Benton Community High School

Benton Community High School is a public high school located in Van Horne, Iowa. It is the only high school in the Benton Community School District, and serves students from Van Horne, Atkins, Blairstown, Elberon, Keystone, Newhall, Norway and Watkins.

Benton Community High School
Address
600 1st Street

Van Horne
,
Iowa

United States
Coordinates42.012876°N 92.087262°W / 42.012876; -92.087262
Information
TypePublic secondary
OversightBenton Community School District
PrincipalJames Bieschke
Grades9–12
Enrollment471 (2018-19)[1]
Color(s)Blue and yellow
Athletics conferenceWaMaC Conference
NicknameBobcats
RivalVinton-Shellsburg

History

While the Benton Community School District was formed in 1964, Benton Community High School did not open until the fall of 1965. The new BCHS drew students from the former Keystone School District, Van Horne School District, Newhall School District and Blairstown School District.[2] Beginning in 1967, BCHS absorbed students from the former Elberon Independent School District.[2] In a controversial 1991 decision, nearby Norway High School was merged into BCHS.[3]

Demographics

The student body of BCHS is 96 percent white, two percent Hispanic, and one percent black, while all other races make up the remaining one percent.[1]

Athletics

Benton Community's athletic teams compete in the WaMaC Conference.[4]

The girls track team won the 2007 and 2008 3A state championships and tied for the 1997 2A state title.[5] The softball team won the 2016 3A state championship, the 1998 2A title, and the 1966 overall state title.[6] The baseball team won the 1971 overall state championship.[7]

Performing arts

BCHS has two competitive show choirs, the varsity-level Celebration Co. and the jayvee-level Jubilation, Inc.[8] The program has hosted its own competition, Touch of Class, annually since 1996.[9] Celebration Co. won four competitions during the 2019 season.[10]

BCHS also has a competitive marching band program.[11]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Benton Community High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  2. Embray, Douglas D. (April 16, 2020). "Benton Community History". Vinton Newspapers. Community Newspaper Group. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  3. "Norway recalls its 'Final Season'". The Gazette. July 23, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  4. "Rivalry victory has Benton Community boys' soccer poised for the postseason". The Gazette. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  5. "Track Record Book" (PDF). Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  6. "State Softball Record Book" (PDF). Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  7. "2020 Baseball Statebook" (PDF). Iowa High School Athletic Association. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  8. "SCC: Viewing School - Benton Community High School". Show Choir Community. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  9. "Benton holding Touch of Class choir event". The Gazette. February 10, 2004. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  10. "SCC: Viewing Choir - Celebration Co. 2019". Show Choir Community. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  11. Delaney, Robin (September 17, 2019). "FMHS Marching Band to compete in Mt. Pleasant". Fort Madison Daily Democrat. Mississippi Valley Publishing. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  12. Christensen, Josh (June 26, 2019). "Benton Community holds homecoming for former ace pitcher Amber Fiser". KCRG. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  13. "Tom Gerhold Biography". Iowa House Republicans. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  14. "Chad Hennings, another Iowan athlete who made good and stayed good, urges responsibility and hope". The Gazette. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
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