Joel E. Ferris High School

Joel E. Ferris High School is a four-year public high school in Spokane, Washington, part of Spokane Public Schools. In southeast Spokane, it was built at a cost of $3,235,861 and opened on September 3, 1963.^[2] The school was named in 1961 for Joel E. Ferris (1874–1960),^[3][4] one of Spokane's leading citizens.^[5] The school colors are scarlet and silver and the mascot is a Saxon.

The school is also the location of the studios of KSPS-TV, a PBS member station owned by the school board, which serves eastern Washington and surrounding states, as well as enjoying significant viewership in the province of Alberta, Canada.^[6]

The school recently underwent a major redevelopment, designed by NAC Architecture, with nearly the entire campus having been rebuilt. The project took most out of the school district's 320 million dollar project for all schools. ^{[7] [8]}

The original Saxon emblem and shield was designed in 1965. It was challenged as too aggressive in 1999 but the original artist contested the issue saying "That is a Saxon doing what Saxons do" and the emblem and shield were left alone.

Recognition

• Bands and Choirs: San Francisco Heritage Festival Sweepstakes Champions 2014^[9]
• 4A Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival Champions 2011
• 4A Football State Champions 2010
• Total Boys' State Cross Country Champions 1968, 1980, 1981, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009
• 4A Boys State Cross Country Champions: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009
• 4A Boys 3rd place State Cross Country: 2001, 2002, 2008
• 4A Boys 4th place State Cross Country: 1998, 2010
• 4A Boys 5th place State Cross Country: 2000
• 4A Boys 6th place State Cross Country: 1997
• 3A Boys State Cross Country Champions: 1980, 1981
• 3A Boys 2nd place State Cross Country: 1974, 1988, 1995
• 3A Boys 3rd place State Cross Country: 1973, 1993
• 3A Boys 4th place State Cross Country: 1978, 1979,
• 2A Boys State Cross Country Champions: 1968
• Boys' Class 4A state basketball championship 1994, 2007 and 2008.^[10]
• Girls' track team are current 4A academic champions.
• GRAMMY Signature School for the 1998-99 school year
• Marching Band and Drill Team: 1997 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade
• Newsweek top 1300 high schools in 2008

Rubber Chicken History

The "Rubber Chicken" spirit contest is a cheering competition between Lewis and Clark and Ferris High Schools. Josh Collins, ASB President at Lewis and Clark in 1983, suggested to his counterpart at Ferris that a student competition between the two schools might serve to increase student spirit at both schools. The idea was accepted by both schools and an ugly rubber chicken was chosen to symbolize a reward deeply sought but without actual value.

Since 1983, the rules have undergone many evolutions. Currently, the student bodies are judged on sportsmanship, creativity, attendance, volume, drill team performance at half-time, application of events to the school or rubber chicken theme.^[11]

Notable alumni

• Connor Halliday (class of 2010): Washington State football quarterback. Currently holds NCAA record for most pass attempts and passing yards in a football game.
• Ryan Lewis: producer and DJ who performs alongside Macklemore. Although not an alumni, Lewis attended the school for his freshman and sophomore years.
• Alex Prugh (class of 2003): Professional golfer Web.com and PGA tour
• Jeff Robinson (class of 1988): defensive end, tight end, long snapper for sixteen NFL seasons (1993–2009)
• Wayne Tinkle (class of 1984): professional basketball player in Europe and current head coach for men's basketball at Oregon State University.
• Austin Washington (class of 2004): professional soccer player.^[12]
• George Yarno (class of 1975): guard for ten NFL and two USFL seasons (1979–89)
• John Yarno (class of 1973): center for NFL's Seattle Seahawks (1977–82)

References

External links

• Official site
• Cross Country References