Bennett High School, New York
Encyclopedia
Bennett High School, Public School 200, is located in the University Heights section of Buffalo, New York
. The principal is Dr. David Mauricio. It is named for Lewis J. Bennett, who donated the land for the school and for All High Stadium
. Portions of the movie The Natural
were filmed in All High Stadium, although it was filmed as Wrigley Field
. Bennett High School now fully an Exam/Magnet school
with three College Prep
programs, they are the
Academy of International Law (Similar to Pre-law
) Business and Computers (similar to Information systems (discipline)), and Education and the Arts.
. Portions of the movie The Natural were filmed in All High Stadium, although it was filmed as Wrigley Field.
* Denotes interim appointment
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. The principal is Dr. David Mauricio. It is named for Lewis J. Bennett, who donated the land for the school and for All High Stadium
All-High Stadium
All-High Stadium is a football stadium in Buffalo, New York. It was opened in 1926 and was refurbished for the fall of 2006. It is part of the Bennett High School complex...
. Portions of the movie The Natural
The Natural
The Natural is a 1952 novel about baseball written by Bernard Malamud. The book follows Roy Hobbs, a baseball prodigy whose career is sidetracked when he is shot by a woman who seeks to kill arrogant athletes to "better the world"...
were filmed in All High Stadium, although it was filmed as Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. Bennett High School now fully an Exam/Magnet school
Magnet school
In education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
with three College Prep
University-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
programs, they are the
Academy of International Law (Similar to Pre-law
Pre-law
In the United States, pre-law refers to any course of study taken by an undergraduate in preparation for study at a law school.The American Bar Association requires law schools that it approves to require at least a bachelor's degree for North American students for admission...
) Business and Computers (similar to Information systems (discipline)), and Education and the Arts.
Facts
- Bennett High School is a public school.
- Address: 2885 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214
- District: Buffalo City School District
- Colors: Blue, Orange
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1111
- Bennett High School was built in the 1920s
- It has four stories with 270000 square feet (25,083.8 m²)
History
Bennett High School was built in the 1920s. It has four stories. It is named for Lewis J. Bennett, who donated the land for the school and for All High StadiumAll-High Stadium
All-High Stadium is a football stadium in Buffalo, New York. It was opened in 1926 and was refurbished for the fall of 2006. It is part of the Bennett High School complex...
. Portions of the movie The Natural were filmed in All High Stadium, although it was filmed as Wrigley Field.
Former principals
Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses- Dr. Charles E. Rhodes–1925-1930s (Vice Principal - Lafayette High SchoolLafayette High School (Buffalo)Lafayette High School is the oldest public school in Buffalo that remains in its original building; a stone, brick and terra-cotta structure in the French Renaissance Revival style, by architects August Esenwein and James A. Johnson. Although classes began off-site during construction of the...
, retired) - Mr. Emmons B. Farrar–1930s-1942 (Vice Principal - Bennett High School, entered military service)
- Mr. Raymond W. Spear [interim]–1942 (Principal - Riverside High School, returned to Riverside)
- Mr. Lloyd A. Miller–1957-1969 (Vice Principal - East High SchoolEast High School (Buffalo, New York)East High School is a comprehensive high school located in the East Side of Buffalo, New York. It serves 610 students from Grades 9-12. The current principal is Dr. Casey Young Welch, and the current assistant principals are Ms. Irene Gelber and Mr. Benjamin Willis.- History :East High School was...
, retired) - Mr. Leonard S. Sikora –1969-1970s (Assistant Principal - Bennett High School, named Principal of Seneca Vocational High SchoolSeneca Vocational High SchoolSeneca Vocational High School is a former vocational high school located in Buffalo, New York. It was one of the first vocational schools built in Western New York. The building, located at 666 East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo, currently serves home to The Math, Science, and Technology Preparatory...
) - Mr. John Ward (unknown, retired)
- Mr. Raymond Meer (Unknown, named Principal of McKinley Vocational High SchoolMcKinley Vocational High SchoolMcKinley Vocational High School is a public high school in Buffalo, New York.Mckinley Vocational High School is located in Buffalo, NY and is one of 57 schools in Buffalo City School District...
) - Ms. Marilyn C. Wittman–1984-2004 (Director of Business Education - Buffalo Public Schools, retired)
- Mrs. Ramona Y. Thomas-Reynolds–2004-2009 (Principal - West Hertel AcademyWest Hertel AcademyWest Hertel Academy is an elementary school in Buffalo, New York.-History:It opened for students in 1968,and was awarded the Blue Ribbon Award in the 1985-1986 school year....
, named Principal of Martin Luther King Multicultural Institute)
Selected former assistant principals
Previous assignment and reason for departure denoted in parentheses- Mr. Herbert S. Lein
- Mr. Carl S. Walz (Vice Principal - East High SchoolEast High School (Buffalo, New York)East High School is a comprehensive high school located in the East Side of Buffalo, New York. It serves 610 students from Grades 9-12. The current principal is Dr. Casey Young Welch, and the current assistant principals are Ms. Irene Gelber and Mr. Benjamin Willis.- History :East High School was...
, named Principal of Buffalo Evening Schools) - Mr. Morris Raiker (Assistant Principal - P.S. 87, unknown)
- Mr. Leonard Sikora–?-1969 (unknown, named Interim Principal of Bennett High School)
- Mr. James J. Foley–1964-1966 (Guidance Counselor - Burgard Vocational High SchoolBurgard Vocational High SchoolBurgard Vocational High School is a vocational high school located in Buffalo, New York, USA. It holds about 800 students from Grades 9 - 12 and teaches according to the Board of Regents. The current Principal is Mr. Brian Wiesinger, and the current Assistant Principals are Mr. Andre Thomas and Ms...
, unknown) - Mr. John R. Robinson (Vice Principal - Riverside High SchoolRiverside Institute of TechnologyRiverside Institute of Technology is a high school located in Buffalo, New York. It serves Grades 9 - 12 and teaches according to the Board of Regents. The current Principal is Mrs. Denise Clarke, and the current assistant principals are Mrs. Aarin Pellitieri, Mr. Jason Madden, and Mrs...
, named Principal of Southside Junior High School) - Mr. Anthony Vetrano–1966-1968
- Mr. Franklin R. Weitz–1967-1971 (Assistant Principal - Riverside High SchoolRiverside Institute of TechnologyRiverside Institute of Technology is a high school located in Buffalo, New York. It serves Grades 9 - 12 and teaches according to the Board of Regents. The current Principal is Mrs. Denise Clarke, and the current assistant principals are Mrs. Aarin Pellitieri, Mr. Jason Madden, and Mrs...
, unknown) - Mr. Adam D. Dzimian–1968-? (Vice Principal - Clinton Junior High School, unknown)
- Mr. Paul J. Ludwig–1969-1970 (Guidance Counselor - Hutchinson Central Technical High SchoolHutchinson Central Technical High SchoolHutchinson Central Technical High School, informally known as Hutch-Tech, is a high school in the City of Buffalo, New York. Its founding on September 14, 1904 under the name Mechanics Arts High School marked the beginning of technical education on the secondary level in the city of...
, named Vice Principal of Eden High School)) - Mr. John H. Davis–1970-? (Earth science teacher - Bennett High School, unknown)
- Dr. Daniel Kublitz–1971-1973 (English teacher - Bennett High School, named Assistant Principal at Kensington High SchoolKensington High SchoolKensington High School is a former high school located in Buffalo, New York. The building, located at 319 Suffolk Streetin Buffalo, currently serves home to Frederick Law Olmstead Academy.- History :...
) - Mr. Gordon Baum–1974-?
- Mr. James Christmann (Art teacher - Buffalo Public SchoolsBuffalo Public SchoolsBuffalo Public Schools serves approximately 47,000 students in Buffalo, New York, the second largest city in the state of New York. It is located in Erie County of western New York and operates nearly 70 facilities.-History:...
, named Assistant Principal of City Honors SchoolCity Honors SchoolCity Honors School at Fosdick-Masten Park, known colloquially as City Honors, or CHS, is a college preparatory school in Buffalo, New York. City Honors is part of the Buffalo Public Schools system. The school was founded in 1975 by three faculty members from Bennett High School and Clinton Junior...
) - Ms. Crystal A. Boling–?-1987 (unknown, named Principal of McKinley Vocational High SchoolMcKinley Vocational High SchoolMcKinley Vocational High School is a public high school in Buffalo, New York.Mckinley Vocational High School is located in Buffalo, NY and is one of 57 schools in Buffalo City School District...
) - Mr. Robert M. Barton–1987-1990 (Teacher - Southside Junior High School, named Principal of Buffalo Alternative High School)
- Ms. Louise A. Klier–1990-? (Math teacher - Buffalo Public Schools, unknown)
- Mr. Andre Smith–1990-? (Teacher - McKinley Vocational High SchoolMcKinley Vocational High SchoolMcKinley Vocational High School is a public high school in Buffalo, New York.Mckinley Vocational High School is located in Buffalo, NY and is one of 57 schools in Buffalo City School District...
, unknown) - Mr. Stephen J. Poliachik
- Ms. Geraldine Horton–1994-1998 (Administrative Aide - Buffalo Traditional School, named Principal of Seneca Vocational High SchoolSeneca Vocational High SchoolSeneca Vocational High School is a former vocational high school located in Buffalo, New York. It was one of the first vocational schools built in Western New York. The building, located at 666 East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo, currently serves home to The Math, Science, and Technology Preparatory...
) - Mr. Daniel Manley–1995-1997 (unknown, retired)
- Mr. James Graczyk
- Mrs. Lula L. Herring–?-2002 (unknown, named Assistant Principal of Waterfront School)
- Mr. Randy G. Muldrow–2002-2008 (Guidance Counselor - Riverside Institute of TechnologyRiverside Institute of TechnologyRiverside Institute of Technology is a high school located in Buffalo, New York. It serves Grades 9 - 12 and teaches according to the Board of Regents. The current Principal is Mrs. Denise Clarke, and the current assistant principals are Mrs. Aarin Pellitieri, Mr. Jason Madden, and Mrs...
, placed on medical leave) - Ms. Robin Monham–?-2005 (Assistant Principal - Leonardo da Vinci High School, retired)
- Mr. Craig M. Brodnicki–2004-2006 (Mathematics teacher - Lafayette High SchoolLafayette High School (Buffalo)Lafayette High School is the oldest public school in Buffalo that remains in its original building; a stone, brick and terra-cotta structure in the French Renaissance Revival style, by architects August Esenwein and James A. Johnson. Although classes began off-site during construction of the...
, named Assistant Principal of Campus West School) - Ms. Denise L. Grochowski–2006-2008
- Mr. William A. Boatwright (interim)–2008 (Visiting lecturer - Medaille CollegeMedaille CollegeMedaille College a private liberal arts college located in the historic Olmsted Crescent of Buffalo, New York, that draws extensively from the Western New York and Southern Ontario regions. It is a private, nonsectarian, co-educational institution.-History:...
, named Principal of Harriett Ross Tubman School) - Ms. Julie L. Horn–?-2009 (unknown, named Assistant Principal of Lafayette High SchoolLafayette High School (Buffalo)Lafayette High School is the oldest public school in Buffalo that remains in its original building; a stone, brick and terra-cotta structure in the French Renaissance Revival style, by architects August Esenwein and James A. Johnson. Although classes began off-site during construction of the...
)
Selected former administrators
| Year | Superintendent | Principal | Asst. Principal | Asst. Principal | Asst. Principal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958-1959 | Lloyd Miller | Morris Raitka | |||
| 1964-1965 | Lloyd Miller | Leonard Sikora | James Foley | ||
| 1965-1966 | Lloyd Miller | Leonard Sikora | James Foley | ||
| 1966-1967 | Lloyd Miller | Leonard Sikora | Tony Vetrano | ||
| 1967-1968 | Lloyd Miller | Leonard Sikora | Tony Vetrano | Frank Weitz | |
| 1968-1969 | Lloyd Miller | Leonard Sikora | Adam Dziman | Frank Weitz | |
| 1969-1970 | Leonard Sikora | Paul Ludwig | Adam Dziman | Frank Weitz | |
| 1970-1971 | Leonard Sikora | John Davis | Adam Dziman | Frank Weitz | |
| 1971-1972 | Leonard Sikora | John Davis | Adam Dziman | Dan Kublitz | |
| 1972-1973 | Leonard Sikora | John Davis | Adam Dziman | Dan Kublitz | |
| 1973-1974 | Leonard Sikora | John Davis | Adam Dziman | Gordon Baum | |
| 1984-1985 | Eugene Reville | Marilyn Wittman | Crystal Boling | ||
| 1985-1986 | Eugene Reville | Marilyn Wittman | Crystal Boling | ||
| 1986-1987 | Eugene Reville | Marilyn Wittman | Crystal Boling | ||
| 1987-1988 | Eugene Reville | Marilyn Wittman | Robert Barton | ||
| 1988-1989 | Eugene Reville | Marilyn Wittman | Robert Barton | ||
| 1989-1990 | Albert Thompson | Marilyn Wittman | Robert Barton | ||
| 1990-1991 | Albert Thompson | Marilyn Wittman | Andre Smith | Louise Klier | |
| 1991-1992 | Albert Thompson | Marilyn Wittman | |||
| 1992-1993 | Albert Thompson | Marilyn Wittman | |||
| 1993-1994 | Albert Thompson | Marilyn Wittman | |||
| 1994-1995 | Albert Thompson | Marilyn Wittman | Geraldine Horton | ||
| 1995-1996 | Albert Thompson | Marilyn Wittman | Geraldine Horton | Daniel Manley | |
| 1996-1997 | Jim Harris | Marilyn Wittman | Geraldine Horton | Daniel Manley | |
| 1997-1998 | Jim Harris | Marilyn Wittman | Geraldine Horton | ||
| 1998-1999 | Jim Harris | Marilyn Wittman | |||
| 1999-2000 | Jim Harris | Marilyn Wittman | |||
| 2000-2001 | Marion Canedo | Marilyn Wittman | Lula Herring | ||
| 2001-2002 | Marion Canedo | Marilyn Wittman | Randy Muldrow* | Julie Horn | Robin Monaham |
| 2002-2003 | Marion Canedo | Marilyn Wittman | Randy Muldrow | Julie Horn | Robin Monaham |
| 2003-2004 | Marion Canedo | Marilyn Wittman | Randy Muldrow | Julie Horn | Robin Monaham |
| 2004-2005 | Yvonne Hargrave* | Ramona Reynolds | Randy Muldrow | Julie Horn | Craig Brodnicki |
| 2005-2006 | James Williams | Ramona Reynolds | Randy Muldrow | Julie Horn | Craig Brodnicki |
| 2006-2007 | James Williams | Ramona Reynolds | Randy Muldrow | Julie Horn | |
| 2007-2008 | James Williams | Ramona Reynolds | Muldrow/Boatwright* | Julie Horn | Denise Grochowski |
| 2008-2009 | James Williams | Ramona Reynolds | Bert Stevenson | Julie Horn | Denise Grochowski |
| 2009-2010 | James Williams | David Mauricio | Bert Stevenson | Teena Jackson | Carlos Alvarez |
| 2010-2011 | James Williams | David Mauricio | Bert Stevenson | Teena Jackson | Carlos Alvarez |
| 2011-2012 | Amber Dixon* | David Mauricio | Bert Stevenson | Teena Jackson | Carlos Alvarez |
Notable alumni
- Robert E. Rich, Sr.Robert E. Rich, Sr.Robert E. Rich Sr. was a food-processing pioneer who, in 1945, invented the first non-dairy whipped topping made from soybeans that could be frozen. He founded Rich Products Corporation which had sales of $2.5 billion on more than 2,300 products in 2005, the year before he died at age 92...
, founder of Rich Products Corporation, was the starting center for the Bennett High School football team which lost the 1930 Harvard Cup to South Park 13–2. - Sorrell BookeSorrell BookeSorrell Booke was an American actor who performed on stage, screen, and television. He is best known for his role as the heavyset, corrupt politician "Boss" Hogg in the television show The Dukes of Hazzard....
, who played Boss Hogg in the Dukes of Hazard TV show was a 1948 Bennett grad. - Michael BennettMichael BennettMichael Bennett was an American musical theater director, writer, choreographer, and dancer. He won seven Tony Awards for his choreography and direction of Broadway shows and was nominated for an additional eleven....
(1961), who wrote the Broadway musical A Chorus Line dropped his last name, DiFiglia, when he went to Broadway. - Bob LanierBob Lanier (basketball)Robert Jerry "Bob" Lanier, Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played for the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA.Lanier was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992....
, Basketball Hall of Famer, graduated from Bennett in 1966 - Rick JamesRick JamesJames Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
, funk superstar, played in the Bennett High School Band. - Beverly JohnsonBeverly JohnsonBeverly Johnson is an American model, actress, and businesswoman. She made history when she rose to fame as the first black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in 1974...
, fashion model, was a graduate of Bennett High School. She was the first Black cover model for Vogue (magazine)Vogue (magazine)Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
. - John Elliot (1914–1972), songwriter
- Catherine Ryan HydeCatherine Ryan HydeCatherine Ryan Hyde is an American novelist and short story writer. Her novels have enjoyed bestseller status in both the U.S. and U.K., and her short stories have won many awards and honors...
, novelist, author of Pay It ForwardPay It ForwardPay It Forward is a 2000 American drama film based on the novel of the same name by Catherine Ryan Hyde. It was directed by Mimi Leder and written by Leslie Dixon... - David LucasDavid Lucas (composer)David Lucas is an American rock and roll composer, singer, and music producer. He has written a number of well-known commercial jingles, such as AT&T's "Reach out and touch someone". In 1981, he received a Clio Award for composing the music to Pepsi's "Catch that Pepsi spirit"...
(born David Helfman), music producer and jingle writer, attended Bennett in the 1950s but then transferred to a school in Florida.
External links
- Buffalo Public Schools homepage
- BHS university community page
- "Thousands say goodbye to 'Super Freak' singer Rick James" article from the August 14, 2004 North County Times
- BHS renovation project to add additional 30000 square feet (2,787.1 m²) of space