BURLINGTON-EDISON HIGH SCHOOL

'Burlington-Edison High School' ('B-EHS') is a public secondary school in Burlington, Washington. It serves students in grades 9-12 in the Burlington-Edison School District, including the communities of Burlington, Bow, Edison, and Alger. The principal is Beth VanderVeen, and the assistant principals are Mike Curl and Mike Christman. The mascot is the Tiger, and the school colors are blue and gold. Burlington-Edison's main rival is Mount Vernon High School^[2]

Contents

Demographics

Building

Kirkby Field

Notable graduates

Intelligent Design Controversy

Links

References

Demographics

In the 2005-2006 school year, the total student population was 1145. 78.4% of those students were white, 17% were Hispanic, 2.6% were Asian, 1% were African American, and 0.6% were American Indian or Native Alaskan. As of May 2006, 22.9% qualified for free or reduced lunches, and 2.1% were migrants.¹

Building

The campus is comprised of a newer three-story main building (which houses the library, counseling offices, and various classrooms) constructed in 1996 and older outbuildings, including classrooms, administrative offices, the gym and cafeteria, and the Tiger Tub, a food stand run by the business classes and popular among students during lunch periods.

Kirkby Field

Burlington-Edison High School's stadium was named in November of 1992 after legendary Burlington-Edison athlete Roland Kirkby.^[3] Widely considered one of the top grass fields in the state, it the home to the successful Tiger Football team. During the seventies and eighties they experienced great success, winning state championships in both 1977 and 1986 under legendary coach Glenn Rickert.^[4]

Notable graduates

★ Danielle Fisher - First female and youngest person to climb the seven summits (the tallest peak on each continent)

★ Edward R. Murrow - Famous radio broadcaster

★ Mary Mapes - Former 60 Minutes producer

★ Melvin "Wick" Peth - Bullfighting Rodeo Legend^[5]

★ Mel Hein - NFL Hall of Fame and MVP Lineman

★ Roland Kirkby - University of Washington Running Back (1948-1950), one of only three players to have his number retired in University of Washington football history^[6]

Intelligent Design Controversy

In 1997 it became known to the public that longtime Biology teacher Roger DeHart had been teaching Intelligent Design in his curriculum through excerpts of "Of Pandas and People" and "Inherit the Wind". This event brought forth national attention and controversy. From 1986 to 1997, Roger DeHart had subtly posed the idea of a higher power through the intelligent design theory. After parents of one of DeHart's students notified the American Civil Liberties Union, the group threatened to sue the Burlington-Edison School District if DeHart didn't stop teaching intelligent design. The event sparked large debate and support groups for both sides were formed. DeHart was later reassigned to earth sciences and in 2001 he resigned and took a teaching job at Marysville Pilchuck High School. He taught there for one year before transferring to a Christian school in California.^[7][8]

Links

★ B-E School District Website

References

1. Washington State Report Card
2. B-EHS Website
3. http://www.stumpranchonline.com/skagitjournal/WestCounty/Burl-NW/Pioneer/RolandVerneKirkby.html
4. http://www.wiaa.com/Athletics/fball/pastchamps/3achamps.html
5. http://www.be.wednet.edu/OurSchools/Hs/sports/hall_of_fame/40s/melvinpeth.htm
6. http://www.4malamute.com/ww3.html
7. http://www.heraldnet.com/Stories/01/8/10/14189379.cfm
8. http://www.scienceormyth.org/discoveryinstitute.html