Lemoore High School

Infobox School
name = Lemoore High School


motto =
established = 1901
type = Public
principal =
faculty =
enrollment = 2066 (2006-2007)
free_label = Mascot
free_text = Tigers
free_label2 = Colors
free_text2 = Purple and Gold
location =
information =
website = [http://www.luhsd.k12.ca.us/lhs]

Lemoore High School is a public school located in Lemoore, California. It serves grades 9 through 12, and is accredited through the California Department of Education to grant High School Diplomas to students who successfully complete the requisite amount and type of units as well as pass the California High School Exit Exam. Its enrollment for 2006-2007 is 2066.

Alma Mater

"Dear old Lemoore Union High School, ""
We give three cheers to you, ""
And pledging our devotion, ""
Our hearts to you are true. ""
We will raise our banner proudly ""
And let the breeze unfold, ""
The magic of our colors, ""
Of the Purple and the Gold!"

Mission

"Tradition.Innovation.Excellence"

The Lemoore Union High school district is dedicated to providing a quality education to all students. (They) develop competent and responsible students and challenge students to solve complex problems, communicate ideas, and work together in preparation for careers of the 21st century.

History

Lemoore High School was originally opened in 1900 to 35 students assembled as freshmen in the old Heinlen Hall in downtown Lemoore and began classes. Students in that first year were offered Latin, ancient History, Algebra and English. In 1902 the high school moved after Lemoore voters approved a school bond to build a new facility on the corner of Fox and B Streets. Lemoore High Schools first graduating class (1904) consisted of three persons: Margaret Hayes and Arthur and Ed Blank. In 1909, the first football team was formed from the 18 boys enrolled. The first school bus, a 20 passenger, 15 mile per hour average speed vehicle, made its debut in 1916The current school, located at 101 East Bush Street was opened February 1, 1924. Ellen Truckell was the 1929 Student Body President, the first female president to serve at Lemoore High School.

In 1940, the "music building" (the small building west of the main gym) was added to provide a band and choir room, ceramics studio, and 2 classrooms; and the auto shop was added to the existing shop building (that is now the maintenance department). In 1941, a swimming pool was added; in 1953, the Ag building; in 1958, the J.F. Graham Memorial Gymnasium; in 1960, the business building, followed by the science wing and administration building in 1962. The home economics building was completed in 1963, and followed in turn by the library and tennis courts in 1964. The football stadium and bus garage were finished in 1965. The metal shop (now the auto shop, T-1) was erected in 1969, along with the industrial drawing and electronics classrooms. In 1970, the "girls" gym was remodeled, and the exercise room added.

In 1973, a $2.75 million bond was supported by the taxpayers to erect the 10 classrooms in the S-Wing, the cafeteria, woodshops, and an addition to the boys' locker room. In 1978, the main building was renovated. In 1991 a new swimming pool was completed, and the old pool buildings converted to classrooms.

In 1993 the Gundacker Center was established to house the alternative education programs, such as Continuation, Adult Ed, Independent Study, Pregnant Minors (Cyesis), and Child Care programs. The Gundacker Center was dedicated to Gertrude Gundacker, a long time faculty member. The Continuation School is dedicated to Don Jamison, the first continuation principal and a track coach.

2001 Centennial Celebration

In 2001 Lemoore High School celebrated 100 years of excellence in education with a Centennial Celebration. This event included an All-Class Reunion.

Current

The Lemoore High School Choir is planning a trip in Spring to sing in Carnegie Hall.

Notables

In January 2005, Lemoore High School made national news with the ban on "freak" dancing by Principal Jim Bennett. The issue was announced to students and dances from then to present have intense restrictions on dancing.

Famous alumni

Tommie Smith
The 1963 Lemoore High School graduate excelled in all sports, known for his exploits on the track. He was voted Most Valuable Athlete three years straight in basketball, football, and track and field.At San Jose State he tied and broke world records in track-13 records in all. His crowning achievement came at the 1968 Olympiad held in Mexico City when he won a gold medal in the 200 dash with a time of 19.83 seconds, which was a world record until 1979 and an Olympic record until 1984. Smith and Bronze medal winner John Carlos' actions at the Olympic Games in 1968 has become one of the defining moments of the American Civil Rights movement and one of the most indelible images of 20th Century. Tommie Smith's raised right black gloved fist represented black power, the knotted black scarf around his neck represented pride, and the box in his left hand contained an olive tree sapling which stood as an emblem of peace. John Carlos's raised left black gloved fist represented unity in black America and the beds around his neck signified lynchings suffered by blacks. Both men wore black socks but were shoeless during the ceremony to represent black poverty in racist America. Together they formed an arch of unity and power.

Steve Perry
This 1967 Lemoore High School graduate is known for his exploits in music. He was in the marching band and track team at Lemoore High. After many years of singing in various bands, Steve was asked to join Journey in 1977. Journey became one of the hottest rock bands of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. As a songwriter and vocalist, Steve went on to handle production duties of the band, until his departure due to health problems in 1987. He enjoyed a successful solo career before rejoining Journey from 1996-1998. Notable hits include "Who’s Crying Now", "Don’t Stop Believin’" and "Open Arms".

Michael A. Baker
This Class of 1971 graduate is known for his exploits in aviation and space exploration. He attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1981 and had a number of high profile assignments with the navy. He’s logged over 5,000 hours in approximately 50 different types of airplanes including tactical jets, multi-engine transports and rotary wing aircraft and has over 300 carrier landings to his credit. He is also an astronaut and is a veteran of four space flights including stints on two flights as space shuttle commander on STS-68 and STS-91. He has logged over 965 hours in space. He became an astronaut in 1985 following a one-year evaluation and training program.

Otis Tolbert
This Class of 1980 graduate is one of the many victims of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. He was a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy and was killed when a jetliner piloted by terrorists crashed into the Pentagon

Lorenzo Neal
This Class of 1989 graduate is a Pro Bowl fullback in the National Football League. He played Fresno State University during his college career and was selected in the 1993 NFL Draft in the fourth round (89th overall) by the New Orleans Saints. Neal currently plays in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers. He has blocked for 1,000 yard rushers for 10 years in a row through 2006 and played in the Pro Bowl in 2003, 2006, and 2007.

Traycee King, American actress

External links

* [http://www.luhsd.k12.ca.us/ Lemoore Union High School District]