Fife High School

Fife High School is located in Fife, Washington. FHS is the only high school in the Fife Public Schools system.[2]

Fife High School
Address
5616 20th Street East

Fife
,
Washington

USA
Information
TypePublic secondary
MottoGet 'em Trojans
Established1899
School districtFife Public Schools
DeanShane Nixon
PrincipalBrandon Bakke
Teaching staff38.82 (FTE)[1]
Grades10–12
Enrollment877 (2018–19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio22.59[1]
Color(s)Blue and Gold
         
MascotTrojans
Websitefhs.fifeschools.com

History

Fife High School initially consisted of the upper grades of the general Fife School, founded on December 23, 1899. In 1904, a two-story building was built in the same location, on Dyslin road. The high school was officially separated from the lower grades in 1930, when the new high school building was completed. A new two room school was built in the site of the present high school.[3] At that time, the official school colors of Royal Blue and Gold were chosen.

Traditions

Cabbage Patch

From the roots of Fife's agricultural economy, the Cabbage Patch Olympics[4] were born in 1980.[5] These field games were named in honor of the many cabbage fields, which until the 2000s, were still very prominent in the landscape. The Olympics occur every September as an inter-class competition, as the finale of the fall Associated Student Body (A.S.B) Week. Held on the football field, the competition consists of numerous events, most notably: The cabbage throw, Hula Hoop pass, tug of war, and pyramid building. Each class (sophomore, junior and senior) is awarded points for each event, tallied on large decorated posters. Points are also awarded for color unity (every class member wearing the class color), spirit, and mascot creativity. Traditionally, the class colors are Sophomore: White, Junior: Gold/Yellow, Senior: Blue. Each year a theme for the Olympics is chosen, Cartoon Characters for example, but the cabbage remains the overall emphasis each year. The only prizes for winning the Olympics are the substantial bragging rights, until the next year.

Daffodil Festival

Each year, Fife participates in the Pierce County Daffodil Festival, a regional tradition since 1933. Each year a competition is held in the fall within the school, for the title of Fife Daffodil princess. Once selected, the Fife Princess joins other area school representatives in competition for the title of Daffodil Festival Queen.

Every year, the Fife community builds a parade float, following the particular theme of the parade that year. All of the Fife princesses and the Fife Queen ride, accompanied by the high school band and dance team marching.

Shulapalooza Film Festival

A film festival was started back in 2004 when John Shula, a video teacher, had Leukemia so a group of students got together and raised money to buy an iPod to help their teacher pass the time in the hospital. Now the film festival is a yearly event which happens in April and takes place in Columbia Junior High's Performing Arts Center. Also all proceeds from the film festival is donated to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.[6]

Academics

Due to its small size, and the breadth of community it must serve, Fife has somewhat limited academic depth. However, the school is compensated through strong selected classes, such as calculus, physics, Spanish, and its AP classes.

Athletics

Fife competes as a 2A school in the South Puget Sound League (SPSL). However, Fife previously competed In the 2A Nisqually League, as well as a 3A classified school in the Seamount League-Pierce County, Washington. Fife's rival in athletics is White River High School, in Buckley, Washington.

The Volleyball powerhouse

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Fife was the regional girls' volleyball powerhouse of the South Puget Sound region. The team took 1st in 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999, in state volleyball and placed in the top 4 from 1992–2001. One of Fife's players was responsible for breaking every kill record in 2009.[7]

Fall

Winter

Spring

The Arts

Fife High Schools administration has historically had a strained relationship with its art teachers, art students and community members. The offerings of the school include:

  • Band/Wind Ensemble
  • Concert Choir
  • Chamber Choir
  • Jazz Band
  • Jazz Choir
  • Drawing
  • Pottery
  • Drama
  • Metalworking

At the high school, the drama program offers three classes: Beginning Acting, Advanced Drama, and Actor's Workshop. These classes allow many students to grow in their confidence and learn different aspects of acting, from improvisation to the Stanislavski System. The performances take place twice a year, with a dramatic performance in the fall and a musical in the spring. The musical is done in collaboration with the Columbia Junior High.

In the past, a local magazine set up by the students, Mirror, compiles student poetry, art, and short stories was sold around the school but has been discontinued.

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

References
  1. "Fife High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  2. Fife High School (2007). Fife High School Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  3. Fife High School: A Historical Perspective (2007). Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  4. Cabbage Patch (2007). Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  5. Olympics Founding (2007). Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  6. The Road to Shulapalooza (2).mp4, retrieved 2019-09-28
  7. WIAA Volleyball "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 9, 2009. Retrieved April 19, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Retrieved March 29, 2007.
  8. Obituary, Tacoma News Tribune (September 1, 2002). Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  9. Emmert Article (June 2004). Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  10. WSU Hall of Fame (2007). Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  11. Aiden Biography, MTV (2006). Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  12. General Election (2004). Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  13. Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association, Hall of Fame (1995). Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  14. Seahawks Cheerleaders (2000). Archived 2007-12-18 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved February 7, 2007.
  15. Seahawks Cheerleaders (2001). Archived 2007-12-18 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved February 7, 2007.

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