Whittier High School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Established | 1900 |
|---|---|
| Type | Public secondary |
| Principal | Loring Davies |
| Students | 2,338 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Location | 12417 East Philadelphia St., Whittier, California, USA |
| District | Whittier Union High School District |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Nickname | Whittier |
| Mascot | Cardinals |
| Website | www.wuhsd.k12.ca.us |
Whittier High School (WHS) is a high school located in Whittier, California, United States and belongs to the Whittier Union High School District.
Contents |
[edit] History
Whittier High School was established in 1900 when the few classes were in the upper floor of the old Jonathan Bailey School. At that time, there were 47 students in attendance. The classrooms included a study hall, a library, a recitation room, a science laboratory, and the principal's office. The library contained one stack of books. For a heating unit, there was an old-fashioned wood stove. A few pictures and a statue of Julius Caesar ornamented the building.
Following the addition of the East Whittier, Ranchito, Rivera, Los Nietos, Pico, and Mill Districts, the school became known as Whittier Union High School. In 1905 a new building was opened at the corner of Philadelphia and Lindley, which is the current site of Whittier High School today.
A rapid influx of students necessitated the constructions of a girls' gym, an administration building and an auditorium in 1923. Soon after, the shops on Pierce Avenue were built.
In 1933, an earthquake rendered most of the buildings unsafe. Classes were held in crowded storerooms, basements, and bungalows until condemned buildings could be reconstructed. The Science Building was rebuilt in 1934; a Boys' Gym in 1935; dressing rooms and Cafeteria in 1936. The Auditorium stood idle for almost 20 years and then was renovated into the present Library.
In 1938, the District approved bonds for a new Girls' Gym and an Auditorium. Both were completed in 1940.
Following World War II, the Whittier area began to grow rapidly. In 1952, the student enrollment was over 3,500. It was at this time that the District opened a new high school called El Rancho. Growth continued and in 1953, California High School opened, followed by Santa Fe in 1955, Sierra in 1957, Pioneer in 1959, La Serna in 1961, and Monte Vista in 1964. By 1966, the District had almost 16,000 students in seven schools.
Because of declining enrollment, two of the schools closed in 1979. Many students from the Sierra High School area came to Whittier. Since that time, Whittier High School's enrollment has slowly increased each year.
From government sources (including FEMA) and bond financing, monies have been obtained for district-wide structural repairs. The seismic repairs and remodeling are still under way.
In 1999 the Boys Gym was destroyed by fire. The new Perry Gym opened in 2002. The Holloway-Poucher Aquatic Center was completed in 2001. Other buildings and areas on campus are named after alumni and members of the Cardinal Community: The O.C. Albertson field after the first principal, the Myron Claxton ('36) Science Building, the Vic Lopez ('46) Auditorium, the Bob Chandler ('67) Sports Complex and the Marion Wilson Hodges fountain, also a former principal.
[edit] History Of The Whittier Cardinal
In 1930, the Cardinal was chosen as the Whittier High mascot because it is a native of Mill Creek (the area just north of Rio Hondo College). The bird was chosen because of its scarlet coat, which corresponded with the school colors. It was also felt that this bird possessed the same spirit and determination that has always been representative of Whittier High School.
In 1935, the Cardinal insignia was designed as a result of a contest, which lasted four months. The event was culminated by a special student body election to choose what has become the Cardinal insignia. Since then, the insignia has been used on class rings, pins, the Cardinal Key, and a victory flag.
[edit] Students
[edit] Alma Mater
All to you, true
We are proud to fight
to uphold the Red, White
All hail to you, true
For our Whittier High
We'll do or die
And always, always, love you, Whittier High
Whittier High.
- - - Maxine Milner Rich, Class of 1927
[edit] Athletics
[edit] Fall
- Boys Water Polo the best sport ever
- Cross-Country
- Football
- Girls Tennis
- Girls Volleyball
[edit] Winter
- Basketball
- Girls Water Polo
- Soccer
- Wrestling
[edit] Spring
- Baseball
- Boys Tennis
- Boys Volleyball
- Boys and Girls Track and Field
[edit] Clubs
- Anime Unleashed
- Annual Staff
- Aphasia
- ASB
- Astronomy/Ecology
- AVID
- Ballet/Folklorico Club
- Cardinals For Christ
- Tigobitties Club
- Cardinals Fo' Fiddy
- CCA (Cardinal Computer Academy)
- Chess Club
- Chicano Leadership/MEChA
- Comedy Sportz
- CSF (California Scholarship Federation)
- Dance Production
- Ecology Club
- "Exploring" Club
- FADAIM (Forum for Academic Debate & the Advancement of Its Members)
- FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
- French Club
- Freshman Class Council
- Friendship Club
- Girl's Issues Club
- Girls' League
- Junior Class Council
- Leo Club
- Literary Club
- Myers' Lunch Club
- New Horizons
- Newstaff
- Pepsters
- Photography
- Puente
- Recycling Club
- Red Ribbon/SADD
- Senators (Link Crew)
- Senior Class Council
- Sign Language Club
- Skating Club
- Sophomore Class Council
- Spanish Club
- Urban Art Club
- Video Production
- Virtual Enterprise
[edit] Trivia
Several areas of the Whittier High School campus were featured in the 1985 movie Back to the Future and its 1989 sequel Back to the Future Part II.
A bootleg recording of Buffalo Springfield's 1967 performance at Whittier High School is in circulation.
[edit] Notable alumni
- President Richard Nixon '30
- Charles Bradley Hoover '60, former chief of the Whittier Police Department
- George Buehler '65, professional football player for the Raiders
- Bob Chandler '67, professional football player for the Raiders
- John Lasseter '75, writer, director, producer. Founder of Pixar Animation Studios.
