Rayen High School (Youngstown, Ohio)

Infobox School
name = The Rayen School
(Rayen High School)

---

imagesize = 200px
caption = The second incarnation of Rayen in October 2007
established = 1866 - 2007
district = Youngstown City School District
grades = 9-12
enrollment = 1,100 (2006-07 school year)
conference = City Series Conference
colors = Orange and Black
mascot = Tigers
campus type = Urban
location = 250 Benita Ave,
Youngstown, Ohio
44505
country = USA
website = [http://www.youngstown.k12.oh.us/rayen/ Rayen Homepage]

Rayen High School was one of the three oldest public high schools in the city of Youngstown, Ohio, United States. The high school's most recent physical plant opened in 1923,cite news
first = Harold
last = Gwin
title = Mural removed for cleaning; restoration
work = The Vindicator
date = January 12, 2007] when the institution was relocated from a 19th-century structure that currently houses Youngstown's Board of Education.cite web | url = http://www.rayen55.org/rayenhist/rayenhist.htm Rayen School History | title = Rayen School History | publisher = Rayen55.org | accessdate = 2007-03-06]

Rayen High School closed permanently in June 2007, to make way for the opening of a consolidated East High School. The former Rayen building is scheduled for demolition, and a middle school will be erected on the site.

History

A long-time fixture in the Youngstown City School District system, Rayen High School opened its doors to 40 students in September 1866.not truecite web | url = http://www.rayen55.org/rayenhist/rayenhist.htm Rayen School History | title = Rayen School History | publisher = Rayen55.org | accessdate = 2007-03-06] Provisions for the school were made through a legacy of Colonel William Rayen, a judge and former military officer who fought in the War of 1812.cite web | url = http://www.rayen55.org/rayenhist/rayenhist.htm Rayen School History | title = Rayen School History | publisher = Rayen55.org | accessdate = 2007-03-06] Rayen, who died in 1854, left a residual estate of $31,000, which he set aside for the establishment and maintenance of a secondary school. Rayen specified that the school should be free and open to students of all backgrounds.

The original school building, which still stands along the main artery of Wick Avenue, was built in the Greek Revival style. The building's appearance has changed little since its construction in the 19th century, and it is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In response to expanding enrollment, a larger physical plant was erected on the upper North Side of Youngstown in 1922.cite web | url = http://www.rayen55.org/rayenhist/rayenhist.htm Rayen School History | title = Rayen School History | publisher = Rayen55.org | accessdate = 2007-03-06] The original building served concurrently as an elementary school and a school of engineering for Youngstown College before its purchase by Youngstown City School District.

Rayen High School, following its relocation, continued to operate on funds generated by the Rayen estate, which was managed by a board of trustees.cite web | url = http://www.rayen55.org/rayenhist/rayenhist.htm Rayen School History | title = Rayen School History | publisher = Rayen55.org | accessdate = 2007-03-06] Rayen was widely admired for its rigorous academic standards and drew students from throughout Northeastern Ohio.cite news
first = John Patrick
last = Gatta
title = The Enduring Legacy of the Rayen School
work = The Metro Monthly
page = 8
date = May 2007] In the 1940s, the institution became popularly known as "The Rayen School".

During its lengthy history, Rayen was led by 19 principals and graduated more than 50,000 students.cite web | url = http://www.rayen55.org/rayenhist/rayenhist.htm Rayen School History | title = Rayen School History | publisher = Rayen55.org | accessdate = 2007-03-06] Much of Rayen's colorful past was commemorated in a 65-foot-long mural painted by Rayen art instructor John Benninger in the late 1950s.cite news
title = Rayen's History Portrayed in School Mural
work = The Youngstown Vindicator
date = June 14, 1959] The Rayen mural was removed from the former high school building for cleaning and restoration in 2007. The restored mural is to be installed at Rayen Middle School, which will be built on the site of the former high school.cite news
first = Christine
last = Davidson
title = Group works to preserve historic Rayen mural for future generations
work = The Metro Monthly
page = 11
date = May 2007]

Although Rayen continued to maintain high academic standards, the school was adversely affected by trends that disrupted many other urban institutions. Beginning in the post-World War II era, urban depopulation and the decline of Youngstown's manufacturing sector contributed to challenges such as falling enrollment and reduced funding.

Sports

Rayen's sports team competed as the Tigers. The school holds one Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championship, a Boy's Basketball crown from 1985. cite web|url=http://www.yappi.com/boysbasketball/AA.html|title=Yappi Sports Basketball AA|accessdate=2007-02-12|author=Yappi] Rayen's stadium, built in 1924, was the site of athletic events for nearby schools. For decades, it served as "home field" to Ursuline High School, located a few blocks south, and Youngstown State University.

In addition, Rayen Stadium was the site of a significant development in American football history. The first penalty flag was thrown at the stadium in 1941, when it served as home field for then-Youngstown College. Youngstown College coach Dwight "Dike" Beede created the flag to replace the alarms that were generally used at the time. He recognized that some fans couldn’t hear the alarms because of surrounding noise. [ [http://www.ysu.edu/sports/traditions/penaltyflag.htm Penalty Flag] Accessed 2007-03-06]

The stadium fell into disuse after 1982, with the completion of Youngstown State University's Stambaugh Stadium. Rayen and other city schools began to use Stambaugh Stadium for their home games. Before 2006, the last high school football game played on Youngstown City School District property was in 1992 at South High School–once the home field for Cardinal Mooney High School. South High School, on the main thoroughfare of Market Street, closed in 1993.

In 2005, the Tigers went 7-3 to win their first Youngstown City Title since 1989 — when the Youngstown City Series still had five high schools. However, the Chaney Cowboys won the rematch in the playoffs. On September 30, 2006 Rayen hosted Akron East High School for the first game at Rayen Stadium in 24 years. The game also allowed alumni to have one last public tour of the school before it closed at the end of the 2006–2007 school year.

Legacy

Rayen High School officially closed in the spring of 2007. The last student to graduate from the institution was Shanequa Woods. During its decades of operation, the high school produced a number of distinguished alumni, including Hall of Fame umpire Billy Evans,cite news
title = Billy Evans, Renowned Baseball Figure, Dies
work = The Youngstown Vindicator
date = January 24, 1956] comedic actor Joe Flynn,cite news
title = Actor Flynn Drowns in Pool; Youngstown Native Was TV Comedian
work = The Youngstown Vindicator
page = 1
date = July 20, 1974
accessdate = ] major league baseball player and manager Jimmy McAleer,cite news
title = McAleer Credited For Aiding Baseball
work = The Youngstown Vindicator
page = D-11
date = July 13, 1986] and 19th-century lawmaker William R. Stewart.cite news
title = Birthday
work = The Youngstown Daily Vindicator
page = A-12
date = October 29, 1939]

References

External links

* [http://www.ycsd.k12.oh.us/ District Website]