Flathead High School

Coordinates: 48°11′28″N 114°19′09″W / 48.1911°N 114.3192°W / 48.1911; -114.3192

Flathead High School is an American public secondary school located in Kalispell, Montana. The school has been international baccalaureate certified since 2004. It is one of two high schools in School District #5. Other schools in District #5 include: (K-5) Russell, Edgerton, Peterson, Hedges and Elrod (6-8) Kalispell Middle School (9-12) Glacier High School.

History

Flathead High school was founded in the early 1900s. Its original name was Flathead County High School.

Band program

There are about 250 students enrolled in the Flathead High School band programs. All students are required to participate in the marching band, and that group generally performs at 2 or 3 home games as well as the FHS homecoming parade and the University of Montana homecoming parade. There are four wind bands at FHS. The symphonic band is mostly junior and senior students and represents the highest standard of performance at that school. There is a concert band for sophomores and a freshman wind ensemble. A percussion ensemble is given once a semester as well. These groups perform about three times a year, including the very popular "M&M" (Marches and Medleys) concert usually in March. The symphonic band has additional performance duties including an annual band tour.

Athletics

The Flathead High School mascots are the Braves and Bravettes. They are also occasionally represented by a person wearing an orange crush can at football, volleyball, and basketball games.

Traditionally the athletic program at Flathead High School has been very strong. This includes a frequent top 10 nationally ranked cross country team. The Flathead High School Wrestling team has won the last four state championships.

State Championships include:^[1]

• Football — 1950, 1951, 1958, 1959, 1970
• Boys Golf — 1956, 1983
• Girls Golf — 1966, 1967, 1970, 1991
• Boys Basketball — 1951, 1952, 1970, 1982, 1989
• Girls Basketball — 1996, 2000, 2001
• Boys Soccer — 1994, 1995, 1998, 2005, 2006
• Girls Soccer — 1993
• Girls Softball — 2003
• Girls Tennis — 2000
• Boys Tennis — 1995, 1996
• Girls Volleyball — 2001
• Girls Swimming — 1981,1982, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 2003, 2005(tie)
• Boys Swimming — 1986
• Wrestling — 1973, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
• Boys Cross Country^[2] — 1985, 1986, 1994, 1997 (#24 U.S.), 1998 (#3 U.S.), 1999 (#9 U.S.), 2000 (#2 U.S.), 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005
• Girls Cross Country^[2] — 1971, 1972, 1980, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2001, 2002 (#13 U.S.), 2003 (#12 U.S.), 2004(#6 U.S.)
• Boys Track and Field — 1907, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2003
• Girls Track and Field — 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2005

Coach Paul Jorgensen

Cross Country Coach Paul Jorgensen has accumulated 11 boys cross country titles, 13 girls cross country titles. Coach Jorgensen has been the Montana Coaches Association Coach of the Year 25 times, is a member of the National Coaches Hall of Fame in Cross Country (2003), and in 2008 was named the National Cross Country Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. In all, Coach Jorgensen has garnered 2435 wins against 352 losses over 34 years of coaching. The Flathead Cross Country team under the leadership of Coach Jorgensen was featured in 2004 in the popular running book Training for young distance runners 2nd edition by Larry Greene and Russ Pate.^[3]

Theatre

The school's David M. Hashley Theatre was named after the program's founder, David M. Hashley. The program is one of few to provide opportunity to acquire a certificate of completion by the International Baccalaureate program. The theatre is well known and supported by the Flathead Valley's community and has established a noteworthy patron base.

International Baccalaureate

FHS is the only school in the state of Montana that offers the International Baccalaureate Programme. The Programme provides an opportunity for both a full diploma as well as certificates for individual classes.

School song

(To the tune of On Wisconsin)
On oh Flathead, On oh Flathead
fight right down that line.
Take the ball into the end zone
a touchdown sure this time. Rah! Rah! Rah!
On oh Flathead, On oh Flathead
fight on for her fame.
Fight, Flathead, fight, fight, fight, we'll win this game.

(Second verse) F! L! A! T! H! E! A! D! B! R! A! V! E! S! Braves! Braves! Braves!

Notable alumni

• Eugene Peterson, class of 1953, Retired Pastor, Author, Translator of "The Message" version of the Bible
• Fred Brinkman, Class of 1912, architect
• Lex Hilliard, football player, Miami Dolphins
• Sam McCullum, Class of 1970, football player, Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks
• Dylan McFarland, Class of 1999, football player, Buffalo Bills
• Brock Osweiler, class of 2007, Quarterback, Denver Broncos

References

External links

• Flathead High School official website