Northwestern High School (Indiana)
Encyclopedia
Northwestern High School is located at 3431 N. Co Rd 400 W to the northwest of the city limits of Kokomo, Indiana
. The building houses grades 9–12 and functions as the primary athletic building. The mission of Northwestern High School is through the quality of its staff, curriculum, instruction, and extra-curricular offerings, Northwestern High School provides a positive and supportive environment that challenges each student to strive for excellence in developing skills in life-long learning, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, individual and social responsibility, and respect for others and self.
(ISSMA) for several decades posting three State Finals appearances. The marching band posted their first State Finals appearance in 1989 under the direction of Brett Davis by placing 9th. Their second appearance in 2004, under the direction of Jeremy Snyder, resulted in a school best 6th place result. The TIGER PRIDE Band made its 3rd appearance in State Finals in 2010, placing 6th place. The band is currently under the direction of Jeremy Snyder, Director of Bands since 2003, and Jon Rodgers, Assistant Director since 2008.
As a member of the Mid-Indiana Conference (MIC)
, Northwestern High School scored their first state title in boys basketball in 2007 under the leadership of Jim Gish. The state championship was the result of a 78-74 double overtime victory over Winchester Community High School.
The school also was a state runner up in football with a loss to Cathedral High School in 1992. Additional state runner ups in baseball (2005) and girls golf (1996) were also achieved.
Locally, the school holds a reputation of having athletes who lack in size but make up for that with agility.
Recently, Northwestern's football program has been successful in comparison with the late 1990's and early 2000's. A recent change in head coach occurred - from the nationally acclaimed offensive analyst, Dan Robinson, to John Hendryx, who protests an outstanding overall record and a state title. This has drastically morphed the style of play from finesse-based to power-based.
Its basketball program has produced multiple Division 1 players, such as Austin Parkinson and Zavier Sanders. The team has had a declining success in the past few years, though state title holder Jim Gish remains the coach.
Soccer, which is a popular youth-league sport, is commonly a program presenting winning records for Northwestern High School.
Baseball is an annual strength as well, with much credit due to the ever-competitive little league programs and the team's head coach, Ryan Berryman.
The track and field team usually stands near the median among MIC teams, but in recent years, the program has boasted nearly 100 participants (of the appx 550 in the school) under direction of David Stevens.
The math program in NWSC has been ranked within the top five, and the science program, within the top ten public high schools in Indiana.
Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo is a city in and the county seat of Howard County, Indiana, United States, Indiana's 13th largest city. It is the principal city of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Howard and Tipton counties....
. The building houses grades 9–12 and functions as the primary athletic building. The mission of Northwestern High School is through the quality of its staff, curriculum, instruction, and extra-curricular offerings, Northwestern High School provides a positive and supportive environment that challenges each student to strive for excellence in developing skills in life-long learning, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, individual and social responsibility, and respect for others and self.
TIGER PRIDE Band Program
The marching band program has successfully competed in the Indiana State School Music AssociationIndiana State School Music Association
The mission of the Indiana State School Music Association, Inc. is to provide educationally evaluated music performance activities for the students and teachers of the state of Indiana, to assist in the development of performance oriented assessment of state and national musical academic standards,...
(ISSMA) for several decades posting three State Finals appearances. The marching band posted their first State Finals appearance in 1989 under the direction of Brett Davis by placing 9th. Their second appearance in 2004, under the direction of Jeremy Snyder, resulted in a school best 6th place result. The TIGER PRIDE Band made its 3rd appearance in State Finals in 2010, placing 6th place. The band is currently under the direction of Jeremy Snyder, Director of Bands since 2003, and Jon Rodgers, Assistant Director since 2008.
Athletics
Dan Armstrong, a baseball coach of Northwestern's past, has become a well-organized Athletic Director of NWSC.As a member of the Mid-Indiana Conference (MIC)
Mid-Indiana Conference (MIC)
The Mid-Indiana Conference, or MIC, is a high school athletic conference which is located in northcentral Indiana, USA. This conference serves many high schools located in Cass, Hamilton, Howard, and Miami Counties.-High school listing:-Former Members:...
, Northwestern High School scored their first state title in boys basketball in 2007 under the leadership of Jim Gish. The state championship was the result of a 78-74 double overtime victory over Winchester Community High School.
The school also was a state runner up in football with a loss to Cathedral High School in 1992. Additional state runner ups in baseball (2005) and girls golf (1996) were also achieved.
Locally, the school holds a reputation of having athletes who lack in size but make up for that with agility.
Recently, Northwestern's football program has been successful in comparison with the late 1990's and early 2000's. A recent change in head coach occurred - from the nationally acclaimed offensive analyst, Dan Robinson, to John Hendryx, who protests an outstanding overall record and a state title. This has drastically morphed the style of play from finesse-based to power-based.
Its basketball program has produced multiple Division 1 players, such as Austin Parkinson and Zavier Sanders. The team has had a declining success in the past few years, though state title holder Jim Gish remains the coach.
Soccer, which is a popular youth-league sport, is commonly a program presenting winning records for Northwestern High School.
Baseball is an annual strength as well, with much credit due to the ever-competitive little league programs and the team's head coach, Ryan Berryman.
The track and field team usually stands near the median among MIC teams, but in recent years, the program has boasted nearly 100 participants (of the appx 550 in the school) under direction of David Stevens.
Notable alumni
Notable alumni of Northwestern High School include:- Brandon BeachyBrandon BeachyBrandon Alan Beachy was born September 3, 1986, to parents Lester and Lori Beachy. He is currently a professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Atlanta Braves organization....
, Baseball, Indiana Wesleyan University/Atlanta Braves pitcher - Steve ButlerSteve ButlerSteve Butler won six national driving championships in USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown open-wheel racing. Butler was highly regarded for his technical skills and performed chief mechanic duties on several of his winning race cars. He also communicated his view of racing to fans both as author and...
, Auto Racing, 6-Time National Champion - Dewayne Ewing , Football, Butler University quarterback
- SylviaSylvia (singer)Sylvia Jane Kirby is an American country music and country pop singer and songwriter. More commonly known by the singular name Sylvia, she enjoyed crossover music success with the song "Nobody" in 1982....
Jane Kirby , a country singer/song writer. - Katherine Leese, Dean Symposium Winner; Live! or Die! Existentialism in Sartre's Huis Clos, Manchester College
- Austin Parkinson, Basketball, Purdue University point guard
Achievements
Northwestern High School was recognized as a Blue Ribbon school for two concurrent years, though it no longer holds the title.The math program in NWSC has been ranked within the top five, and the science program, within the top ten public high schools in Indiana.