Calallen High School

Calallen High School is a public high school serving grades 9-12. The school is located in Calallen Independent School District in northwest Corpus Christi, Texas. The school is known for its Advanced Placement program, which ranks in the top 5 percent in the state of Texas. Calallen High School's website is at this link: [http://www.rschooltoday.com/se3bin/clientschool.cgi?schoolname=school130]

Athletics

Calallen High School is known for its traditionally strong athletic programs, especially football, which has played in the state semifinals eight times and in the state finals one time (2005 - Lost to Hebron High School 28-0) and advanced to the region semifinals in 2006 [where they fell 21-20 to the Hays Rebels when Hays scored the game tying touchdown with the winning extra point with no time on the clock on a 98-yard, 43 second and no timeouts.] Football coach Phil Danaher is only the fourth in Texas high school football history to win more than 300 games.

While football is the best known program from Calallen, it is not the only successful athletic program. Just as successful as the the football team, Calallen Baseball has won three state championships in the past 9 years. The 2008 baseball team won state beating lake travis who beat them in football the same year. The baseball team is coached by Steve Chapman. He has had 26 seasons with the Wildcats and has lead the team to the state tournament 10 times now.

The Wildcats have also won the state championship in Girls Basketball (1990), and Girls Cross Country (1991).

Amy Acuff, the three time Olympian and multiple National Championship winner, attended CHS.

Calallen is designated by the University Interscholastic League as a 4A high school for interscholastic competitions.

The school mascot is the Wildcat, and the school colors are Maroon and White.

Traditions

There are several traditions among the Calallen student body.

"Tiger Rag" is the Calallen Fight Song. It is played by the "Pride of Calallen Wildcat Marching Band" at pep rallies and football games.

"Hail to Calallen" serves as the school's alma mater song. At the conclusion of every pep rally, the senior class forms a circle on the gymnasium floor, interlocks their hands, and sings the song. It is set to the tune of "The Bells of St. Mary's."

"The Spirit Stick" is a reward for the most spirited class, given out at each pep rally. Each class (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior) take turns doing the school's "Victory" cheer. Whichever class is the loudest is awarded the Spirit Stick.

"Senior Dress-Up Day" takes place on the Friday before Halloween every year. This tradition features the senior class, who dress up in costume and perform skits during an assembly. In recent years, memorable costumes have included the Village People, Stepford Wives, Batman Crew, and the cast of Saved by the Bell.Best teacher ever, Ausencio Pereida.

Student Activities

Each summer, many Calallen students participate in the Sea City Work Camp program. The program locates underprivileged individuals in the Corpus Christi area with particularly unfortunate housing situations. Teams of students and adults repair and restore these project houses over the course of a week.

One of Calallen High School's most recognized traditions is the monthly blood drive. Announced by Leticia Mondragon and advocated strongly by Yvonne Marquez-Neth, the blood drive is always a great success. Students are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and donate their precious gift of life.

Also, the bi-annual Europe trip, sponsored by Mrs. Jodi Ferguson and Mr. Steven James, is quickly becoming a hallowed tradition among Calallen juniors and seniors. Every two years the two teachers take a group of fifty or so students to the Old World.

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Calallen Band

Calallen Wildcat's band, made up of about 100 students, is directed by Mr. Craig Ewing.The band is known for their complex drill, and their always challenging and entertaining repertoire. The band's most recent UIL competition (2007) was a very impressive one. They did not make state, but it was very close, being tied with Alice and Floresville. The band's "Percussion Theater" was the state title winner in both '07 and '08.

Shows Since '00:
2000-Gladiator
2001-007
2002-Bizarro
2003-Miracle and Finale
2004-Anime
2005-Reflections
2006-Metal
2007-Thrill Ride
2008-Sound, Shape, & Color

Drum Majors Since 2004:
2004-Head: Amanda Garcia/ Assistant: Jeniffer Larson/ Alternate: ?
2005-Head: Amanda Garcia/ Assistant: Lizette Lopez/ Alternate: Amana Deaton
2006-Head: Amanda Deaton/ Assistant: Chealsie Carasco/ Alternate: Lynsey Lopez
2007-Head: Mariel Bustamante/ Assistant: Thomas Eaves/ Alternate: Sean Slusher
2008-Head: Thomas Eaves/ Assistant: Lynsey Lopez/ Alternate: Nolan Trevino

Notable Alumni

*Tom DeLay, former U.S. Congressman

*Amy Acuff, U.S. Olympian and former model for Playboy Magazine.

External links

* [http://www.caller.com/ccct/education/article/0,1641,CCCT_894_4967719,00.html Calallen AP Program ranks among top 5% in state]

* [http://www.rschooltoday.com/se3bin/clientschool.cgi?schoolname=school130 Calallen High School Official Site]

* [http://calallenhighschool.net/ Unofficial Calallen High School site]