Solon High School
Encyclopedia
Solon High School, founded in 1898, is a public high school located in Solon
, Ohio
, a southeastern suburb
of Cleveland
in the Northeast Ohio Region, the 14th largest Combined Statistical Area
in the United States
.
It comprises grades 9-12, and is the only high school in the Solon City School System
, which also includes two middle schools: Solon Middle School for grades 7-8 and Orchard Middle School for grades 5-6; and four elementary schools: Arthur Road, Lewis, Parkside and Roxbury. Solon High School's student body is approximately 1,800 students while the faculty roster includes approximately two-hundred teachers, administrators, and staff. As of 2005, the school system had an 11.9 student-teacher ratio. Erin Short currently serves as Principal of the high school.
(in 2008, 82nd in the U.S., 1st in Greater Cleveland
. As of 2010, it is ranked as the number one school district in the state of Ohio
) for academic quality and placement of graduates into top colleges across the nation. It also has a silver medal ranking from U.S. News. Similarly, the school district consistently ranks in the upper echelon of state and national standardized testing. Approximately 96% of graduates proceed to attend 4-year universities. In addition, Solon was named a Blue Ribbon School for the 2008-2009 school year.
In the Class of 2012, 21 students were named National Merit Semifinalists. Along with Walnut Hills High School, this was a record for the most in the state of Ohio, regardless of private or public school status. 19 students received Commended status as well.
In the Class of 2007, 18 students were named National Merit Semifinalists while 15 others received Commended status.
In the Class of 2008, 14 students were named National Merit Semifinalists while 17 others received Commended status.
Solon High School has also had 5 Presidential Scholars
.
earned its first National Championship, and placed second in the nation in 2003 and 2008. Most recently, the team captured its second national championship at the 2011 National Tournament at the University of Wisconsin.
and colors are blue and white with gold trim. The Solon Comets' athletic programs compete in the Northeast Ohio Conference
(NOC) against other local area high schools. Solon's high school sports rivals include Nordonia High School
, Hudson High School
and Twinsburg High School
. The school's fight song is Ohio State's
"Fight the Team Across the Field
." Solon boys Cross Country team qualified for the State meet in Columbus for the first time in 12 years. They finished as runners up in the region and 11th in the state. Jeremy Schiele finished 7th at the State meet and was district runner up. In 2009 Conner Paez finished as state runner up with a time of 15:49. The Solon track team has been undefeated in duel meets since 1992. Solon's Boys Swimming and Diving team were District runner-ups and the Girls Swimming and Diving were District Champions in 2008. The Boys Swimming and Diving team placed 5th at the State Tournament in 2008, and 9th in 2009, while the Girls Swimming and Diving Team placed 9th at the State Tournament in 2008, and 6th in 2009. Solon's wrestling team won the Ohio state championship in 1990. Solon's football team was the state runner-up in 2000, and participated in playoff games from 1998 through 2007, and 2009. Solon's men's basketball team won back-to-back-to-back District championships and advanced to the Elite Eight state tournament in 2005 and 2006 and sweet 16 in 2007. The baseball team was a state semi-finalist in 1983 and recorded the highest winning percentage in Solon baseball history. The girl's basketball team was the division one state runner-up in the 2006 season. The mens indoor track and field finished second runner-up in 2006. The girl's volleyball team was in the state final four in 2000 and 2006. The men's track team has been undefeated in dual meets since 1992. The boys Ice Hockey team has had recent success with 3 division titles in the past four years (2008,2009,2011) and a Baron Cup III title in 2008. .
The station currently airs original programming such as:
The station aired such original programming as:
Solon, Ohio
Solon is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and is an affluent suburb of Cleveland in the Northeast Ohio Region, the 14th largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 23,348...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, a southeastern suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
in the Northeast Ohio Region, the 14th largest Combined Statistical Area
Combined Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
It comprises grades 9-12, and is the only high school in the Solon City School System
Solon City School District, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Solon City School District is a school district serving Solon, Ohio and Glenwillow, Ohio, which are southeastern suburbs of Cleveland in the Northeast Ohio Region, the 14th largest Combined Statistical Area in the United States....
, which also includes two middle schools: Solon Middle School for grades 7-8 and Orchard Middle School for grades 5-6; and four elementary schools: Arthur Road, Lewis, Parkside and Roxbury. Solon High School's student body is approximately 1,800 students while the faculty roster includes approximately two-hundred teachers, administrators, and staff. As of 2005, the school system had an 11.9 student-teacher ratio. Erin Short currently serves as Principal of the high school.
Academics
Solon High School consistently ranks in the top 100 public high schools in the United States as rated by NewsweekNewsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
(in 2008, 82nd in the U.S., 1st in Greater Cleveland
Greater Cleveland
Greater Cleveland is a nickname for the metropolitan area surrounding Cleveland, Ohio and is part of what used to be the Connecticut Western Reserve.Northeast Ohio refers to a similar but substantially larger area as described below...
. As of 2010, it is ranked as the number one school district in the state of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
) for academic quality and placement of graduates into top colleges across the nation. It also has a silver medal ranking from U.S. News. Similarly, the school district consistently ranks in the upper echelon of state and national standardized testing. Approximately 96% of graduates proceed to attend 4-year universities. In addition, Solon was named a Blue Ribbon School for the 2008-2009 school year.
In the Class of 2012, 21 students were named National Merit Semifinalists. Along with Walnut Hills High School, this was a record for the most in the state of Ohio, regardless of private or public school status. 19 students received Commended status as well.
In the Class of 2007, 18 students were named National Merit Semifinalists while 15 others received Commended status.
In the Class of 2008, 14 students were named National Merit Semifinalists while 17 others received Commended status.
Solon High School has also had 5 Presidential Scholars
Presidential Scholars Program
The United States Presidential Scholars Program is the highest possible honor for graduating high school seniors in the United States of America....
.
Academic Teams
Solon High School has many academic teams, including Science Olympiad, Academic Challenge, Mock Trial, Speech and Debate, Model United Nations, and Future Problem Solvers, many of which have previously placed in tournaments at the national level. Bob Weiser is the current coach of Academic Challenge team. This team won the 2010 Ohio Academic Committee state championship, and has competed in the NAQT High School National Championship Tournament in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010, finishing tied for 17th in 2010. In 1998, Solon Science OlympiadScience 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...
earned its first National Championship, and placed second in the nation in 2003 and 2008. Most recently, the team captured its second national championship at the 2011 National Tournament at the University of Wisconsin.
Music
Solon High School has a Band, Orchestra, and Choir. Some of the funds that these programs receive come from the non-profit organization The Solon Music Parents.Band
The band has approximately 250 students. During the summer and fall, the band is a marching band. In the winter and spring, the band transitions to three concert bands, Wind Ensemble, Blue Symphonic Band, and White Symphonic Band. All students must audition individually with the directors of the band. The Wind Ensemble is made up of the top players and then the rest of the students are evenly split by talent between the Blue and the White Symphonic bands. It is mandatory for all members to participate in Marching and Concert Band. There is a voluntary Pep Band that plays at school rallies and athletic events.Jazz Band
There are two Jazz Bands, Jazz I and Jazz II. These candidates tryout every year and the top candidates are put in Jazz I. The Jazz band has traveled to New Orleans to learn about Jazz and the history of Jazz.Orchestra
The orchestra has approximately 180 students and is split into two orchestras. Chamber orchestra is made up of the top players. Oftentimes, a handful of band members will play with the chamber orchestra at concerts.Choir
The choir has many sub-groups such as Music In Motion, the Madrigals, and various Barbershop Quartets. The Director of the choir is Gary Lewis who is a member of the award winning barbershop quartet, Max Q.Athletics
Solon's mascot is the cometComet
A comet is an icy small Solar System body that, when close enough to the Sun, displays a visible coma and sometimes also a tail. These phenomena are both due to the effects of solar radiation and the solar wind upon the nucleus of the comet...
and colors are blue and white with gold trim. The Solon Comets' athletic programs compete in the Northeast Ohio Conference
Northeast Ohio Conference
The Northeast Ohio Conference is a high school athletics conference, recognized by the Ohio High School Athletic Association , in Northeast Ohio. Eighteen member schools — each located within the Northeast District of the OHSAA — compete in three six-member divisions: Valley, River and...
(NOC) against other local area high schools. Solon's high school sports rivals include Nordonia High School
Nordonia High School
Nordonia High School is a public high school in Macedonia, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Nordonia Hills City School District. Their mascot is a Knight. There are approximately 1500+ students currently enrolled in the High School. The colors of the school are Green and white...
, Hudson High School
Hudson High School (Ohio)
Hudson High School, part of the Hudson City School District, is a public high school located at 2500 Hudson-Aurora Road in Hudson, Ohio, United States. The school sits on a campus that has been developed to include a variety of athletic fields, such as six tennis courts, a lighted baseball field,...
and Twinsburg High School
Twinsburg High School
Twinsburg High School is a public high school in Twinsburg, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Twinsburg City Schools district, and serves most of the city and township along with some of Reminderville; the rest of Reminderville is served by Aurora, and some of Twinsburg is covered by the...
. The school's fight song is Ohio State's
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
"Fight the Team Across the Field
Across the Field
Across the Field is one of several fight songs of The Ohio State University and the oldest one still in current use. Though the lyrics reference football heroics and was composed by the football team's varsity manager, the song is used by Buckeye teams of all sports...
." Solon boys Cross Country team qualified for the State meet in Columbus for the first time in 12 years. They finished as runners up in the region and 11th in the state. Jeremy Schiele finished 7th at the State meet and was district runner up. In 2009 Conner Paez finished as state runner up with a time of 15:49. The Solon track team has been undefeated in duel meets since 1992. Solon's Boys Swimming and Diving team were District runner-ups and the Girls Swimming and Diving were District Champions in 2008. The Boys Swimming and Diving team placed 5th at the State Tournament in 2008, and 9th in 2009, while the Girls Swimming and Diving Team placed 9th at the State Tournament in 2008, and 6th in 2009. Solon's wrestling team won the Ohio state championship in 1990. Solon's football team was the state runner-up in 2000, and participated in playoff games from 1998 through 2007, and 2009. Solon's men's basketball team won back-to-back-to-back District championships and advanced to the Elite Eight state tournament in 2005 and 2006 and sweet 16 in 2007. The baseball team was a state semi-finalist in 1983 and recorded the highest winning percentage in Solon baseball history. The girl's basketball team was the division one state runner-up in the 2006 season. The mens indoor track and field finished second runner-up in 2006. The girl's volleyball team was in the state final four in 2000 and 2006. The men's track team has been undefeated in dual meets since 1992. The boys Ice Hockey team has had recent success with 3 division titles in the past four years (2008,2009,2011) and a Baron Cup III title in 2008. .
Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championships
- WrestlingScholastic wrestlingScholastic wrestling, sometimes known in the United States as Folkstyle wrestling, is a style of amateur wrestling practised at the high school and middle school levels in the United States. This wrestling style is essentially Collegiate wrestling with some slight modifications. It is currently...
- 1990
Solon Education Television / "SETV"
Solon Education Television is a local public access television station that is broadcast from Solon High School SETV. The Solon High School's Club, Comet Productions staffs all the events aired. Any student can join and help.The station currently airs original programming such as:
- SHS Graduation
- SHS Sports
- Solon Board Meetings
- SHS Band
- SHS Choir
- SHS Talent Shows
- SHS Orchestra
- SHS Drama Club
Comet Productions
Comet Productions is a club at Solon High School open to all students with the interest in video production ranging from: sports, concerts, and musicals. Every event aired on SETV is almost entirely ran by the students filling positions: Camera, Audio, Director, TD, Grips, Handheld, or Producer. Supervised by Joe Ferencie and Classic Teleproductions.Solon Community Television
Solon Community Television was a local public access television station that was broadcast from Solon High School SCTV Studio 1. The Solon High School curriculum included two courses (Communcications 1 and Communications 2) originally, which made use of the studio and incorporated television production, lighting, news editing, and sound design. Currently SCTV Studio 1 has been converted into a classroom for Communications 1 (Communications 2 has been canceled from lack of attendees); the last broadcast from Studio 1 was in 2009, which was the school news (aired midnights on SETV).The station aired such original programming as:
- Live on Tape
- 50/50 News Magazine
Notable alumni
- Dominick FarinacciDominick FarinacciDominick Farinacci is an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and big band leader, is currently signed to major label E1 Music. Farinacci was one of 18 artists worldwide invited to be a part of the inaugural class of the Jazz Studies Program at The Juilliard...
, JazzJazzJazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
TrumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
player - Michael CartelloneMichael CartelloneMichael Cartellone born in 1962 is the current drummer of Lynyrd Skynyrd , and the former drummer of Damn Yankees and Accept . He is also an accomplished painter, having done so for many years. Before joining Damn Yankees, Tommy Shaw, both of Styx and Damn Yankees, recalled Michael painting...
, drummer for Lynyrd SkynyrdLynyrd SkynyrdLynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
and the Damn YankeesDamn Yankees (band)Damn Yankees was an American hard rock supergroup.-History:The band was formed in 1989, consisting of Tommy Shaw of Styx, Jack Blades of Night Ranger, Ted Nugent of The Amboy Dukes and a successful solo career, and Michael Cartellone... - Drew CarterDrew CarterChristopher Drew Carter is a retired American football wide receiver of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
of the NFL Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Kim HerringKim HerringKimani 'Kim' Masai Herring is a former American football safety in the National Football League.-High school years:...
of the NFL Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Dallas LauderdaleDallas LauderdaleDallas "Fort" Lauderdale is an American basketball player who started at center for the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference. Lauderdale attended Solon High School in Solon, Ohio and led them to the Western Reserve Conference championship and an undefeated regular season as a sophomore. He...
, former NCAA center for the Ohio State BuckeyesOhio State BuckeyesThe Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
and current player for PGE Turów ZgorzelecTurów ZgorzelecPGE Turów Zgorzelec is a Polish professional basketball team that is based in Zgorzelec. The club plays in the Polska Liga Koszykówki and the Eurocup. The club's home court is Centrum Sportowe .- History :...
, a Polish professional basketball team. - Jim MandichJim MandichJames Michael "Mad Dog" Mandich was a professional American football tight end with the Miami Dolphins. Mandich was an All-American at the University of Michigan. In 2004 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. As color commentator for the Miami Dolphins , he was teamed with Jimmy...
, former NFL tight end for 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...
, including 1972 undefeated season - Dave MeggyesyDave MeggyesyDavid Michael Meggyesy is a former American football player, author, and union organizer. He played college football at Syracuse University, and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 17th round of the 1963 NFL Draft, where he was a linebacker for seven seasons...
, former NFL linebacker with the St. Louis CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
; author of 1971 bestseller Out of Their League - Scott Mescudi (Kid CudiKid CudiScott Ramon Seguro Mescudi , better known by his stage name Kid Cudi , sometimes stylized KiD CuDi, is an American rapper, singer and actor. He first gained major attention after the release of his debut mixtape A Kid Named Cudi. In 2009, his single "Day 'n' Nite" reached the top five of the...
), rapper - Marc SumerakMarc SumerakMarc Sumerak is a freelance comic book writer from Cleveland, Ohio.Mr. Sumerak is currently best known for his work on Marvel Comics' all-ages Power Pack series , as well as the Eisner Award & Harvey Award nominated Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius...
, writer for Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media... - Chris BandoChris BandoChristopher Michael Bando was a catcher in Major League Baseball in the 1980s, spending much of his career with the Cleveland Indians before also playing for the Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics. He was formerly the manager of the South Coast League's Aiken Foxhounds and The New York - Penn...
, Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics player - Jeff PassanJeff PassanJeff Passan is the lead baseball columnist at Yahoo! Sports and co-author of the critically acclaimed Death to the BCS: The Definitive Case Against the Bowl Championship Series. Passan graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in journalism.After graduating from Solon High School in Ohio,...
, columnist for Yahoo! SportsYahoo! SportsYahoo! Sports was launched on December 8, 1997. It receives a majority of its information from STATS, Inc., employs various writers, and has team pages for teams in almost every North American sport...