Paul G. Blazer High School

Paul G. Blazer High School (named for Paul G. Blazer^[2]) is a public high school located in Ashland, Kentucky. It is part of the Ashland Independent school district. In 1962, the new Paul G. Blazer High School replaced the former Ashland High School on Lexington Avenue and the former Booker T. Washington Grade and High School located at Seventh Street and Central Avenue. It started out as a school for grades 10-12 but changed over to 9-12 in 1980. For this reason, Blazer is still commonly referred to as simply "Blazer" by local residents, or "Ashland-Blazer" in publications about the school. Blazer is designed in a campus-style layout with seven buildings. This is unique among high schools in the region, as most consist of one single building. In 2011 the campus completed its renovation, which in most students eyes lessened the natural feel of the open campus by removing many of the trees that were in the open circle of campus. New grass was added and three of the seven buildings were repaired heavily. The next round of renovations plan to include the Art, Shop, and Theater facilities once the budget allows.

Notable alumni

• Arliss Beach - National Football League running back - Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans
• Larry Conley - Former University of Kentucky and Kentucky Colonels basketball player, College basketball analyst
• Drew Hall - Former Major League Baseball pitcher and #3 overall draft pick of the Chicago Cubs
• Ashley Judd - Class of 1986 as Ashley Tyler Ciminella - Actress
• Wynonna Judd - Country singer
• Charlie Reliford - Major League Baseball umpire
• Harold Sergent - Former basketball player
• Brandon Webb - 2006 National League 2006 Cy Young Award^[3] -winning pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
• Chuck Woolery - Television personality
• Lauren E. Young - Noted Psychologist

Planning and construction (1957-1962)

January 9, 1958 – The Ashland Independent School District's Board of Education announced names for the soon to be constructed John Grant Crabbe Elementary School, Poage Elementary School, and the Paul G. Blazer High School. In reference to the Paul G. Blazer High School, Board President Claude N. Fannin said: "Mr. Blazer has long taken a special interest in education, both locally and throughout the state. In recognition of his many activities in support of this cause, and his significant contribution to the welfare of our youth, the Board of Education is proud to take this means of expressing the community's appreciation." In a letter to the board, Mr. Blazer expressed his appreciation for "this very great honor which you have accorded to Mrs. Blazer and me." (Ashland Daily Independent newspaper (ADI))

March 1959 – Local group assembles for a topographical study and site assessment. Participating were George E. Jamison, architect: E. E. Ramey, board consultant: F.S. "Bud" Crawford, board president: Gus Litton, Ashland Oil engineer: Jack Callihan, board member: Morris Griffiths, Ashland Oil engineer: Don Rist, Armco engineer: Bob Tanner and Claude N. Fannin board members: Bert Rigg, head of Armco's training department and chairman of the Board of Trade's education committee: John Dryden, Armco representative. (ADI)

April 16, 1959 – University-Style School is recommended. The focus of the study was adaptation to the forty-three acre site between Floyd and 13th Streets at the lowest cost and highest benefit to students. (ADI)

December 8, 1959 - Blazer family gifts $100,000 to high school project with recommendation for physical education, included is a request to consider a school swimming pool. (ADI)

March 14, 1960 – $2,000,769 in bids for construction are approved. (ADI)

March 23, 1960 - $2,500,000 school building revenue bonds are sold to a group of bonding companies headed by W.L. Lyons. The average interest rate over 18 years was 4.38292%. (ADI)

May 1, 1959 – Ashland Board of Education approves campus-type school during informal meeting with architects, Joseph Baker & Associates. (ADI)

May 23, 1960 – Ground is broken for the seven building campus-style school which will include a swimming pool. The first spade of earth was turned by F. S. Crawford, chairman of the board of education. He used an engraved shovel presented to Mr. Blazer by John E. Werner of Werner Construction Company. (ADI)

January 13, 1961 – High School receives special citation from a jury of the American Institute of Architects and the American Association of School Administration. It read as follows: "Excellent adaption to a provocative, pleasing and difficult site. Good grouping of related units in a campus plan, well blended in the landscape." (ADI)

September 1, 1962 – Paul G. Blazer Plaque is dedicated with the inscription: "Paul Garrett Blazer: Philanthropist, Industrialist, Outstanding Citizen. Of his notable achievements, none has surpassed his life-long dedication to the furthering of education for the youth of our commonwealth and our nation." (ADI)

October 7, 1962 – Paul G. Blazer High School is dedicated. Six thousand Ashlanders and visitors strolled through the sprawling seven building complex located on 43 acres. Governor Combs and Blazer shared the platform before an estimated three thousand in the gymnasium-auditorium. Other platform dignitaries were: W.C. Shattles, Ashland School superintendent; F.S. "Bud" Crawford, chairman of the Ashland Board of Education; Dr. Paul R. Kleycamp, James Snyder, and Robert Tanner, board members; Claude Fannin, former board member; J.P. Conley, also a former board member and then on Ashland Board of City Commissioners; H.L. Ellis Blazer High School principal; Everett Reeves, mayor pro-tem; Dr. Samuel R. Curry, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, who delivered invocation; and John Woods, III, chairman of Ashland Junior Chamber of Commerce in charge of dedication. (ADI)

References

External links

• Paul G. Blazer High School