Crestview High School (Florida)
Encyclopedia
Crestview High School is the only high school in the city of Crestview, Florida. It is the largest in Okaloosa County. The mascot of the school is the bulldog
. In January 2007, Ed Coleman replaced Andy Johnson as principal after serving as vice principal at Niceville High School. Crestview High School is known for its curriculum in several career choices such as the Aviation and Aerospace program, sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
, Information Technology Institute, Army JROTC, mechanical and electrical engineering classes, culinary arts, music and drawing.
(drafted 9th overall to the Washington Bullets in 1989). The CHS Baseball team, under the direction of CHS alumnus and former Atlanta Braves farmhand Tim Gillis, remains competitive in district play.
In 1916, the original school was destroyed in a fire. Okaloosa County had just been formed and had appointed its first Superintendent, W.G. Prior. Until they had a new school, the students were taught in a room at a small church. The church stood were the Harris Building and the Church of Christ are today.
In 1917, the school was replaced by a small building across from the courthouse. It had only five rooms and 70 students. At that time, there was only two people in the faculty - Carey Rice (who was a principal, teacher, and general handyman) and her assistant principal. This school had increasing enrollment until it was destroyed by fire in 1920. After that, the students then crammed into an old Baptist Tabernacle for classes.
For the next six years, the county consolidated its school system. The schools went from 64 one-room buildings to 14 larger institutions with varied equipment and curriculum. The first seniors graduated from Crestview in 1924. There were only three - Purl Adams, Julia Adams, and Alton Clary.
In 1926, there was another new Crestview School, this one located at U.S. Route 90
and Florida State Road 85
. In 1928, Crestview High School became an accredited institution. By 1937, Crestview High School contained 200 students from grades one to twelve. The population of Crestview had reached 3000.
During World War II, Eglin Air Force Base
was built. The money from the national defense effort helped Okaloosa County progress. Education facilities were expanded and re-built. In 1942, Northwood Elementary School was built and grades one through eight were moved there. Crestview High School housed ninth through twelfth grade.
In 1953, disaster struck again, in the form of another fire. It was only a few hours before the students were going to be released for Christmas break. So, another new school was built - what is now the former Richbourg Middle School. It had 23 classrooms, a library, an office, a gym, a clinic and a lunchroom. The school cost $519,000 to build. There were 22 teachers that taught the 520 students enrolled there.
In 1969, Crestview High School had expanded so drastically that it was necessary to build another school building. This new campus is the present day school.
in Phoenix, Arizona
, the 2000 Marshall Field's
Jingle Elf Parade in Chicago, Illinois, the 2002 Hollywood Christmas Parade
in Hollywood, California, and Pearl Harbor
, Hawaii
.
In 2005, band director David Cadle led the Big Red Machine in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
as the official "Santa band". In honor of this event, December 6, 2005 was proclaimed "Crestview High School Band Day" by Mayor George H. Whitehurst. Following the 2005-06 school year, David Cadle retired from his position as Band Director at Crestview High School. His assistant, Joseph Dunn, replaced him. David Cadle won the election as Crestview's new mayor in 2007. Joseph Dunn is now the head band director of the Big Red Machine.
The band has been selected to perform in the 2012 New Year's Day Rose Parade
in Pasadena, California
on January 2, 2012.
American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is a breed of working dog that was developed in the United States. There are generally considered to be three types of American bulldog: the Bully or Classic type , the Standard or Performance type , and the Hybrid type...
. In January 2007, Ed Coleman replaced Andy Johnson as principal after serving as vice principal at Niceville High School. Crestview High School is known for its curriculum in several career choices such as the Aviation and Aerospace program, sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university in the US specializing in aviation and aerospace engineering. It teaches the science, practice, and business of aviation and aerospace. Called "The Harvard of the Sky" by Time Magazine in 1979, Embry-Riddle has a history dating back to...
, Information Technology Institute, Army JROTC, mechanical and electrical engineering classes, culinary arts, music and drawing.
Athletics
Crestview High School has been known for its success in athletics around the Northwest Florida area. The football team, coached by Matt Brunson, was a contender for the 3A State Title in 2002 where they went 13-1 losing only the championship game to Rockledge High School. The basketball team won a state title in basketball in 1985, coached by Duane Kenneth Rogers, the only team in Okaloosa County to ever do so, led by eventual NBA Lottery pick Tom HammondsTom Hammonds
Tom Edward Hammonds is a retired American professional basketball player and National Hot Rod Association drag racer. He was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and attended Crestview High School in Crestview, Florida....
(drafted 9th overall to the Washington Bullets in 1989). The CHS Baseball team, under the direction of CHS alumnus and former Atlanta Braves farmhand Tim Gillis, remains competitive in district play.
- Crestview's Athletic Program has had several recent innovations as of January 2008, including a new weight room and a new football locker room, both of which are now considered to be among the best in the Panhandle area. Also, a large LCD stadium display board was donated to Jack Foster Stadium, where the Bulldogs compete in football, soccer and track and field events.
- On February 1, 2011 Kevin Pettis was announced as the new Head Football Coach/Athletic Director. He takes the place of Matt Brunson (Who went to coach at Baker School).
History Of Crestview High School
The first school in Crestview was a two-story frame building. It opened in 1879 on Highway 85, where the cemetery is today. The family names of some of the students who attended this school are still familiar today, among them Lance Richbourg, the Ferdon brothers, Opal Clark, R.D. Bush, and Alice Hart. At that time, the students went to school only four months out of the year. They learned the three "R's" during school and battled hogs at lunchtime.In 1916, the original school was destroyed in a fire. Okaloosa County had just been formed and had appointed its first Superintendent, W.G. Prior. Until they had a new school, the students were taught in a room at a small church. The church stood were the Harris Building and the Church of Christ are today.
In 1917, the school was replaced by a small building across from the courthouse. It had only five rooms and 70 students. At that time, there was only two people in the faculty - Carey Rice (who was a principal, teacher, and general handyman) and her assistant principal. This school had increasing enrollment until it was destroyed by fire in 1920. After that, the students then crammed into an old Baptist Tabernacle for classes.
For the next six years, the county consolidated its school system. The schools went from 64 one-room buildings to 14 larger institutions with varied equipment and curriculum. The first seniors graduated from Crestview in 1924. There were only three - Purl Adams, Julia Adams, and Alton Clary.
In 1926, there was another new Crestview School, this one located at U.S. Route 90
U.S. Route 90
U.S. Route 90 is an east–west United States highway. Despite the "0" in its route number, U.S. 90 never was a full coast-to-coast route; it has always ended at Van Horn, Texas. A short-lived northward extension to U.S...
and Florida State Road 85
Florida State Road 85
State Road 85, or SR 85, is a north–south state highway that runs from US 98 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida north to State Route 55 at the Florida/Alabama state line.-Route description:...
. In 1928, Crestview High School became an accredited institution. By 1937, Crestview High School contained 200 students from grades one to twelve. The population of Crestview had reached 3000.
During World War II, Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base
Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....
was built. The money from the national defense effort helped Okaloosa County progress. Education facilities were expanded and re-built. In 1942, Northwood Elementary School was built and grades one through eight were moved there. Crestview High School housed ninth through twelfth grade.
In 1953, disaster struck again, in the form of another fire. It was only a few hours before the students were going to be released for Christmas break. So, another new school was built - what is now the former Richbourg Middle School. It had 23 classrooms, a library, an office, a gym, a clinic and a lunchroom. The school cost $519,000 to build. There were 22 teachers that taught the 520 students enrolled there.
In 1969, Crestview High School had expanded so drastically that it was necessary to build another school building. This new campus is the present day school.
Crestview High School Band
The Crestview High School Band, nicknamed 'The Big Red Machine', was organized in 1938 and has become a major organization in Crestview. The band has traveled to many locations across the United States, with recent trips including the 1997 Fiesta Bowl1997 Fiesta Bowl (December)
The 1997 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the Kansas State Wildcats and the on December 31, 1997, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Kansas State defeated Syracuse, 35-18...
in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, the 2000 Marshall Field's
Marshall Field's
Marshall Field & Company was a department store in Chicago, Illinois that grew to become a major chain before being acquired by Macy's Inc...
Jingle Elf Parade in Chicago, Illinois, the 2002 Hollywood Christmas Parade
Hollywood Christmas Parade
The Hollywood Christmas Parade, formerly the Hollywood Santa Parade or Santa Claus Lane Parade, is an annual parade that takes place on the weekend after Thanksgiving in the Hollywood community in Los Angeles, California, United States...
in Hollywood, California, and Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
In 2005, band director David Cadle led the Big Red Machine in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, often shortened to Macy's Day Parade, is an annual parade presented by Macy's. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, and four years younger than...
as the official "Santa band". In honor of this event, December 6, 2005 was proclaimed "Crestview High School Band Day" by Mayor George H. Whitehurst. Following the 2005-06 school year, David Cadle retired from his position as Band Director at Crestview High School. His assistant, Joseph Dunn, replaced him. David Cadle won the election as Crestview's new mayor in 2007. Joseph Dunn is now the head band director of the Big Red Machine.
The band has been selected to perform in the 2012 New Year's Day Rose Parade
Tournament of Roses Parade
The Tournament of Roses Parade, better known as the Rose Parade, is "America's New Year Celebration", a festival of flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians and a college football game on New Year's Day , produced by the non-profit Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association.The annual...
in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
on January 2, 2012.
Notable alumni
- Dexter Day - CHS 1978 - Played baseball for the Cincinati Reds organization; Currently assistant principal at CHS.
- Terry TaylorTerry TaylorTerry Taylor , is an American retired professional wrestler best known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance, World Championship Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation...
- CHS 1982 - MLB Pitcher played for the Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. - Tom HammondsTom HammondsTom Edward Hammonds is a retired American professional basketball player and National Hot Rod Association drag racer. He was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and attended Crestview High School in Crestview, Florida....
- CHS 1985 - Played basketball at Georgia Tech and spent several years in the NBA. - Tim Gillis - CHS 1986 - Played infield for the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
organization; Currently teacher/head baseball coach at CHS. - John BaleJohn BaleJohn Bale was an English churchman, historian and controversialist, and Bishop of Ossory. He wrote the oldest known historical verse drama in English , and developed and published a very extensive list of the works of British authors down to his own time, just as the monastic libraries were being...
- CHS 1992 - MLB pitcher played for the KC Royals, Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, Cincinati Reds, Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. - Blake DeanBlake Dean (baseball)- External links :* at LSUSports.net...
- CHS 2006 - Plays 1st base for the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
organization. - Matt Sanders - CHS 2008 - Center for the Clemson TigersClemson TigersThe Clemson Tigers are any team that represents Clemson University as a member of the NCAA's Division I or in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference....
football.