Bartow High School
Encyclopedia
Bartow High School, formerly Summerlin Institute and Union Academy is the only high school
located in Bartow
, Florida
. The school is also the location of the International Baccalaureate School at Bartow High, a school which annually finishes in the top five in composite SAT
scores in the United States
as well as Summerlin Academy, the only public military school in Florida.
(nicknamed King of the Crackers) who donated large amounts of land to the cities of Bartow and Orlando
. This school was the first brick
school in the United States located south of Jacksonville, Florida
. In the early 20th century, Union Academy was founded in Bartow as a high school for African-Americans. In 1927, Summerlin Institute was relocated to the corner of Broadway Avenue and Tharp Street which is the current location of Bartow High School. In 1970 Polk County, Florida
schools were integrated and all high school students living in Bartow and surrounding areas were, for the first time, going to the same school. The name of Summerlin Institute was changed to Bartow Senior High School, and Union Academy became an integrated middle school
. The name change was (and still is) controversial because Summerlin Institute was considered one of the more prestigious public schools in the Southern United States
, but because the school was named after Jacob Summerlin, who was a slaveholder, many felt the name change was appropriate. Many (but not all) Bartowans consider the history, traditions, alumni, etc. of Bartow High School to include the pre-1970 histories of Summerlin Institutes and Union Academy as well as the history of Bartow High School (1970- present), thus making the 1970 integration a "merger" of two schools. Others consider Summerlin Institute/Bartow High School one school, and Union Academy a now defunct high school, but current middle school.
In 1996, Bartow High School earned approval from the IBO to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. The students pursuing this program are placed in the International Baccalaureate School, a school-within-a-school on the Bartow High campus. While IB students attend many IB specific classes they take regular Bartow High School electives and participate in the Bartow High School athletic program. Beginning with the Class of 2010, it will only be composed of students from western Polk County, due to the opening of a second IB school at Haines City High School
for students from eastern Polk County. The principal of the IB school in Bartow is Dr. Edwin Vetter.
In 2006, the Summerlin Academy was established as a military school originally located under the same roof as Bartow High School and International Baccalaureate School. In 2008, Summerlin moved to its own facility in Bartow. The principal of Summerlin Academy in Bartow is Michael Butler.
Bartow High School Alma Mater
Rising midst the gold and orange,
Grandly to the blue,
Reaches our dear alma mater,
Proudly to the view.
School we love dearly,
Live for aye,
And ever may she reign!
Hail to thee, our alma mater,
Dear old Bartow High*!
*Originally, the lyrics said "dear old Summerlin," (so as to rhyme with the previous line's 'reign') but the words were changed to "dear old Bartow High," to reflect the school's name change after the all-black Union Academy and Summerlin Institute were integrated.
The school's nickname is the Yellow Jackets
, although the school colors and uniforms are blue and orange (a result of the merge between Summerlin Institute and Union Academy; Summerlin's colors were orange and white and Union's colors were blue and white).
Over the last forty years, the school has won multiple team and individual state championships, most of which being in football, men's basketball, swimming, men's weightlifting and girls' softball. Typically, Bartow competes on the Class 3A and 4A levels for most of its major sports. Teams are now competing on the 5-A level. The school has many alumni who have competed at the NCAA Division 1 football
and professional National Football League
levels.
Most recently, Bartow High School has gained the most attention for its success in girls' softball. The program, coached by Glenn Rutenbar, is the only team to have appeared in a FHSAA http://www.fhsaa.org state championship game for 10 consecutive years (1997-2006). The program won seven titles out of its 10 consecutive appearances and now boasts what is claimed to be the finest high school softball facilities in the state of Florida. During this run, two Bartow pitchers became the first and second players in FHSAA softball history to pitch in four state championship games. Melissa Parsons pitched from 1997-2000, winning the '97 and '00 titles, and Lindsay Littlejohn followed suit from 2002-2005; however, Littlejohn exceeded Parsons' feat by winning all four titles, another first for the history books.
Bartow also became the first team in history to win five consecutive state softball championships (2002-2006). In 2003, the program earned a No. 1 national ranking by the USA Today Coaches' Poll. The dynasty fell when the 2007 team lost to rival Lake Wales Highlanders in postseason play. The team is currently undefeated with an 18-0 record.
'Bartow High School Fight Song
This tune is played by the Bartow High School marching band for football games and school pep rallies.
"Bartow's going to win this game.
Listen to our cheer! Go, Bartow!
Shout the glory of her name.
Spread it far and near! Go, Bartow!
Alma mater, praise to thee,
And our teammates, too! Go, Bartow!
Marching on to victory, let's go, Bartow, go!
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Bartow
Bartow, Florida
Bartow is the county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1851 as Fort Blount, the city was renamed in honor of Francis S. Bartow the first brigade commander to die in combat during the American Civil War. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census, the city had a...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The school is also the location of the International Baccalaureate School at Bartow High, a school which annually finishes in the top five in composite SAT
SAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
scores in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as well as Summerlin Academy, the only public military school in Florida.
History
Summerlin Institute was founded in 1887 as the first public high school located in Bartow, Florida. It was named after Jacob SummerlinJacob Summerlin
Jacob Summerlin , aka the King of the Crackers and King of the Cracker Cow Hunters, was reputed to be the first child born in Florida after the land was ceded by Spain...
(nicknamed King of the Crackers) who donated large amounts of land to the cities of Bartow and Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. This school was the first brick
Brick
A brick is a block of ceramic material used in masonry construction, usually laid using various kinds of mortar. It has been regarded as one of the longest lasting and strongest building materials used throughout history.-History:...
school in the United States located south of Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. In the early 20th century, Union Academy was founded in Bartow as a high school for African-Americans. In 1927, Summerlin Institute was relocated to the corner of Broadway Avenue and Tharp Street which is the current location of Bartow High School. In 1970 Polk County, Florida
Polk County, Florida
Polk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow and its...
schools were integrated and all high school students living in Bartow and surrounding areas were, for the first time, going to the same school. The name of Summerlin Institute was changed to Bartow Senior High School, and Union Academy became an integrated middle school
Middle 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...
. The name change was (and still is) controversial because Summerlin Institute was considered one of the more prestigious public schools in the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
, but because the school was named after Jacob Summerlin, who was a slaveholder, many felt the name change was appropriate. Many (but not all) Bartowans consider the history, traditions, alumni, etc. of Bartow High School to include the pre-1970 histories of Summerlin Institutes and Union Academy as well as the history of Bartow High School (1970- present), thus making the 1970 integration a "merger" of two schools. Others consider Summerlin Institute/Bartow High School one school, and Union Academy a now defunct high school, but current middle school.
In 1996, Bartow High School earned approval from the IBO to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. The students pursuing this program are placed in the International Baccalaureate School, a school-within-a-school on the Bartow High campus. While IB students attend many IB specific classes they take regular Bartow High School electives and participate in the Bartow High School athletic program. Beginning with the Class of 2010, it will only be composed of students from western Polk County, due to the opening of a second IB school at Haines City High School
Haines City High School
For other uses of the acronym HCHS, see HCHS .Haines City High School is a public high school in Haines City, Florida. The school has existed in three separate locations.-Overview:...
for students from eastern Polk County. The principal of the IB school in Bartow is Dr. Edwin Vetter.
In 2006, the Summerlin Academy was established as a military school originally located under the same roof as Bartow High School and International Baccalaureate School. In 2008, Summerlin moved to its own facility in Bartow. The principal of Summerlin Academy in Bartow is Michael Butler.
Bartow High School Alma Mater
Rising midst the gold and orange,
Grandly to the blue,
Reaches our dear alma mater,
Proudly to the view.
School we love dearly,
Live for aye,
And ever may she reign!
Hail to thee, our alma mater,
Dear old Bartow High*!
*Originally, the lyrics said "dear old Summerlin," (so as to rhyme with the previous line's 'reign') but the words were changed to "dear old Bartow High," to reflect the school's name change after the all-black Union Academy and Summerlin Institute were integrated.
The school's nickname is the Yellow Jackets
Yellowjacket
Yellowjacket is the common name in North America for predatory wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. Members of these genera are known simply as "wasps" in other English-speaking countries...
, although the school colors and uniforms are blue and orange (a result of the merge between Summerlin Institute and Union Academy; Summerlin's colors were orange and white and Union's colors were blue and white).
Over the last forty years, the school has won multiple team and individual state championships, most of which being in football, men's basketball, swimming, men's weightlifting and girls' softball. Typically, Bartow competes on the Class 3A and 4A levels for most of its major sports. Teams are now competing on the 5-A level. The school has many alumni who have competed at the NCAA Division 1 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...
and professional National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
levels.
Most recently, Bartow High School has gained the most attention for its success in girls' softball. The program, coached by Glenn Rutenbar, is the only team to have appeared in a FHSAA http://www.fhsaa.org state championship game for 10 consecutive years (1997-2006). The program won seven titles out of its 10 consecutive appearances and now boasts what is claimed to be the finest high school softball facilities in the state of Florida. During this run, two Bartow pitchers became the first and second players in FHSAA softball history to pitch in four state championship games. Melissa Parsons pitched from 1997-2000, winning the '97 and '00 titles, and Lindsay Littlejohn followed suit from 2002-2005; however, Littlejohn exceeded Parsons' feat by winning all four titles, another first for the history books.
Bartow also became the first team in history to win five consecutive state softball championships (2002-2006). In 2003, the program earned a No. 1 national ranking by the USA Today Coaches' Poll. The dynasty fell when the 2007 team lost to rival Lake Wales Highlanders in postseason play. The team is currently undefeated with an 18-0 record.
'Bartow High School Fight Song
This tune is played by the Bartow High School marching band for football games and school pep rallies.
"Bartow's going to win this game.
Listen to our cheer! Go, Bartow!
Shout the glory of her name.
Spread it far and near! Go, Bartow!
Alma mater, praise to thee,
And our teammates, too! Go, Bartow!
Marching on to victory, let's go, Bartow, go!
Famous alumni
- Spessard L. HollandSpessard HollandSpessard Lindsey Holland was an American lawyer, politician and elected officeholder. He was the 28th Governor of Florida from 1941 until 1945, during World War II. After finishing his term as governor, he was a United States Senator from Florida from 1946 until 1971...
- Former Florida governor and U.S. Senator; founding partner of Holland & Knight, LLP. - General James A. Van FleetJames Van FleetJames Alward Van Fleet was a U.S. Army officer during World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Van Fleet was a native of New Jersey, who was raised in Florida and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy. He served as a regimental, divisional and corps commander during World War II and as...
-Head of U.S. forces in the Korean WarKorean WarThe Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. - Ken RileyKen RileyKenneth Jerome Riley is a former professional American Football defensive back who played his entire career for the Cincinnati Bengals, in the American Football League in 1969 and in the NFL from 1970 through 1983...
- Former Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
safety in the National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. One of league leaders in career interceptions. - Bob CrawfordBob CrawfordRobert Remi Crawford is a retired Canadian ice hockey player.-Playing career:Drafted by the St...
- Former Florida Senate President and state Secretary of AgricultureAgricultureAgriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. - Lt. General William H. Fitch, USMC- Test pilot
- Adam PutnamAdam PutnamAdam H. Putnam is the current Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2001 until 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education and career:...
- Current U.S. Congressman and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture-elect - Katherine HarrisKatherine HarrisKatherine Harris is an American Republican politician, former Secretary of State of Florida, and former member of the United States House of Representatives. Harris won the 2002 election to represent Florida's 13th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. She held that post...
- Jason Odom - All-American Offensive Lineman for the University of Florida Gators (1992-95); former Offensive Lineman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Marcus FloydMarcus FloydMarcus D. Floyd is a minister and former American football cornerback for the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers. He played college football at Indiana University.- High School :...
- NFL player for the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, and the New York Jets. - G. M. Palmer - Poet and Editor of Strong Verse Poetry Magazine.
- Jeremiah Samarrippas- Boys Basketball player. All time assists leader, 5A state champion MVP and Player of the Year for Florida. Now attending Southern Methodist University.