Garden City High School (Kansas)

Infobox School
name= Garden City High School


size= 270px
city= Garden City
county=
state= KS
country=
district= Unified School District No. 457
principal= James Mireles
schooltype= Public secondary
enrollment= 2,000
grades= 9-12
campus= Suburban
classification= 6A
athletics conference= Western Athletic Conference
colors= Brown and White
rival= Dodge City
mascot= Buffalo
newspaper= The Sugar Beet
established= 1887 [cite web | title = Garden City Public Schools: Our History | url =http://www.gckschools.com/history.cfm | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-31]
address= 1412 N. Main Street
website= [http://www.gckschools.com/schools/gchs/ School Website]
bgcolor_section= #800000
bgcolor_label= #FFD700
bgcolor_value= #FFD700
bgcolor_address= #FFD700
bgcolor_url= #FFD700

Garden City High School (known locally as GC) is a fully-accredited high school located in Garden City, Kansas, United States. The enrollment for 2007-2008 was approximately 2,000 students and is in the classification of 6A. The current principal is James Mireles and the assistant principals are Tracy Newell, Janet Reed, Mark Ronn, and Bill Weatherly. [cite web | title = Garden City Public Schools | url =http://www.gckschools.com/showschools1.cfm?type=High%20School | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-24] Garden City High School (GCHS) is the only high school within the city limits of Garden City, KS. The school mascot is the Buffalo and the school colors are brown and white, although gold is considered a third official color.

History

Early Beginnings

Garden City High School was established in 1887 on the location that is now Sabine Hall. During this inaugural year, the school newspaper, "The Sugarbeet", was started. The school population was 979 students. A few years later, the high school was accredited by the North Central Association. In 1917, the high school was accredited by the U.S. Military Academy. Later that year, a new high school was constructed at the site that is now known as Calkins Hall. Two years later, the high school was renamed "Sequoayah High School". In 1929, Calkins Hall was remodeled and 15 credits were required for graduation. This number was increased to 16 credits in 1931. The high school was renamed "Garden City High School".

As years passed, the athletics department began to experience moderate success and in 1941, Garden City won it's first state championship in track. A new high school was built in 1954 and the auditorium was completed the following year. The graduation credit limit was again increased to 19 credits in 1958. Garden City High School experienced many changes in 1959. During this school year, the counseling and honors programs began. Another major change was the introduction of school uniforms. The debate team won their first state championship in 1959 and repeated as state champs in 1961.

'60s and '70s

As the '60s became the '70s, Garden City went through one of the highest points in its history. In 1961, the main gymnasium (referred to as "The Garden") was completed. The football stadium was also constructed in 1961 which was one of the largest stadiums in western Kansas at the time. Three years later, Garden City finally experienced unification as Garden City District No. 1 became Unified School District No. 457. During this same year, the football stadium was renamed "Memorial Stadium". As interest in athletics grew throughout Garden City, so did the athletic departments. Cross-country was introduced in 1966 and the men's basketball team won their first state championship. Two years later, GCHS experienced major renovations and expansion as the J.D. Adams Vocational Building was constructed and other high school remodeling was completed. The population of Garden City at this time was 14,745. The following year, an agreement was signed between the JUCO and the district relative to the exchange of the former junior college site for senior high vocational building space and other specified district facilities used by the college. The wrestling and debate teams each won their first state titles in 1971. Restrooms facilities were also constructed during this year. The men's basketball team advanced to the state championship the following year. The music department was completed in September of 1975, allowing students to participate in a wide variety of school activities and programs. Garden would win its first state championship in men's golf in 1977 and progress continued throughout the rest of the decade. The practice gym and locker rooms were added in 1981. Buffalo athletics would struggle throughout the rest of the decade, failing to win a single state championship.

Decade of Dominance

During the 1990s, Garden City experienced perhaps its most memorable era in school history. The Buffaloes ushered in the new decade with four consecutive state championships in wrestling, beginning in 1990. Dr. Milton Pippenger was appointed superintendent in 1993 and a new enclosed walkway was constructed. The city population at this time was 24,964. The Buffaloes would continue their dominance throughout the rest of the decade. The wrestling program added two more state championships in 1998 and 1999, while the men's golf team and the football team would win state championships in 1998 and 1999 respectfully.

Recent Years

The high school would struggle during the 2000s. The men's basketball team advanced to the state semi-final in 2003 with the help of several future college athletes. The following year, artificial turf was installed at Memorial Stadium and was dedicated on April 15th. The Garden City Public Schools Foundation was also founded in 2004. The courtyard was enclosed in 2006 and replaced with an atrium. A new pressbox and visitor stands were constructed in 2007. [cite web | title = Garden City Public Schools: Our History | url =http://www.gckschools.com/history.cfm | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-31]

chool Layout

Garden City High School consists of several halls. The main hall is the longest hall in the school and consists of several classrooms. It is attached to the main entrance on the west and meets the trophy room on the east. The John D. Adams Vocational Technology building stands by itself next to the main building. There are two gymnasiums on campus. The main gym is often referred to as "The Garden" and accommodates approximately 2,000 people. Many students also attend classes at Garden City Community College.

GCHS experienced a major remodeling project during the 2005-2006 school year. An open courtyard had previously existed in the central section of the school which had gone largely unused. School officials met and decided to enclose the courtyard and transform the space into a multi-purpose atrium tetrastylum. After nearly a year, construction was completed. The new multi-purpose area is being used for additional seating during lunchtime, as well as conferences, banquets, and additional uses. The atrium features a projection screen, a flat-screen HDTV, additonal storage closets, a small elevated stage area, several unique design features, and additional entrances/exits to classrooms.

Athletics

Throughout decades of athletic success and state championships, Garden City High School has established itself as one of the top athletic programs in the state of Kansas. The Buffaloes compete in the Western Athletic Conference and are classified as a 6A school, the largest classification in Kansas. Throughout its history, Garden City has won 12 state championships in various sports. Many graduates have gone on to participate in Division I, Division II, and Division III athletics. Garden City High School athletes are able to compete in some of the top facilities in western Kansas. The football, soccer, and track & field teams compete at Memorial Stadium. Basketball, intramural basketball, volleyball, and wrestling take place in "The Garden", Garden City's main gymnasium. The men's and women's golf programs compete at Southwind Country Club and Buffalo Dunes Golf Course. The tennis programs compete at the Dennis Perryman Complex.

Wrestling

The most storied and tradition-rich athletic program at GCHS is wrestling. Since Garden City High School was established, it has won 7 state championships in wrestling, occurring in 1971, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, and 1999 [cite web | title = KSHSAA Wrestling | url =http://www.kshsaa.org/WRESTLING/wrstchmp.html | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-25] [cite web | title = GCHS Wrestling | url =http://www.gckschools.com/schools/gchs/acts/wrestling/index.htm | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-25] and runner-up in 2003. The 4-peat between 1990-1993 earned GCHS national rankings including a reputation as having one of the finest wrestling programs in the country. Additionally, "Wrestling USA Magazine" ranked Garden City as having the 38th best high school wrestling dynasty in the 1990s out of over 38,000 high schools. [cite web | title =High School Scholastic Dynasty Teams of the Last Decade | url =http://www.wrestlingusa.com/02%20wusa%20web%20root/hsbesteams/hsdynastyteamsofdecade.html | format =English | accessdate =2008-08-04]

Football

The GCHS football team has consistenly competed at a high level in football. Garden City High School won the state championship in football in 1999 and finished runner-up in 1971, 1990, 1991 and 1998. [cite web | title = KSHSAA Football | url =http://www.kshsaa.org/FOOTBALL/fbchmp.html | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-25] [cite web | title = Garden City History | url =http://gardencityfootball2004.homestead.com/history.html | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-25] Additionally, Garden City has been WAC champions 5 times, District champions 13 times, and Regional champions 7 times. [cite web | title = Garden City History | url =http://gardencityfootball2004.homestead.com/history.html | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-25] Every year, rivals Garden City High School and Dodge City High School play an annual football game known as the "Hatchet Game". The winning team receives a decorated hatchet with an engraving of the victorious team and the year. Garden City High School has won the "Hatchet" for the past 13 consecutive seasons.

Garden City has seen several improvements in its football facilities in recent years. FieldTurf was installed in the summer of 2004 to better accommodate the multiple uses of the field. Additionally, the visitor stands were greatly expanded in the summer of 2008 to accommodate visiting fans. A second pressbox was also installed to provide more accessibility for coaches and coordinators during games.

Men's Golf

The men's golf program has established itself as one of the top athletic programs at GCHS. The Buffaloes won state championships in 1977 and 1998. Cole Wasinger won the individual state championship in 1995, the only individual state championship in the program's history. [cite web | title = KSHSAA Boy's Golf | url =http://www.kshsaa.org/BOY-GOLF/boyglfchmp.html | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-25] Most recently, the men's golf team competed at the state tournament in 2005 and 2007. The Buffs are able to compete on two of the top golf courses in the state of Kansas. The golf team alternates their practices between Southwind Country Club and Buffalo Dunes Golf Course.

Notable golfers who have attended GCHS include:
*Sean Thayer, former professional golfer on the Hooters Tour and Kansas golfer, winner of the 1999 Kansas Amateur
*Kirby Schemke, one of only a few people in the world to have ever shot a 58 in 18 holes

Men's Basketball

Another storied program at Garden City High School is the men's basketball program. The Buffaloes won the state championship in 1966. [cite web | title = KSHSAA Basketball | url =http://www.kshsaa.org/BASKETBALL/bskchmp.html | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-25] The men's basketball team has featured several notable alumni including former Kansas Jayhawks great, Harold "Prince Hal" Patterson, and the Texas Longhorn's all-time leading free-throw shooter, Brandy Perryman.

Men's Tennis

The men's tennis program has also experienced many years of success. The Buffs have been the most dominant tennis team in the Western Athletic Conference for over a decade. The Buffs won an unprecedented 10 consecutive WAC championships from 1994-2003. This streak ended during the 2003-04 school year, but the Buffs rebounded and won 3 more consecutive WAC championships from 2005-2007. The tennis team has sent numerous players to the state tournament including two players in 2006 and 2007.

Track and Field

The Buffalo track and field program has had several successes throughout its past. The Buffaloes were fortunate enough to win the state championship in 1946. [cite web | title = Garden City Public Schools: Our History | url =http://www.gckschools.com/history.cfm | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-31] In more recent years, Garden City has experienced several ups and downs. Garden City has produced athletes such as 1995 Track and Field Gatorade Player of the Year, Jason Archibald, [cite web | title = Gatorade Player of the Year | url =http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/playeroftheyear/state.php?formname=search&lvl=&sprt=BT&yr=1994-95&st=KS&search.x=39&search.y=10 | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-31] and former Kansas Jayhawk long-jumper, Eric Babb. [cite web | title = Player Bio: Eric Babb | url =http://kuathletics.cstv.com/sports/c-track/mtt/babb_eric00.html | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-31]

State Championships

------Garden City High School offers the following sports:

Fall

* Football
* Boys Cross Country
* Girls Cross Country
* Boys Soccer
* Girls Golf
* Volleyball
* Girls Tennis
* Fall Cheerleading

Winter

* Boys Basketball
* Girls Basketball
* Wrestling
* Boys Bowling
* Girls Bowling
* Girls Swimming/Diving
* Winter Cheerleading

pring

* Baseball
* Boys Golf
* Boys Tennis
* Girls Soccer
* Softball
* Boys Track and Field
* Girls Track and Field

Alma Mater

:Hail to the Brown:Hail to the White:Hail Alma Mater:For Whom We Fight

:We Love No Other:So Let Our Motto Be:Victory Garden High:Varsity!

Notable Alumni

*Mark Fox, head men's basketball coach at the University of Nevada [cite web | title = Mark Fox Bio | url =http://http://www.nevadawolfpack.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=56208&SPID=4084&DB_OEM_ID=10000&ATCLID=530559&Q_SEASON=2008 | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-24]
*Brandy Perryman, University of Texas’ all-time leader in free throw shooting and fourth-best three-point shooter [cite web | title = Brandy Perryman | url =http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/brandy-perryman | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-24]
*Chuck Reed, mayor of San Jose, California, 2007– [cite web | title = Office of Mayor Chuck Reed | url =http://www.sanjoseca.gov/mayor/about/reedbio.asp | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-24]
*Roy Romer, former governor of Colorado, 1987–1999 [cite web | title = Roy Romer | url =http://www.nndb.com/people/484/000055319/ | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-24]
*Harold "Prince Hal" Patterson – former University of Kansas basketball player and member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame [cite web | title = Hal Patterson | url =http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Patterson | format =English | accessdate =2008-07-24]

References

External links

* [http://www.gckschools.com/schools/gchs/ School Website]