Whitmer High School (Toledo, Ohio)

Whitmer High School is a public high school in Toledo, Ohio, USA. It is the only high school in the Washington Local School District in Lucas County, Ohio, serving the northwest section of Toledo up to the Michigan state line. It is the largest high school in the Toledo area.

History

Whitmer Senior High School opened in 1927 in the Jefferson building. In 1960, the Whitmer building opened. In 1976, the Whitmer Vocational Building (now Career Technology Center (CTC)) opened.

Whitmer High School Administration

*Principal - Mark Verroco
*Attendance/ Dean Center Associate Principal - Phyllis Zielinski
*Counseling Center Associate Principal - Kim Dedo
*Testing Center Associate Principal - Ed Kaser, Jr.
*Athletic Director/ Associate Principal - Thomas Snook
*Career Technology Director - Deb Heban
*Career Technology Center Associate Principal - Jim Kieper

Athletics

The school's athletic teams are known as the Panthers with jersey colors maize and blue. Whitmer High School is a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association and the Toledo City League. The Panthers played in the Great Lakes League (GLL) until 2003 when they joined the Toledo City League. Prior to being part of the GLL, Whitmer was an independent during the early 1970s. However, Whitmer had been playing many City League teams in all sports for years prior to joining the league. One of the school's biggest rivals are the Start Spartans; the two teams meet annually to play for the "Battle of Tremainsville". Another one of the school's biggest rivals are the Clay Eagles; Whitmer and Clay meet annually to play for the coveted "Little Brown Jug." During the GLL days, the Bedford Mules of Temperance, Michigan were the Panther's biggest rival.

Whitmer High School is a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) and its football team has qualified for the state playoffs for four of the last five years. The 1986 team went undefeated and 1987 and 1988 made it to the state semi-finals. The 2007-2008 Panthers made an unexpected run to the state final four in basketball.

Renovations

In 2006, Whitmer High School underwent several renovations. Among the renovations were a total overhaul of the Homer S. Nightingale Center for the Performing Arts, including an expanded lobby. Also a new gym, and new Fieldhouse were added to the school.

In 2007, Whitmer Memorial Stadium had artificial turf installed, and the track was widened. The football field features the school's panther head logo that spans from 40 yard line to 40 yard line and from front hash to back hash. The endzones show a large "WHITMER" with a blue background and yellow lettering, with a white stroke.

Logo and Graphics

Whitmer's athletic logo comes from the Pittsburgh Panther's former logo, using a different color scheme.

The school has added vinyl graphics featuring the panther head logo to the Fieldhouse lobby, stadium pressbox, and Michael W. Carmean Fitness Center.

The panther head logo is featured on the Fieldhouse floor (changed from the "W" in the summer of 2008) and on the artificial turf of Whitmer Memorial Stadium.

2008 United States presidential election

On Feb. 22, 2008 Senator Hillary Clinton made a campaign stop in the Whitmer High School Fieldhouse where she mentioned the Whitmer Pep band. Thousands of Clinton supporters packed into the the Fieldhouse; there was also an overflow crowd in a remote location.

External links

* [http://www.washloc.k12.oh.us/ District Website]
* [http://www.whitmerpanthers.com/ Whitmer Panthers] (Boosters)
* [http://whitmermarchingband.com/sites/whitmermarchingband_com/ Marching Band]
* [http://www.whitmerfootball.com/ Whitmer Football]

Alumni groups

* [http://www.washloc.k12.oh.us/alumni.htm Washington Local Schools Alumni] (all classes)
* [http://whitmerhighschool.org/ Alumni Site from HighSchoolNetwork] (all classes)
* [http://www.whitmerclassof1988.com Class of 1988]