Kelso High School

Kelso High School

"We Are Kelso"
Address
1904 Allen Street
Kelso, Washington, Cowlitz County
 United States
Coordinates 46°08′37″N 122°53′29″W / 46.143545°N 122.891285°W / 46.143545; -122.891285Coordinates: 46°08′37″N 122°53′29″W / 46.143545°N 122.891285°W / 46.143545; -122.891285
Information
Type Public
Established 1905[1]
School district Kelso School District
Principal John Gummel
Grades 9-12
Number of students 1819[2]
Color(s) Royal Blue, Gold, and White               
Athletics conference Greater St. Helens 3A
Mascot The Hilanders[3]
Rivals Mark Morris Monarchs, R.A. Long Lumberjacks
Accreditation NAAS[4]
Yearbook Kelso Bagpipe, formally known as the Tamahnawus[5]
Website http://www.kelsohighschool.com

Kelso High School is a public high school in Kelso, Washington.

History

In 1905, the first Kelso High School (then known as Washington School) classes began with the first seniors graduating in 1909. Thirteen years later, a new high school was built, known as Kelso High School, in 1922. The first year the high school was accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools was in 1927. The school was moved to its current location after a new school was built in 1970. The original Kelso High School was torn down in 1987. In 2003 the building underwent extensive renovations and additions to accommodate the district wide change from junior high (7th-9th) to middle school (6th-8th) (Huntington and Coweeman). In 2008, the 100th Kelso senior class graduated.[1]

Sports

Kelso participates in the second-largest classification of high schools in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). It competes in the four-team Greater St. Helens 3A League. Kelso has a very long history and tradition with two local rivalries across the Cowlitz River in Longview; R.A. Long and Mark Morris high schools. The football games between Kelso and RA Long are known as "The Battle of the Plaid" and have met for over 90 games.

State championships

State runners-up

Fight Song

To the tune of "On Wisconsin."

On to Kelso, On to Kelso,
Fight right through that line.
Pass the ball clear down the field, boys,
Touchdown every time.

On to Kelso, on to Kelso,
Fight on for your fame
Fight, Kelso, fight fight fight
To win this game.

K - E - L - S - O
H - I - L - A - N - D - ERS
Hilanders

On to Kelso, on to Kelso,
Fight on for your fame
Fight, Kelso, fight fight fight
To win this game.

Media Coverage

KLOG 1490 AM provides play-by-play coverage of Kelso football, boys and girls basketball, and baseball.

The Daily News, the local newspaper, provides coverage of all Kelso sports and activities.

Music

Kelso High School carries a long-standing tradition of musical excellence, participating in SSWMEA sanctioned festivals, as well as WMEA sanctioned events and other, nationally respected events. The music program has historically consisted of a Band, Choir, and Orchestra.

Band

The Kelso High School Band consists of a Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, and Pep Band, and Wind Ensemble. The Wind Ensemble receives the greatest respect and performs classic pieces of band literature. In the '70s, the Kelso High School Concert Band competed in an international festival in Mexico and won. Since that time, the program has remained an integral part of the school. The Jazz Band has recently gained some notoriety performing in the 2007 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, as well as annually in the Clark College Jazz Festival[7] at Clark College, Vancouver. The Marching Band has historically been a marching group, but recently fears of member loss has caused the group to march less and play more. They are an integral part of Football season, providing energy and power to the already exciting games. The Pep Band provides this same service, but to Basketball games. The Pep Band is especially appreciated by the cheerleaders, as the band takes pride in cheering with the cheerleaders.

Choir

The Kelso High School Choir consists of Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Jazz Choir. Concert Choir is the general Choir, with no audition required. They are the largest choir. The Chamber Choir requires an audition, and as such is the Choir that competes in the WMEA and SWWMEA sanctioned events and festivals. The Jazz Choir performs many modern pieces and holds many concerts.

Orchestra

The Kelso High School Orchestra is split into two separate classes; Chamber Orchestra and Concert Orchestra. Both Kelso High School Orchestras hold three concerts a year and participate in the Southwest Washington Music Educator's Association large group festival. In addition, members of the orchestras and band combine twice a year to form the Symphony Orchestra performing major symphonic works which are the highlight of the Winter and Spring concerts.

Solo & Ensemble

Kelso High's music program has seen many musicians do very well at Regional Solo & Ensemble, as well as State Solo & Ensemble.

Notable Persons

References

  1. 1 2 Kelso High School historical highlights. http://www.tdn.com/articles/2008/05/11/top_story/doc4826366217af0223991187.txt.
  2. ↑ Kelso High School. http://www.kelso.wednet.edu/school_khs.html
  3. ↑ "Greater St. Helens 3A Athletics, Kelso High School Athletics". Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  4. ↑ Northwest Association of Accredited Schools http://www.northwestaccreditation.org/schools/2008-2009%20Washington%20Accredited%20Schools.pdf. 10 September 2009.
  5. ↑ "WASHINGTON STATE". 3rd Street Book Exchange. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  6. 1 2 Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association. Tournament History: School Information.
  7. ↑ Clark College Jazz Festival Main Site.
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