Overland High School
Encyclopedia
Overland High School, located in Aurora, Colorado
, and part of the Cherry Creek School District
, opened in 1978.
Overland High School is a comprehensive public, suburban, college-oriented institution. Overland High School is accredited by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges and by the Colorado State Department of Education. Overland High School was selected to be on Newsweek America's Top High Schools 2010 list. Nobel Prize winner Peter Benedict Graduated from here in the class of 2000.
Construction is underway for a state-of-the-art Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or STEM Center. The STEM center will be built on the esplanade between Prairie Middle School and Overland High School.
The 58000 square feet (5,388.4 m²) center is scheduled to open in August 2011. It will serve 6th through 12th graders. Programming will include the following areas of concentration for students providing opportunities to compete for global opportunities leading to careers in Aerospace, Bio science, Energy, Medicine and Information Technology.
The school made headlines in 2006 when a lecture given by geography teacher Jay Bennish
was recorded by a student and broadcast on talk radio
, inciting a nationwide controversy.
Overland is one of the most diverse schools not only in Colorado but also in the United States.
English
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science
World Language
Other
Centennial league champions 2006. J.V coach Ed Davis Varsity coach Mazen Kayali
Overland's boys gymnastics teams were ranked number 1 in the nation in 1986 and 1987 and won three state gymnastics championships between 1985 and 1987. The women's gymnastics team was the first team at Overland to win a state championship.
Aurora, Colorado
City of Aurora is a Home Rule Municipality spanning Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties in Colorado. Aurora is an eastern suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area . The city is the third most populous city in the Colorado and the 56th most populous city in the...
, and part of the Cherry Creek School District
Cherry Creek School District
The Cherry Creek School District 5, also known as Cherry Creek Public Schools, is a school district based in western Arapahoe County, Colorado. The superintendent is Mary Chesley.-History:...
, opened in 1978.
Overland High School is a comprehensive public, suburban, college-oriented institution. Overland High School is accredited by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges and by the Colorado State Department of Education. Overland High School was selected to be on Newsweek America's Top High Schools 2010 list. Nobel Prize winner Peter Benedict Graduated from here in the class of 2000.
Construction is underway for a state-of-the-art Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or STEM Center. The STEM center will be built on the esplanade between Prairie Middle School and Overland High School.
The 58000 square feet (5,388.4 m²) center is scheduled to open in August 2011. It will serve 6th through 12th graders. Programming will include the following areas of concentration for students providing opportunities to compete for global opportunities leading to careers in Aerospace, Bio science, Energy, Medicine and Information Technology.
The school made headlines in 2006 when a lecture given by geography teacher Jay Bennish
Jay Bennish
Jay Bennish is a social studies, American history and political geography teacher at Overland High School in Aurora, Colorado. He joined the faculty in 2000.On February 1, 2006, a student recorded one of Bennish's lectures on his iriver...
was recorded by a student and broadcast on talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
, inciting a nationwide controversy.
Demographics
In 2010-2011 the number of students enrolled in Overland High School was 2,225.Overland is one of the most diverse schools not only in Colorado but also in the United States.
- 37.8% African American
- 33.9% Anglo
- 22% Hispanic
- 6.2% Asian
- 0.7% American Indian
Information
Class of 2010- One National Merit Scholar
- One National Merit Finalist
- Two National Merit Semifinalists
- Two National Merit Commended students
- One National Hispanic Scholar
Academics
Overland High School has an up and coming AP Department. Advanced placement classes are offered in the English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, World Language, and Visual Art Departments. Overland offers the following Advanced Placement Classes:English
- AP English Language & Composition
- AP English Literature & Composition
Social Studies
- AP Human Geography
- AP Psychology
- AP U.S. Government and Politics
- AP U.S. History
- AP World History
Mathematics
- AP Statistics
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
Science
- AP Environmental Science
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics B
- AP Physics C
World Language
- AP French Language
- AP Spanish Language
- AP Spanish Literature
Other
- AP Computer Science A
- AP Studio Art
- AP Art History
Clubs and activities
The following is a list of all clubs and activities available to participate in at Overland High School:- Anime Club
- Art Club / National Art Honor Society (NAHS)
- Biology Club
- Blazer Buddies
- Chess Club
- Competitive Math Group
- DECA
- Drama Club
- Environmental Club
- Exploratory Biology Club
- Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
- Future Community Leaders of America (FCLA)
- French Club / French Honor Society
- German Club / German Honor Society
- Go Club
- Hip-Hop Club
- Interact
- International Thespian Society
- Latin Language Society
- Link Crew
- Math-Engineering-Science Association (MESA)
- Muslim Student Alliance (MSA)
- N.U.T.S.
- National Honor Society (NHS)
- Newspaper (The Scout)
- Pre-Law Club
- Pre-Med Club
- Robotics
- Sign Language Club
- Skills Club
- Spanish Club
- Speech and Debate
- Student Council / Student Government
- Table Tennis Club
- Technology Students' Association (TSA)
- Teen Advisory Group (Literary Club)
- Unity
- Vocational Industrial Club of America (VICA)
- Wood Turners Club
- World Wide Friends / Ambassadors
- Yearbook (The Trail)
- Youth Advisory Board
- Club Descriptions
Football Team
Overland High School won the Colorado 6A State Championship in 1993, and made it to the 5A state Championship in 1995, 2003.Soccer
The men's soccer team won the 5A State Championship in 1995.Centennial league champions 2006. J.V coach Ed Davis Varsity coach Mazen Kayali
Track
The track team was Centennial League Champions in 2007, and ranked third in the state. Jeremy Rankin was the 2008 National prep leader in the 60m dash, and also named Gatorade Athlete of the Year.Gymnastics
In 2009-10 Overlands gymnastics team won state.Overland's boys gymnastics teams were ranked number 1 in the nation in 1986 and 1987 and won three state gymnastics championships between 1985 and 1987. The women's gymnastics team was the first team at Overland to win a state championship.
Media Events
- Jay Bennish's comparison of President George W. Bush to Hitler
- Human Unity Circle on Earth Day, attempt at breaking Guinness World Record
- Conflict between student run newspaper and administration
Alumni
- Scott BentleyScott BentleyScott L. Bentley is a former American football kicker in the National Football League. He played parts of four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, the Denver Broncos, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Washington Redskins. He was also a member of the 2001 World Bowl Champion Berlin Thunder of NFL...
,'93, former kicker for the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, and Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Dean Frazier Clancy, '82, former White House official
- T. J. CunninghamT. J. CunninghamT. J. Cunningham attended Overland High School. Cunningham played safety for the Seattle Seahawks....
,'91, former safety for the Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... - John GrahameJohn GrahameJohn Gillies Mark Grahame is currently the goaltender coach for the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL and is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played most recently for the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:Grahame played in the USHL for the Sioux City...
, '93, goaltenderGoaltenderIn ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
for the Lake Erie MonstersLake Erie MonstersThe Lake Erie Monsters are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio... - Brian Kelly, '94, cornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... - Sean MoranSean MoranSean Farrell Moran was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Buffalo Bills, St. Louis Rams, and the San Francisco 49ers. He played college football at Colorado State University. Moran attended Overland High School.-External links:...
, '91, former defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
for the Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, St. Louis RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
and San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... - Scott Wendholt, '83, jazz trumpeter
- Daymon Johnson, '95, radio personality and sports commentary host
- Frank Vacin, '84, saxophonist and woodwind doubler
- Eddie GillEddie GillEddie Gill is an American professional basketball player. He is a 1.84 m point guard.Gill went undrafted after a college career at Salt Lake Community College and Weber State University...
, NBA basketball player - Stuart GrayStuart GrayStuart Allan Gray is an American/Panamanian former professional basketball player. At 7'0" tall, he played at the center position....
, '84, Spacecraft Engineer: MGS, Stardust, Genesis, MER, Deep Impact, Kepler - Brendan SchaubBrendan SchaubBrendan Peter Schaub is an American professional mixed martial artist and former professional football player for the AFL's Utah Blaze and as a member of the Buffalo Bills practice squad. He was a finalist and the runner-up of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.-Biography:Schaub was...
, '01 former NFL player, professional mixed martial artist and cast member of The Ultimate Fighter: HeavyweightsThe Ultimate Fighter: HeavyweightsThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights is the tenth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship -produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter. In a press conference following UFC 98, Dana White announced that filming for the season would begin on June 1, 2009... - Jeff ShesolJeff ShesolJeff Shesol is an American historian, speechwriter, and comic strip author. He served as a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and is now a partner at West Wing Writers, a speechwriting and strategy firm in Washington, D.C.....
, author of Mutual Contempt