concord, CA, witnessed the revolutionary direction that Capital was taking in terms of incorporating dance/flag choreography with the marching ensemble. Taking this concept back to his corps, Moxley helped to redefine the modern drum corps idiom.

All musical scores were arranged specifically for the marching band by John King with battery scoring by acclaimed percussionists Gordon Rencher and John Daly.

Fashioned and designed to resemble the Santa Clara Vanguard, the marching organization showcased the traditional high mark time, classic white shoes, black marching pants as well as a visual program that employed symmetric drill which was hand written by King. Known for its large color guard, the ratio of band members to Golden Girls was almost 1:1.

Musical selections from this group ranged from classical to popular performing such selections "South Rampart Street Parade" (1982)" Gee, Officer Krupke" (1983) "Russian Sailors Dance" (1984), "Love the World Away" (1985), "Poet and Peasant Overture" (1986), "Finlandia" (1987).

Capping off a decade of excellence, the members of the 1987 class achieved what no other had ever done before: 1st Place in every category at each competition they entered. A solid testimony of building on the hard work and achievements of those who had marched before and keeping true to the ideals and dedication instilled in them of "Do the best we can."

Notable musicians who have graduated from the Capital High music program include Curtis Stigers (saxophone/drum major) and Jason Para(trumpet) and Drum Corps International and Winter Guard International drill designer/clinician/judge Darin Scruggs (clarinet/drum major).

John King has since retired from the Boise School District while Julie Stevens coaches the Boise State University Harvey Neef Mane Line Dancers, BSU Spirit Squad, the Capital High Golden Girls Drill/Dance Team and is part owner of Dance Dimensions Dance Studio in Garden City, a suburb of Boise.

Traditions

From the very beginning of Capital, school spirit was paramount for the school administration under the direction of original principal Don Johnson (d. 1993).

For the football team, the Gurkha Stick is a prominent fixture. Gurkha describe "races" (peoples) that were thought to be naturally warlike and aggressive in battle, and to possess qualities like courage, loyalty, self sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness, the ability to work hard for long periods of time, fighting tenacity and military strategy. It is unsheathed before the Capital/Borah game.

Each year, the week preceding the Friday night football game with cross-town rival Borah High School, signs were printed up with the saying BEAT BORAH. Lunchtime pep rallies held in Eagle Square were instituted in order to bring the entire student body together. During Beat Borah Week, green weenies were also served in the cafeteria paying homage to Borah's school colors of green and gold.

The Capital Rowdies were 7 male students who chose to "go shirtless" with the each male showcasing a single painted letter of C A P I T A L on their chests. They worked in conjunction with the Capital High Cheerleaders - only in the stands.

Until 1983, Capital High's graduation ceremony was held in the school gymnasium. Each student was given two admission tickets for parents/guardians. With the opening of the BSU Taco Bell Arena, graduation ceremonies were moved to the larger venue. Tickets were no longer required/needed.

Yearbook

The "Talon" is the name of the yearbook that is produced annually by the yearbook staff. Traditionally, this 208 page publication was printed by Herff-Jones.

Facilites

The Capital High campus is home to one of the largest indoor gymnasiums in the State of Idaho. Its two level seating area is large enough to accommodate large indoor sporting events. It is host to the Pacific Northwest Dance Championships each spring.

The Auditorium is one of the largest in the State of Idaho. Before the construction of the Taco Bell Arena on the Boise State University campus, the Capital High Auditorium was used for numerous performing groups.

The TC Bird Planetarium sits on the campus and is widely used not only by the students but also by the community.