Yuma Union High School

'Yuma High School is the oldest standing high school in Yuma, Arizona. It was erected in 1909 and earned its mascot, the Criminal, after the school burned down and the students had to finish their classes in the Yuma Territorial Prison. The football team also went on to win the State title and the nickname was given by other schools, it stuck and was later officially adopted. YHS is the only school in America that has a copyrighted high school mascot.'

Actually- this is NOT accurate! Yuma High School began in 1909- the Arizona Territory taxpayers voted to organize a union district from several elementary districts. In September of that year, Yuma High School began with four teachers in three rooms near the corner of Main and Third Streets. At the end of the first year, twelve seniors graduated.

The next year, 1910, the students moved to the newly abandoned Yuma Territorial Prison, where they remained for the next three years. Teachers conducted classes in the cellblock area, and the school held assemblies in what had been the prison hospital.

City officials notified the school in 1912 that they needed the Prison as a city jail. The school board carried through a bond election to build a new school. In 1913 school begain in the newly constructed "Main" building. That same year, the Yuma football team traveled to Phoenix to play the "Coyotes". Yuma High won, and the angry "Coyotes" dubbed the Yuma High players the "Criminals". At first "Criminals" was a fighting word, but before long students and teachers wore the name with pride. In 1917 the school board officially adopted the nickname. Yuma High School has been proudly called the home of the "Criminals" ever since.

The only fire that ever occurred was when the Main Gym burned down in 1958.

More info can be found at the school's website: http://www.yumahs.yumaunion.org/index.cfm?pID=518

Infobox School


imagesize=138px
name = Yuma High School
established = 1909
type = Public high school
free_label = Colors
Mascot
free_text = White and Navy Blue
Criminal
enrollment = 3000+
location = 400 S. 6th Avenue
Yuma, Arizona 85364
website = http://wwwzope.yumaed.org/yhs

High Schools of Yuma County

*Antelope Union High School
*Carpe Diem e-Learning Community
*Cibola High School
*Gila Ridge High School
*Kofa High School
*San Luis High School
*Vista Alternative High School
*Yuma Catholic High School
*Yuma High School

External links

* [http://www.yumahighschool.com Yuma High School Website]
* [http://yumaunion.com/ Yuma Union High School District Website]
* [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/15/earlyshow/series/main1321603.shtml CBS visits Yuma]
* [http://www.crimwear.com/ Crimwear]