| Ann Arbor Huron High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Ann Arbor, Michigan, US | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public high school |
| Established | August, 1969 |
| Locale | Ann Arbor Public Schools |
| Principal | Dr. Arthur Williams |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 2174 (05-06) |
| Campus | suburban, 230 acres (0.9308 km2) |
| Color(s) | Forest Green and Old Gold |
| Mascot | River Rats |
| Rival | Pioneer High School |
| Website | http://www.a2huron.org |
Huron High School (HHS) is a public school in Ann Arbor, in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located at 2727 Fuller Road in eastern Ann Arbor near the banks of the Huron River, it serves grades 9 through 12. The school's principal is Dr. Arthur Williams. Huron is one of the three main high schools in the Ann Arbor Public Schools (along with Pioneer High School and Skyline High School). The school was awarded Best Overall Academic Performance in Michigan by BusinessWeek in 2009 and 2010.[1]
The school is shaped like an H with two convex wings adjoined by a two floor archway that has become a distinguishing feature of the building. Huron is a Division I member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) for athletic competition. The school offers 17 different sports comprising 32 varsity level teams, several of them frequently crowned state champions.
Contents |
Huron opened in the fall of 1969. The student body at the city's only public high school, Ann Arbor High, had recently outgrown its quarters on the city's west side. The school board constructed a second high school, eventually renaming the first "Pioneer High School". In 1968, before Huron's building was completed, Eastside students who were to be designated to the new school shared the Pioneer building in a split schedule, with Pioneer students attending classes in the morning and Huron students in the afternoon. Reaction against Pioneer's "factory-like" building was a large factor in Huron's organic curvilinear form. Huron was also known for its arch, under which cars could drive. In the summer of 2005, the school board decided to close the arch to auto traffic due to safety.
The two schools possessed distinct cultures and a rivalry soon sprang up. "River Rats", originally an epithet hurled at students of the new school by Pioneer students, quickly became a prideful name among Huron students. When offered a ballot for school mascot with two choices ("Huron Hawks" and "Huron Hammerheads", both names provided by the school board), Huron students conducted a write-in campaign for the "Huron River Rats" which, after twice receiving a majority vote, was finally approved by the board.
Overcrowding became an issue again. Portables were used to house classes outside of the main building. In 2008 Skyline High School was opened and slowly branched off the existing two, starting with only a freshman class.
The movie Jumper was filmed on location at Huron High School and neighboring Gallup Park in February 2007. One hundred students were chosen from Huron to be extras for the movie. The screenplay of Jumper was written by Huron High School graduate David S. Goyer and was released in February 2008 to mixed reviews.[2]
Riverbank Stadium houses a rubber track (resurfaced in 2006) as well as a AstroTurf field (completed in 2004) with lines for a variety of sports. Other outdoor facilities include two softball diamonds, a baseball diamond, two full size grass fields, and an additional astroturf field completed in 2008. Indoor facilities include the "Dome Gym", a secondary gym, a weight room for training which is housed in the former natatorium, and the "Ratatorium" Pool (completed in 1997).
Huron High School is a member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). Huron joined the Southeastern Conference "SEC" in the 2007-2008 school year.
The Huron athletic program offers the following sports:
The school claims state championships in:
The Huron Players is the official dedicated cult at Huron High School. They produce four shows every year: three full-length plays and "Finale", an assortment of student-directed one-act plays. In addition to acting, all of the behind the scenes departments, or "crews", are student-lead. Some of the crews include Set Construction, Costumes, Makeup, Props, Lighting, Sound, Publicity, and House Management, as well as the positions of Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager. Student participation in acting and on the "crews" earn points which can earn them a varsity letter in theater. It is tradition for the outgoing seniors in the group to graffiti their names with paint on a wall or the ceiling in the scene shop.
Wit by Margaret Edson- Spring 2004. Earned first place at the Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association annual competition. Also performed at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival at Western Michigan University in May 2004.
The Huron music program is considered one of the best in the country and has been awarded $1,000 along with a Grammy Signature.
Student Council is the student government body at Huron High School. Its foremost purpose is to serve the student body at Huron, which it does by maintaining constant contact and dialogue with the Huron administrators and PTSO, many of the student organizations at Huron and the students themselves. In addition to this, Student Council also engages in many activities to benefit the school and city community. These include blood banks, a can drive, and a Teacher Appreciation Breakfast. Student Council is also responsible for the creation and distribution of the student directory.