Horizon High School Scottsdale, Arizona
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| Type | Public Secondary |
|---|---|
| Principal | Dan Courson |
| Students | 2,500+ |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Location | Scottsdale, Arizona, USA |
| District | Paradise Valley Unified School District No. 69 |
| Colors | Green, Gold |
| Mascot | Husky |
| Website | http://cmweb.pvschools.net/hhsweb/ |
Horizon High School is a public high school open to all students for grades 9-12. The school, located in [[Scottsdale, opened in 2001Arizona, United States, is a part of Paradise Valley Unified School District No. 69. Led by principal Dr. Dan Courson, Horizon received the rating of Excelling in the results of AZ Learns 2005.
Horizon's goals are simple: to provide learning programs for each individual student that fits his/her needs, to emphasize academic courses that challenge each student to grow intellectually, to teach students to think critically, master basic skills, develop healthful lifestyles and become active citizens, and finally, to install Horizon P.R.I.D.E. in each and every student.
The school, a place where over 2000 students come to learn, believes that effort is as important as ability, and that every student can succeed. With classes in the Special Education and AP Programs, handicapped to advanced students can receive challenging courses that meet their own needs.
The Horizon Choirs are also a large part of the school's spirit, along with the Horizon Band, and the Horizon football team, the Horizon Huskies, led by Coach Steve Casey. The school boasts other sports teams for soccer, tennis, baseball, and several others. In addition to the band and many choirs, Horizon's Drama program has grown over the years under the direction of Joanie Colson. Choir, Drama,and athletics have drawn students from all over the area.Students are able to enjoy a variety of teacher sponsored clubs ranging from the Physics Club (sponsored by Bill Dillon) to the Asian Awareness Club. The clubs range from influential, such as the National Honor Society, to useless, the Flat Earth Society (cancelled after two meetings).
Beyond performance and athletic based programs, Horizon is home to remarkable advanced placement courses. Excellent AP programs include English (taught by staff members Jay Parizek, Jean Read), Science (Jim Mariner and Bill Dillon), Social Sciences (Bill Hazen, Tim Mickelson, Susan Chubrich-Seep, Randy Walker, and Brian Leonard), and Mathematics (Frances Wheatcroft).
[edit] Athletics
Horizon is well known for their very strong baseball program. One of the top prospects in the minor leagues, Brandon Wood, is a Horizon Alum. The Huskies also won the 2005 5A state championship led by MLB draft picks Matt Hall and Jeff Urlaub and other team leaders Tucker Rubino, Kevin Rhoderick,Jack Haddon and Tim Alderson . Eric Kibler (aka Kibbles and bits) is the head baseball coach and is recognized as one of the best and most successful high school coaches in Arizona. 2006 did not work out the way the Huskies wanted. Horizon lost to Brophy College Prep in the championship game, 11-1. In 2007 Horizon had the chance for revenge. With many important parts of the team graduating, the Huskies were hungry. Horizon got behind pitcher Tim Alderson, who threw a complete game, and scored nine runs. The final score was 9-6.
[edit] Arts
Horizon is also well known for its performing arts program headed by drama teacher Joanie Colson and choir directors Katherine Kouns and Jacque Marum. Every fall, the choir holds its celebrated Broadway Under the Stars featuring a review of show tunes and performances. The drama program performs a dramatic play in the fall and a musical in the spring.
Horizon High School also has a marching band, directed Horizon Pride Regiment, led by Lance Libby and Jason Harrison.
[edit] Other Academics
As of 2005-2006, Horizon has also revived its Speech and Debate Team/Club, headed up by teacher and alum Susan Chubrich-Seep. While it is just getting off the ground again some members have already placed in competitions. The team is excited about continuing to rise up and hopes to regain the stature that it once had.
The Horizon Speech Team's heyday was in 1983-1989, when Horizon regularly ranked among Arizona's top speech and debate teams, sending many competitors each year to the State Tournament and several each year to the National Forensic League national tournament. During these years the team's strengths were in duo-acting, drama, oratory, extemp, and Lincoln-Douglas debate. Several Speech Team alumni from these years have gone on to notable, if not exactly lucrative, careers in public policy, teaching, academia, and the nonprofit world.
