Kent-Meridian High School
Encyclopedia
Kent-Meridian High School is a high school located in Kent, Washington
and part of the Kent School District
. Its principal is Dr. Wade Barringer.
The school opened in its present form in 1951 when the Kent School District
merged with the Panther Lake and Meridian School Districts. This new high school served all three districts. The former Kent High School building became Kent Junior High School.
Dick Pruett coached Kent-Meridian wrestlers to astonishing success for 26 years (1966–1992). He compiled a dual match record of 298–72–7. His teams amassed 17 league titles and 14 Sub Regional Championships, were regional champs 10 times and produced three state championships, 2nd and 4 thirds, totaling 9 times placing in the top three in State. Individually Pruett's wrestlers claimed 80 League Champs, 62 regional champs, and 16 state champs (one of those being his son Joe, who took the 135 title in 1985.) Dick counts 63 wrestlers as state placers. Kent residents remember fondly the great leadership and consistent dominance of wrestlers under Coach Pruett.
Another legend of Kent-Meridian is the late Gunter Bohrmann who taught gymnastics, leading the boys gymnastics team to 12 regional titles, eight state titles and two national titles between 1969 and 1982. He became the coach of the Kent-Meridian girls gymnastics team in 1985 and led them to the state title. He retired in 2001 and there has been no boys gymnastics team since.
Kent-Meridian has enjoyed a swimming facility which was originally built as a part of King County Forward Thrust which is now owned by the city of Kent.
and Kent-Meridian dating back to 1908. Dr. Owen Taylor created the trophy presentation in 1929. Dr. Taylor owned the Kent hospital that was on Second Avenue and Gowe Street and he had a home on Scenic Hill. The rivalry is the second oldest football rivalry in Washington. Kent-Meridian has the greatest number of victories over Auburn for the all-time record. The trophy was last won by Auburn in 2010 and is currently on display in Auburn's Gym Lobby. Kent-Meridian all-star DB/RB Kyle Reeves still holds the record for most tackles and interceptions in a Taylor Trophy championship match. In the Taylor musem is the Pro Football Hall of Fame jacket of Badgro, one of the highlights of the exhibit. Badgro was born in Kent and graduated in 1921 from Kent High. He retired in Kent and died in 1998 at the age of 95. They called him Red because of his red hair hair, Kent-Meridian has the greatest number of victories over Auburn for the all-time record.
KM students who choose to become IB Diploma Candidates must successfully complete work and assessments in six academic areas during their junior/senior years. Additionally, students must write an extended essay, fulfill various service requirements and complete the Theory of Knowledge course. Students taking these courses can take the IB final exam and receive the IB certification, increasing their chance of admission to most colleges.
in 1997. Mark Iversen vs. Kent School District, et al., which alleged that a student at Kent-Meridian was repeatedly harassed for being gay. The suit was settled in 1999.
Kent, Washington
Kent is a city located in King County, Washington, United States, and is the third largest city in King County and the sixth largest in the state. An outlying suburb of Seattle, Kent is also the corporate home for companies such as REI and Oberto Sausage...
and part of the Kent School District
Kent School District
The Kent School District #415 includes the cities of Kent, Covington, Maple Valley, parts of the cities of Renton and Black Diamond, and neighboring unincorporated areas in King County, Washington. Covering 73 square miles , the Kent School District has 40 schools...
. Its principal is Dr. Wade Barringer.
The school opened in its present form in 1951 when the Kent School District
Kent School District
The Kent School District #415 includes the cities of Kent, Covington, Maple Valley, parts of the cities of Renton and Black Diamond, and neighboring unincorporated areas in King County, Washington. Covering 73 square miles , the Kent School District has 40 schools...
merged with the Panther Lake and Meridian School Districts. This new high school served all three districts. The former Kent High School building became Kent Junior High School.
Athletics
Kent-Meridian High School's athletic teams are known as the Royals. Teams compete at French Field located next to the school.Dick Pruett coached Kent-Meridian wrestlers to astonishing success for 26 years (1966–1992). He compiled a dual match record of 298–72–7. His teams amassed 17 league titles and 14 Sub Regional Championships, were regional champs 10 times and produced three state championships, 2nd and 4 thirds, totaling 9 times placing in the top three in State. Individually Pruett's wrestlers claimed 80 League Champs, 62 regional champs, and 16 state champs (one of those being his son Joe, who took the 135 title in 1985.) Dick counts 63 wrestlers as state placers. Kent residents remember fondly the great leadership and consistent dominance of wrestlers under Coach Pruett.
Another legend of Kent-Meridian is the late Gunter Bohrmann who taught gymnastics, leading the boys gymnastics team to 12 regional titles, eight state titles and two national titles between 1969 and 1982. He became the coach of the Kent-Meridian girls gymnastics team in 1985 and led them to the state title. He retired in 2001 and there has been no boys gymnastics team since.
Kent-Meridian has enjoyed a swimming facility which was originally built as a part of King County Forward Thrust which is now owned by the city of Kent.
Taylor Trophy
The Taylor trophy is given to and kept by the winner of the yearly football rivalry between Auburn High SchoolAuburn High School
Auburn High School is a public high school in Auburn, Alabama, United States, enrolling 1,444 students in grades 10–12. It is the only high school in the Auburn City School District. Auburn High offers technical, academic, and International Baccalaureate programs, as well as joint enrollment with...
and Kent-Meridian dating back to 1908. Dr. Owen Taylor created the trophy presentation in 1929. Dr. Taylor owned the Kent hospital that was on Second Avenue and Gowe Street and he had a home on Scenic Hill. The rivalry is the second oldest football rivalry in Washington. Kent-Meridian has the greatest number of victories over Auburn for the all-time record. The trophy was last won by Auburn in 2010 and is currently on display in Auburn's Gym Lobby. Kent-Meridian all-star DB/RB Kyle Reeves still holds the record for most tackles and interceptions in a Taylor Trophy championship match. In the Taylor musem is the Pro Football Hall of Fame jacket of Badgro, one of the highlights of the exhibit. Badgro was born in Kent and graduated in 1921 from Kent High. He retired in Kent and died in 1998 at the age of 95. They called him Red because of his red hair hair, Kent-Meridian has the greatest number of victories over Auburn for the all-time record.
I.B. Program
Kent-Meridian is the only Kent high school that provides the International Baccalaureate program. The IB program is recognized worldwide for providing 11th and 12 grade students with a challenging, college prep curriculum. The IB program is known for its rigor, authentic assessment design and international focus. Public and private schools around the world have adopted the IB curriculum and graduates from IB programs are highly valued by colleges and universities.KM students who choose to become IB Diploma Candidates must successfully complete work and assessments in six academic areas during their junior/senior years. Additionally, students must write an extended essay, fulfill various service requirements and complete the Theory of Knowledge course. Students taking these courses can take the IB final exam and receive the IB certification, increasing their chance of admission to most colleges.
Notable alumni
- Alexandrea Conn, Former Miss Cornucopia, 2002
- Robin EarlRobin EarlRobin Daniel Earl is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Chicago Bears ....
, Former Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
Running Back - Jack Elder, 1972 US Olympic Luge Team
- Jeff JaegerJeff JaegerJeff Todd Jaeger , is a former American football placekicker who played in 12 National Football League seasons and was an All-American kicker at the University of Washington. In the NFL Jaeger played for the Cleveland Browns, the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, and the Chicago Bears...
, former NFLNational 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...
kickerPlacekickerPlacekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points... - Reggie JonesReggie Jones (cornerback, born 1986)Reggie Jones is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was signed as a free agent by the New Orleans Saints. In the middle of the 2011 season he was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. He played college football at Portland...
, attended (2001–04), NFL Cornerback (2009–10) - Jennifer Le, Miss Vietnam Global 2007
- PZ MyersPZ MyersPaul Zachary "PZ" Myers is an American biology professor at the University of Minnesota Morris and the author of the Pharyngula science blog. He is currently an associate professor of biology at UMM, works with zebrafish in the field of evolutionary developmental biology , and also cultivates an...
, famous blogger. - Dave ReichertDave ReichertDavid George Reichert is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served as Sheriff of King County, Washington.-Early life, education and career:...
, CongressmanUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Washington, former King CountyKing County, WashingtonKing County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
sheriffSheriffs in the United StatesIn the United States, a sheriff is a county official and is typically the top law enforcement officer of a county. Historically, the sheriff was also commander of the militia in that county. Distinctive to law enforcement in the United States, sheriffs are usually elected. The political election of... - Terrence Vernell Taylor, 2007 Contestant on Project Runway
Lawsuits
Kent-Meridian was involved in a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties UnionAmerican Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
in 1997. Mark Iversen vs. Kent School District, et al., which alleged that a student at Kent-Meridian was repeatedly harassed for being gay. The suit was settled in 1999.