Washington Park High School
Encyclopedia
Washington Park High School (also known as Park or Racine Park High School) is a public, four-year high school
in Racine
, Wisconsin
with an enrollment of over 2,400 students. Its school colors are blue and orange. The school's mascot, the panther, was adopted by the Class of 1949, reportedly because of a nearby Native American
effigy mound in the shape of a panther.
opened. In 1926, the Racine School Board decided to replace Racine High School with a new school that would eventually become Park. The new Washington Park High School opened in 1928. About the same time, malted milk
magnate William Horlick
opened his own school on the north side of Racine
, setting up the long-time rivalry between the two institutions.
Much of the history and memorabilia (including art, awards and traditions) from Racine High School were moved to Park. Most notable is the statue of Joan of Arc
, displayed in Park's foyer, that was donated by the Racine High School Class of 1904. The school's newspaper, The Beacon (a reference to Racine's Wind Point Lighthouse), and the school yearbook
Kipikawi (a Native American name for the Root River
), were also both carried over from Racine High School.
(WIAA)'s Southeast Conference with schools from Racine
, Kenosha
and southern Milwaukee
, including Park's long-time, crosstown rival Horlick High School
and Case High School
, the other major high schools in Racine. Park is the only Division 1 high school in Wisconsin to have won a state championship in football, basketball, and baseball.
Hail thy orange and blue.
Thy light shall guide us,
Thy beacon bright and true.
Hail to thee always.
This our pledge shall be:
Park High, forever,
Hail, hail, hail to thee
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....
in Racine
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
with an enrollment of over 2,400 students. Its school colors are blue and orange. The school's mascot, the panther, was adopted by the Class of 1949, reportedly because of a nearby Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
effigy mound in the shape of a panther.
History
The school traces its roots to 1852 when Racine High School, the first public school in WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
opened. In 1926, the Racine School Board decided to replace Racine High School with a new school that would eventually become Park. The new Washington Park High School opened in 1928. About the same time, malted milk
Malted milk
Malted milk is a powdered food product made from a mixture of malted barley, wheat flour, and whole milk, which is evaporated until it forms a powder....
magnate William Horlick
William Horlick
William Horlick, Sr. was an English-born food manufacturer and the original patent holder of malted milk. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1869, settling in Racine, Wisconsin, where he started a food company with his brother, James. Horlick was a well-known philanthropist in the Racine area. He died...
opened his own school on the north side of Racine
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
, setting up the long-time rivalry between the two institutions.
Much of the history and memorabilia (including art, awards and traditions) from Racine High School were moved to Park. Most notable is the statue of Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Saint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
, displayed in Park's foyer, that was donated by the Racine High School Class of 1904. The school's newspaper, The Beacon (a reference to Racine's Wind Point Lighthouse), and the school yearbook
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...
Kipikawi (a Native American name for the Root River
Root River (Wisconsin)
The Root River is a river that flows to Lake Michigan at the city of Racine in southeastern Wisconsin in the United States. Racine and Racine County are named for the river, as racine is the French word for root.-Course:...
), were also both carried over from Racine High School.
Athletics
Park's sports teams compete in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic AssociationWisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association is the regulatory body for all high school sports in Wisconsin. Its history dates to 1895, making it the first high school athletic organization in the country...
(WIAA)'s Southeast Conference with schools from Racine
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
, Kenosha
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
and southern Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, including Park's long-time, crosstown rival Horlick High School
William Horlick High School
William Horlick High School is a comprehensive public four-year high school in Racine, Wisconsin with an enrollment of approximately 2,200 students. The school opened to students in 1928, after William Horlick, the original patent holder for malted milk, donated the land the school was built on...
and Case High School
Jerome I. Case High School
Jerome I. Case High School is located in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, a suburb of Racine in the United States...
, the other major high schools in Racine. Park is the only Division 1 high school in Wisconsin to have won a state championship in football, basketball, and baseball.
Rivalry with William Horlick
Park has a long standing rivalry with William Horlick athletic teams, known locally as The Great Rivalry or more informally as Park/Horlick. The rivalry originated in 1928, when the two schools opened. The rivalry is most notable between the schools' football teams who have played at least once every year since 1928.State championships
| Sport | Years |
|---|---|
| Boys' Baseball | 1993 |
| Boys' Basketball | 1943 |
| Girls' Basketball | 1997 |
| Boys' Cross Country | 1948, 1949 |
| Boys' Golf | 1931, 1947, 1948, 1958, 1968, 1970, 1973 |
| Girls' Gymnastics (combined Racine team) | 1997, 1998, 2004 |
| Boys' Football | 1988, 2005 |
| Boys' Tennis | 1931 |
| Boys' Track | 1974, 1997, 1998, 2000 |
| Girls' Track | 1978 |
| Boys' Wrestling | 1967, 1969 |
Notable graduates
- Kevin BarryKevin Barry (American football)Kevin Lee Barry is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
– professional footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player with the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
and Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - John ClayJohn Clay (running back)John Clay is an American football running back. He currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, practice squad, of the National Football League. He was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football for the University of Wisconsin–Madison football team...
– Former Wisconsin BadgersWisconsin Badgers footballThe Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
starting tailback and current NFL running back for the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. - Abdul JeelaniAbdul JeelaniAbdul Qadir Jeelani is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a 6'8" and 210 lb small forward and played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside...
(né Gary Cole) – professional basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player with the Dallas MavericksDallas MavericksThe Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
and Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail BlazersThe Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the... - John L. JerstadJohn L. JerstadJohn Louis "Jack" Jerstad was a United States Army Air Forces officer who was posthumously awarded the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor...
– Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient - Fredric MarchFredric MarchFredric March was an American stage and film actor. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1932 for Dr. Jekyll and Mr...
(1897–1975) – two-time Academy Award and Tony AwardTony AwardThe Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
-winning stage and film actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity... - Barbara McNairBarbara McNairBarbara McNair was an African American singer and actress.Born Barbara Jean McNair in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Racine, Wisconsin, McNair studied music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago...
– singer and actress - Brent MossBrent MossBrent Moss is a former American football running back for the Wisconsin Badgers from 1991–1994. Moss also spent some time in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and St...
– professional footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player with 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...
and 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,... - Keisha Anderson – professional basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player with the Charlotte StingCharlotte StingThe Charlotte Sting was a Women's National Basketball Association franchise based in Charlotte, North Carolina and it was one of the league's eight original teams. The team folded on January 3, 2007....
School song
Hail to thee, Park High.Hail thy orange and blue.
Thy light shall guide us,
Thy beacon bright and true.
Hail to thee always.
This our pledge shall be:
Park High, forever,
Hail, hail, hail to thee
See also
- The World's Best PromThe World's Best PromThe World's Best Prom is a 2006 documentary film about a high school prom in Racine, Wisconsin, a city that for the past 50 years has been annually gripped by prom mania. Prom was originally released as a short film and was expanded to feature-length documentary length. It was released in its...
: An award-winning documentary and forthcoming feature-length documentary about high school promPromIn the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
in Racine, Wisconsin. - "Park High School Turns 75", Milwaukee Journal SentinelMilwaukee Journal SentinelThe Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is a daily morning broadsheet printed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It is the primary newspaper in Milwaukee, the largest newspaper in Wisconsin and is distributed widely throughout the state...
, May 8, 2004.