Bethel High School (Spanaway, Washington)
Encyclopedia
Bethel High School is located in Spanaway, Washington
. It is Bethel School District's oldest high school, dating back to 1952 .
AP classes offered are Statistics, Calculus, Psychology, Literature and Composition, Language and Composition, Government and Politics, and Biology.
, Drama, FBLA, FCCLA, French Club, German Club, National Honor Society
, Key Club
, Native American Club, Natural Helpers, SAFTYE, S.A.V.E, Spanish Club, AFJROTC and United Cultural Congress.
along with Spanaway Lake High School
and Graham-Kapowsin High School
. Bethel competes in the South Division of the 4A South Puget Sound league in Washington's West Central District.
The mascot is the Braves.
The Braves produced a strong football team nearly every year since the arrival of Head Coach Eric Kurle in the late 1990s. Kurle left the Braves after the 2004 season to coach at the brand new Graham-Kapowsin High.
Recent team state tournament results:
Other sports are soccer, girls basketball, cross country, track and field, swim and dive, baseball, fastpitch softball, tennis, golf, wrestling, and bowling. It has cheerleading and a dance/drill team.
, who then filed a lawsuit against the school district in an effort to defend the First Amendment right of free speech for students in public schools. The case was eventually taken up by the Supreme Court of the United States of America in Bethel School District v. Fraser 478 U.S. 675 (1986)
, who upheld the decision of Bethel High School administrators in punishing Fraser.
Spanaway, Washington
Spanaway is a census-designated place in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 27,227 at the 2010 census. Spanaway is an unincorporated area near Tacoma, and is often identified together with the more urban, less wealthy Parkland....
. It is Bethel School District's oldest high school, dating back to 1952 .
Academics
For world languages, Bethel offers four years of French and Spanish, as well as three years of German.AP classes offered are Statistics, Calculus, Psychology, Literature and Composition, Language and Composition, Government and Politics, and Biology.
Activities
ASB, Speech/Debate, Dance/Drill, Choir (Concert Choir), Band (Concert Band, Pep Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band), Orchestra, Next Level Campus, DECADECA (organization)
DECA, also known as Collegiate DECA on the college level) is an international association of students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service . DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing,...
, Drama, FBLA, FCCLA, French Club, German Club, National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
, Key Club
Key Club
Key Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. Key Club International is a part of the Kiwanis International family of service-leadership programs...
, Native American Club, Natural Helpers, SAFTYE, S.A.V.E, Spanish Club, AFJROTC and United Cultural Congress.
Athletics
Bethel is part of the Bethel School DistrictBethel School District (Washington)
Bethel School District No. 403 is a public school district in Pierce County, Washington, USA and serves of unincorporated Pierce County including Spanaway, Graham, Kapowsin, and the city of Roy. Bethel is unique in the way that its high schools serve grades 10-12 as opposed to the traditional...
along with Spanaway Lake High School
Spanaway Lake High School
Spanaway Lake High School is a high school in Spanaway, WA, for grade levels 10 through 12.In 2007, 86 percent of 10th graders meat standard on the WASL writing test and 71 percent meat standard on the WASL reading test. The overall writing scores have increased 28 percentage points in five years....
and Graham-Kapowsin High School
Graham-Kapowsin High School
Graham-Kapowsin High School is a high school in the Bethel School District, Pierce County, Washington, United States. Its doors first opened to students in September 2005.-Academics:...
. Bethel competes in the South Division of the 4A South Puget Sound league in Washington's West Central District.
JROTC
Bethel High School hosts an Air Force JROTC (AFJROTC) course, much like its sister high schools (GKHS with Army JROTC, Spanaway-Lake with Navy JROTC).The mascot is the Braves.
The Braves produced a strong football team nearly every year since the arrival of Head Coach Eric Kurle in the late 1990s. Kurle left the Braves after the 2004 season to coach at the brand new Graham-Kapowsin High.
Recent team state tournament results:
- Boys Basketball - 2nd in 2000, 3rd in 2004, and 1st in 2005
- Football - 1999 Semifinals (L, Richland 14-21), 2000 Final (L, Pasco, 3-20), 2001 Semifinals (L, Kentwood 24-32), 2002 Quarterfinals (L, Kentwood 7-20), 2003 First Round (L, Bothell 0-31), 2004 Quarterfinals (L, Pasco 35-70), 2009 First Round (L, Skyview 21-40)
- Volleyball - 1st in 1996, 5th in 2000
- Track - Phillip Villanueva. 6th place 300 hurdles, Ikaika Gleason 7th place javelin
Other sports are soccer, girls basketball, cross country, track and field, swim and dive, baseball, fastpitch softball, tennis, golf, wrestling, and bowling. It has cheerleading and a dance/drill team.
Past Bethel Daffodil Festival Queens
- Carol Glenn, 1977
- Sandy Furtaw, 1982
- Jeanene Dryer, 1983
- Melissa Brownell, 1997
- Lori Maddox, 1999
- Meagan McFadden, 2000
History
A speech given during the 1983 ASB Elections resulted in disciplinary action against the orator, Matthew FraserMatthew Fraser
Matthew Fraser may refer to:* Matthew Fraser , Canadian journalist and former editor of the National Post* Matthew Fraser, a party in the United States Supreme Court case Bethel School District v. Fraser...
, who then filed a lawsuit against the school district in an effort to defend the First Amendment right of free speech for students in public schools. The case was eventually taken up by the Supreme Court of the United States of America in Bethel School District v. Fraser 478 U.S. 675 (1986)
Bethel School District v. Fraser
Bethel School District v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 , was a United States Supreme Court decision involving free speech and public schools. Matthew Fraser was suspended from school for making a speech full of sexual double entendres at a school assembly...
, who upheld the decision of Bethel High School administrators in punishing Fraser.
Notable alumni
- Mike BlowersMike BlowersMichael Roy Blowers is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and first baseman. He is an alumnus of Bethel High School in Spanaway, Washington, Tacoma Community College and the University of Washington...
, MLB player 1989-1999, broadcasterPresenterA presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show... - Corey BelserCorey BelserCorey Belser is an American professional basketball player. He is a swingman and he possesses good defensive and offensive skills and a good capability to collect steals and rebounds...
, NBA EuropeanEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
player. 2006 CI NCCA Defensive POY - Derrike CopeDerrike CopeDerrike Cope is a NASCAR driver. He is best known for his win in the 1990 Daytona 500. He currently drives the #28 Chevrolet for Jay Robinson Racing in the Nationwide Series and the #75 Chevrolet/Dodge for his own team in the Sprint Cup Series.-Early years:Cope was born in San Diego, California...
, NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Driver 1982-Current 1990 Daytona 500 Winner - LeiLani JonesLeiLani JonesLeiLani R. Jones is a pageant titleholder from Tacoma, Washington who competed in the Miss USA pageant in 2007....
, Miss Washington USAMiss Washington USAThe Miss Washington USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Washington in the Miss USA pageant.Washington has been moderately successful in terms of number of semi-finalists and placements, and has had one Miss USA...
2007 - Steve DildineSteve DildineSteve Dildine is an American football linebacker who is a practice squad player for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Washington State.-External links:**...
, NFL player - Rick StoryRick StoryRick Story is an American mixed martial artist currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he fights as a welterweight. He holds notable victories over Thiago Alves, Johny Hendricks and Jake Ellenberger.-Background:...
, UFC fighter
See also
- Graham-Kapowsin High SchoolGraham-Kapowsin High SchoolGraham-Kapowsin High School is a high school in the Bethel School District, Pierce County, Washington, United States. Its doors first opened to students in September 2005.-Academics:...
- Spanaway Lake High SchoolSpanaway Lake High SchoolSpanaway Lake High School is a high school in Spanaway, WA, for grade levels 10 through 12.In 2007, 86 percent of 10th graders meat standard on the WASL writing test and 71 percent meat standard on the WASL reading test. The overall writing scores have increased 28 percentage points in five years....
- Challenger High School