Kelso High School (Washington)
Encyclopedia
History
In 1905, the first Kelso High School (then known as Washington School) classes began with the first seniors graduating in 1909. Thirteen years later, a new high school was built, known as Kelso High School, in 1922. The first year the high school was accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools was in 1927. The school was moved to its current location after a new school was built in 1970. The original Kelso High School was torn down in 1987. In 2003 the building underwent extensive renovations and additions to accommodate the district wide change from junior high (7th-9th) to middle schoolMiddle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(6th-8th). In 2008, the 100th Kelso senior class graduated.
Sports
Kelso participates in the second-largest classification of high schools in the Washington Interscholastic Activities AssociationWashington Interscholastic Activities Association
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association is the governing body of athletics and activities for secondary education schools in the state of Washington...
(WIAA). It competes in the seven-team Greater St. Helens 3A League. Kelso has a very long history and tradition with two local rivalries across the Cowlitz River
Cowlitz River
The Cowlitz River is a river in the state of Washington in the United States, a tributary of the Columbia River. Its tributaries drain a large region including the slopes of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens....
in Longview
Longview, Washington
Longview is a city in Cowlitz County, Washington, United States. It is the principal city of the "Longview, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area", which encompasses all of Cowlitz County. Longview's population was 36,648 at the time of the 2010 census and is the largest city in Cowlitz County...
; R.A. Long
R. A. Long High School
R. A. Long High School is the oldest high school servicing the city of Longview, Washington. It was erected in 1927, three years after the city of Longview was incorporated. The total student enrollment at the end of the 2005-06 school year was 1017. The school is named for the city's founder,...
and Mark Morris
Mark Morris High School
Mark Morris High School is a public high school in Cowlitz County in Longview, Washington for grades nine through twelve. , it had an enrollment of 1141 students....
high schools. The football games between Kelso and RA Long are known as "The Battle of the Plaid" and have met for over 90 games.
State championships
- Football: 1983
- Boys Track: 1984
- Baseball: 1995
- Softball: 1998, 2009, 2010
State runner-ups
- Baseball: 2000, 2008
- Bowling: 2007
- Softball: 2000
- Boys Wrestling: 2004, 2006, 2007
- Girls Wrestling: 2007, 2009
Fight Song
To the tune of "On Wisconsin."On to Kelso, On to Kelso,
Fight right through that line.
Pass the ball clear down the field, boys,
Touchdown every time.
On to Kelso, on to Kelso,
Fight on for your fame
Fight, Kelso, fight fight fight
To win this game.
K - E - LSO
H - I - L - A - N - D - ERS
Hilanders
On to Kelso, on to Kelso,
Fight on for your fame
Fight, Kelso, fight fight fight
To win this game.
Media Coverage
KLOGKLOG
KLOG is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Hits music format. Licensed to Kelso, Washington, USA. The station is currently owned by Washington Interstate Broadcasting Company and features programing from CNN Radio and Westwood One. The station has been broadcasting for over 60 years...
1490 AM provides play-by-play coverage of Kelso football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, boys and girls basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
.
The Daily News
The Daily News (Longview)
The Daily News is the primary newspaper of Longview, Kelso, Washington, and Cowlitz County, Washington. It is owned by Lee Enterprises, which acquired the newspaper with its 2002 purchase of Howard Publications. Howard, in turn, had purchased the paper in 1999 from Ted and John Natt, grandsons of...
, the local newspaper, provides coverage of all Kelso sports and activities.
Music
Kelso High School carries a long standing tradition of musical excellence, participating in SSWMEA sanctioned festivals, as well as WMEA sanctioned events and other, nationally respected events. The music program has historically consisted of a Band, Choir, and Orchestra.Band
The Kelso High School BandSchool band
A school band is a group of student musicians who rehearse and perform instrumental music together. A concert band is usually under the direction of one or more conductors...
consists of a Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, and Pep Band. The Concert Band receives the greatest respect and performs classic pieces of band literature. In the '70s, the Kelso High School Concert Band competed in an international festival in Mexico and won. Since that time, the program has remained an integral part of the school. The Jazz Band has recently gained some notoriety performing in the 2007 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
The Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival is an annual jazz festival, the largest west of the Mississippi, that takes place on the campus of the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho in the month of February...
, as well as annually in the Clark College Jazz Festival at Clark College, Vancouver. The Marching Band has historically been a marching group, but recently fears of member loss has caused the group to march less and play more. They are an integral part of Football season, providing energy and power to the already exciting games. The Pep Band provides this same service, but to Basketball games. The Pep Band is especially appreciated by the cheerleaders, as the band takes pride in cheering with the cheerleaders.
Choir
The Kelso High School ChoirChoir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
consists of Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Jazz Choir. Concert Choir is the general Choir, with no audition required. They are the largest choir. The Chamber Choir requires an audition, and as such is the Choir that competes in the WMEA and SWWMEA sanctioned events and festivals. The Jazz Choir performs many modern pieces and holds many concerts.
Orchestra
The Kelso High School OrchestraOrchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
is split into two separate classes; Chamber Orchestra and Concert Orchestra. Both Kelso High School Orchestras hold three concerts a year and participate in the Southwest Washington Music Educator's Association large group festival. In addition, members of the orchestras and band combine twice a year to form the Symphony Orchestra performing major symphonic works which are the highlight of the Winter and Spring concerts.
Solo & Ensemble
Kelso High's music program has seen many musicians do very well at Regional Solo & Ensemble, as well as State Solo & Ensemble.Notable Persons
- Jeff BaileyJeff BaileyJeffrey Todd Bailey is a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter who is currently in the Minnesota Twins organization. He formerly played catcher until a throwing disorder prompted him to change positions...
- first baseman for the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona DiamondbacksThe Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field... - Howard HobsonHoward HobsonHoward Andrew "Hobby" Hobson was a college basketball coach, who authored numerous books on the subject. He also has the distinction of coaching the team who won the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship with the Oregon Ducks in its inaugural year of 1939.-Playing career:Hobson...
- began his coaching career at Kelso High School - Tommy LloydTommy LloydTommy Lloyd is an American basketball coach, and is currently an assistant coach for Gonzaga University.-Playing career:...
- Assistant men's basketball coach for Gonzaga UniversityGonzaga BulldogsThe Gonzaga Bulldogs are the athletic teams at Gonzaga University; the term applies to any of the school's varsity teams. Gonzaga University is a member of the West Coast Conference, which participates in the NCAA Division I... - Trevor May - Pitcher for the Class A Clearwater Threshers Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, KHS Class of 2008 - David Richie - Kelso High 1992 graduate, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, and retired with Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Jason SchmidtJason SchmidtJason David Schmidt , is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher.Schmidt was born in Lewiston, Idaho. In his career he has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves , by whom he had been drafted in the eighth round, 206th overall, of...
- retired Major League Baseball pitcher Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, 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... - Brandon Sitch - Four time state champion in wrestling, multiple national championships. Wrestling at Southern Oregon UniversitySouthern Oregon RaidersThe Southern Oregon Raiders refers to the athletic teams of Southern Oregon University, located in Ashland, OR. The Raiders are a member of the Cascade Collegiate Conference for all sports excluding American football, wrestling and tennis...
, KHS Class of 2006 - Connor TrinneerConnor TrinneerConnor Trinneer is an American film, stage and television actor. His highest profile role has been the role of Charles "Trip" Tucker III on Star Trek: Enterprise and Michael on Stargate Atlantis.-Biography:...
- Actor in Star Trek, Enterprise