Thorp High School (Thorp, Washington)
Encyclopedia
Thorp High School is a secondary school in Thorp
, Kittitas County, Washington.
Long a point of pride and center of community life in the town, it was established in 1895. The school provides fully accredited
academic, athletic and award-winning extracurricular programs for grades 9-12.
, equitable
, and creative
learning environment devoted to excellence in which students grow into self-directed, life-long learners prepared to become productive members of society.
Thorp High School places in the top 18% out of 322 high schools in Washington's state high school rankings. The rankings are calculated by taking the standardized tests for Math
, Reading
, Science
and Writing
used by Washington to determine the proficiency level across varying grades and subjects for high schools in the state. This places Thorp as the highest rated high school in Kittitas County, well ahead of all neighboring districts in the area none of which are even ranked in the top 100.
(student government), Model United Nations
, KYVE-TV
's Apple Bowl (knowledge bowl
), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Band and Honor Society
. In the past, the Spanish
Club has taken chaperoned trips to Mexico
to immerse the students in Spanish-speaking culture
and language.
Long-standing traditions at the school include Homecoming
, Spirit Week, Prom
, Baccalaureate
and the Senior Trip (a special excursion by the Senior
class upon graduating, often to places like Disneyland or Canada
). Each year prior to graduation
, it is the practice of the Junior
class to produce the Junior-Senior Banquet at which graduating students offer "Wills" to bequeath a certain item or comedic anecdote for each member of the Junior class, and Juniors offer "Prophesies" of the future for each member of the Senior class. Another yearly event at the school is the annual Harvest
Carnival
.
is Fight, Fight, Fight for Old Thorp High!
It is set to the tune of On, Wisconsin!
when they donated
their entire class fund which they had saved for years, meant to be used for their Senior Trip, to the American Red Cross
to help victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction
Terry Burgeson met with the 15 students of the class and said of them, "This is quite a class [...] I think they're cool."
In the past, Thorp High School students have also received national honors for competitive projects related to National History Day, a national academic competition focusing on history. Thorp students have constructed numerous entries as an individual or in a group in various categories including Documentary
, Exhibit
, Paper
and Performance
. No less than a dozen times, Thorp High School has been named the state champion
at the Washington state competition, and represented the state at the national level in Washington, D.C.
.
Thorp High School students have also had great success in academic competitions. For example, Thorp competitors have a long list of achievement at the Regional and State Leadership conferences for Future Business Leaders of America (Future Business Leaders of America). They have a myriad of high honors and state championships in a broad range of business
and career-related areas, competing against much larger schools in events testing their business knowledge and skills. Top state winners from Thorp have attended the National Leadership Conference.
(PTSA) serves the students and parents of Thorp schools, including Thorp High School. Through volunteerism, the group aims to prodvide resources, help in classrooms, sponsor field trips, and assist all students in the district to reach their potential. The goal of the organization is to foster and enhance an outstanding school system.
” was designed to increase teacher knowledge of U. S. History
content and historical inquiry. This professional development led to increased student achievement in both areas.
Thorp School District was the lead school of 17 school districts in Central
Washington state. This collaboration of districts partnered with local and state libraries
, local and state museums, historical societies
, and nine Pacific Northwest
universities
, for content expertise, assistance on CBAs, and as repositories for oral histories
. These districts also partnered with the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for teacher training in Classroom Based Assessments, an integral part of Washington teacher professional development, and with the National Oral History Association for training in conducting oral histories.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to Thorp teacher Tom Christian and the Thorp School District for three separate projects. This included the "America's Past Rekindles Our Future" grant (2003-06), the "Teaching Our Past for the Future" grant (2005-08), and the "To Preserve and Protect Our Future" grant (2008-11).
's media production department, received two Regional Emmy Awards. The first award, given in 2008, was for the production of the DVD "Moments in American History". The second Emmy Award was bestowed on June 5, 2010, in recognition of Thorp's TAHG production of the website Moments in American History. The website became the second most popular destination on iTunes
.
, but only two years were accredited. The first day of school in this building was September 12, 1912, with 15 pupils. The first principal was Amos Foster. It housed all district pupils until a new elementary school
was erected, after which it served as the town's high school.
In 1936, the new elementary school was built for $41,000 during the depths of the Great Depression
using WPA
funds. The finely crafted brick Colonial Revival
structure was designed by noted architect John W. Maloney, and has served the school district
continuously since its construction. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 2009 as a significant example of American
rural
education. The building currently provides additional classroom space for Thorp High School.
The old high school was demolished in 1958, and replaced with a modern structure in the same location.
Voters in the district approved a multi-million dollar bond
measure for school construction in February, 1989, by a margin of nearly 80%. The bonds were used to renovate and expand the 1958 school building with the addition of three new classroom wings, a gymnasium, a large commons
area and administrative offices. Inagurated in 1990, the building now houses Thorp High School and Thorp Junior High in one wing, with elementary pupils occupying an adjacent classroom wing.
Thorp High School's mascot
was originally the Red Devil, a now controversial slang term relating to Native Americans, however a vote of the student body in 1921 changed the mascot to the Tiger
, while the school colors
remained red
and black
. Thorp High School competes as a 1B member of the North Central Washington "B" League.
The high school yearbook
, the Hialitza, was first produced in 1922, and, although it has experienced some recent interruptions, has been published annually by the town's high school students to chronicle the events of each school term. The name of the publication is attributed to the Chinook language
:
Thorp, Washington
Thorp is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 240 at the 2010 census...
, Kittitas County, Washington.
Long a point of pride and center of community life in the town, it was established in 1895. The school provides fully accredited
Accreditation
Accreditation is a process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is presented.Organizations that issue credentials or certify third parties against official standards are themselves formally accredited by accreditation bodies ; hence they are sometimes known as "accredited...
academic, athletic and award-winning extracurricular programs for grades 9-12.
See also, Thorp School District and Thorp, WashingtonThorp, WashingtonThorp is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 240 at the 2010 census...
.
Mission Statement
To provide a safeSafety
Safety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be...
, equitable
Educational equity
Educational equity, or equity in education, is the study and achievement of fairness in education. The study of educational equity is often linked with the study of excellence and equity. Fairness is often equated with equality, but equity deals with accommodating and meeting the specific needs of...
, and creative
Creative Culture
Creative Culture is a term used to indicate an environment that can be established in many places, in culture, society or workplace where creative ideas...
learning environment devoted to excellence in which students grow into self-directed, life-long learners prepared to become productive members of society.
Academics
Thorp High School students generally perform at or above state and national academic testing averages. The school has an 8.7 student-to-teacher ratio.Thorp High School places in the top 18% out of 322 high schools in Washington's state high school rankings. The rankings are calculated by taking the standardized tests for Math
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, Reading
Reading comprehension
Reading comprehension is defined as the level of understanding of a text. This understanding comes from the interaction between the words that are written and how they trigger knowledge outside the text. ....
, Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and Writing
Writing
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium through the use of a set of signs or symbols . It is distinguished from illustration, such as cave drawing and painting, and non-symbolic preservation of language via non-textual media, such as magnetic tape audio.Writing most likely...
used by Washington to determine the proficiency level across varying grades and subjects for high schools in the state. This places Thorp as the highest rated high school in Kittitas County, well ahead of all neighboring districts in the area none of which are even ranked in the top 100.
Extracurricular Activities
Student clubs and activities at Thorp High School include Associated Student BodyStudent council
Student council is a curricular or extra-curricular activity for students within elementary and secondary schools around the world. Present in most public and private K-12 school systems across the United States, Canada and Australia these bodies are alternatively entitled student council, student...
(student government), Model United Nations
Model United Nations
Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda....
, KYVE-TV
KCTS-TV
KCTS-TV is a public television station in Seattle, Washington, that is a member of the Public Broadcasting Service , that broadcasts on digital channel 9. Its offices and broadcasting center are located at the northeast corner of Seattle Center...
's Apple Bowl (knowledge bowl
Knowledge Bowl
Knowledge Bowl is an interdisciplinary academic competition involving teams of four to six students trying to answer questions in a written round and several oral rounds. No team is eliminated in this event, and every team participates in every round...
), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Band and Honor Society
Honor society
In the United States, an honor society is a rank organization that recognizes excellence among peers. Numerous societies recognize various fields and circumstances. The Order of the Arrow, for example, is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America...
. In the past, the Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
Club has taken chaperoned trips to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to immerse the students in Spanish-speaking culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
and language.
Long-standing traditions at the school include Homecoming
Homecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
, Spirit Week, Prom
Prom
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is a formal dance, or gathering of high school students. It is typically held near the end of the senior year. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students...
, Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate service
A baccalaureate service is a celebration which honors a graduating senior class from a college or high school...
and the Senior Trip (a special excursion by the Senior
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
class upon graduating, often to places like Disneyland or Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
). Each year prior to graduation
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
, it is the practice of the Junior
Eleventh grade
Eleventh Grade is the eleventh, and for some countries final, grade of secondary schools. Students are typically 16 or 17 years of age, depending on the country and the students' birthdays.-Brazil:...
class to produce the Junior-Senior Banquet at which graduating students offer "Wills" to bequeath a certain item or comedic anecdote for each member of the Junior class, and Juniors offer "Prophesies" of the future for each member of the Senior class. Another yearly event at the school is the annual Harvest
Harvest
Harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper...
Carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
.
Athletics
As a member of the North Central Washington 1B conference, Thorp High School offers various interscholastic sports throughout the year.| Boys | Girls | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | 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... (combined with Easton) |
Volleyball Volleyball Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive... |
| Winter | 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... |
Basketball Cheerleading Cheerleading Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate... |
| Spring | Track & Field 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... Golf Golf Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes.... |
Track & Field Softball Softball Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand... Golf |
Fight Song
The Thorp High School fight songFight song
A fight song is primarily an American and Canadian sports term, referring to a song associated with a team. In both professional and amateur sports, fight songs are a popular way for fans to cheer for their team...
is Fight, Fight, Fight for Old Thorp High!
It is set to the tune of On, Wisconsin!
On, Wisconsin!
"On, Wisconsin!" is the fight song of the Wisconsin Badgers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. With modified lyrics, it is also the official state song of Wisconsin....
| Verse 1 | Verse 2 |
|---|---|
| Stand up Thorp High School, Fight for your team! They're really sharp, boys, They're on the beam! So three cheers for old Thorp High! (Uh! Rah! Rah!) We'll win this game, boys, Do or die! |
Shoot for that basket, Raise up the score! Let's see some teamwork, Burn up the floor! Get that ball, boys, You know our aim! (Fight! Fight! Fight!) Get out and win this game! |
Students
In 2001, Thorp High School seniors made national newsNews
News is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
when they donated
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
their entire class fund which they had saved for years, meant to be used for their Senior Trip, to the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
to help victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction
State education agency
A state education agency , or state department of education, is a formal governmental label for the state-level government agencies within each U.S...
Terry Burgeson met with the 15 students of the class and said of them, "This is quite a class [...] I think they're cool."
In the past, Thorp High School students have also received national honors for competitive projects related to National History Day, a national academic competition focusing on history. Thorp students have constructed numerous entries as an individual or in a group in various categories including Documentary
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
, Exhibit
Demonstrative evidence
Demonstrative evidence is evidence in the form of a representation of an object. This is, as opposed to, real evidence, testimony, or other forms of evidence used at trial.-Examples:...
, Paper
Essay
An essay is a piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view. Essays can consist of a number of elements, including: literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author. The definition...
and Performance
Performing arts
The performing arts are those forms art which differ from the plastic arts insofar as the former uses the artist's own body, face, and presence as a medium, and the latter uses materials such as clay, metal or paint which can be molded or transformed to create some physical art object...
. No less than a dozen times, Thorp High School has been named the state champion
Champion
A champion is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition.There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, and even further divisions at one or more of these levels, as in soccer. Their champions...
at the Washington state competition, and represented the state at the national level in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
Thorp High School students have also had great success in academic competitions. For example, Thorp competitors have a long list of achievement at the Regional and State Leadership conferences for Future Business Leaders of America (Future Business Leaders of America). They have a myriad of high honors and state championships in a broad range of business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
and career-related areas, competing against much larger schools in events testing their business knowledge and skills. Top state winners from Thorp have attended the National Leadership Conference.
Thorp PTSA
The Thorp Parent-Teacher-Student AssociationParent-Teacher Association
In the U.S. a parent-teacher association or Parent-Teacher-Student Association is a formal organization composed of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in a public or private school. Most public and private K-8 schools in the U.S. have a PTA, a...
(PTSA) serves the students and parents of Thorp schools, including Thorp High School. Through volunteerism, the group aims to prodvide resources, help in classrooms, sponsor field trips, and assist all students in the district to reach their potential. The goal of the organization is to foster and enhance an outstanding school system.
Teaching American History Grant
The "Teaching American History GrantGrant (money)
Grants are funds disbursed by one party , often a Government Department, Corporation, Foundation or Trust, to a recipient, often a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business or an individual. In order to receive a grant, some form of "Grant Writing" often referred to as either a proposal...
” was designed to increase teacher knowledge of U. S. History
History of the United States
The history of the United States traditionally starts with the Declaration of Independence in the year 1776, although its territory was inhabited by Native Americans since prehistoric times and then by European colonists who followed the voyages of Christopher Columbus starting in 1492. The...
content and historical inquiry. This professional development led to increased student achievement in both areas.
Thorp School District was the lead school of 17 school districts in Central
Central Washington
Central Washington is a region of the United States defined as the western half of Eastern Washington, or those counties lying east of the Cascade Mountains but west of the 119th meridian west....
Washington state. This collaboration of districts partnered with local and state libraries
State Library
A state library is usually a library established by the government of a state to serve as the preeminent repository of information for that state...
, local and state museums, historical societies
Historical society
A historical society is an organization that collects, researches, interprets and preserves information or items of historical interest. Generally, a historical society focuses on a specific geographical area, such as a county or town or subject, such as aviation or rail. Many historical...
, and nine Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
universities
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
, for content expertise, assistance on CBAs, and as repositories for oral histories
Oral history
Oral history is the collection and study of historical information about individuals, families, important events, or everyday life using audiotapes, videotapes, or transcriptions of planned interviews...
. These districts also partnered with the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for teacher training in Classroom Based Assessments, an integral part of Washington teacher professional development, and with the National Oral History Association for training in conducting oral histories.
The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to Thorp teacher Tom Christian and the Thorp School District for three separate projects. This included the "America's Past Rekindles Our Future" grant (2003-06), the "Teaching Our Past for the Future" grant (2005-08), and the "To Preserve and Protect Our Future" grant (2008-11).
Regional Emmy Awards
Thorp’s Teaching American History Grant, To Preserve and Protect Our Future, in partnership with Central Washington UniversityCentral Washington University
Central Washington University, often abbreviated CWU, is a public university in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States.This location was selected by the state legislature as a consolation prize after Ellensburg lost its bid to be state capital...
's media production department, received two Regional Emmy Awards. The first award, given in 2008, was for the production of the DVD "Moments in American History". The second Emmy Award was bestowed on June 5, 2010, in recognition of Thorp's TAHG production of the website Moments in American History. The website became the second most popular destination on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
.
History
Established in 1895, Thorp's first school was housed in a small structure that was razed in 1912 and replaced by a two-story school house erected by John Newman and Glen Mason. During the early years there were eight grades and three years of high schoolHigh 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....
, but only two years were accredited. The first day of school in this building was September 12, 1912, with 15 pupils. The first principal was Amos Foster. It housed all district pupils until a new elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
was erected, after which it served as the town's high school.
In 1936, the new elementary school was built for $41,000 during the depths of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
using WPA
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
funds. The finely crafted brick Colonial Revival
Colonial Revival architecture
The Colonial Revival was a nationalistic architectural style, garden design, and interior design movement in the United States which sought to revive elements of Georgian architecture, part of a broader Colonial Revival Movement in the arts. In the early 1890s Americans began to value their own...
structure was designed by noted architect John W. Maloney, and has served the school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
continuously since its construction. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 2009 as a significant example of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
education. The building currently provides additional classroom space for Thorp High School.
The old high school was demolished in 1958, and replaced with a modern structure in the same location.
Voters in the district approved a multi-million dollar bond
Property tax
A property tax is an ad valorem levy on the value of property that the owner is required to pay. The tax is levied by the governing authority of the jurisdiction in which the property is located; it may be paid to a national government, a federated state or a municipality...
measure for school construction in February, 1989, by a margin of nearly 80%. The bonds were used to renovate and expand the 1958 school building with the addition of three new classroom wings, a gymnasium, a large commons
The commons
The commons is terminology referring to resources that are owned in common or shared between or among communities populations. These resources are said to be "held in common" and can include everything from natural resources and common land to software. The commons contains public property and...
area and administrative offices. Inagurated in 1990, the building now houses Thorp High School and Thorp Junior High in one wing, with elementary pupils occupying an adjacent classroom wing.
Thorp High School's mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
was originally the Red Devil, a now controversial slang term relating to Native Americans, however a vote of the student body in 1921 changed the mascot to the Tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
, while the school colors
School colors
School colors are the colors chosen by a school to represent it on uniforms and other items of identification. Most schools have two colors, which are usually chosen to avoid conflicts with other schools with which the school competes in sports and other activities...
remained red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
and black
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
. Thorp High School competes as a 1B member of the North Central Washington "B" League.
The high school yearbook
Yearbook
A yearbook, also known as an annual, is a book to record, highlight, and commemorate the past year of a school or a book published annually. Virtually all American, Australian and Canadian high schools, most colleges and many elementary and middle schools publish yearbooks...
, the Hialitza, was first produced in 1922, and, although it has experienced some recent interruptions, has been published annually by the town's high school students to chronicle the events of each school term. The name of the publication is attributed to the Chinook language
Chinook Jargon
Chinook Jargon originated as a pidgin trade language of the Pacific Northwest, and spread during the 19th century from the lower Columbia River, first to other areas in modern Oregon and Washington, then British Columbia and as far as Alaska, sometimes taking on characteristics of a creole language...
:
When an Indian traveling through a mountainous country reaches the top of a mountain he unconsciously stretches forth his hand and says Hialitza which when translated means a panoramic view or great sight. The name stands for the great outdoors and that which lies beyond in the distance. So this record is symbolic of the Seniors who now look back over their four years in High School as in a panoramic view and into the future years they see only a haze in the distance. Thus upon reading this publication one looks upon a panoramic view of the Students and Student Activities of Thorp High School.
Notable Alumni
- Barton Porter - Author of Listen to the Millrace (Seattle: M. J. Stone Co., 1978, ISBN: 0960188800, ISBN-13: 9780960188802), a story about Porter's childhood years in turn-of-the-century Thorp and the fascinating people who lived there. The book contains seven pages of color illustrations from paintings by the artist Mike Casad. Porter's family owned the F. C. Porter Dry Goods store in Thorp. The building still stands at the corner of Thorp Highway and Second Street and houses a printing business.
- State Rep. Margaret Leonard - In 1969, Margaret (née Johnson) Leonard became the first woman ever elected to the SpokaneSpokane, WashingtonSpokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
City Council, a position she held for ten years which included serving as Spokane's first female MayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
Pro TemporePro temporePro tempore , abbreviated pro tem or p.t., is a Latin phrase which best translates to "for the time being" in English. This phrase is often used to describe a person who acts as a locum tenens in the absence of a superior, such as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate.Legislative...
. She subsequently served as representative of the 3rd Legislative District in the Washington State LegislatureWashington State LegislatureThe Washington State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is a bipartisan, bicameral body, composed of the lower Washington House of Representatives, composed of 98 Representatives, and the upper Washington State Senate, with 49 Senators.The State Legislature...
from 1981 to 1983. Her political career began in 1961, when she organized a successful citizen campaign to defeat an unpopular city housing ordinance in Spokane. As a tax consultant, she hosted her own radio program, and also served as a staff writer for the Spokane FallsSpokane FallsSpokane Falls is the name of the series of waterfalls and dams on the Spokane River in downtown Spokane, Washington.The Indian name for the Spokane Falls was "Stluputqu", meaning "swift water". The falls was once the site of a large Spokane people village....
newspaper.
- State Rep. James B. Brain - James B. Brain was elected in 1950, to represent the 13th Legislative District in the Washington State LegislatureWashington State LegislatureThe Washington State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Washington. It is a bipartisan, bicameral body, composed of the lower Washington House of Representatives, composed of 98 Representatives, and the upper Washington State Senate, with 49 Senators.The State Legislature...
. He died of a heart attack at his residence in Thorp on December 18, 1950, just three weeks before he was slated to assume office. Long a prominent member of the local Democratic PartyDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Brain served two terms as Kittitas county clerkLocal governmentLocal government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
and two terms as county commissionerCounty councilA county council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a county. This term has slightly different meanings in different countries.-United Kingdom:...
from District 3. He retired from the county board of commissioners as its chairman.
- Dr. William "Gene" Brain - Recipient of the Central Washington UniversityCentral Washington UniversityCentral Washington University, often abbreviated CWU, is a public university in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States.This location was selected by the state legislature as a consolation prize after Ellensburg lost its bid to be state capital...
Distinguished Alumni Award for the College of the Sciences, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists in 1990, as well as the Distinguished Alumni Award for the University of WashingtonUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
School of Dentistry in 1993. In 1994, the Seattle-King County Dental Society honored Dr. Brain with the Award of Special Merit, and that same year he also received the Award of Merit from the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists. He served as president of several organizations, including the American Association of Orthodontists, the University of Washington Dental Alumni Association, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists and the Washington State Society of Orthodontists. In addition, he was a member of the Central Washington University Board of Trustees, and the Board of Visitors.
- 2nd Lt. Leon W. Ellsworth - 2nd Lt. Leon W. Ellsworth, United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, 5th Division, was a member of Marine Observation Squadron Five (VMO-5) at the Battle of Iwo JimaBattle of Iwo JimaThe Battle of Iwo Jima , or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S...
. He was shot down and killed behind enemy lines at Iwo Jima on March 21, 1945, after risking his life to take photos and gather details of enemy emplacements on the island. Operating from his exposed cockpitCockpitA cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
to complete 26 low-altitude sorties over enemy positions despite intense anti-aircraft fire, he relayed critical intelligence data to the American invasion force. For his exceptional heroism and valor, 2nd Lt. Leon W. Ellsworth was posthumously awarded the Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, and the Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
.
- Hazel B. Dunnington and Geraldine B. Siks - Sisters and nationally acclaimed co-authors of numerous award-winning books on children's literatureLiteratureLiterature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
and dramaDramaDrama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
, both had long and distinguished careers in their own right. Hazel Brain Dunnington served as Professor of English Literature at Central Washington UniversityCentral Washington UniversityCentral Washington University, often abbreviated CWU, is a public university in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States.This location was selected by the state legislature as a consolation prize after Ellensburg lost its bid to be state capital...
, and Geraldine Brain Siks served as Professor of Drama at the University of WashingtonUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
at Seattle.
- Lt. Col. Claude Thorp - In January, 1942, Gen. Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthurGeneral of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
authorized Lt. Col. Claude Thorp, former Provost Marshall of Fort Stotsenburg, to infiltrate the Japanese lines on LuzonLuzonLuzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
Island in the PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, and establish a spy post in the mountains. After the American surrenders at BataanBataanBataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north...
and CorregidorCorregidorCorregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
, Lt. Col. Thorp organized the illustrious Luzon Guerilla Force (LGF), and established the "Bamboo Telegraph" which consisted of tubes of bambooBambooBamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
being struck with Morse-code-likeMorse codeMorse code is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment...
beats and relayed throughout the countryside. Lt. Col. Thorp was captured by the Japanese on October 29, 1942, and held as a prisoner of war until his execution on November 1, 1943. However, his men fought on until the American invasion in January, 1945, which in part owed its successs to the sabotageSabotageSabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
operations they conducted against the enemy.
- George B. Brain, Ph.D. - Dr. George B. Brain, who influenced public education and policy nationwide, served as the Dean of the School of Education at Washington State UniversityWashington State UniversityWashington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
from 1960 to 1983. He received his M.A. in Education from Central Washington State CollegeCentral Washington UniversityCentral Washington University, often abbreviated CWU, is a public university in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States.This location was selected by the state legislature as a consolation prize after Ellensburg lost its bid to be state capital...
in 1950, his Ph.D. from Columbia UniversityColumbia UniversityColumbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1957, and became the state’s youngest ever school superintendent in 1953 when he was hired by the BellevueBellevue, WashingtonBellevue is a city in the Eastside region of King County, Washington, United States, across Lake Washington from Seattle. Long known as a suburb or satellite city of Seattle, it is now categorized as an edge city or a boomburb. The population was 122,363 at the 2010 census.Downtown Bellevue is...
School District. Washington State University's Brain Library at Cleveland Hall is named in his honor, as is a WSU scholarship for students seeking advanced education degrees.
See Also
- Thorp, WashingtonThorp, WashingtonThorp is an unincorporated town and census-designated place in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 240 at the 2010 census...
- Thorp School District
- Thorp Grade SchoolThorp Grade SchoolThorp Grade School is a notable building located in Thorp, Washington.On July 16, 2009, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a significant example of American rural education....
- The historic Thorp Grade School building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places - Thorp MillThorp MillThorp Mill is an historic building located in Thorp, Washington.On November 23, 1977, the Thorp Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places....
- The historic Thorp Mill, listed on the National Register of Historic Places - Thorp Mill Town Historical Preservation Society - An organization founded by Thorp High School alumni