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Cottonwood High School (Utah)
Encyclopedia
Cottonwood High School is a public high school located in Murray, Utah
. Founded in 1970 by Tyson Burton after the Granite School District condemned the property and obtained the land from farmers, it is regarded as one of Utah's best high schools for its highly regarded campus and strong academic institution. The current enrollment is just above 1,500 with many ethnic groups represented. It hosts traditional schooling, grades 10-12, as well as a public charter school, the Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science
which utilizes unused school space.
.
The building features what is rumored to be the largest high school auditorium in America west of the Mississippi River
(maximum capacity is just over 3,000). Because of the auditorium's size, it has been used for many concerts and public functions over the years. The annual production of Michael McLean
's The Forgotten Carols is held there in December every year. The auditorium has hosted concerts for, among others, Gordon Lightfoot
, William Hung
, GG Allin
, Van Halen
and Tori Amos
who actually attended Cottonwood. The facilities are also used year-round for many city-wide events, a night school for adults, summer school for young children, and other activities.
The building has an innovative layout which includes an open air courtyard, several atriums and gifts from graduating classes, the most visible of which are a bronze statue of a colt located near the lunchroom and the school's seal in tilework in the main foyer. Seniors at Cottonwood take great pride in the seal and were so enthusiastic in punishing anyone who dared walk across it that it was enclosed in a small guardrail. It is surrounded by display cases filled with the various honors won by the student body over the years.
HONORS COURSES include:
Notable Alum - Timothy McCuen Piggee, Actor (Broadway, Regional) Theater Professor, Cottonwood High Hall of Fame.
Murray, Utah
Murray is a city situated on the Wasatch Front in the core of Salt Lake Valley in the U.S. state of Utah. Named for territorial governor Eli Murray, it is the state's fourteenth largest city. According to the 2010 census, Murray has approximately 46,746 residents.Murray is close to Salt Lake City,...
. Founded in 1970 by Tyson Burton after the Granite School District condemned the property and obtained the land from farmers, it is regarded as one of Utah's best high schools for its highly regarded campus and strong academic institution. The current enrollment is just above 1,500 with many ethnic groups represented. It hosts traditional schooling, grades 10-12, as well as a public charter school, the Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science
Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science
The Academy for Math, Engineering, & Science , is a charter high school serving grades 9-12 in Murray Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. AMES is closely affiliated with the University of Utah...
which utilizes unused school space.
History
The mascot is the Cottonwood Colt and the school colors are Gold, Black, and White. Cottonwood High School belongs to the Granite School DistrictGranite School District
The Granite School District spreads across central Salt Lake County, Utah, serving West Valley City, Taylorsville, South Salt Lake, and Holladay; Kearns, Magna and Millcreek Township; and parts of West Jordan, Murray and Cottonwood Heights. About 70,000 students are enrolled in its programs ranging...
.
The building features what is rumored to be the largest high school auditorium in America west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
(maximum capacity is just over 3,000). Because of the auditorium's size, it has been used for many concerts and public functions over the years. The annual production of Michael McLean
Michael McLean (composer)
Michael McLean is an American composer, singer, author, and filmmaker based in Heber City, Utah.-Early life:McLean attended high school in the Chicago area...
's The Forgotten Carols is held there in December every year. The auditorium has hosted concerts for, among others, Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s...
, William Hung
William Hung
William James Hung Hing Cheong , commonly known as William Hung, is an American singer who gained fame in early 2004 as a result of his off-key audition performance of Ricky Martin's hit song "She Bangs" on the third season of the television series...
, GG Allin
GG Allin
Kevin Michael "GG" Allin was an American punk rock singer-songwriter, who performed and recorded with many groups during his career. GG Allin is perhaps best remembered for his notorious live performances, which often featured transgressive acts, including coprophagia, self-mutilation, and...
, Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
and Tori Amos
Tori Amos
Tori Amos is an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
who actually attended Cottonwood. The facilities are also used year-round for many city-wide events, a night school for adults, summer school for young children, and other activities.
The building has an innovative layout which includes an open air courtyard, several atriums and gifts from graduating classes, the most visible of which are a bronze statue of a colt located near the lunchroom and the school's seal in tilework in the main foyer. Seniors at Cottonwood take great pride in the seal and were so enthusiastic in punishing anyone who dared walk across it that it was enclosed in a small guardrail. It is surrounded by display cases filled with the various honors won by the student body over the years.
Academics
ADVANCED PLACEMENT classes offered at Cottonwood High School include:- Biology taught by D. Hummer.
- Calculus BC taught by A. Wilson and P. Cannon. Cannon instructs Calculus BC in a two-block period in cojunction with both Physics C classes taught by Duncan. This is what is known as the C-Block program.
- Chemistry taught by D. Hummer.
- English Literature & Composition taught by A. Harrison.
- European History taught by D. Gardner.
- French Language taught by E. Timpson.
- Government & Politics: Comparative taught by D. Gardner. Gardner instructs Government & Politics: Comparative in a one-block period in cojunction with Government & Politics: United States taught by Watson.
- Government & Politics: United States taught by C. Watson. Watson instructs Government & Politics: United States in a one-block period in cojunction with Government & Politics: Comparative taught by Gardner.
- Music Theory taught by A. Tuckness.
- Physics B taught by E. Duncan in cojunction with Honors Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry taught by Cannon. This is what is known as the B-Block program. This particular program provides a quarter of the Utah students who take the AP Physics B standardized test in May.
- Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism taught by E. Duncan. Duncan instructs both Physics C classes in a two-block period in cojunction with Calculus BC instructed by Cannon. This is what is known as the C-Block program.
- Physics C: Mechanics taught by E. Duncan. Duncan instructs both Physics C classes in a two-block period in cojunction with Calculus BC instructed by Cannon. This is what is known as the C-Block program.
- Spanish Language taught by S. Cochrane-Alejo.
- Statistics taught by R. Heagren.
- Studio Art: 2D-Design taught by G. Fuller.
- Studio Art: 3D-Design taught by J. Fackrell.
- Studio Art: Drawing taught by G. Fuller.
- United States History taught by C. Watson.
- World History taught by L. Schwen.
HONORS COURSES include:
- Mathematics: Honors Algebra, Honors Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, Honors Geometry, CC Mathematics (through Salt Lake Community CollegeSalt Lake Community CollegeSalt Lake Community College is the largest higher education institution with the most diverse student body in Utah . The College offers and operates throughout the Salt Lake valley. Even with its large student body, the College maintains a student to faculty ratio of just 20 to 1...
) - Science: Honors Physics, Honors Chemistry, Honors Biology
- English: Honors English Sophomore, Honors English Junior
- World Languages: American Sign Language, CC Spanish, CC French, Latin
- Business: Academy of Finance, CC Computer Technology
- Fine Arts: CC Calligraphy, CC Drawing
Clubs and organizations
- A'Capella advised by E. Tall is one of few concert choirs in the state to have achieved so many superior Region and State titles.
- Anime & Otaku advised by K. Balling is a club centered around the growing enjoyment of Japanese Animation, one of the only clubs of this kind in the entire state of Utah, within its first week it became one of the schools most populated and popular clubs.
- Colt Roundup advised by C. Morgan is a nationally awarded school newspaper.
- Concert Band advised by A. Tuckness is small, relative to other 5A bands, is a legend having received countless superiors at Region, State, and Out-of-State competitions through the years and is arguably the best in the state.
- Dance Company advised by A. Gagliardi is an ever-growing powerhouse in the Salt Lake Valley.
- Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) advised by J. Riches is one of the top programs in Utah having qualified competitors to the National DECA Competition in previous years.
- Famila, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) advised by M. Greenwood is an active organization and annually provides a tree to the "Festival of Trees" held at the Southtowne Expo Center in Sandy, UtahSandy, UtahSandy is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is a suburb of Salt Lake City. The population was 87,461 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth-largest city in Utah....
. - Forensics (Debate) advised by Dr. C. Tuckness and P. Kittel is arguably the best program in the state. Having continuously placed in the top five in all years in which it was active, the "Colt 4N6 Team" dominates through Debate Events such as: Congress, Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas and is the top Individual Events team due to their strength in areas such as: Extemporaneous Speech (National & Foreign), Original Oratory, Impromptu, Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, and Spontaneous Argumentation. The only event in which the team does not participate is Policy.
- French Committee advised by E. Timpson is an active club and has a friendly rivalry with the Spanish Club having events such as the end-of-year soccer game.
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advised by L. Holmberg is a very active charter in the region. Having numerous competitors sweep the Region and State events as well as qualify multiple competitors to the National FBLA Competition.
- Jazz Band advised by A. Tuckness is, again, one of the top bands in the state. Having received countless superiors in Region, State, and Out-of-State competitions, it defies all odds by possibly having the smallest 5A band in Utah.
- KOLT News advised by J. Shelline is the school's broadcasting team.
- Madrigals advised by E. Tall is, again, one of the top choir programs in the state having received countless superiors in Region and State competitions.
- Math, Engineering & Science Achievement (MESA) advised by C. McDonald is arguably the best program in the state. With McDonald named as the 2010 MESA Advisor of the year, the 2009 MESA Team placing 4th in the National Trebuchet Engineering Competition, 2nd in the 2010 JET/TEAMS Competition, 4th in 2010 State Science Olympiad, and 1st in the Granite District Windmill Design.
- Math Club advised by A. Wilson is a relatively new club. The prepares students for the American Math Competition as well as the State Math Competition having gained recent successes with one student placing second in state.
- Men's Choir advised by E. Tall performs regularly at school functions.
- Mixed Choir advised by E. Tall performs regularly at school functions.
- National Honors Society (NHS) advised by L. Helotes is a very active charter having volunteered for organizations such as Festival of Trees, Bend-in-the-River, Salvation Army, Utah Food Bank, etc.
- Orchestra advised by A. Tuckness is, again, one of the top orchestras in the state having obtained superiors in countless Region, State, and Out-of-State competitions.
- Parent, Teacher & Student Association (PTSA) advised by a PTA member is in charge of the school's club awareness as well as teacher appreciation week among other things.
- Service Club advised by S. Perkins is a very active organization. In years past, it has switched in and out of Key Club membership depending on the students but has recently showed it's just dedication to service, and not name. It has been very active in UNICEF, Utah Food Bank, Bend-in-the-River among other things and has a yearly tradition of planting at least one new tree on the school grounds.
- Spanish Club advised by S. Cochrane-Alejo is a very busy organization at school hosting monthly activities and recent membership of 70+ members. It has competed in BYU Espanolandia competitions in the past and placed either 1st or 2nd. Its annual tradition is hosting its own Espanolandia, a "Spanish land" in which AP students can practice their Spanish right before the AP test or for any other student to have fun.
- Student Conservation Alliance (SCA) advised by P. Cannon is probably the only club of its kind in the valley. It works on various projects each year, recently focusing on a school-wide recycling program and hosting a very active aluminum can drive.
- Theatre Society advised by A. Wilkins is legendary in Utah history. Having gone through only two other directors/teachers: Joan Christiansen Hahn and Dr. C. Tuckness, it is the top drama program in the state boasting the most Region and State superiors and wins. The Theatre Society wins various Greensheets Awards each year and is arguably the most productive in Utah. It produces around six plays a year, by far the most any other school has produced.
- Wind Ensemble advised by A. Tuckness is, again, one of the top bands in the state. Having received countless superiors in Region, State, and Out-of-State competitions, it defies all odds by possibly having the smallest 5A band in Utah.
- Women's Choir advised by E. Tall performs regularly at school functions.
- Yearbook advised by S. Wynder is an award-winning publication at Cottonwood High School. It's new designs and layouts have inspired other high schools' theme and color selection for future yearbooks.
- Young Democrats advised by C. Watson is one of few in the state and regularly helps local, state, and national Democratic candidates. Members have also raised $2 million dollars in other organizations such as the Salt Lake County Youth Government Commission. Members have volunteered for Peter Corroon for Governor, Utah for Obama, Mike Lee, Charles Henderson, the Young Democrats of UtahYoung Democrats of UtahThe Young Democrats of Utah is an official caucus of the Utah Democratic Party. The group's membership is open to Utah Democrats under the age of 36.- 2011 YDU Leadership :YDU membership elects its officers at an annual convention...
, etc. It also has a friendly rivalry with the school's Young Republicans. - Young Republicans advised by D. Hummer is a relatively quiet club in the school and has a friendly rivalry with the Young Democrats.
Athletics
The athletics in Cottonwood High School are tremendous in size and in force. Several teams are state champions and others are ever-growing who are to be reckoned by other teams.- Baseball (Boys)
- Basketball (Boys/Girls)
- Drill a.k.a. Chapparrals (Girls)
- Cross Country (Boys & Girls)
- Football (Boys)
- Golf (Boys/Girls)
- Hockey (Boys & Girls)
- Lacrosse (Boys & Girls)
- Soccer (Boys/Girls)
- Softball (Girls)
- Swimming (Boys & Girls)
- Track & Field (Boys & Girls)
- Tennis (Boys/Girls)
- Ultimate Frisbee (Boys & Girls)
- Volleyball (Girls)
- Water Polo (Boys & Girls)
- Wrestling (Boys)
Notable alumni
- Gary AndersenGary Andersen-External links:* *...
, Head Football Coach at Utah State UniversityUtah State UniversityUtah State University is a public university located in Logan, Utah. It is a land-grant and space-grant institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.... - David Cruz ThayneDavid Cruz ThayneDavid Cruz Thayne is an American small businessman, former professional tennis player, and Democratic congressional candidate. He formerly served as chief of staff and campaign manager to Utah State Senate Minority Leader Scott Howell, a Democrat, and currently operates his own tennis-oriented...
, small businessman, former chief of staff of Utah State Minority Leader Scott Howell, and 2012 congressional candidate. - Klea BlackhurstKlea BlackhurstKlea Blackhurst is an actress best known for Everything the Traffic Will Allow, her tribute to Ethel Merman that debuted in New York in 2001. Among many accolades, this production earned her the inaugural Special Achievement Award from Time Out New York magazine...
, Actress, Broadway and The OnionThe OnionThe Onion is an American news satire organization. It is an entertainment newspaper and a website featuring satirical articles reporting on international, national, and local news, in addition to a non-satirical entertainment section known as The A.V. Club... - Josh BurkmanJosh BurkmanJoshua R. Burkman is an American mixed martial artist who is best known for his participation in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Before becoming a mixed martial artist, Burkman was an amateur wrestler. During his senior year of high school he finished second in his weight class at the state...
, mixed martial artist - Richard Paul EvansRichard Paul EvansRichard Paul Evans is an American author.-Biography:Evans graduated from Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake City. He graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of Utah in 1984. While working as an advertising executive he wrote a Christmas story for his children...
, author and founder of the Christmas Box House International charity - Lt. Ryan P. Finn, Blue AngelsBlue AngelsThe United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team...
stunt pilot - Charles HalfordCharles HalfordCharles Halford is an American actor. In 2009, he starred in the DCOM Dadnapped as Skunk. He has also co-starred in dozens of other television shows and movies such as The Luck of the Irish.-Filmography:...
, actor - kCopes, Local rapper
- Stanley HaviliStanley HaviliStanley Havili is an American football fullback who is currently a practice squad member for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern California.-Personal:Havili's...
, football player at the University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern CaliforniaThe University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university... - Randy Horiuchi, Salt Lake County Council member
- Vince Horiuchi, Salt Lake Tribune TV columnist
- David LitvackDavid LitvackDavid E. Litvack is a Democratic member of the Utah State House of Representatives, representing the state's 26th house district in central Salt Lake City and part of West Valley City, since 2000...
, Minority Leader in the Utah House of RepresentativesUtah House of RepresentativesThe Utah House of Representatives is the lower house of the Utah State Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Utah. The House is composed of 75 representatives elected from single member constituent districts. Each district contains an average population of 35,000 people... - Michelle Money, actress
- Lindsay PulsipherLindsay PulsipherLindsay Pulsipher is an American actress. She has had several roles in film and television, and is known for her recurring role as Rose Lawrence on A&E Network's The Beast...
, Actress - Chris Shelton, professional baseball player
- Will SwensonWill SwensonWilliam Swenson is an American actor, writer and film director best known for his work in musical theatre. He also has developed a film career, primarily in Mormon cinema...
, actor and director - Joey WorthenJoey WorthenJoey Worthen is an American soccer player currently playing for Austin Aztex in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-College and Amateur:...
, professional soccer play - Scott Metcalf, Professional Rugby Player
- Doug Cartwright, Inventor of the word HELLA
See also
Notable Alum - Timothy McCuen Piggee, Actor (Broadway, Regional) Theater Professor, Cottonwood High Hall of Fame.