Herbert Henry Dow High School
Encyclopedia
Herbert Henry Dow High School is a public high school
located in Midland, Michigan
. The school, a part of Midland Public Schools
, is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and in 2008 was named one of the top 20 High Schools in Michigan in a study commissioned by US News & World Report.
district, and a member of the Saginaw Valley High School Association
. The facility was intended to alleviate overcrowding at Midland High School
and construction of the 270000 square feet (25,083.8 m²) building was completed in 1968 at a cost of $9,172,303. The school was named in honor of Herbert Henry Dow
, founder of the Dow Chemical Company
, based in Midland. When the school opened in 1968, only sophomore
s were in attendance, and they would be the first class to graduate in 1971. One grade was added each year and the school included grades 10-12 until a freshman class was added in 1997. A $2.2 million science wing with 4800 square feet (445.9 m²) was added in 1999. Music and athletic facilities were enhanced in 2005 as part of a 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) building expansion which cost $3,827,697.
Dow High School has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
every year since 1972.
program during the 2007-2008 school year.
Both high schools in Midland participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which is intended for highly motivated juniors and seniors. The first full year of the program was 2007-08.
The annual football game against Midland High is considered one of the biggest high school football games in the state of Michigan, generally drawing over 10,000 spectators. The Chargers have one state championship (1976), and have played for the state championship twice. Midland Community Stadium
is located adjacent to Midland High School but is shared by both schools for football, track & field and soccer games. The grass field was replaced with blue AstroTurf
XPe in 2004.
In 2009, both the girl's and boy's varsity tennis teams won state championships. It was the first championship by the girls' team, and the first for the boys in 25 years. The girls won division 1, while the boys won division 2.
In 2011 the varsity competitive cheer team scored 767.0440 points to win its first ever district title in Division 1 in the school's history. This team broke school records for Round 1, Round 2, and tied its record in Round 3.
** Recently cut as a sport due to district budget cuts along with various freshman teams.
Alpine Club (ski), Band, Book Club, Business Professionals of America
, Camp Outlook
, The Charger Shoppe, Chess Club, Choir, Class Officers
, Debate
Team, Distributive Education Club of America (DECA)
, Drama Club, Drumline
, Equestrian Team, Freaks/Geeks&Losers, Forensics
,Quidditch Club, Potions Class, French Club, Gang Green (Pep Club), German Klub, Habitat for Humanity, International Affairs Club
, The All A Club International Thespian Society
, Key Club
, La Voz (voice), Moot Court
, National Art Honor Society
, National Honor Society
, "The Update" Staff
, MMH Club, Orchestra, Poetry Club, Pom-pon
(dance team), Prom 2009, Renaissance Fair
(Ren Fair), Dumbledores army, Defense Against the Dark Arts League, Robotics Club, Rocket Club, Science Olympiad
Team, Spanish Club, Student Senate
, Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), Students for Violence Everywhere (SAVE), Women's Ensemble, "Charger" Staff
, Youth in Government
, The Charge - Robotics Team, Dow High Sniper Club, The Gangsta Club, Junior S.W.A.T. Team.
, Sophomores, Junior
s, Senior
s), hold a competition for the most spirit. The competition is held the week of the Dow versus Midland High School football game. Activities include: spirit days, hall decorating, and an obstacle course during the annual "Beat Midland High" assembly.
(16:00 UTC) on March 7, 2007, a fatal shooting occurred on a sidewalk just outside of the building, near the cafeteria. David Turner, a former student at nearby Coleman
High School, shot his ex-girlfriend
Jessica Forsyth four times with a .44 caliber handgun (which belonged to Turner's mother) before committing suicide. Forsyth was hit three times in the chest, and once in the arm, but the injuries were not fatal.
Turner had been ordered to leave the school premises before the incident, but returned later when Forsyth agreed to meet him. Turner and Forsyth both attended an alternative high school in the area until March 5, when Forsyth transferred to H.H. Dow High. Authorities believe that Turner acted because Forsyth had broken off the relationship and transferred to Dow High to distance herself from Turner. Turner was previously convicted of stealing firearms, as well as a count of domestic abuse against his mother. He was sentenced to 18 months' probation in December 2006 with stipulation that he must not use a firearm.
On June 15, 2007 ABC-TV
's 20/20 program broadcast a segment about the shooting. It turns out that Jessica was four months pregnant with Turner's baby at the time of the shooting. She and the baby both survived the shooting, apparently because Jessica had a metal plate in her chest due to a childhood accident.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Midland, Michigan
Midland, Michigan
Midland is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan in the Tri-Cities region of the state. It is the county seat of Midland County. The city's population was 41,863 as of the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Midland Micropolitan Statistical Area....
. The school, a part of Midland Public Schools
Midland Public Schools
Midland Public Schools is a public school district located in Midland, Michigan, USA.-History:The roots of Midland Public Schools go back to the 1872 Union High School, which educated local students until a boiler explosion destroyed the building in 1907. A new school was constructed the following...
, is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and in 2008 was named one of the top 20 High Schools in Michigan in a study commissioned by US News & World Report.
History
The facility, also known as H.H. Dow High School, Dow High or Midland Dow is one of two high schools in the Midland Public SchoolMidland Public Schools
Midland Public Schools is a public school district located in Midland, Michigan, USA.-History:The roots of Midland Public Schools go back to the 1872 Union High School, which educated local students until a boiler explosion destroyed the building in 1907. A new school was constructed the following...
district, and a member of the Saginaw Valley High School Association
Saginaw Valley League
The Saginaw Valley High School Association is a high school sports league within the Michigan High School Athletic Association , located in the Saginaw/Flint, Michigan area...
. The facility was intended to alleviate overcrowding at Midland High School
Midland High School (Midland, Michigan)
Midland High School is a three-story public high school located in Midland, Michigan. It is the older of two high schools in the Midland Public Schools district, and a member of the Saginaw Valley High School Association.-History:...
and construction of the 270000 square feet (25,083.8 m²) building was completed in 1968 at a cost of $9,172,303. The school was named in honor of Herbert Henry Dow
Herbert Henry Dow
Herbert Henry Dow was a Canadian born, American chemical industrialist. He is a graduate of Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland, Ohio. His most significant achievement was the founding of the Dow Chemical Company in 1897...
, founder of the Dow Chemical Company
Dow Chemical Company
The Dow Chemical Company is a multinational corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan, United States. As of 2007, it is the second largest chemical manufacturer in the world by revenue and as of February 2009, the third-largest chemical company in the world by market capitalization .Dow...
, based in Midland. When the school opened in 1968, only sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
s were in attendance, and they would be the first class to graduate in 1971. One grade was added each year and the school included grades 10-12 until a freshman class was added in 1997. A $2.2 million science wing with 4800 square feet (445.9 m²) was added in 1999. Music and athletic facilities were enhanced in 2005 as part of a 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) building expansion which cost $3,827,697.
Dow High School has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
every year since 1972.
Faculty
Of the 93 faculty members at Dow High School, 67% hold single or double master’s degrees or doctorates in their academic areas. Average academic class size is 26.0 students and the student-counselor ratio is 370-1.Curriculum
A large majority of students follow a college preparatory curriculum with emphasis in mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies. 81% of the class of 2007 enrolled in two or four year college programs after graduation. Vocational programs are offered in Business Education, Technology Education, Life Management and Special Education. Approximately 15% of the senior class participated in the Cooperative EducationCooperative education
Cooperative education is a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience. A cooperative education experience, commonly known as a "co-op", provides academic credit for structured job experience...
program during the 2007-2008 school year.
Both high schools in Midland participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, which is intended for highly motivated juniors and seniors. The first full year of the program was 2007-08.
Athletics
Midland Community Stadium
Midland Community Stadium is located in Midland, Michigan and is owned by Midland Public Schools. The stadium is notable because the fan seating is built into man-made earthen hills, and does not have scaffolding type bleachers that are typical for high school stadiums...
is located adjacent to Midland High School but is shared by both schools for football, track & field and soccer games. The grass field was replaced with blue AstroTurf
AstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
XPe in 2004.
In 2009, both the girl's and boy's varsity tennis teams won state championships. It was the first championship by the girls' team, and the first for the boys in 25 years. The girls won division 1, while the boys won division 2.
In 2011 the varsity competitive cheer team scored 767.0440 points to win its first ever district title in Division 1 in the school's history. This team broke school records for Round 1, Round 2, and tied its record in Round 3.
Fall sports
|
Winter sports
|
Spring sports
|
Clubs and organizations
Dow High School provides its students with a wide choice of extracurricular activities. Among them are:Alpine Club (ski), Band, Book Club, Business Professionals of America
Business Professionals of America
Business Professionals of America is a career and technical student organization that is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. BPA aims to develop leadership, academic, and technological skills in the workplace among students and leaders within the community...
, Camp Outlook
Project COPE
Project COPE is an acronym for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience, a program in the Boy Scouts of America. It consists of different challenges for groups of scouts that involve teamwork and problem solving, or for individual scouts that test agility and individual skills...
, The Charger Shoppe, Chess Club, Choir, Class Officers
Class Officers
At educational institutions above Primary education, each grade level or year of study is a class, referenced by the year of graduation, i.e., "Class of 2011". The official activities of these groups are generally organized and controlled by Class Officers, who are elected from and by the members...
, Debate
Debate
Debate or debating is a method of interactive and representational argument. Debate is a broader form of argument than logical argument, which only examines consistency from axiom, and factual argument, which only examines what is or isn't the case or rhetoric which is a technique of persuasion...
Team, Distributive Education Club of America (DECA)
DECA (organization)
DECA, also known as Collegiate DECA on the college level) is an international association of students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service . DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing,...
, Drama Club, Drumline
Drumline
A drumline is a section of percussion instruments usually played as part of a musical marching ensemble. High school and college marching bands, drill and drum corps, drum and bugle corps, indoor percussion ensembles, and pipe bands usually incorporate drumlines; however, drumlines can exist...
, Equestrian Team, Freaks/Geeks&Losers, Forensics
Forensics
Forensic science is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to a legal system. This may be in relation to a crime or a civil action...
,Quidditch Club, Potions Class, French Club, Gang Green (Pep Club), German Klub, Habitat for Humanity, International Affairs Club
Model United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
, The All A Club International Thespian Society
International Thespian Society
The International Thespian Society is an honorary organization for high-school and middle-school theatre students located at more than 3,600 affiliated secondary schools across the United States, Canada, and abroad. The International Thespian Society was founded in Fairmont, West Virginia...
, Key Club
Key Club
Key Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. Key Club International is a part of the Kiwanis International family of service-leadership programs...
, La Voz (voice), Moot Court
Moot court
A moot court is an extracurricular activity at many law schools in which participants take part in simulated court proceedings, usually to include drafting briefs and participating in oral argument. The term derives from Anglo Saxon times, when a moot was a gathering of prominent men in a...
, National Art Honor Society
National Art Honor Society
The National Art Honor Society was established in 1978 in the United States by the National Art Education Association for high school students grades 10-12, for "the purpose of inspiring and recognizing those students who have shown an outstanding ability in art" from the National Art Honor Society...
, 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...
, "The Update" Staff
Student newspaper
A student newspaper is a newspaper run by students of a university, high school, middle school, or other school. These papers traditionally cover local and, primarily, school or university news....
, MMH Club, Orchestra, Poetry Club, Pom-pon
Pom-pon
A pom-pon is a fluffy, decorative ball or tuft. Pom-pons may come in many colors, sizes, and varieties and are made from a wide array of materials, including wool, cotton, paper, plastic, and occasionally feathers....
(dance team), Prom 2009, Renaissance Fair
Renaissance Fair
A Renaissance fair, Renaissance faire, or Renaissance festival is an outdoor weekend gathering, usually held in the United States, open to the public and typically commercial in nature, which emulates a historic period for the amusement of its guests. Some are permanent theme parks, others are...
(Ren Fair), Dumbledores army, Defense Against the Dark Arts League, Robotics Club, Rocket Club, Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad is an American elementary, middle, or high school team competition which tests knowledge of various science topics and engineering ability. Over 6,200 teams from 49 U.S. states compete each year. Most teams compete in three levels of competition: regionals, states, and nationals...
Team, Spanish Club, Student Senate
Students' union
A students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
, Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), Students for Violence Everywhere (SAVE), Women's Ensemble, "Charger" Staff
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...
, Youth in Government
YMCA Youth and Government
YMCA Youth and Government, or Y&G is a YMCA civic engagement and service-learning program in the United States that offers high school students the opportunity to serve in a model government process at the local, state, national, and international levels...
, The Charge - Robotics Team, Dow High Sniper Club, The Gangsta Club, Junior S.W.A.T. Team.
Spirit week
Every year, the four student classes (FreshmenFreshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
, Sophomores, Junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
s, Senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
s), hold a competition for the most spirit. The competition is held the week of the Dow versus Midland High School football game. Activities include: spirit days, hall decorating, and an obstacle course during the annual "Beat Midland High" assembly.
Notable alumni
- David Lee CampDavid Lee CampDavid Lee "Dave" Camp is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1991. He is a member of the Republican Party and the current Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means.-Early life, education and career:...
, member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution... - Michael CohrsMichael CohrsMichael Cohrs is an American financier. He was Co-head of Investment Banking and head of Global Banking at Deutsche Bank. He was also a member of the Group Executive Committee and the Management Board.Cohrs holds a B.A...
, Group Executive Committee Deutsche BankDeutsche BankDeutsche Bank AG is a global financial service company with its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. It employs more than 100,000 people in over 70 countries, and has a large presence in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the emerging markets... - Chuck MossChuck MossCharles J. Moss is the Republican State Representative representing the 40th District, which covers the municipalities of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Keego Harbor, Michigan, Orchard Lake Village, Michigan, Franklin, Michigan, Bingham Farms, Michigan, Beverly Hills, Michigan and Sylvan Lake,...
, member of the Michigan House of Representatives - Jalen ParmeleJalen ParmeleJustin Alexander "Jalen" Parmele is an American football running back of the of the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Baltimore Ravens...
, Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
running back, drafted by the Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 6th round of the 2008 NFL Draft2008 NFL DraftThe 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so... - Bill SchuetteBill SchuetteWilliam Duncan "Bill" Schuette is an American Republican politician and the current Attorney General of the U.S. state of Michigan.-Early life:...
, District Court of Appeals Judge, former member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and Attorney General of the State of Michigan - Steve ShelleySteve ShelleySteven Jay Shelley is an American drummer, best known as the drummer of alternative rock band Sonic Youth.-Biography:...
, drummer for the band Sonic YouthSonic YouthSonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City... - Cheryl StuderCheryl StuderCheryl Studer is a Grammy Award winning American dramatic soprano who has sung at many of the world's major opera houses. A singer with unusual versatility, Studer has performed more than eighty roles ranging from the dramatic repertoire to roles more commonly associated with lyric sopranos and...
, Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning dramatic sopranoDramatic sopranoA dramatic soprano is an operatic soprano with a powerful, rich, emotive voice that can sing over, or cut through, a full orchestra. Thicker vocal folds in dramatic voices usually mean less agility than lighter voices but a sustained, fuller sound. Usually this voice has a lower tessitura than... - Scott WinchesterScott WinchesterScott Joseph Winchester is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Winchester played for the Cincinnati Reds from to . He last played professional baseball in with the Las Vegas 51s....
, former MLB pitcher for the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890.... - Meredith McGrathMeredith McGrathMeredith McGrath is a former professional tennis player. She was born on April 28, 1971 in Midland, Michigan, USA and made her debut on the Women's Tennis Association tour in 1988. She won three singles titles in a ten year career, at Oklahoma City and Eastbourne in 1994 and Birmingham in 1996. ...
, former professional tennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player on the Women's Tennis AssociationWomen's Tennis AssociationThe Women's Tennis Association , founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King, is the principal organizing body of Women's Professional Tennis. It governs the WTA Tour which is the worldwide professional tennis tour for women. Its counterpart organization in the men's professional game is the Association of... - Brian Leigeb, former Central Michigan University and NFL cornerback
Shooting
At approximately 11:00 AM ESTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
(16:00 UTC) on March 7, 2007, a fatal shooting occurred on a sidewalk just outside of the building, near the cafeteria. David Turner, a former student at nearby Coleman
Coleman, Michigan
Coleman is a city in Midland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,296. In 1994, a meteorite known as the "Coleman meteorite" fell near the city, which is ironic because the community schools' mascot are the Coleman Comets.-Geography:According to...
High School, shot his ex-girlfriend
Girlfriend
Girlfriend is a term that can refer to either a female partner in a non-marital romantic relationship or a female non-romantic friend that is closer than other friends....
Jessica Forsyth four times with a .44 caliber handgun (which belonged to Turner's mother) before committing suicide. Forsyth was hit three times in the chest, and once in the arm, but the injuries were not fatal.
Turner had been ordered to leave the school premises before the incident, but returned later when Forsyth agreed to meet him. Turner and Forsyth both attended an alternative high school in the area until March 5, when Forsyth transferred to H.H. Dow High. Authorities believe that Turner acted because Forsyth had broken off the relationship and transferred to Dow High to distance herself from Turner. Turner was previously convicted of stealing firearms, as well as a count of domestic abuse against his mother. He was sentenced to 18 months' probation in December 2006 with stipulation that he must not use a firearm.
On June 15, 2007 ABC-TV
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's 20/20 program broadcast a segment about the shooting. It turns out that Jessica was four months pregnant with Turner's baby at the time of the shooting. She and the baby both survived the shooting, apparently because Jessica had a metal plate in her chest due to a childhood accident.