Ridgefield High School (Ridgefield, Washington)

Ridgefield High School (RHS) is a public high school in Ridgefield, Washington in Clark County. RHS is the only public high school in the Ridgefield School District. As of 2012, the school reported 728 students. RHS is a member of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Southwest District.

History

Originally, Horn's Corner School merged into becoming Ridgefield High School, on November 12, 1911. By May 1912, the first class had graduated. 50 students were enrolled by September, making it the second largest school in Clark County at the time. An eight-room $15,000 school house was formally opened for both grade and high school students in January, 1922.

On May 10, 1927, the school burned down. It was replaced by a brick and tile school in February 1928 for $85,000. That school stood until Union Ridge (a current elementary school) was used to house the high schoolers in double shifts with the elementary students for new construction during 1969-1970. By June 1971, the old high school was demolished and used for space to park buses. Phase 1 consisted of one building and a gym.^[2]

Mascot

Spudder Mascot

The "Spudders", as Ridgefield was a farming community of potatoes farmers where the mascot has its name of origin.

The RHS mascot has been made famous by appearing on the David Letterman's "Top Ten Worst Mascots", Inducted into the ESPN Mascot Hall of Fame in 1995. Also of note, Union Ridge Elementary School in Ridgefield is the Tater Tots.

During 2012, a bond measure was passed to give the school district land for the purpose to build a new high school on former potato fields, adding to the tradition and mascot legacy at RHS.

Curriculum

Ridgefield High School has a comprehensive curriculum of Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Art, Foreign Language (Spanish), Physical Education, Health, Fine and Performing Arts, along with Career and Technical education. As a result, Ridgefield's standardized testing scores are above state averages.[4]

Advanced Placement Program (AP) Courses include AP English Language and Composition, AP United States Government and Politics, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Psychology, and AP Human Geography.

Ridgefield participates in the Running Start program with Clark College in Vancouver, Washington to provide Juniors and Seniors with an opportunity to attend college courses for both high school and future college credit. If students attend full time, they can earn an Associate Degree while in high school. [5]

Specialized career and technical education is provided by Ridgefield through the Clark County Skills Center. It is a Southwest Washington high school trade and business school open to Juniors and Seniors to provide classes for technical skills the school can't fund.[6]

To graduate from Ridgefield High School, a student must have a minimum of 23 credits, completed and passed the Culminating Project ("Senior Project"), developed a High School and Beyond plan, and successfully completed the High School Proficiency Exam in reading, writing, and math.[7]

Sports

Football The 1995 season the Ridgefield Spudders won the WIAA State 1A Championship. against Cascade (Leavenworth) 44–30 in the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma Washington. Fullback Nate Edgar rush for four touchdowns in the game and is still an Individual championship game 1A record. In the game Ridgefield tied the championship game 1A record for most first downs in a game 23. The combine score 74 total points was a championship game 1A record tell 2010.[8] Ridgefield was the first school from Clark County Washington to win the State football Championship.^[3]

Volleyball The Ridgefield Spudders form 1975 to 1993 had 18 consecutive WIAA 1A State Playoffs appearances. Placing 14 times, 4 State Champions 1975, 1976, 1983 and 1990. Runner-up 1977, 1980 and 1981. 3rd Place 1983 and 1987. Fourth Place 1979, 1982, 1989, 1992, 1993, ^[3]

Cross County In 1995 the boys cross county had their best team finish in the WIAA 1A State Championship finishing 6th place with the team score of 164 Ridgefield Spudder Jim Reed won the race with the time of 15:11.5 (3.0 miles) ^[3]

Girls Cross County In 1994 the girls cross country had their best team finish in the WIAA Girls 1A State Championship finishing 3rd with the team score of 115 ^[3]

Basketball In 1981 Ridgefield place 3rd in the WIAA 1A State Basketball Tournament defeating Goldendale 84–63 at Univ. of Puget Sound.^[3]

Girls Basketball In 1978 Ridgefield place 4th in the WIAA 1A State Girls Basketball Tournament defeating Liberty Bell 52–51 at Central WA Univ.^[3]

Wrestling Had their best finish as State Runners-up 1968,1969

Baseball The 2002 season the Ridgefield Spudders won the WIAA State 2A Championship against Ephrata 15–10 in Yakima WA.^[3]

Softball The 2004 season the Ridgefield Spudders won the WIAA State 2A Fastpitch Softball Championship against East Valley (Yakima) in Wenatchee WA. 6-3 ^[3]

Boys Soccer In 2004 and 2005, the Spudders lost in the 2A state finals to Wahluke, both games 1-0. In 2012 and 2013, the Ridgefield Spudders took 4th in the state soccer tournament. ^[4]

Girls Soccer Had made it to the 2nd round of the WIAA State Playoffs 7 times with 11 appearances. In 2015, the Lady Spuds took home 2nd place, losing 4-0 against Squalicum.

Tennis In 2006 the Girls tennis team had their best finish as State Runner-up in WIAA 2A Championship. against Ephrata 25-16 ^[3]

Golf In 2004 & 2011 The Boys Golf team had their best finish as State Runner-up in WIAA Championship

Track And Field In 1997 the boys track and field team won the WIAA 1A State championship against runner-up Quincy 50–40 ^[3]

Individual State Champions

Cross Country Boys (1995 - Jim Reed 15:11.5)

Wrestling (1969 - Doug Hatcher, 106.) (1973 - Steve Cochran, 158.) (1974 - Dave Cochran, 141.) (1975 - Mark Smith, 115.) (1976 - Mark Smith, 122.) (1978 - Brad Chicks, 141.) (1988 - John Alt, UNL.) (1999 - Joey Chicks, 108.) (2001 - Stu Draper, 103.) (2009 - Dominic Sepe, 125.)

Tennis (2000 - Kevin Erickson, Singles.) (2001 - Kevin Erickson, Singles.) (2002 - Kevin Erickson, Singles.) (2006 - Matt Erickson, Singles.)

Golf (2011 - Brett Johnson, Boys.)

Track And Field (1962 - Al Pemberton, Boys Shot Put.) (1975 - Diane Whitbeck, Girls Long Jump.) (1982 - Julie Leslie, Girls Long Jump.) (1985 - Todd Anderson, Boys Long Jump.) (1986 - Shane Morgan, Boys 800 Meters.) (1987 - Shane Morgan, Boys 800 Meters.) (1995 - Kevin Smith, Boys 1600 Meters.) (1995 - Alyssa Barrus, Girls Shot Put) (1996 - Alyssa Barrus, Girls Discus.) (1997 - JR Horal, Boys Shot Put.) (1998 - Kevin Smith, Boys 800 Meters.) (1998 - Kristi Lund, Girls Discus.) ^[3]

Activities, and Clubs

Cheerleading, knowledge bowl, speech and debate, mock trial, band, choir, and equestrian are the activities present at RHS. Both cheerleading and equestrian are avidly petitioned to become sports.

The clubs that RHS currently has are Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Future Farmers of America (FFA), Associated Student Body (ASB), National Honors Society (NHS), Theater, and the RHS Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).

Notable Alumni

• Matt Randel - professional baseball pitcher ^[5][6]
• Frederick Matthews - professional baseball pitcher drafted by the Florida Marlins^[7][8]
• Jeff Lasher - Former Montana Grizzly, Entrepreneur, and produced multiple short-film animations ^[9]
• Drew Bleth - school's all-time leading scorer for boy's basketball ^[10]

References

External links

• Ridgefield High School - Official school website
• Ridgefield Washington School District - Official school district website

Coordinates: 45°47′50″N 122°42′52″W / 45.79722°N 122.71444°W / 45.79722; -122.71444