Southridge High School (Kennewick)
Facilities
The 50-acre (200,000 m) campus lies within a valley on the southwest border of Kennewick. Southridge is located several miles away from the majority of its students.
The school's main complex, divided into wings A through G, was designed by the architecture firm Hammel, Green and Abrahamson of Minnesota; Joe Lavernier Construction of Spokane was the general contractor. The B, C and D-wings are classrooms, each containing two floors with eight classrooms per floor as well as lockers. The A-wing houses the auditorium, c music rooms and practice rooms. A-wing is located right next to the cafeteria. The F-wing contains one large gym and a small gym as well as a weight room, and two other rooms that are multipurpose - with locker rooms and training room both located downstairs. The E-wing contains the library and main offices downstairs and upstairs it holds more classrooms. G-wing holds all of the science classrooms, it is the only hall that has no rooms on the ground floor and was a new addition made in 2021.
The wings are all connected by a long crescent-shaped hall with A and F-wing at the north and south ends, respectively. The E-wing is in the inner curve, wings B, C and D branch off along the outer curve and all connect to G-wing upstairs.
The school grounds include football and baseball fields, an outdoor basketball court as well as softball fields, a track, several soccer fields, eight tennis courts, and 2 courtyards made at the time G-wing was added. The school uses the Kennewick Public Pool as it does not have one of its own.
Home of the Suns
The school nickname, the Suns, was selected in a vote among the first freshman class (Class of 1999). The mascot is a gorilla named "Sunny" and was inducted into SHS in the 2006-2007 school year.
The school colors are blue and gold (originally 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.
Southridge has a storied Mock Trial Program. Winning back to back YMCA Mock Trial regional championships in 2012 and 2013, and attending the Washington State YMCA tournament multiple times.
The Southridge Drama department and Drama Club produce several ensemble performances each year.
Southridge also has one of the best engineering technology programs in the state, led formally by Jim Hendricks, who was invited to join Tri-Cities STEM School, Delta High, in 2009. It offers college-level projects like power supplies and "Sumo" robots, with which it compete with Battelle. Its material science course offers the chance to create a sterling silver ring and a personal piece of stained glass, both designed by the students. The course was taught by Roy Bunnell.
Former Southridge student Danica Lyn Stewart achieved acting success in her adult life and can be seen on NBC's daytime soap Passions.
Athletics
Southridge participates in the Columbia Basin Big Nine (CBBN) 3A. The CBBN is the former Columbia Basin League which is the former Big Nine. 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 for 4 years (2004–2008), golf, soccer, and baseball, along with several individual state championships in tennis, gymnastics, Swimming, diving, ice hockey, and wrestling. Southridge’s competitive cheerleading team qualified for state in 2023.
Fight song
The Southridge High School fight song is sung to the tune of the Notre Dame Fight Song.
All hail to our Southridge High
Bring on the challenge, let's do or die
Honor, fame, and glory too
Guardians of the GOLD & BLUE!
We are the finest under the sun
Carry the fight 'till victory's won
Greatest school to you & I
That's almighty Southridge High
Notable alumni
- Shawn O'Malley, infielder, Seattle Mariners
- Mason Martin, Professional baseball player
References
- ^ "Southridge High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ "Southridge High School". Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- ^ "Top Mid-Columbia stories for Feb. 21, 1997". Archived from the original on November 18, 1999.
- ^ "Top Mid-Columbia stories for June 6, 1999". Archived from the original on January 18, 2000.
- ^ Prep Report: Big Nine to go 4A/3A
- ^ "Top Mid-Columbia stories for Jan. 19, 1997". Archived from the original on March 2, 2000.
- ^ Danica Stewart
- ^ STATS