Cass Technical High School

Infobox Secondary school
name= Cass Technical High School
established= 1907
student population=2000+
grades=9-12
principal= Lenora Ashford
faculty= 75+
students= 2000+
grades= 9-12
type= Examination School of Choice
mascot= Technicians
affiliation= Detroit Public Schools
address= 2501 Second Avenue
city= Detroit
state=Michigan
country= USA
colors= Forest Green and White
newspaper= CT Expressions
motto= "Cass Tech #1, 2nd to None"
picture=

Lewis Cass Technical High School is a four-year high school in Detroit, Michigan. The school is named in honor of Lewis Cass, an American military officer and politician who served as governor of the Michigan Territory from 1813 until 1831.

Until 1977, Cass was Detroit's only magnet school and the only non-neighborhood enrollment school in Detroit. Today, Cass is one of four magnet schools in Detroit. Entrance to Cass is based on test scores and middle school grades. Students are required to choose a curriculum path—roughly equivalent to a college "major"—in the ninth grade. Areas of study include, but are not limited to, architecture, music, graphic arts, business, human services, and chemical/biological sciences.

History

Cass Technical High School, formerly known as Cass Union School, was founded in 1861. Cass Union School was established to provide training in woodworking and metal trades for young men. The school was built on land given to the City of Detroit by former Secretary of State and Michigan Governor Lewis Cass. The donated land formed a triangle at Second Avenue, Grand River Avenue, and High Street West.In 1918, Cass Technical High School lent its space to Ford Motor Company outside of regular school hours to allow their employees access to the industrial training facilities within the building. During the 1920s Cass held classes in chemistry, bacteriology, biology, and dietetics for local nurses in addition to printing classes.

In 1970, concern over the condition of the school building surfaced. It was feared that the building would be allowed to deteriorate beyond repair and that the school and its curriculum would be eliminated. Modernization of the school began in 1981 and was completed in 1985. The addition was designed by Albert Kahn Associates. The new wing included a gymnasium, various music rooms, a recital hall, and a practice room. The new wing provided an enclosed lunchroom on the second floor that held approximately 700 students. Classes in the business wing were also renovated.

On Monday July 30, 2007 the old school building was set on fire. [cite web | title = Old Cass Tech catches fire | publisher = Detroit Free Press | date = July 31, 2007 | url = http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070731/NEWS01/707310316/1003 | accessdate = 2007-08-02] The police arrested two of the three men in connection to the fire. At least six homeless men were believed to have been living in the vacant building. The fire is said to have started in the first floor classroom and risen up to the third floor before firefighters were able to put it out. In addition to two police officers, two firefighters were also injured while fighting the three-alarm fire. [cite web | title = Two firefighters injured in blaze at Cass Tech | publisher = Detroit Free Press | date = July 30, 2007 | url = http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070730/NEWS01/70730041/0/COL11 | accessdate = 2007-08-02]

The New Cass Technical High School

During the 2005-2006 school year, Cass Tech students were moved to a new building just some fifty yards away from the old building. Controversy surrounded the move into the new building because of uncertainty about the future of the old building, which was considered to be a historic landmark.

The new Cass Technical High School was designed by TMP architecture. The new school’s mass is broken down to emphasize its varied activities. Academic, public, athletic and performance spaces are all distinct pieces of the building. The school’s small urban site required organization vertically on six levels. One design challenge was to accommodate the unique lab environment, catering to career pathways and retaining flexibility for future curriculum requirements.

A collection of “collaboration centers” is situated strategically to promote interaction between the pathways and to encourage team teaching.

A large amount of money was spent on construction of the football field behind the building, however, until the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, it could not be used because of construction errors. The building won the top design award given out by Learning by Design, which honors and showcases school design and construction projects. It also received the American Institute of Architects - Michigan Chapter Honor Award in 2007. [Michigan Chapter Honor Award [http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:SgPviZ7SzP4J:www.aiami.com/aiami_design_awards/DA_2007/honor_awards_07_home.htm+michigan+chapter+honor+award+cass&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us&client=firefox-a] ]

Academics

Cass Technical High School's average ACT score is 21, which is four points higher than the average for Detroit public high schools. Cass offers eleven advanced placement courses including language composition, history, chemistry, calculus, and physics. Students are required to maintain a 2.5 grade point average on a scale of 4.0 in order to retain enrollment.

Awards

In 2003 Mr. El-Amin, the Academic Games coach, was awarded the 'Most Outstanding Coordinator' award. In 2006 Cass represented DPS at the National Academic Games Olympics and won the Team Sweepstakes award.

Music Department

Choir

The Choir does vocal training under the direction of Dr. Cheryl V. Harden. She has been the choral director of Cass tech since 1999. Over the years, the choirs have produced two CDs and are now working on their third. At the school there are many choirs at Cass Tech, such as:Concert Choir,Madrigal Singers,V-Jetts/ Vocal Jazz Ensemble,Choral Genesis,Cass Tech Mens Glee, andMystique Women's Chorale

Harp and Vocal

Cass Tech is the only school in the city of Detroit with a Harp and Vocal Ensemble. Harp and Vocal has existed for eighty-two years since its inception by Cass Tech alum Velma Froude. The Director from 1976-2007 was Mrs. Patricia Terry Ross, a former student of the Cass Tech Harp and Vocal. As of 2007 the Director is Ms. Cleaver, also a former Harp and Vocal student.

Harp Ensemble

The harp ensemble is usually composed of five of the best harpists in the school. They each get private lessons under Lydia Cleaver, and learn performance skills and the traditional techniques of the Carlos Salzedo Method. The group does not perform often outside of school related functions.

Bands

There are beginner, intermediate, advanced and jazz band classes, as well as a marching band. The marching band has performed for Patti Labelle, Sinbad, and Jay-Z as well as at various college and university, and homecomings. The marching band was also a part of the 2007 FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. This year the band will be performing in Texas Southern University. They will have various fundraisers. Go to www.ctmb1990.com to check out where the fundraisers will be held.

Orchestra

The 2005-2006 Cass Tech String Quartet was the winner at the 2006 MASTA state-wide chamber music competition.Fact|date=August 2007 The quartet was also featured in the 2006 Michigan Youth Arts Festival. The Cass Tech Chamber String Orchestra, the school's advanced orchestra, participated in the All City High School Symphony Orchestra program at the Renaissance Center's Ambassador Ballroom on March 8, 2007.

JROTC Program

Cass' JROTC Program is the largest organization in the school. It has a curriculum that includes Leadership Lab and Cadet Challenge,and a drill team. The drill team is composed of: a First-Year Color Guard, an Open-Year Color Guard, an Armed Exhibition Team, an Unarmed Exhibition Team, a Female Armed Exhibition Team, an Unarmed Regulation team, and an Armed Regulation Team. The JROTC program has the "Gold Star Insignia". The Cass Tech Renegades Drill Team won first prize in the National Drill Team Competition held in Tallahassee, Florida.Fact|date=November 2007

Notable Alumni

* Aram Abgarian - Indoor Model Airplane World Record Holder
* Geri Allen - (1979) jazz pianist
* Dorothy Ashby - jazz harpist
* Edmond L. Baker Jr, M.D. - (1982) physician
* Sybil Barkley-Staples - (1989) author of "She'll Learn"
* Marilyn Batchelor - music executive
* Aaron Bennish Ph.D. - (1968) physicist
* Michael Bennish M.D. - (1969) notable physician and AIDS activist
* Harry Bertoia - artist and designer
* David Boone - All-Star Canadian Football League defensive lineman
* Cora Brown - (1931) First African American female elected to office of State Senator
* Ella Bully-Cummings - first female police chief of Detroit
* John Bunkley-(1983)- Lead singer of the Atomic Fireballs
* Kenny Burrell - jazz guitarist and educator
* Ellen Burstyn - actress
* Donald Byrd - jazz trumpeter
* Regina Carter - violinist
* Ron Carter - jazz bassist
* Paul Chambers - jazz bassist
* Lydia Cleaver - Harpist, Teacher
* Alice Coltrane - pianist, organist, widow of John Coltrane
* Captain James E. Craig - LAPD area commanding officer
* Dana Davidson - author,"Jason and Kyra" and "Played"
* Delores Ivory Davis - vocalist and actress
* John DeLorean - (electrical) automotive engineer
* Dr. Cedric Dent- (1980) baritone member of Take 6 and educator
* Derrick Dial - NBA basketball player
* Niels Diffrient - industrial designer
* Chris Douglas-Roberts - former basketball player for The University of Memphis, New Jersey Nets guard
* Robert Dozier, (1964) - Olivet College Hall of Fame athlete; former Mackenzie High School football coach - mentored six NFL veterans
* Harrison Engle - film director, documentaries and features
* Carmen Fanzone - major league baseball player, musician
* Ed Fella - Graphic designer, California Institute of the Arts, 1997 Chrysler Award Winner
* Guy Frazier - NFL Football Player
* Jasmine J. Ford - Trustee Michigan State University
* Leslie Foster - news anchor
* William David Fox- Notable American prospector, Mayor of Somerville, Indiana.
* Curtis Fuller - jazz trombonist
* Vernon Gholston - New York Jets Football Player
* Carole Gist - (1987) Miss USA 1990
* Ed Gordon - Former BET News Anchor
* Muriel Costa-Greenspon - Opera Singer (New York City Opera)
* Curtis Greer - (1975) NFL Football Player
* David Alan Grier - comedian, "In Living Color" star
* Harvi Griffin - (1958) Jazz Harpist
* Ralph Hahn - (1935) Regional Manager Oakland/Macomb County, Consumers (Power) Energy
* Gary Hardwick - director of "Deliver Us From Eva"
* Pat Harvey - News Anchor at KCAL-TV
* Rev. Nicholas Hood III - (1969) former Detroit City Council member
* Harlan Huckleby - University of Michigan and Green Bay Packers running back
* Ali Jackson - (1993) music lecturer and drum chair for Jazz at Lincoln Center
* Ray Johnson - (1945) artist, founding father of Mail Art
* Ella Joyce - (1972, performing arts) actress
* Kwame Kilpatrick - (1988) former Mayor of Detroit
* Peter Kotila - (1981) Ann Arbor Township Commissioner
* Tom Kowalski - principle at TMP Architecture
* Aaron Kyle - NFL Football Player
* Eric Lamb - (1996, science and arts) flutist
* Nathaniel Ligons II - Jazz musician, gospel music producer www.nathanielligons2.com
* Rizpah Lowe - (1998) jazz harpist and singer-songwriter
* Raynetta Manees - (1968) best selling novelist
* Susan Mazer - (1968) jazz harpist, co-founder, Healing HealthCare Systems, Inc.
* Emil Mazey - (1931) UAW pioneer, UAW Secretary-Treasurer from 1947 to 1980
* Dr. Michelle Mitcham-Smith - assistant professor, family law mediator
* Kenny Millions - world renowned jazz musician, punk rock performance artist, poet, restaurateur
* Kenya Moore - (1989) Miss USA 1993
* Naima Mora - (2002) America's Next Top Model 4th cycle
* Albert W. Morris, Jr., M.D. (1969) 107th President, National Medical Association 2007
* James Moss - (1989) gospel artist
* Benny Napoleon, J.D. - former Chief of Police, City of Detroit
* Toni Neal - (1994) - television reporter and producer
* Daniel Okrent - author and editor
* Marc Parrish - University of Michigan All American Swimmer
* Judy Pfaff - artist (formerly Judie Baldwin)
* Greg Phillinganes - (1974) session keyboardist
* Tracy Reese - fashion designer
* Michael Reghi - television sports announcer
* Kyle Rivers - actor
* Shaun Robinson - (1980) journalist
* Diana Ross - (1964) Academy Award and Grammy nominated singer and actress; founding member of The Supremes
* Patricia Terry-Ross - harpist and teacher
* Horace Sanders - (1989) comedian
* David H. Sanford - philosophy professor
* Thomas Seabron - NFL Football Player
* Michele L. Simms-Burton, Ph.D. - associate professor, writer
* Cornelius Smith, Jr. - actor, All My Children (portrays Frankie Hubbard, son of Angie and Jesse)
* Donald Sinta - Professor of Saxophone at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
* Eddie Tolan (1925) - Former World Record Holder in 100 Meter Dash; won two Gold Medals at 1932 Summer Olympics
* Lily Tomlin - (1957) award winning movie and television actress, comedian
* Carol Wald - (1953) American artist and illustrator
* Jack White of The White Stripes
* Thomas E. White - 18th Secretary of the United States Army
* Gerald Wilson - jazz trumpeter, arranger and composer

Noteworthy

* The mother of aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh, Mrs. Evangeline Land Lindbergh, was a chemistry teacher at Cass; 1922-1942.
* The old school building is shown briefly in the film, "Four Brothers".
* The student-led civil rights group, By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), has its largest chapter at Cass.
* On November 25-26 1927 the School Science and Mathematics Association held their annual convention at Cass
* George Gembis, 1974 Wayne State University Hall of Fame inductee, enjoyed a long career as a physical education instructor and athletic coach at Cass Tech. As a collegiate football player for WSU, Gembis was named to the 1936 Collier's All-America Team.

References

# Beamer, Christine. "'U' catches Cass Tech talent". "The Michigan Daily". 5 Apr 06.

# "DPS students shine at the National Academic Games Olympics". DPS News online. 19 May 2006. Detroit Public Schools. 22 Apr 2007. [http://www.detroitk12.org/news/showNews.php?id=1529 DPS students shine at the National Academic Games Olympics]
# Shurney, Simone. "Music program is aged to perfection". "CT Visionary". 30 Apr 2007.

# Farrell, Perry. "Douglass earns 1st playoff trip". "Detroit Free Press". 19 Oct 07.

External links

* [http://schools.detroitk12.org/sites/cass/index.htm Official site]
* [http://casstechfame.net Cass Tech Fame]
* [http://www.ctmb1990.com Cass Tech Marching Band]
* [http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.doc Blue Ribbon Schools program]
* [http://www.grammyintheschools.com/gits_loader.html Program Overview]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/GovCupOct-02_49047_7.pdf 2002 Governor's Cup Awards]
* [http://www.ssma.org/conferences.html Annual Conventions of SSMA]
* [http://media.www.michigandaily.com/media/storage/paper851/news/2006/04/05/News/u.Catches.Cass.Tech.Talent-1783719.shtml Cass Tech talent]
* [http://www.detroitk12.org/news/showNews.php?id=1596 Design Award]
* [http://www.detroitk12.org/news/showNews.php?id=1529 Academic Games Olympics]
* [http://www.comehometocasstech.com 100th Year Anniversary Official site]
* [http://casstechhigh.ning.com/ Cass Tech Alumni networking]