Fort Vancouver High School

Fort Vancouver High School

Principal	Jeff Snell
Associate Principal	Donna Jeffries
Associate Principal	Jody Videlco
Athletic Director	John Griffin
Student Body President	Bogdan Goncharuk
Location	Vancouver, Washington
School type	Public
School Mascot	Trapper
School Colors	Red and white with choice accents of grey or silver

Fort Vancouver High School located in Vancouver, Washington, is named after Fort Vancouver, an early trading outpost in the Pacific Northwest. FVHS is home of the Mighty Trappers, in reference to the fur trade in the in the early 1800's by such groups as Hudson's Bay Company "voyageurs."

History

Originally named Vancouver High School FVHS opened in 1888. Classes were first held in the basement of Central School, then from 1905-1913 in the old Franklin School building, then from 1913-1955 in it’s own building at 26th and Main Street (what is now the corner of Main street and fourth plain boulevard).the .The first graduating class was in June, 1891, when 12 students ( 9 girls and 3 boys) received their diplomas. By 1912, 276 students had received diplomas from the high school, before the permanent Vancouver High School was even opened for the 1912-1913 school year.The Vancouver School District decided to change the name of the school in 1956 when a second high school, [Hudson's Bay] was built just east of the main downtown area, near Clark College. In the fall of 1970 the campus of Fort Vancouver High School was relocated to its current location in central Vancouver at 5700 E.18th Street

Tornado

On the early afternoon of April 5, 1972, a class 3 Fujita scale tornado hit the Portland/Vancouver metro area. The tornados path changed and did not damage Fort Vancouver High School, however it destroyed most all of neighboring elementary school, Peter S. Ogden. Students from Fort Vancouver rushed to the aid of the students, and teachers of the elementary school when it collapsed. [cite web|title="Tornado of April 5, 1972, Vancouver, Washington" Waymark|url=http://www.waymarking.com/wm/details.aspx?f=1&guid=5361b209-8bc3-430b-bd7f-eb1df084d896|accessdate=2007-06-09|]

Current

Fort Vancouver High School has 86 teachers serving a little more than 1500 students. Students at Fort Vancouver have diverse backgrounds and economic status. 16.8% of the students are in Fort Vancouver's ELL (English Language Learning) program and 11.9% are in Special Education. [cite web|title=Washington State Report Card for Fort Vancouver High School|url=http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?schoolId=502&reportLevel|accessdate=2007-06-09|] Approximately one-third of Fort Vancouver's students speak a language other than English when at home. [cite web|title=Fort Vancouver High School Demographics|url=http://www.oar.vansd.org/vsd/schpro.phtml?ISchool=51&ISYR=2006|accessdate=2007-06-09|] Fort Vancouver High School is the only high school in Vancouver School District with an ELL (English Language Learning) program.Also, At 33 years of age. Jeff Snell is the youngest high school principal in Washington State.

Magnets

Fort Vancouver High School is home to several of the Vancouver School District's "magnet" programs. The Legal, Medical, Culinary Arts, Industrial Arts,and ELL magnets draw students to FVHS for specialized education programs.

The Legal Magnet founded was founded in 1992. Dr. Christine Gourley championed foundation of the program, and was it's director until her retirement this past year. The Legal Magnet hosts many programs that further students' knowledge of judicial, and governmental proceedings. Their Mock Trial program has, for the past 17 years, been the district champion, moving on to the state, and on several occasions, the national level. The FVHS Legal Magnet is also one of two public high schools in the nation to have a functioning courtroom facility on their campus. The court room is used for actual judicial proceedings from the Washington State Court of Appeals and the Clark County Student Traffic Court.

The Medical Magnet founded Also in 1992, strives to give students an in depth knowledge of the medical field. Many students who enroll in the program go on to college to pursue degrees in the medical field. The medical magnet leads the students of the FVHS Red Cross Club in organizing blood drives and humanitarian aid projects.

The Culinary Arts Program at FVHS founded in 1972, is the oldest magnet at FVHS. Students in this program gain a comprehensive knowledge of the hospitality industry as well as the experience of cooking during their class time. Many will intern at the cafes in the VSD headquarters.

The Industrial Arts Magnet, provides students with an introduction to the skills necessary for a successful career in the labour trades. students also gain kmowledge of the artistic and practical side of welding, and machine technologies.

The ELL program at FVHS is the only one of it's kind in the district. Students from diverse backgrounds come together here to learn a common language and culture, to become better acclamated with america. Fort Vancouver has studets from all over the world speaking practically every language and it is here in the ELL Magnet that a melting pot of world cultures comes together so that students can learn from one another.

Other Programs

Students at Fort Vancouver High School can also be involved in Running Start, which allows students to get college credit and high school credit while attending Clark College. Students may also take advatage of vocational programs offered through Clark.

Notable Alumni

* Jim Moeller - Currently serving in Washington State House of Representatives - Class of 1973
* Steve Dills (Quarterback) - Former NFL Quarterback Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons - Class of 1974
* Travis Claridge - Atlanta Falcons 1st.pick in 2000 draft, 1995 Number 2 High School Football player the country. Washington State HS Football player of the year. Number 1 Pac Ten O Line 1999 Morris Trophy
* Brian Hunter (outfielder) - Former major league outfielder for the Houston Astros
* Anna Svidersky - Notable murder victim
* Carl Click - TV News anchor for KATU channel 2, Portland, OR ABC affiliate.

References

External links

* [http://fort.vansd.org/ Fort Vancouver High School website]
* [http://www.gshlfootball.com/3a/fort-vancouver GSHL Football - Fort Vancouver High School]