John R. Buchtel High School is a public high school in Akron, Ohio. It is one of seven high schools in the Akron Public Schools district. It is commonly known as Buchtel High School.
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Opening in 1931, Buchtel High was named after John R. Buchtel, who was one of Akron's leading industrialists and philanthropists. John Buchtel helped to organize and finance a number of Akron firms and was also one of the early investors in the rubber company of Dr. Benjamin F. Goodrich (BF Goodrich).
Buchtel is best remembered for his role in the founding of the Universalist college originally named in his honor, which today is the University of Akron. Over the course of his life, Buchtel and his wife contributed more than $500,000 to the college. Buchtel competes in many sports. Most notably basketball. Although, an unfortunate happening occurred in 1999 when NBA star LeBron James chose to attend St. Vincent - St. Mary high school instead of Buchtel. James then went on to lead the Fighting Irish to 3 state championships and a national championship. Buchtel has yet to accomplish a state title.
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress Rita Dove graduated from Buchtel.
Howard Hewett singer (1974) Bryan Williams Arena football player Antonio Pittman (NFL Player) Charlton Keith (NFL Player)