Wahlert High School
Encyclopedia
Wahlert Catholic High School is a private, co-educational, Roman Catholic high school
in the city of Dubuque, Iowa
. It is one of four high schools in Dubuque, the others being Central Alternative High School, Hempstead High School
and Dubuque Senior High School
. Wahlert is the central Catholic high school for the city of Dubuque and the surrounding area. It is the second largest Catholic high school
in the Archdiocese of Dubuque
after Cedar Rapids Xavier High School.
Currently the school houses grades 9 through 12 in the original Wahlert building, plus grades 6-8 in the newly constructed Mazzuchelli Middle School (named after the pioneer priest Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli
), which is located in a separate building just west of Wahlert. Both schools are part of the Holy Family School System.
Leo Binz and the pastors of the Dubuque Catholic parishes came to the conclusion that new high school facilities were needed to replace the existing buildings. These facilities were deteriorating, and also would not meet the demands of the post-World War II
baby boom
. As a result, it was decided to build a new central high school. In July, another meeting was held to determine a location for the new school. Harry Wahlert, who owned the Dubuque Packing Company
, donated $250,000 towards the construction of the school. Area parishes were also asked to contribute to the funding. The total cost of construction was approximately $3,250,000.
A parcel across from the intersection of Kane and Chaney Streets near the west end of Dubuque was selected as the site for the school. When construction was finished, it measured over 222000 square feet (20,624.5 m²). In February 1959, the Archdiocese announced that the new school would be named in honor of Harry Wahlert. In August the school was officially opened, and the first classes began in September.
In 2005, construction commenced on the Mazzuchelli expansion, which utilized the west wing of Wahlert and a new addition next to the school. This facility opened in 2006, and now serves as the central middle school for all Dubuque residents in the Holy Family Catholic Schools.
Wahlert was the center of some controversy in 2007 when it was announced that all students must sign a waiver allowing them to be breathalysed in order to attend school dances. Nevertheless, this policy still continues.
, (.5%) were Black
, 19 (3.2%) were Asian
, and 1 (.2%) was American Indian
. 6 (1.0%) students were Hispanic, and may be of any race. Additionally, 312 (52.0%) were male
, and 288 (48%) were female
.
Wahlert is noted for its strong athletic programs. The girls' volleyball
team has won 14 state championships and has been the runner-up several times. Many of Wahlert's state titles were won in consecutive years. The school also boasts a recently-strong basketball
program. Wahlert has produced many strong running teams in both men's and women's Track and Cross Country. The women's cross country program, under Cynthia Wagner, won the 3A state title in 2009, 2010 and 2011; the men also won the 3A state title under Tom Horton in 2003, 2004 and 2010. Men’s and Women’s soccer teams are annually ranked in the state, with the women earning four state titles and the men winning in 2008. Men's tennis teams have won the longest run of titles in state history (6): 2004 through 2009. In 2010, Men's bowling won the first-ever state title for 1A.
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....
in the city of Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
. It is one of four high schools in Dubuque, the others being Central Alternative High School, Hempstead High School
Hempstead High School (Dubuque, Iowa)
Stephen Hempstead High School is a four-year public high school located in Dubuque, Iowa. It is one of three high schools in the Dubuque Community School District, and enrolls 1,824 students in grades 9-12. Hempstead is named in honor of Stephen P. Hempstead, the second governor of Iowa...
and Dubuque Senior High School
Dubuque Senior High School
Dubuque Senior High School is a four-year public high school located in Dubuque, Iowa. It is one of three high schools in the Dubuque Community School District, and enrolls 1,447 students in grades 9-12. Senior was founded in 1858, and is the oldest secondary school in Dubuque...
. Wahlert is the central Catholic high school for the city of Dubuque and the surrounding area. It is the second largest Catholic high school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
in the Archdiocese of Dubuque
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northeastern quarter of the state of Iowa in the United States. It includes all the Iowa counties north of Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Iowa, Johnson, Cedar, and Clinton counties. ...
after Cedar Rapids Xavier High School.
Currently the school houses grades 9 through 12 in the original Wahlert building, plus grades 6-8 in the newly constructed Mazzuchelli Middle School (named after the pioneer priest Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli
Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli
Father Samuel Charles Mazzuchelli, O.P. was a pioneer Italian Catholic missionary who helped bring the church to the Iowa-Illinois-Wisconsin tri-state area. He founded a number of parishes in the area, and was the architect for a number of parish buildings.-Background:Father Mazzuchelli was born...
), which is located in a separate building just west of Wahlert. Both schools are part of the Holy Family School System.
History
During a meeting on June 17, 1955, ArchbishopArchbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Leo Binz and the pastors of the Dubuque Catholic parishes came to the conclusion that new high school facilities were needed to replace the existing buildings. These facilities were deteriorating, and also would not meet the demands of the post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
baby boom
Baby boom
A baby boom is any period marked by a greatly increased birth rate. This demographic phenomenon is usually ascribed within certain geographical bounds and when the number of annual births exceeds 2 per 100 women...
. As a result, it was decided to build a new central high school. In July, another meeting was held to determine a location for the new school. Harry Wahlert, who owned the Dubuque Packing Company
Dubuque Packing Company
The Dubuque Packing Company was a former meat packing company based in Dubuque, Iowa. It was recognized for the quality of its products, and in the 1950s it became one of the largest employers in the city...
, donated $250,000 towards the construction of the school. Area parishes were also asked to contribute to the funding. The total cost of construction was approximately $3,250,000.
A parcel across from the intersection of Kane and Chaney Streets near the west end of Dubuque was selected as the site for the school. When construction was finished, it measured over 222000 square feet (20,624.5 m²). In February 1959, the Archdiocese announced that the new school would be named in honor of Harry Wahlert. In August the school was officially opened, and the first classes began in September.
In 2005, construction commenced on the Mazzuchelli expansion, which utilized the west wing of Wahlert and a new addition next to the school. This facility opened in 2006, and now serves as the central middle school for all Dubuque residents in the Holy Family Catholic Schools.
Wahlert was the center of some controversy in 2007 when it was announced that all students must sign a waiver allowing them to be breathalysed in order to attend school dances. Nevertheless, this policy still continues.
Campus
Wahlert High School is located at 2005 Kane Street on the East Side of Dubuque, Iowa. The campus is 50 acres (202,343 m²) in size, with its main entrance near the corner of Kane Street and Chaney Road. The three-story building and its grounds accommodate a chapel, running track, tennis courts, soccer field, and baseball field. The Wahlert portion of the campus occupies the eastern wings of the main building, while Mazzuchelli Middle School occupies the far western wing.Students
In the 2006-2007 school year, Wahlert enrolled 600 students. Of those, 571 (95.2%) were WhiteWhite American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, (.5%) were Black
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 19 (3.2%) were Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, and 1 (.2%) was American Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
. 6 (1.0%) students were Hispanic, and may be of any race. Additionally, 312 (52.0%) were male
Male
Male refers to the biological sex of an organism, or part of an organism, which produces small mobile gametes, called spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon can fuse with a larger female gamete or ovum, in the process of fertilization...
, and 288 (48%) were female
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
.
Athletics
Wahlert High School offers opportunities for participation in 19 interscholastic athletic activities. Many of these sports include freshman, sophomore, and junior varsity levels of competition. Sports currently offered to boys include football, cross country, basketball, wrestling, bowling, golf, tennis, track, soccer, baseball, and swimming (co-op with Dubuque Community Schools). Sports offered to girls include crosscountry, swimming, volleyball, basketball, bowling, golf, tennis, soccer, and softball. Wahlert's varsity athletic teams compete in the Mississippi Valley Conference.Wahlert is noted for its strong athletic programs. The girls' 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...
team has won 14 state championships and has been the runner-up several times. Many of Wahlert's state titles were won in consecutive years. The school also boasts a recently-strong 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...
program. Wahlert has produced many strong running teams in both men's and women's Track and Cross Country. The women's cross country program, under Cynthia Wagner, won the 3A state title in 2009, 2010 and 2011; the men also won the 3A state title under Tom Horton in 2003, 2004 and 2010. Men’s and Women’s soccer teams are annually ranked in the state, with the women earning four state titles and the men winning in 2008. Men's tennis teams have won the longest run of titles in state history (6): 2004 through 2009. In 2010, Men's bowling won the first-ever state title for 1A.
Notable alumni
- Kevin KunnertKevin KunnertKevin Robert Kunnert is a retired American basketball player in the NBA. A 7'0" and 230 lb center-forward, was drafted out of the University of Iowa by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1973 NBA Draft...
- NBA - Gary SuterGary SuterGary Lee Suter is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He played his junior hockey for the Dubuque Fighting Saints, high school hockey at Culver Military Academy and then moved on to the University of Wisconsin–Madison...
- NHL Rookie of the Year - Sara TaylorSara TaylorSara Marie Taylor is a public relations consultant who was the Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs and Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush from February 2005 to May 30, 2007. A Republican campaign strategist, field operator, pollster, she was one of George W. Bush's...
- Former Director of Political Affairs in the George W. BushGeorge W. BushGeorge Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
White HouseWhite HouseThe White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical... - Dr. Kenneth M. Quinn - Former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
- Kate MulgrewKate MulgrewKatherine Kiernan Maria "Kate" Mulgrew is an American actress, most noted for her roles on Star Trek: Voyager as Captain Kathryn Janeway and Ryan's Hope as Mary Ryan...
- Actress