King Philip Regional High School

Infobox Public School
background = #f0f6fa
border = #ccd2d9
name = King Philip Regional High School
established = 1954
type = Public
head_name = Principal
head = Steve Besaw


city = Wrentham
state = MA
country = USA
religion = Secular
campus = Suburban
enrollment = around 1300
faculty = around 120
class =
ratio = 16 Students:1 Teacher
colors = Green and Gold
mascot = Warrior (King Philip)
homepage = [http://www.kingphilip.org/KPHigh/ www.kingphilip.org]

King Philip Regional High School is a regional high school in Massachusetts drawing students from three towns: Wrentham, Norfolk and Plainville. The school is located at 201 Franklin Street in Wrentham.

Wake Up Warriors

The students of King Philip that take part in the television production program produce their own award winning television show which is used to promote school events. It is a great means in which the students creativity is displayed. It airs every Friday morning (or the last day before a break/vacation) during homeroom.

On April 4, 2008, KPTV and the Wake Up Warriors program were selected as one of the top 10 finalists in Fox 25's "Best High School News" Contest, and won the newscasters vote as best program. [http://www.myfoxboston.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=6180519&version=22&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1]

Music program

The school boasts a nationally award-winning [http://www.kingphilip.org/kphigh/music/kpmusichomepage.html Music Program] known as "The Pride and the Passion" under the direction of Peter Tileston. The school has a marching band, a symphony band, a concert band, a jazz band, several Jazz combos, a folk band, a Chorus, a percussion ensemble, and a color guard. The marching band has won 21 consecutive gold metal titles in the MICCA evaluations,has achieved the highest ranking in the USSBA Regional Championships for 6 years in a row.The King Philip Marching Band have been Bands of America national semi-finalists in both 2000 and 2001.They have also been named the Bands of America Regional Champion in 2000, 2001,2004,and 2006. The jazz band has twice been named a finalist in the Essentially Ellington Competition in 2002 and 2007, and finished fourth place (honorable mention) in the Twelfth Annual Essentially Ellington Competition on May 6, 2007. The King Philip Jazz band has also received gold medals at various IAJE southeast district, and all state competitions. They have also been a "Most Outstanding Band" at the University of New Hampshite Clark Terry Jazz Festival.

Athletics

The sports team, the Warriors, compete in the Hockomock League with other area school districts. The school colors are green and gold and the mascot is a Warrior. Teams include Football, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Golf, Baseball, Softball, Cross Country, Boys Track, Girls Track, Indoor Track, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Boys Ice Hockey (Coached by Walter E. Fernald School Alumn, Bob Piotti), Girls Ice Hockey, Boys Tennis, Girls Tennis, Swimming, Gymnastics, Volleyball, Wrestling, and Cheerleading.

Clubs and activities

King Philip is home to a DECA club and store whom award winning business giant Steve Besaw is in charge of. Mr. Besaw has led the DECA program to 5 connsecutive gold medal victories in the United States Young Persons Buisness Association (USYPA)held in Washington D.C. He is soon to run for principal in the 08-09 schoolyear against current holder Jill Proulx.

Building project

In August 2007, King Philip Regional High School completed its building project, which began in April 2005. The first phase of the project included a new two-story classroom wing with state of the art classrooms and science labs, a new library/media center, a renovated field house with an indoor track/rock climbing wall, a new kitchen, new athletic locker rooms, a new weight/fitness room, new guidance offices, a new bus lobby, and new technology classrooms. The second phase of the project included new administrative spaces, a renovated gymnasium, new band/music spaces, a new 850-seat auditorium, new fine art classrooms, a new commons-style cafeteria, a new school store, new phys. ed locker rooms, a new nurse's office, and a new main lobby.

This school replaces the 1950's yellow brick building, which was demolished during the summer of 2006. Only the gymnasium and the auditorium were saved, with the auditorium being converted into the music rooms. The field house, which was added to the school in the 1970's, was also saved in this project. The new parking lot sits in the area in which the old classroom wing once stood.

The school has also renovated its athletic areas. New bleachers and lights have been installed at the football stadium, as well as a new track. The school is also considering replacing the football field with an artificial turf field. In a first in Massachusetts, parents,students, and other community members are raising money for the new field, $1 million, entirely from private donations. The baseball/softball fields had to be re-created as they were used as the student parking lots during the 2006-2007 school year. As part of the athletic field renovations, the school also expanded and renovated the tennis courts.

Notable alumni and faculty

*Liam Kyle Sullivan American comedian and actor.Fact|date=July 2007
*Lofa Tatupu NFL Elite Middle Linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks.Fact|date=July 2007
*Joe Johnson, former MLB pitcher

References