Hurricane High School (Utah)

Hurricane High School is the only high school in Hurricane, Utah. It is located at 345 West Tiger Boulevard. It enrolls over 750 students in grades 10-12 (3 year high school) from Hurricane and surrounding communities, including La Verkin, Toquerville, Hildale, Virgin, Rockville, and Springdale. With 762 students enrolled as of March 8, 2007, it is the 4th largest high school in Washington County School District. [ [http://secondaryed.washk12.org/module/storage/116-116-812-EnrollWEB0607_8Mar.pdf.view Washington County School District Enrollment Information 2006-2007 School Year] document (PDF) from the Washington County School District web site viewed April 7, 2007]

Hurricane High's school colors are red and black. The school mascot is a tiger.

Faculty and staff

Mr. Kevin Pedersen is the current principal at Hurricane High School. Pedersen received his Bachelor's degree from BYU in 1988, and taught math in the Alpine School District (UT) for 15 years. He received his Masters degree in Administration from the University of Utah in 2003. He was named as the Vice Principal at Lowry High School (Winnemucca, NV)in 2003 and Assistant Principal at Canyon View High School (Cedar City, UT) in 2006. Mr. Larry Johnson is the Assistant Principal. Previous principals of Hurricane High School are Dr. Roy Hoyt, Mr. Rob Goulding, Mr. Wayne Edwards.

History

The first school classes were held in Hurricane in 1906 in the living room of Ira E. Bradshaw's home, consisting of grades one through eight. The first high school graduates in Hurricane graduated at the end of the 1927-1928 school year.

A high school building was built during the Great Depression with help from the Federal Government's Works Progress Administration, a two-story red brick building on street of 100 West just south of State Street. The building was completed and the school opened just after Thanksgiving in 1936.

In 1974, a new gymnasium and three classrooms were completed at the current school site, the first phase of construction of the current facilities. Students would walk between the old high school building and the new building for classes. In 1978, classrooms and a cafeteria were added, and grades 9-12 moved to the new building. The old building remained in use for other grades for many more years. It was finally demolished in the spring of 2004. A new auditorium, secondary gym, and front office area were added in 1996. Finally, in 2001, a science hall was added and named for the outgoing principal, Mr. Golding.

The enrollment continues to grow and has forced a new expansion/remodel of the existing building. It is the hope of the district to begin construction within the next year and complete the construction by 2011.

Debate and Drama

For many years, Hurricane High has been known for its small size but has placed competitively in drama and forensics competitions. In 2007, the drama team placed 3rd at Shakespeare competition and the debate team placed 1st at regional level and 6th at the state level. Both teams are led by Richard Hill.

Music

The HHS Music Department has a proud history of excellent performance. They strive to perform quality music and to provide various opportunities for students to perform. Below are listed the known State Festival Performances.

ports

In the 2002-2003 and 2005-2006 seasons The Hurricane High School boys' track team was crowned Utah Division 3A State Champions.

In the 2005-2006 season, the Hurricane football team was crowned Region 9 champions. They also took 3rd in the Utah class 3A championship. Although they were victorious over second place Pine View High and scored higher in against first place Logan High than Pine View did, they placed third because of the order of seeding and elimination in the tournament. They ended the season with a 12-1 record.

Hurricane High's wrestling team won the 2005 region 9 championship, and placed 6th at the state tournament. the next year they brought back many experienced wrestlers and placed 4th at state as a team. In 2007, with one returning state champion and several returning state placers Hurricane High's wrestlers took third in the region 9 tournament but placed above pine view region 9 winners at the state tournament taking 6th right behind Dixie. Hurricane had 8 participants in the state tournament and placed all but 1 with three in the finals.

Hurricane High's Girls Soccer team won region 9 championship for 3A in Fall 2007 with 11 seniors, and went on to take 3rd in state after losing in a close game against Juan Diego.

Baseball

Although Hurricane High is known for many sports, baseball participation has been sporadic. Hurricane's baseball team has been good since the program began in the 1930s, but in the last 20 years or so, it has sometimes been ignored due to the lack of funding and coaching. In 2006, Coach Steve Pearson took over as head Coach for the Varsity team, and has done many things to get the team where they are today. Their season ended in the playoffs with a heart-breaking loss to Logan in extra innings, with the final score being 4-3. The six players were honored at the end of the season by being selected to the All-Region team. Shane Martin, Tony Humphries, and Scott Homer were selected to the First team, while Justin Jarvis, Jake Wendt and Jaron Ewell were selected to the Second team. The Tigers are looking forward to next season, with many valuable players coming back. The next season was a regrouping year, with only 2 starters and 3 seniors. Although the year was tough, the season ended on a high note with Josh Zitting and Justin Jarvis being selected to the 1st team all-region and Gordie Dotson, Ryan Massey, and Cory Hinton to the 2nd team, as well as Jarvis making All-State. Zitting will try to resume his baseball career after he returns from an LDS mission, as Jarvis will be playing baseball at Dixie State College in the fall.

Golf

In the past, Hurricane High School has not had success in golfing. In 2007, the golf team did something no other Hurricane High golf team has ever done before: won all of the 3A region 9 golf tournaments. The team was led by: Senior Tommy Stirland, and Juniors Taylor Harris and David Stirland. Hurricane was able to compete as a team for the first time ever at a state level.

chool Fight Song

: We will cheer, never fear, for the triumph near,: As we fight for Hurricane High: When the teams begin we are bound to win,: As the blacks go tearing by.: As they go, never slow through a fighting foe: We will roar for the score loud and long,: And we'll fight right to the finish: As we sing our fighting song.

: We will fight, fight, fight when we're winning: We will fight, fight, fight if we lose.: Every player knows, when the whistle blows: We can fight whenever we choose:: We will fight, fight, fight in the morning: We will fight, fight, fight all the night.: We are bound to win today: As we battle in the fray: When we fight, fight, fight, fight, fight.

:H-H-S:T-I-G-E-R-S: TIGERS!

Notes

External links

* [http://www.hhs.wash.k12.ut.us/ Official web site of Hurricane High School]
* [http://www.wash.k12.ut.us/ Washington County School District]
* [http://www.tigersclassof96.com/ Class of 1996 Website]