User:Cindamuse/Workshop/Rogers history

History

Early planning and financing

John R. Rogers High School was established in 1932, as the successor to the nearby Hillyard High School. Built in 1907, Hillyard High served a smaller community surrounding James J. Hill's Great Northern Railway train yards. In the late 1920s, Hillyard became overcrowded, making it abundantly clear to the city and the district that there was an urgent need to build a larger, more modern school to accommodate students on the north side of the city.

While the building itself cost $400,000, financed through a hefty bond measure, the combined cost with ground and equipment brought the price tag to $500,000. While the need for a new school was readily apparent throughout Spokane, the approval of a large bond measure, following the recent 1929 stock market crash was considered a shot in the dark. The city overwhelmingly passed the measure. On April 10, 1930, the school board awarded the contract for overseeing the planning and design of the new school to the local architectural firm of Wells & Dow. The building of the structure was completed by J. J. Lohrenz.

Rogers was somewhat unique, serving as both a replacement of an existing high school, as well as a new school. At the time, Rogers was the only school located on the north side of the city. With the more westward location of the new school, Rogers was able to accommodate the city by serving an expanded geographic area and student population. While the school was initially able to house 800 students, expansion possibilities would accommodate 1,000. The auditorium theater was two-stories high, with tiered seating for 635 students on the main level and another 250 on the upper balcony.

Construction and labor

The contract for general construction of the new high school was awarded to J.J. Lohrenz. Following the fall of the stock market, economic depression had set in, along with high unemployment throughout the country. Among the stipulations of awarding the construction contract to Lohrenz was the agreement to ensure that all construction materials and labor would be sourced locally. While new construction was generally at a minimum, the project provided employment for hundreds of Spokane residents. Local contractors included Washington Brick and Lime to supply all the brick and tile; along with Jensen-Byrd (hardware); O.N. Wolff (cut stone), and John Mainati (plastering).

Innovation and design

The design of the school included several innovative features, many of which were new to not only Spokane, but the Pacific Northwest. The new school had the first building-wide public address system in Spokane; the first 8-circuit electric signal clock, which rang class bells automatically; the first built-in-the-wall student lockers in Spokane; modern acoustical ceilings; and a new ventilation system, which reduced fuel bills and kept the building temperature at 70 degrees.

The architectural style used for the school was considered cutting edge design. Art Deco style was popular throughout the world. The external and internal design used zigzags, chevrons, circles, parallel and stepped back lines, and stylized vegetation. The historic portion of the school uses brick and cast stone, built onto a reinforced concrete superstructure. The architectural form of the building is a geometrically-balanced edifice with symmetrical rows of large, multiple-pane windows, which are softened by the ornamental use of Art Deco design details.

A bird's eye view of the school building resemble a slightly irregular E-shaped design, with the school auditorium in the center. Two rectangular, fully enclosed courtyards surround the east and west sides of the auditorium. These courtyards, or light wells, allow ventilation and natural lighting to reach the auditorium and interior corridors of the building.

A number of features visible from the roof include ventilation louvers, elevator penthouses, and skyview crow's nest, in keeping with the Pirate mascot used throughout the school. The skyline of the school is dominated by a tall, square chimney stack, featuring elaborately designed corbelled brick edging.

Dedication

After only nine months, the school was ready for students. Official dedication of the school took place in the school auditorium on March 1, 1932. Public speakers and ceremony participants included N. D. Showalter, state superintendent of public education; Orville C. Pratt, Spokane school superintendent; and city officials and student representatives from other high schools and junior high schools of Spokane. School District 81 board members in attendance included Evan Berg, chairman; Kate Kimpson, buildings and grounds committee chairman; Roy Redfield; Alex Turnbull; and Dr. T. D. Burger.

Renovation

When completed, the new building was a symmetrical design. The front wing of the building from was three stories high, while the auditorium and the east and west wings were two stories high. This symmetry was altered in 1941, when new classrooms were built above the east rear wing. In 1969, symmetry was restored when another story was added to the west rear wing. The new addition lacked windows and walls clad with metal. This anomaly was removed during the 2009 construction of the new rear addition.

National Register of Historic Places

On January 7, 2011, John R. Rogers High School was honored with an official listing on the National Register of Historic Places, representing an outstanding example of the Art Deco style in Spokane, as applied to public structures. Although the interior was been significantly renovated in 2009, which added another 170,000 square feet (16,000 m²) to the three-story structure, the exterior of the original 90,000 square feet (8,400 m²) school building largely retains the same appearance as when it was first constructed in 1932.

Academics

Beyond required classes in the core academic areas (math, science, social studies, and English), John R. Rogers offers a wide variety of elective courses, including an honors and Advanced Placement (AP) program. World language studies include German, Japanese, French, and Spanish.

Elective courses

stagecraft and dramatic arts digital photography computer programming computer applications legal studies advanced marketing community development

creative writing applied technology world languages physical education sports medicine vocal and instrumental music commercial and fine art

sports/entertainment marketing web design family and consumer science student government ROTC debate physical fitness

Advanced placement

The John R. Rogers Advanced Placement (AP) program is entitled "Summer Bridge". The program is designed to provide support and structure in preparation for college and career readiness. Courses provided include studies in science and math, social studies, and English. Summer opportunities and assignments provide students with resources to get a head start on the upcoming school year.

psychology biology chemistry environmental science

U.S. history world history comparative government European history

language and composition language and literature statistics calculus

Library services

In 1932, the original school library encompassed a space no larger than three average-sized classrooms. In 1995, the library went through extensive renovation, which included tearing down corridor walls, more than doubling the size of the library. During the 2009 renovation, the library was expanded to include 42 computer stations. The school also offers remote access for online resources. Approximately 12,000 books and 3,000 magazines are available for use.

Clubs and activities

ASB balloon shop booster club bowling cheerleading chess club

choir dance team DECA drama instrumental JROTC

National Honor Society photography step team Walk of Fame Washington Drug Free Youth yearbook staff

According to the school's website, the co-curricular programs (GHQ, drama, music, debate, DECA, leadership, journalism, and Model U.N.) garner the participation of over 700 students each year. The MHS band and choir have also won many awards and are lauded for their performances. The nationally known Mead High School Jazz Ensemble has participated and placed in competitions around the United States. They were selected as one of the top 15 high school jazz bands in the nation and were invited to perform at Lincoln Center as part of the 2004 and 2007 Essentially Ellington festivals. The theater department produces two full-stage productions a year and a musical production once every two years in addition to student-directed one-acts and occasionally hosting a major Northwest theater festival. The Model U.N. program was represented at the Washington conference at the University of Washington in 2008 by 12 students, and representation was tripled at the Washington conference in 2009. The Mead High School yearbook staff (The Pantera) was again set amongst the top 5% best yearbooks in the country by Walsworth Publishing Company. The staff has received this honor consecutively since 2000 and has been awarded and recognized by top journalism schools including Columbia University. The Dance Team is also a nationally awarded team, winning 1st place in the Championship Drill Category and 1st place in the Dance/Drill Category in 2008. 2010 they competed and won 1st in Drill, 1st in Dance, 2nd in Dance/Drill, 3rd in Character, and 4th in Hip Hop.

Athletics

Rogers Pirates compete in the AAAA classification, which is part of the GSL (Greater Spokane League), a league of 14 teams from around Spokane and the Inland Northwest. MHS has won 19 state championships (in various sports) in the last 14 years, and has won the Washington All-State trophy six times in that same span, as well as three second place finishes. In addition to team championships, the school also has had a number of athletes win individual state championships in wrestling, golf, track & field, and cross-country which has won their 15th state championship this year (2008).

Mead's best-known athletic alums are former Gonzaga star and current Los Angeles Lakers player Adam Morrison and former Washington State University and current Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson who is currently the 10th all-time NFL leading scorer. Former tennis professional Jan-Michael Gambill also attended Mead High School. Gambill was ranked as high as No. 14 in the world in 2001 and won three ATP tournaments during his career.

Mead men's cross country team has competed in the Nike Team National cross country meet several times. Mead's volleyball team has won five-straight 4A state championships. During the 2010 season, the volleyball team won third place at the state tournament.

In 2010, the Mead Panther's Track teams (boys and girls) won GSL titles by going the entire season undefeated.

Baseball Basketball Cross-Country Football Girls Tennis Golf

Gymnastics Soccer Softball Track Volleyball Wrestling

School record holders

Football (season)

• 1961: Larry Eilmes (Touchdowns) 15 touchdowns
• 1966: Dick Olsen (Kickoff Returns) 100 yards
• 1975: Bill Olmstead (Interceptions) 6 interceptions
• 1977: Jim Dorr (Passing) 2,138 yards
• 1977: John Dorr (Receiving) 744 yards
• 1994: Aaron Clark (Sacks) 13 sacks
• 1996: Mike Dorton (Rushing) 1,387 yards
• 2002: Cody Glasgow (Catches) 66 catches
• 2007: Jon Binchus (Tackles) 150 tackles

Football (career)

• 1996–1997: Mike Dorton (Rushing) 2,567 yards
• 1998–2000: Nick Scott (Passing) 3,572 yards
• 1999–2001: Brady Smith (Interceptions) 8 interceptions
• 2003–2005: Michael Holloman (Tackles) 264 tackles
• 2006–2008: Jacob Partridge (Receiving) 1,186 yards
• 2006–2008: Jacob Partridge (Catches) 84 catches
• 2006–2008: Cody Peterson (Touchdowns) 29 touchdowns

League record holders

Football (season)

• 2002: #1 Cody Glasgow (Passes Caught) 64 catches