Washington Park High School

Washington Park High School
Location
Racine , Wisconsin USA
Coordinates	42°43′5.64″N 87°48′16.6″W
Information
Type	Public secondary
Established	1928 (1928)
Principal	Base God "LIL B"
Grades	9 though 12
Enrollment	2,400 (approx)
Color(s)	Orange   and Blue
Mascot	Panthers
Newspaper	The Beacon
Yearbook	Kipikawi
Website	http://www.racinepark.org

'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.

History

The school traces its roots to 1852 when Racine High School, the first public school in Wisconsin 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.

Athletics

Park's sports teams compete in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (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.

Rivalry with William Horlick

Main article: The Great Rivalry (Park vs 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 Barry – professional football player with the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans
• John Clay – Former Wisconsin Badgers starting tailback and current NFL running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Abdul Jeelani (né Gary Cole) – professional basketball player with the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers
• John L. Jerstad – Medal of Honor recipient
• Fredric March (1897–1975) – two-time Academy Award and Tony Award-winning stage and film actor
• Barbara McNair – singer and actress
• Brent Moss – professional football player with the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams
• Keisha Anderson – professional basketball player with the Charlotte Sting
• Caron Butler – professional basketball player with the Los Angeles Clippers

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 Prom: An award-winning documentary and forthcoming feature-length documentary about high school prom in Racine, Wisconsin.
• "Park High School Turns 75", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 8, 2004.

External links

• Official Park High Web site
• Park High School athletics Web site
• Park Alumni page
• Park Alumni Hall of Fame