- Central High School (Detroit, Michigan)
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For schools of a similar name, see Central High School (disambiguation).
Central High School is the oldest secondary school in Detroit, Michigan; it is staffed and operated by the Detroit Public Schools.
Central High School Address 2425 Tuxedo Street
Detroit, MichiganInformation School type Public School district Detroit Public Schools Principal Steven McGhee Grades 9-12 Language English Area Urban Color(s) navy blue and white Mascot Trailblazers Contents
History
In 1858, Detroit's first high school opened on Miami Avenue. By 1863, due to increased enrollment, the school was moved to a building that had formerly housed the State Capitol - becoming Capitol High School. By 1871 the University of Michigan had granted accreditation to the school.[1]
A glimpse at the past
In 1893 a fire destroyed Capitol High School; it continued to function temporarily at the Biddle House on East Jefferson Avenue. In 1896, Capitol became Central High School, located at the intersection of Cass and Warren Avenue (the structure is still in use by Wayne State University).[2]
During 1904, innovative educator David Mackenzie returned to his hometown as the new Principal of Central High School.[3] By 1913, under Mackenzie's direction, a one-year, college-level premedical curriculum was established at Central High - the first junior college curriculum organized in Michigan. In 1916, the program was extended to two-years, and in 1917 the state legislature approved Mackenzie's plans for establishing the Detroit Junior College. In 1919, David Mackenzie was officially appointed first Dean of the college that he had originated.[4]
In 1926, due to an increase in the student population, Central High School moved to its current location, at 2425 Tuxedo Street.[5]
Sports Headliners
As Detroit's oldest high school, Central has enjoyed a tradition of athletic success.
Central High School dominated city league men's basketball during the early twentieth century, winning championship titles in 1906, 07 and 1909. Despite the absence of tournament play (1910–1919), Central High was a perennial fixture atop the standings at season's end. CHS also won city tournament titles in 1934, 42 and 1980.[6] In 1998, Coach Oronde Taliaferro marched his Trailblazers through the postseason, all the way to the Michigan High School Athletic Association championship game. In the final, Central dispatched Belleville High 63-47 to claim the state title.[7]
During the 1980s, Central's track and field program stamped an indelible mark in the record books; Coach Woody Thomas and his track men won a total of four MHSAA team titles - in 1980, 81, 82 and 1984.[8]
Distinguished alumni
- Melvin Calvin (1928) received the 1961 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his research on photosynthesis in plants[9]
- Jerome Horwitz (1937) spearheaded the research effort resulting in development of AZT, an antiviral drug used to treat HIV[10]
- Marvin Schlossberg (1939) adopted the stage name Sonny Eliot; became one of Detroit’s most endearing television weathermen[11]
- Michael Dann (1939) was a former senior vice president of programming for CBS-Television[12]
- William Davidson (1940) was a notable professional sports entrepreneur; owned Detroit Pistons and Tampa Bay Lightning[13]
- Norman Wexler (1944) wrote screenplay for award-winning motion pictures Joe, Serpico and Saturday Night Fever[14]
- James Lipton (1944) host of Inside the Actors Studio; dean of master’s program at New York's New School for Social Research[15]
- Sander Levin (1949) United States Representative (D-Michigan)[16]
- Carl Levin (1954) United States Senator (D-Michigan)[18]
- Robert Naftaly (1956) Chairman of Michigan State Tax Commission; former chief operating officer of Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield[19]
- Jeff Walker (1970) was selected to Parade Magazine All-America Basketball Team (1970)[20]
- Trailblazer Josephine Hobbs (1976) sprinted her way into the Michigan High School Athletic Association track and field record books. Miss Hobbs won state championships in the 100 and 220-yard dash at the MHSAA finals in 1974, 1975 and 1976.[21]
- Thomas Wilcher (1982) was a ten-time MHSAA track champion; he was also a varsity football player at Central. Beyond high school, Wilcher was an All-American track athlete for the University of Michigan.[22]
- Antonio Gates (1998) is currently performing as a tight end with the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League
Other
- Renowned R&B singers Anita Baker[23] and Freda Payne attented Central High School.
References
- ^ http://www.detroit.k12.mi.us/schools/school/512
- ^ http://www.detroit.k12.mi.us/schools/school/512
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_L._Mackenzie
- ^ http://www.reuther.wayne.edu/node/3346
- ^ "Inside Detroit Public Schools » Central High School." Detroit Public Schools. Retrieved on April 18, 2009.
- ^ http://www.detroitpslbasketball.com/?page_id=2
- ^ http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/BoysBasketball/YearlyChampions.aspx
- ^ http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/BoysTrackField/TeamChampions.aspx
- ^ http://www.michjewishhistory.org/pdfs/vol45.pdf
- ^ http://www.michjewishhistory.org/pdfs/vol45.pdf
- ^ http://www.michjewishhistory.org/pdfs/vol45.pdf
- ^ http://www.michjewishhistory.org/pdfs/vol45.pdf
- ^ http://www.michjewishhistory.org/pdfs/vol45.pdf
- ^ http://www.michjewishhistory.org/pdfs/vol45.pdf
- ^ http://www.michjewishhistory.org/pdfs/vol45.pdf
- ^ http://www.legistorm.com/memberbio/335/Rep_Sander_Levin.html
- ^ http://broadeducation.org/asset/1042-090412detroitfreepress.pdf
- ^ http://levin.senate.gov/about/
- ^ http://www.michjewishhistory.org/pdfs/vol45.pdf
- ^ http://www.detroitpslbasketball.com/?page_id=8
- ^ http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/GirlsTrackField/IndividualChampions/1970s.aspx
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Wilcher
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=dCwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA76&lpg=PA76&dq=anita+baker+detroit+central+high+school&source=bl&ots=yfY2CJnsNv&sig=C1_oGk4IPCbNtnotkzJReCTaMVk&hl=en&ei=9i-xSve6BpWz8QaihLmKDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3#v=onepage&q=anita%20baker%20detroit%20central%20high%20school&f=false
The Jones Girls famous for their rendition of the song "Nights Over Egypt" and "Children of the Night" are also alumni.
External links
Categories:- High schools in Michigan
- Educational institutions established in 1858
- Schools in Detroit, Michigan
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