Dondero High School
George A. Dondero High School (formerly Royal Oak High School) opened in 1927 in Royal Oak, Michigan in Greater Detroit. It was named after former Royal Oak School Board president and U.S. representative George A. Dondero. A part of the Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools, it and Clarence M. Kimball High School were consolidated to form the current Royal Oak High School.
| Dondero High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Royal Oak, Michigan, United States | |
| Information | |
| School type | Public |
| Motto | "Enter here to learn, go forth to serve" |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Closed | 2006 |
| School district | Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools |
| Final Principal | Bridget Schipper |
| Enrollment | 852 (in 2006) |
| Color(s) | Blue and White |
| Nickname | The Oaks |
| Publication | Yearbook (Oak), Newsmagazine (Acorn), and Art Magazine (Genesis) |
| Affiliations | Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools |
| Website | web |
Overview
Due to declining enrollment, the school became a middle school at the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year. Dondero was closed following the 2005/2006 school year to allow for renovations, and district high school students from both Dondero and Kimball High School were consolidated. At the peak of enrollment, Dondero had more than 2,000 students. During the years prior to its closure, this number dropped to 852.
On October 31, 2006, the Dondero gymnasium was set on fire, causing extensive damage. Arson was suspected, and two teenage suspects were later arrested.[1][2] [3]
On October 20, 2007, the building was officially re-dedicated as Royal Oak Middle School. The dedication ceremony took place at 4:20 PM in the restored auditorium housing three huge W.P.A. murals.[4][5]
Notable alumni
- Jason Beverlin, American Major League Baseball player
- William Broomfield, American politician, businessman and philanthropist
- Daniel Casey, American screenwriter
- Bud Chamberlain, American baseball player and realtor
- Marie Donigan, member of the Michigan House of Representatives
- Glenn Frey, American musician and actor, a founding member of the Eagles
- Dave Gillanders - 1960 Olympic bronze medalist in swimming
- Judith Guest, American novelist and screenwriter
- Tom Hayden, American social and political activist and politician
- Maynard Morrison, football All-American
- Bill Muncey, hydroplane racing champion[6]
- Chris Savino, American cartoonist, animator, and writer, and creator of the animated series The Loud House.
- Steve Stockman, American politician
- Jack Tompkins, American baseball and ice hockey player, airline executive and Greater Detroit area civic leader
- Jordan Vogt-Roberts, American film and television director
- Norm Zauchin, American Major League Baseball player
References
- "Fire at the Future Royal Oak Middle School (Former Dondero High School Site) Archived 2011-07-15 at the Wayback Machine." Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools. Retrieved on July 1, 2015.
- Detnews.com | This article is no longer available online
- the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, Mirror Newspapers and Hometown Weeklies - www.hometownlife.com - Michigan
- Royal Oaks, MI New Deal Art
- Mural Restoration Project | Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools Archived 2007-05-10 at the Wayback Machine
- "Class of 1947: Bill Muncey". Royal Oak, Michigan: Royal Oak High School. Retrieved May 12, 2020.