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Southridge High School (Kennewick)
Encyclopedia
Southridge High School is a public high school
located in the city of Kennewick, Washington, USA (in Benton County
). Construction of the $30 million building began in 1995, with classroom doors opening in the spring of 1997. The original plans greatly mirrored those of a prison or jail, and many visitors often mistake Southridge for a prison. This is a common misconception. The plans for Southridge High School were originally designed for a high school on the east side of the country; however, the school was never built and the Kennewick School District purchased the blueprints and plans. During construction, classes were held at Fruitland Elementary School
, under the direction of Principal Ron Williamson. The first commencement was held inside the Toyota Center
in June 1999. Southridge was the third 4A
school constructed in Kennewick, but with the reorganization of leagues in 2006, Southridge became a 3A school and is now a member of the Columbia Basin League. Yet again, in 2008, it was decided that Southridge would be put back under the 4A schools along with 2 other high schools in Kennewick, WA. Once again in 2010 Southridge was brought back down to a 3A school.
The school's main complex, divided into wings A through F, was designed by Bob Rothman (HGA of Minnesota); Joe Lavernier Construction of Spokane was the general contractor. The B, C and D-wings are classrooms, each containing two floors with eight classrooms per floor as well as lockers. The A-wing houses the auditorium, cafeteria and music rooms. The F-wing contains one large and two small gyms as well as a weight room - with locker rooms and training room both located downstairs. The E-wing contains the library and main offices.
The wings are all connected by a long crescent-shaped hall with A and F-wing at the north and south ends, respectively. The E-wing is in the inner curve, and wings B, C and D branch off along the outer curve.
The school grounds include football and baseball fields, as well as softball fields, a track, several soccer fields and eight lit tennis courts. The school does not have a swimming pool. The swim team uses the Kennewick Public Pool.
The school colors are blue
and gold
(originally blue, silver and gold). The school fight song, Southridge Will Forever Hold My Heart, was written in 1996 by a Southridge student to the tune of the Notre Dame Victory March.
Southridge also boasts a nationally-ranked debate program. Since its inception in 1996-1997, the squad has competed at the State Tournament, winning the state championship in Policy debate (Cross-X)
, Lincoln-Douglas debate and Individual Events (Forensics). The team has won at several State and National Invitational events, including the Whitman College
Invitational and the National Forensic League's National Tournament.
The Southridge Drama department and Drama Club produce several ensemble performances each year. Former Southridge student Danica Lyn Stewart achieved acting success in her adult life and can be seen on NBC
's daytime soap Passions
.
Southridge also has one the best engineering technology programs in the state, led formally by Jim Hendricks, who was invited to join Tri-Cities STEM School, Delta High, in 2009. It offers college-level projects like power supplies and "Sumo" robots, with which it compete with Battelle. Its material science course offers the chance to create a sterling silver ring and a personal piece of stained glass, both designed by the students. The course was taught by Roy Bunnell.
, which is located on the grounds of Kennewick High School
. Southridge shares the stadium with Kennewick and Kamiakin High School
. In their brief existence, the Suns have won state championships in dance
for 4 years (2004–2008), volleyball
, and baseball
, along with several individual state championships in tennis
, gymnastics
, Swimming
, wrestling
, and Ice hockey
.
All hail to our Southridge High
Bring on the challenge, let's do or die
Honor, fame, and glory too
Guardians of the GOLD & BLUE!
We are the finest under the sun
Carry the fight 'till victory's won
Greatest school to you & I
That's almighty Southridge High
and General Hospital
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 the city of Kennewick, Washington, USA (in Benton County
Benton County, Washington
Benton County is a county located in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of Washington. The Columbia River makes up the north, south, and east boundaries of the county. In 2010, its population was 175,177. The county seat is Prosser, and its largest city is Kennewick...
). Construction of the $30 million building began in 1995, with classroom doors opening in the spring of 1997. The original plans greatly mirrored those of a prison or jail, and many visitors often mistake Southridge for a prison. This is a common misconception. The plans for Southridge High School were originally designed for a high school on the east side of the country; however, the school was never built and the Kennewick School District purchased the blueprints and plans. During construction, classes were held at Fruitland Elementary School
Kennewick School District
Kennewick School District # 17 is the largest employer in the city of Kennewick, Washington. The school district runs thirteen elementary schools, four middle schools, and three high schools:-Elementary Schools:* Amistad Elementary School...
, under the direction of Principal Ron Williamson. The first commencement was held inside the Toyota Center
Toyota Center (Kennewick)
The Toyota Center is an multi-purpose arena in Kennewick, Washington, USA.The arena opened in 1988 as the Tri-Cities Coliseum...
in June 1999. Southridge was the third 4A
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association is the governing body of athletics and activities for secondary education schools in the state of Washington...
school constructed in Kennewick, but with the reorganization of leagues in 2006, Southridge became a 3A school and is now a member of the Columbia Basin League. Yet again, in 2008, it was decided that Southridge would be put back under the 4A schools along with 2 other high schools in Kennewick, WA. Once again in 2010 Southridge was brought back down to a 3A school.
Facilities
The 50 acres (202,343 m²) campus lies within a valley on the southwest border of Kennewick. Southridge is located several miles away from the majority of its students.The school's main complex, divided into wings A through F, was designed by Bob Rothman (HGA of Minnesota); Joe Lavernier Construction of Spokane was the general contractor. The B, C and D-wings are classrooms, each containing two floors with eight classrooms per floor as well as lockers. The A-wing houses the auditorium, cafeteria and music rooms. The F-wing contains one large and two small gyms as well as a weight room - with locker rooms and training room both located downstairs. The E-wing contains the library and main offices.
The wings are all connected by a long crescent-shaped hall with A and F-wing at the north and south ends, respectively. The E-wing is in the inner curve, and wings B, C and D branch off along the outer curve.
The school grounds include football and baseball fields, as well as softball fields, a track, several soccer fields and eight lit tennis courts. The school does not have a swimming pool. The swim team uses the Kennewick Public Pool.
Home of the Suns
The school nickname, the Suns, was selected in a vote among the first freshman class (Class of 1999). The mascot is a gorilla named "Sunny" and was inducted into SHS in the 2006-2007 school year.The school colors are blue
Blue
Blue is a colour, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 440–490 nm. It is considered one of the additive primary colours. On the HSV Colour Wheel, the complement of blue is yellow; that is, a colour corresponding to an equal...
and gold
Gold (color)
Gold, also called golden, is one of a variety of orange-yellow color blends used to give the impression of the color of the element gold....
(originally blue, silver and gold). The school fight song, Southridge Will Forever Hold My Heart, was written in 1996 by a Southridge student to the tune of the Notre Dame Victory March.
Southridge also boasts a nationally-ranked debate program. Since its inception in 1996-1997, the squad has competed at the State Tournament, winning the state championship in Policy debate (Cross-X)
Policy debate
Policy debate is a form of speech competition in which teams of two advocate for and against a resolution that typically calls for policy change by the United States federal government or security discourse...
, Lincoln-Douglas debate and Individual Events (Forensics). The team has won at several State and National Invitational events, including the Whitman College
Whitman College
Whitman College is a private, co-educational, non-sectarian, residential undergraduate liberal arts college located in Walla Walla, Washington. Initially founded as a seminary by a territorial legislative charter in 1859, the school became a four year degree granting institution in 1883...
Invitational and the National Forensic League's National Tournament.
The Southridge Drama department and Drama Club produce several ensemble performances each year. Former Southridge student Danica Lyn Stewart achieved acting success in her adult life and can be seen on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's daytime soap Passions
Passions
Passions is an American television soap opera which aired on NBC from July 5, 1999 to September 7, 2007 and on The 101 Network from September 17, 2007 to August 7, 2008....
.
Southridge also has one the best engineering technology programs in the state, led formally by Jim Hendricks, who was invited to join Tri-Cities STEM School, Delta High, in 2009. It offers college-level projects like power supplies and "Sumo" robots, with which it compete with Battelle. Its material science course offers the chance to create a sterling silver ring and a personal piece of stained glass, both designed by the students. The course was taught by Roy Bunnell.
Athletics
Southridge participates in the Columbia Basin Big Nine (CBBN) 3A. The CBBN is the former Columbia Basin League which is the former Big Nine. Football and soccer games are played at Neil F. Lampson StadiumNeil F. Lampson Stadium
Neil F. Lampson Stadium is a stadium used by all three high schools in the Kennewick School District for many different sporting events, such as football and soccer...
, which is located on the grounds of Kennewick High School
Kennewick High School
Kennewick High School is a public high school located in eastern Kennewick, Washington. It was founded in 1904 to serve the educational needs of the new city of Kennewick. It is one of only a few schools to have its music department honored with the title of "Grammy Signature School".The current...
. Southridge shares the stadium with Kennewick and Kamiakin High School
Kamiakin High School
Kamiakin High School is a public high school in Kennewick, Washington. Kamiakin was founded in 1970 at 600 N Arthur Street in northwest Kennewick, and went through a remodel in the early first decade of the 21st century. It currently has an enrollment of about 1,800...
. In their brief existence, the Suns have won state championships in dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
for 4 years (2004–2008), volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
, and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, along with several individual state championships in tennis
Tennis
Tennis 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...
, gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
, Swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, wrestling
Scholastic wrestling
Scholastic 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...
, and Ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
.
Fight song
The Southridge High School fight song is sung to the beat of the Notre Dame Fight Song.All hail to our Southridge High
Bring on the challenge, let's do or die
Honor, fame, and glory too
Guardians of the GOLD & BLUE!
We are the finest under the sun
Carry the fight 'till victory's won
Greatest school to you & I
That's almighty Southridge High
Alumni
Danica Lyn Stewart, soap opera actress on PassionsPassions
Passions is an American television soap opera which aired on NBC from July 5, 1999 to September 7, 2007 and on The 101 Network from September 17, 2007 to August 7, 2008....
and General Hospital
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....