Centennial High School (Peoria, Arizona)
Encyclopedia
Academics
Centennial continues to have a tradition of excellence in academics. As an excelling school in school years 2005–2008, CeHS continuously encourages the students to be the best they can be in all life areas. One of the greatest assets is the staff that works daily with the students and helps students see the benefit of life long learning. Centennial's principal Jim Davis won the 2009 Milken Education Award for an excelling educator in America on October 30, 2009, by the Milken Family FoundationMilken Family Foundation
The Milken Family Foundation is a private foundation established by Lowell Milken and Michael Milken in 1982. Lowell Milken serves as chairman and co-founder of the foundation.-Goals:...
. He received a $25,000 prize benefit for his achievement. Davis knew nothing about this award prior to the event, and, in his own words, “I don't like surprises”.
The class of 2010 had a 96% graduation rate with 32% going on to attend a 4-year college and 48% going on to attend a 2-year college.
Other academic achievements:
- 2007–2008: Centennial had 1 National Merit Finalist and 1 National Hispanic Scholar.
- 2008–2009: Centennial had 2 students recognized by the National Merit program as commended students.
- 2009–2010: Centennial had 1 student recognized by the National Merit program as a commended student.
- 2010–2011: Centennial has 2 students named National Merit Semi-finalists, 1 student named National Merit Finalist and 1 student named a National Hispanic Scholar. One student from the Class of 2011 matriculated at Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Athletics
Centennial is continually excelling in all areas of athletics, currently leading the example for Arizona high schools. The Centennial varsity football team has won the 5A-II Arizona High School football championship in 2006, 2007, and 2008 and has also defeated high other ranking 5A-I teams such as Hamilton. Other rivalries include those with Scottsdale Chaparral, Chandler HighChandler High School (Chandler, Arizona)
Chandler High School is a high school located in Chandler, Arizona, United States. One of the oldest high schools in Arizona, it was founded in 1912, the year in which Chandler was founded and Arizona became a state....
, and Centennial's long-standing district rival, Sunrise Mountain High School
Sunrise Mountain High School
Sunrise Mountain High School is a public secondary school located in Peoria, Arizona, United States. The high school is currently a part of the Peoria Unified School District. The school opened its doors in August 1996, since which it has maintained an Excelling academic status...
. Centennial has many various types of sports in which people can try out depending on the season.
Football Program
Centennial's football program continually exceeds in all areas. The varsity football team has won three consecutive 5A-II division championships outplaying larger 5A-I teams including Brophy PrepBrophy College Preparatory
Brophy College Preparatory is a Jesuit high school located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school is currently limited to all-male enrollment of approximately 1,200 students. It is operated independently of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix...
, Pinnacle
Pinnacle High School
Pinnacle High School, commonly abbreviated as PHS, is a public high school located in the north valley of Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. PHS opened in 2000, and is a part of the Paradise Valley Unified School District . The school’s athletic teams and/or clubs are known as the Pinnacle...
, and long-standing powerhouse Hamilton
Hamilton High School (Chandler, Arizona)
Hamilton High School is the second public high school built in Chandler, Arizona. It was the first high school in Chandler to have a branch of the Chandler Public Library integrated into the school.-Name:...
. The freshman and junior varsity teams have continually won division playoffs in 2007 as well as 2008.
Centennial's incredible 39-game winning streak came to an end on Friday, December 4, 2009, in the 5A-II State semifinals. The Coyotes lost to the Tempe Marcos de Niza Padres
Marcos de Niza High School
Marcos de Niza High School is a high school located in Tempe, Arizona. It was founded in 1971 and it has an enrollment of approximately 1,900 students. The school's mascot is the Padre...
, 16-14, in a tightly-contested game at North Canyon High School
North Canyon High School
North Canyon High School is a nationally recognized public high school located in the north valley of Phoenix, Arizona and features an International Baccalaureate program. The school has approximately 2500 students. It is the largest high school by student body in its district. The school is...
.
Complete Sports Programs
Fall- Football [Male] (Varsity/Junior Varsity/Freshman)
- Won 3 5AII division state championships during 5 appearances since 2005.
- Volleyball [Female] (Varsity/Junior Varsity/Freshman)
- Won 2008 5AII division state championship.
- Cross Country [Male and Female] (All Classes)
- Golf [Male and Female] (All Classes)
- Swim [Male and Female] (All Classes)
Winter
- Basketball [Male and Female] (Varsity/Junior Varsity/Freshman)
- Soccer [Male and Female] (Varsity/Junior Varsity/Freshman)
- Wrestling [Male and Female] (All Classes)
Spring
- Boy's Baseball [Male] (Varsity/Junior Varsity/Freshman)
- Girl's Softball [Female] (Varsity/Junior Varsity/Freshman)
- Tennis [Male and Female] (All Classes)
- Track [Male and Female] (All Classes)
- Volleyball [Male] (Varsity/Junior Varsity/Freshman)
Visual and Performing Arts
The Performing Arts division at CeHS is designed to allow students to explore a variety of visual performing artsPerforming arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
. Many students are involved in creating visual, pleasing artwork in classes such as art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
, ceramics, media, and photo
Photograph
A photograph is an image created by light falling on a light-sensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic imager such as a CCD or a CMOS chip. Most photographs are created using a camera, which uses a lens to focus the scene's visible wavelengths of light into a reproduction of...
.
Centennial has a wide variety of programs that nurture the young artist in all students. Centennial currently offers classes such as ceramics, art, photography, media, dance, chorus, and band that let students explore their creative talents through many mediums. Students are given the opportunity to explore their interests in diverse ways while building self confidence and skills that could lead to a future career.
In ceramics, students learn the basics of working with clay—everything from hand building to throwing on the wheel. Art classes allow students to learn the fundamentals of color, form, and imagination. Photography gives students the opportunity to develop their own pictures. Media Productions, led by Ken “The Human Armpit” Keene, places students in a real working studio. They are able to produce, direct, write, and perform in a variety of types of productions. There are other opportunities like Media Internships. Dance, both beginning, advanced, and performance, led by Kim McFall, are popular classes that offer the opportunity to develop skills in all forms of dance. Students gain confidence and strength while having fun. Drama, led by Laura Colletti, gives students the chance to work on stage productions and learn every aspect of producing a stage program. Choir, led by Cheryl Tucker, offers students the chance to discover talent through the power of the human voice.
Band, led by Jill Mahoney, gives students the chance to experience the rush of performing music in front of large audience. Band is offered in four forms: Marching, Jazz, Orchestra, or Concert. Newspaper, led by Dr. Todd Wolff and mentor by Dr. Pennock, gives students the chance to develop a quality news publication and engage in rich responsibilities in journalism and beyond to the future and space. Yearbook, led by Cybill Jacob, allows students to take on the task on the creation of the annual yearbook. From interviewing students to taking photos, and editing pages, all aspects require students to apply some form of their media or journalism knowledge into creating everlasting memories.
Each program nurtures young artists to work creatively in self-expression and visual communication. Centennial's Arts programs engage students to develop their artistic talents and study artists who have had a lasting impact on our culture and society. These programs enhance the academic curriculum by building self-confidence and promoting individuality that will carry into the careers of the future.
Award Winning Band Program
Centennial has a terrific tradition of excellence in the band programs. The band programs were directed by Mr. David Pietsch for eleven years and the 2011–2012 year is under the direction of the new director Mrs. Jill Mahoney and included the Pride of the Pack Marching Band, Jazz Bands, OrchestraOrchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, and Guitar/Piano. Every other year beginning with 1992, Centennial's marching band has been chosen to perform at the Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort in Anaheim, California. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division and is home to two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping, dining, and entertainment area known as Downtown Disney.The area now...
in Southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
as an Excelling, Division I high school marching band. The bands—including marching, jazz, and strings—have performed in a wide variety of competitions at locations including Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University is a public university located in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and has 39 satellite campuses in the state of Arizona. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees.As of...
, Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
, the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
, the Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort in Anaheim, California. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division and is home to two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping, dining, and entertainment area known as Downtown Disney.The area now...
, SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego is an animal theme park, oceanarium, and marine mammal park, located in San Diego, California, United States. The park is owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a division of The Blackstone Group....
, as well as numerous high schools throughout Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Fight Song
On Coyotes to victory
Come on and win for the
Red, White and Blue.
Run up that score,
Coyotes to victory,
Centennial we're for you!
We're up against that foe
So Go, Coyotes, Go!
The best team you'll always be
So win that game
Centennial Coyotes
Roll on to Victory!
Clubs
Many clubs such as: SEA Club (ScienceScience
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
& Environmental
Environmental science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems...
Awareness), Drama Club, International Thespian Society, CCC (Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
Club on Campus), DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), FEA (Future Educators of America), NHS (National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
), FCCLA (Future Career
Career
Career is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a person's "course or progress through life ". It is usually considered to pertain to remunerative work ....
and Community Leaders of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
), Student Council
Student council
Student council is a curricular or extra-curricular activity for students within elementary and secondary schools around the world. Present in most public and private K-12 school systems across the United States, Canada and Australia these bodies are alternatively entitled student council, student...
, Schools for Schools, Media Club, Photo Society, Yearbook
Yearbook
A yearbook, also known as an annual, is a book to record, highlight, and commemorate the past year of a school or a book published annually. Virtually all American, Australian and Canadian high schools, most colleges and many elementary and middle schools publish yearbooks...
, Key Club, Lock Club, French Club, Norwegian Club, German Club, Culture Club, Breakfast Club, Interact, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), Skills USA, Speech & Debate, FCA (Fellowship of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
Anybodys), and Tech Club (previously known as Deton's Dynamos) are offered on Centennial's campus. There are also clubs for the people who are interested in all the different card games such as Pokémon
Notable alumni
- Members of the punk-rock band A Change of PaceA Change of PaceA Change of Pace was a five piece post hardcore and pop punk band from Peoria, Arizona. The band was on both the 2005 and 2006 Warped Tours.-Biography:...
- Lead Singer of Linkin Park Chester Bennington
Feeder Schools
- Desert Harbor Elementary
- Ira A Murphy Elementary
- Oasis Elementary
- Paseo Verde Elementary
- Sundance Elementary