Smoky Hill High School

Infobox_School
name =Smoky Hill High School

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size =200px
motto =
established = 1974
type =Public
affiliation =
district =Cherry Creek School District
grades =9-12
president =
principal =Mr. Randy Karr
head of school =
dean =
faculty =
staff =141
students =2,573 (2005-2006)
enrollment =2,637 [http://www.chsaa.org/schools/schools.asp?schoolId=300 Colorado High School Activities Association profile for Smoky Hill High School. Accessed December 3, 2006.] ]
athletics =5A
conference =Centennial League
colors =Forest Green and Scarlet color box|greencolor box|red
mascot =Buffalo
free_label =
free_text =
free_label2 =
free_text2 =
location =16100 E. Smoky Hill Road Aurora, CO 80015
information =720-886-5300
website =http://www.smoky.ccsd.k12.co.us/

Smoky Hill High School is located in Aurora, Colorado and currently has around 2,600 students. Smoky Hill is part of the Cherry Creek School District and was the second high school built by the district in 1974.

It goes by the short name 'Smoky'. The name actually comes from the fact that the school is located not far from the Smoky Hill Trail, an old pioneer trail stretching from Kansas to Denver.

Curriculum

In 1991, Smoky Hill became the second high school in Colorado to offer the International Baccalaureate Program. Since that time Smoky has been recognized in Newsweek's nationwide list of excellent high schools. Also, Smoky Hill's AVID program is the only school in the AVID Western Division to be recognized as a National Demonstration School with Distinction. Smoky Hill also supports the Advanced Placement program and offers twenty AP classes.Fact|date=August 2008

Extracurricular Studies

World Affairs Challenge

World Affairs Challenge is a group of students led by Janice Zuk that has a long history in yearly competition at University of Denver. On March 1, 2008, Smoky Hill received the first place award for Overall Performance in Role-Play, Collaborative Question, and the Global Awareness Test.Fact|date=August 2008

Choir

The choir program has had a lengthy tradition of excellence and is currently under the direction of Mike Grant and Jim Techau. The SHHS choirs have boasted 14 performances at the Colorado Music Educators Association convention since 1992, and is known in the area for a unique familial dynamic, rich and mature tone quality, and extremely varied and difficult performance repertoire.Fact|date=February 2007

In April 2006 during the choir program's bi-annual "tour" the Smoky Hill Symphonic and Chamber Choirs performed at the Worlds of Fun Music Competition in Kansas City. The Symphonic Choir took first place all around and the Chamber Choir took second place. During the same tour both the Mixed Jazz Choir and Women's Jazz Choir performed at the School of Music Vocations at the Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa. All of the choirs gave performances at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In January 2007 the Symphonic Choir participated in the Colorado Music Educators Association for the 14th time. It was Mike Grant's first experience at CMEA, and his 2nd state convention performance (FL-ACDA, 1999). That following year in January 2008, The Advanced Women's Chorale under the direction of Mr. Jim Techau attended the same conference, making it Smoky Hill's 14th performance.

Acclaimed Accompanist Rob Lowe announced in May 2007 that he would indeed be retiring from Smoky Hill High School. The following 2007-2008 semester, the choir program welcomed Accompanist Darren Wirth.

In July 2008 Smoky Hill Choir will be sponsoring a summer Vocal Jazz Workshop with the School for Music Vocations and the Jazz Group "First Take."

Digital-Evolutions

Digital-Evolutions is an accelerated exploratory technology & design program and a Hewlett Packard showcase classroom. The program introduces students to graphic design, multimedia, programming, video production, and a heavy focus on 3D visualization & animation. In the fall of 2005, Digital-Evolutions hosted an international 3D animation event, 3December. [ [http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=6899162&linkID=7770998 The 3D Community Unites: 3December 2005] ] In 2006, Digital-Evolutions created and sponsored a state-wide animation showcase, "GetRendered!". In the spring of 2007, student teams took first, second and third place at both the regional and the state level SkillsUSA animation contests. [Nesbit, Ben. [http://www.skillsusa.cccs.edu/ "2007 Award Winners!"] , "SkillsUSA Colorado", Accessed June 13, 2007.]

Drama

The Smoky Hill Drama department has received many awards over the years, and has attracted many students. The head for most Drama-related affairs is Mr. Brown. The shows are always very popular, with hundreds of people flocking to the ticket booth whenever it's time for one of these performances to happen.

In March 2007 Smoky Hill High School performed the musical "Barnum". Students had to learn new and complicated tasks to make the show a success such as Trapeze, Silks, Stilts, Juggling, and Tightrope.

In April 2007 students Jon Lannen and Joshua Roth produced "Voices from the Shore," A play written by Max Bush. The play dealt with the topic of Mental Illness and explored the reaches of Schizophrenia among other psychological disorders.

Band

There are several different bands that a student can participate in. The beginner/basic level band is the Smoky Hill Concert Band. The intermediate band is known as the Smoky Hill Symphonic Band. The most advanced ensemble is the Smoky Hill Wind Symphony. The bands at Smoky Hill all perform at neighboring schools and festivals. Students can audition for the Jazz Band, where some of the best musicians in the school go to further study their craft. There is also a marching band. All Smoky Hill bands are under the direction of Mr. Zak Ruffert and Mr. Mavity. The previous director before Mr. Zak Ruffert was Mr. Krusniak, whose last year of teaching at Smoky Hill High School was the 2005-2006 school year.

Orchestra

Smoky Hill High School has had the honor of having Ms. Chelsea Peele as its established Orchestra Conductor and teacher of stringed instruments. Having learned from Prof. Oswald Lehnert of the CU Boulder Music School, Ms. Peele has devoted time and dedication to developing one of the state's premier high school orchestras. There are two different orchestras depending on skill level, String and Symphonic. Students must audition for Symphonic Orchestra, because since it is a more advanced class, the music is more challenging and therefore takes a certain level of practice, diligence, and overall skill level. Any student may take the String Orchestra class, and this is where they would learn to read music for their chosen instrument (Violin, Viola, Cello, or Double Bass) and how to correlate notes on the page to the notes on the fingerboard. The orchestra also provides an after school club for kids who would like to perform much more challenging chamber music.

Robotics

In 2005, Smoky Hill formed the Smoky Hill Area Robotics Club (SHARC) under programming teacher John Champion. It has been a part of the FIRST robotics competitions since 2006, earned 2nd place in the Colorado School of Mines Robo Landminer Competition, and hosts monthly robotics competitions. Despite early financial hardships, the program has flourished due to several extremely dedicated adults from the community and Smoky, $6000 worth of grants from NASA to purchase the FIRST robot kit and a $5000 grant from Lowe's to purchase professional-grade tools for metal, plastic, and wood working.

Science Bowl

The school's Science Bowl team has been nationally recognized under coach Mary Bartholomew for several years in the past. In 2003, Students from Smoky Hill High School won top honors at the Colorado Science Bowl Competition at the Colorado School of Mines. In the final round of rapid-fire questions and answers about physics, math, biology, astronomy, chemistry, computers and the earth sciences, students from Smoky Hill High School team #2 were victorious over their peers, Smoky Hill team #3. At the end of the day, the three teams from Smoky Hill High School took first, second and third place in the competition. In 2006, for the fifth year in a row, students from Smoky Hill High School won top honors and first place at the US Department of Energy Science Bowl.

In 2008, a related competition, the Colorado Metro Chemistry Competition, was undertaken by the school's chemistry students under the coaching of Mrs. Mary Bartholomew. Two of Smoky Hill's teams won 1st and 2nd place in the Chemistry Bowl competition, while several Smoky Hill students won honors in the various side competitions. Smoky Hill took 1st place among the many Colorado high schools attending Metro Chemistry Day in 2008 as well.

Ocean Bowl

Smoky Hill High School's Ocean Sciences Bowl is under the coaching of Mr. Ken Hamner. In 2007, the National Ocean Sciences Bowl team placed 5th in the nation, claiming victory even over the defending 1st place team from the previous year, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. In 2008, Smoky Hill High School placed second in the Regional Ocean Bowl Competition.

List of Clubs:

pecial Interest

*Art Club
*Athletic Training
*Brotherhood
*Clay Club
*Debate/Forensics
* [http://www.shhsdrama.com/ Drama Club] / Thespians
*Destination Imagination
* [http://www.digital-evolutions.org/ Digital-Evolutions] (3D Animation and Visualization)
*FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
*FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America)
*Fellowship of Christian Athletes
*Freestyle Club
*HHART (Homosexual and Heterosexual Alliance Reaching for Tolerance)
*ICE (Inspiring Creative Expression)
*Japanese Animation Club
*Journalism Club
*Juggling Club
*Knowledge Bowl
*Literary Club
*MESA (Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement)
*Math Club
*Muslim Student Association
*SADD/YAB(Students Against Destructive Decisions/Youth Advisory Board)
*SAY IT (Students Accept and Yield to the Issues of Today)
*Science Club (involving Cup stacking, Ocean Bowl, Rubik's Cubing, and Science Bowl)
*SHARC (Robotics Club)
*Student Government
*Successful Minorities United
*United Friends
*World Affairs Challenge

Language Clubs

*German Club
*Japanese Club
*Latin Club
*French Club
*Spanish Club

Performance Related

*Dance Showcase
* [http://www.shhsdrama.com/ Drama Club] / Thespians
*Spontaneous Combustion (Improv)
*Chamber Orchestra Club
*Marching Band
*Pep Band
*Step Team
*Symphonic Choir Club

ervice Clubs

*Amnesty International
*Hilltoppers
*Key Club
*NHS (National Honor Society)
*SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)
*Youth Advisory Board
*Youth Corps

Class-Related

*CFSO (Consumer and Family Studies Occupations)
*DECA (Marketing Association)
*Environmental Club
*Jazz Band
*Newspaper
*Pro Start
*Skills USA
*Student Government
*Yearbook
*Model UN

Athletics

Athletically, Smoky Hill High School is part of the 8-team Centennial League that also includes Cherry Creek, Grandview, Arapahoe, Cherokee Trail, Eaglecrest, Mullen, and Overland high schools. Smoky takes great pride in their athletics program with stellar soccer, volleyball, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, and cheerleading programs.

Cheerleading

Smoky has one of the top cheerleading squads in the state. The cheerleading team also attends Nationals in Orlando, Florida every year. In the 2007-2008 season the squad placed 1st in the regional competition, 4th at state and 18th at nationals. In 2006, coach Lacy Tice took over the position of head coach, successing notorious Coach Weber. The best the team has ever done at nationals was 8th place in 2005.

Track & Field

In 1992, Smoky Hill won its first state championship in any sport, defeating Montbello High School in the 6A Track and Field State Championships. The victory capped off an outstanding two-year streak for the team, losing only one meet (1991 State Championship) during that period of time. Smoky Hill accomplished the feat while only capturing two first-place wins (Pole Vault - Dan Wennogle, 4 x 800 Meter Relay - Bakker, Faestel, Salzer, Taetro).

Soccer

In the 2006 season Danny Winsor led the Smoky Hill High School boys varsity soccer team to win the class 5A state title game. Antonio Rosales and Matt Hammett scored first-half goals to lead Smoky Hill to a 2-0 victory over Fort Collins in a rematch of last year’s Class 5A state title soccer game. With the victory, fifth-seeded Smoky Hill (16-2-2) avenged its 2-1 overtime loss to Fort Collins (12-7-2) last year, and the Buffaloes won their fourth state championship since 1999. Miguel Rosales had six saves for Smoky Hill, which won its last state championship in 2004. Miguel Rosales, older brother to Antonio Rosales and younger brother to Jose Rosales, who helped the Buffs win their 1999 state championship, is considered to be amongst the greatest goalies in history. Couperus had four saves for Fort Collins.

In the 2007 season, Smoky Hill High School won their second consecutive state championship against Grandview High School with a win of 3 to 1. The Buffs lost nine key players due to graduation, including widely-known Miguel Rosales. This year was considered a rebuilding year for the team as for the veterans and newcomers to work as a team and to elevate the playing level for the newcomers.

Cross-Country

The Buffalo cross-country team has usually been in the top tier of state teams, since the schools inception. Greg Weich, who coached from 1996-2005, was a nationally recognized coach. He led the girl's side to an unprecedented three state-championships in a row, led by Megan and Katelyn Kaltenbach, Morgan Schulz and Keara Sammons. In 2004, the girls team took second in the Nike Team Nationals. The boys team has had its fair share of individual greatness as well. It has seen Ryan Deak, Brent Vaughn and Grant Duin all crack the top ten at state, including a championship by Vaughn in 2002. Ryan Deak holds the school 5k record with an impressive 14:58. The boys side's best showing at the state meet was in 2005, where they took third behind Grant Duin.

Inline Hockey

The Smoky Hill Buffaloes had a very successful 2008 season, with three of their four teams qualifying for the playoffs. They all proceeded to advance to their respective championships as well. The Junior Varsity teams won the championships in both the 4A and 5A divisions. Junior Varsity 4A defeated Bear Creek High School with a score of 5-4 thanks to a goal by freshman Justin Fasching with less than 30 seconds left in regulation. Junior Varsity 5A defeated Mountain Vista High's A team 6-5 with a breakaway goal by freshman C.J. Bateman in the closing seconds as well. The Varsity 5A team advanced all the way to their championship by ousting Mountain Vista High School and Douglas County High School, respectively, before falling to the Lewis-Palmer Rangers 7-4.

Lacrosse

The Buffs had a successful 2008 season with their varsity going 11-4 in the regular season and 1-1 in the playoffs with a win over the Air Academy Kadets and a disappointing loss to the Chatfield Chargers. The team was led by a good group of seniors and a strong junior class. The program also experienced success on the junior varsity and freshman levels with their teams going 9-6 and 10-5 respectively. The program continues to rise and expects to build even further upon their success in the upcoming 2009 season.

Advanced Placement at Smoky

Smoky Hill offers a wide range of Advanced Placement courses to prepare the students for college and get college credit in high school.

Arts

Art History

Music Theory

English

English Language

English Literature

Math

Calculus AB/AC

Math Statistics

Science

Biology

Chemistry

Computer Science

Physics

Environmental Science

Social Studies

European History

U.S Government and Politics

Human Geography

Psychology

United States History

World Languages

French Language

German Language

Spanish Language

Notable alumni

* Alison Dunlap, (1987) professional mountain biker, two-time olympian, World Mountain Bike Champion (2001) [ [http://www.coloradocollege.edu/success/alison.asp Alison Dunlap] . Colorado College Success Stories. Accessed December 3, 2006.]
* Lesley Chilcott, (1986) Academy Award winning Co-Producer of An Inconvenient Truth [An Inconvenient Truth. [http://www.climatecrisis.net/aboutthefilm/] . Climate Crisis. Accessed March 11, 2007.]
* Adrian Miller, (1987) Special assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the President’s Initiative for One America During the Bill Clinton administration. Presently serves on Colorado Governor Bill Ritter's cabinet [ [http://www.aavip.org/execomm.htm] African American Voter Registration & Information Project. Accessed March 11, 2007.]
* Tracy Phillips, (1992) Actress and Dancer. Rising star with several movie, television, and music video credits. Daughter of Dallas Cowboys Coach Wade Phillips and Granddaughter of NFL coaching legend Bum Phillips.
* Jacob Smith, (1987) Mayor of Golden, Colorado.
* Joe Miller, (1987) Award winning author of "Cross X"
* Jill Soukup, (1987) Nationally recognized artist
* Darren Krein, (1989) NFL player San Diego Chargers (1994), currently an Asst Coach with Seattle Seahawks
* Brent Vaughn, (2003) Seven-time All-American distance runner while at University of Colorado, current professional runner for Nike
* Brooke Ann Smith, (2001) Actress, numerous movies and t.v shows, including "Max Keeble's Big Move", 7th Heaven and Cold Case.
* Monica (2001) and Mark (2004) Owens, daughter and son of former two term Colorado Governor Bill Owens
* David Moe (1981), son of NBA legendary coach Doug Moe. David has coached at the NBA level and college level himself

Notable faculty

* Wade Manning, former professional football player for the Denver Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys.
* Angie Paccione, former Colorado state representative and 2006 Colorado Fourth Congressional District candidate. Paccione taught at Smoky Hill in the 1990s, coached varsity boy's basketball, and was Dean of Students.
*Dr. Mary Jarvis, National Principal of the Year
*Adrian Holguin, assistant director of Impulse Theater, a prestigious Improv theater located in the basement of the Wynkoop Brewery in downtown Denver, CO.
*Perry Weissman, only member of the faculty to have been there since the school opened, nearly 34 years ago.

See also

* List of high schools in Colorado

References

External links

* [http://www.smoky.ccsd.k12.co.us/ Smoky Hill High School official web site]
* [http://denver.yourhub.com/aurorasouth Aurora on YourHub.com]
* [http://www.shhschoir.com/ Smoky Hill High School Choir web site]