Madison East High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Madison East High School

motto = Diversity and Pride.
established = 1922
type = Public secondary
grades = 9–12
students = 2,040 (2005-2006)
faculty =
city = Madison
state = Wisconsin
country = USA
oversight = Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD)
principal = Alan Harris
mascot = Purgolders
colors = Purple and Gold
WIAA conference = Big 8
yearbook =
newspaper = Tower Times
website = http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/east/

Madison East High School is one of four comprehensive four-year high schools in Madison, Wisconsin. It was established in 1922, making it the oldest high school still operating in Madison. The school mascot is "Peppy the Purgolder", an animal resembling a puma. Madison East athletes compete in the WIAA Big Eight Conference and is well known for their dominant girl's swim team that won the WIAA Division 1 state meet. It also boasts an unusually high amount of bomb threats - there has been one every month since the 2006-2007 term began.

Courses

More than 50% of East's graduates go on to a four-year college, with a large number of additional students attending two year campuses such as the Madison Area Technical College. Academically motivating, talented and gifted (TAG), and advanced classes are available throughout the curriculum. Advanced Placement (AP) courses include Calculus AB, Calculus BC, French V, Spanish V, Music Theory, Psychology, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, European History and Computer Science. Courses are available in Advanced Physics, advanced chemistry, anatomy, aviation, literature, composition, creative writing, speed reading, and computer programming. The Fine Arts that East houses are among some of the best. Amongst these many fine programs, East High School is well known for its amazing Band program and Encore Show Choir. This Show Choir meets everyday during school and once a week after school. This school is known for the inside, "mall" which consists of the bricks made up from the older building before the school was expanded. This mall area is home to the majority of the lockers in the school, but also the hang-out places for each class. The forum is normally reserved for freshman, but upperclassmen are also allowed to recreate in this location. Above the freshman forum is the 'Sophomore Wall'; closer to the cafeteria are the 'Junior and Senior' walls.

Athletics

East's sports include football, baseball, track and field, soccer, tennis, golf, gymnastics, wrestling, cross country, basketball and swimming. The school excels in soccer, with the 2006 boys team making it to state. The girls tennis team made it to state in 2005, 2006, and 2007. The girls swim team has made it to state numerous times, and in 2007 they won WIAA division one state. The varsity football team, however, only won 2 of their 8 games in the 2007 season.

Hockey was a school success for many years, winning State Championships and being in contention for decades. Lately, the school team has been combined with Lafollette due to a lack of hockey funding and participation on the East Side.

Notable Alumni

* Connie Carpenter-Phinney (class of '75), professional cycle racer/speed skater and 1984 Summer Olympics Gold Medalist
* Dale Hackbart (class of '56), NFL linebacker/safety, Green Bay Packers (1960), Washington Redskins (1961-1963), Minnesota Vikings (1966-1970), St. Louis Cardinals (1971-1972), Denver Broncos (1973)
* Donald Hayes, NFL wide receiver, Carolina Panthers (1998-2001, 2004), New England Patriots (2002-2003)
* Gabe Jennings, (class of '97) premier middle distance runner who competed in the 1,500 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
* Jerry Kelly (class of '85), professional golfer, Nike Tour (1995), PGA Tour (1996-current} [cite web |url=http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2004/news_081004_native_son_kelly.html |title=Jerry's bio on PGA.com |accessdate=2007-02-01 |format=HTML]
* Greg Mattison, NFL and NCAA football coach
* Jim Montgomery (class of '73), swimmer and Olympic gold medalist at the 1976 Montreal Olympics
* Pat Richter, NFL tight end, Washington Redskins (1963-1970), University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Director (1989-2004)
* Bradley Whitford (class of 1977), Actor, most famous for his work on the television series The West Wing.

References