Southridge High School (Kennewick)

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Location
Southridge High School

Information
Principal	Mr. Williamson, Mr. LeCompte and Mrs. Wilson
Enrollment	~1,400
Type	Public
Established	1995
TeamName Colors Archrivals	Suns Navy Blue & Gold Kennewick Lions Kamiakin Braves
Homepage	http://www.ksd.org/srhs [4]

Southridge High School is a public high school located in the city of Kennewick, Washington (in Benton County). Construction on the $30 million building began in 1995, with classroom doors opening in the spring of 1997. The original plans greatly mirrored that of a prison or jail, and many visitors often mistake Southridge for a prison. During construction, classes were held at Fruitland Elementary School, under the direction of Principal Ron Williamson.^[1] The first commencement was held inside the Tri-Cities Coliseum in June of 1999. ^[2] Southridge was the third 4A school constructed in Kennewick, but with the reorganization of leagues in 2006, Southridge became a 3A school and is now a member of the Columbia Basin League.^[3]

1 Facilities
2 Home of the Suns
3 Fight Song
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Facilities

The 50-acre campus lies within a valley on the southwest border of Kennewick, the natural terrain of the area has a soft breeze that produces fresh air. On open land, Southridge has easy in-and-out access, although it is several miles away from the vast majority of its students.

The school's main complex, divided into six main wings (labeled A through F), was designed by Bob Rothman (HGA of Minnesota); Joe Lavernier Construction of Spokane was the general contractor.^[4] The B, C, and D-wings are dedicated to classrooms, each containing two floors with eight classrooms per floor as well as a multitude of lockers. The A-wing houses the auditorium, cafeteria, and the music rooms. The F-wing contains one large and two small gyms as well as a weight room - with locker rooms and training room both located downstairs. The E-wing contains the library and main offices.

The wings are all connected by a long crescent hall with A and F-wing at the north and south ends, respectively. The E-wing is in the inner curve, and wings B, C and D branch off along the outer curve, giving the school a unique resemblance of art or a futuristic, cleaner environment. See an aerial view.

The school grounds include state-of-the-art football and baseball fields, as well as softball fields, a track, several soccer fields, and 16 lighted tennis courts. The school was outfitted for a swimming pool, though none has been built.

[edit] Home of the Suns

The school nickname, the Suns, was selected in a vote among the first freshman class (Class of 1999). The current "live" mascot is a gorilla named "Sunny".

The school colors are blue and gold (originally were Blue, Silver, and Gold). The school fight song, "Southridge Will Forever Hold My Heart," was written in 1996 by a Southridge student to the tune of the "Notre Dame Victory March."

Football and soccer games are played at Neil F. Lampson Stadium, which is located on the grounds of Kennewick High School. Southridge shares the stadium with Kennewick and Kamiakin High School. In their brief existence, the Suns have won state championships in dance and baseball^[5], along with several individual state championships in tennis, gymnastics,wrestling, and Ice Hockey.

Southridge also boasts a nationally-ranked debate program. Since its inception in 1996-1997, the squad has competed at the State Tournament, winning the state championship in Policy debate (Cross-X), Lincoln-Douglas debate, and Individual Events (Forensics).^[6] The team has competed and claimed victory at several State and National Invitational events, including the Whitman College Invitational and the National Forensic League's National Tournament.

With one of the finest performing arts theatres in the area, the Southridge Drama department and Drama Club produce several ensemble performances each year. Former Southridge student Danica Lyn Stewart achieved acting success in her adult life and can be seen on NBC's daytime soap Passions.^[7]

The Suns also have one the best Engineering Technology programs in the state, led by Jim Hendricks. They offer college-level projects like power supplies and "Sumo" robots, with which they compete with Battelle. Their Material Science course offers the chance to create a sterling silver ring and a personal piece of stained glass, both designed by the students. It is taught by Roy Bunnell.