Lapeer High School
{{Use American English|date=September 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox school
| name = Lapeer High School
| image = lapeerhighschoollogo.jpg
| imagesize = 150px
| logo =
| caption =
| location = 933 South Saginaw Street
Lapeer, Michigan 48446
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{coord|43.039|N|83.304|W|region:US-MI_type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| district =
| principal = Tim Zeeman{{cite web|url=https://lcsblog.com/2013/07/12/lcs-announces-lead-principals-for-lapeer-high-school/|title=LCS announces lead principals for Lapeer High School|last=lapeercs|date=July 12, 2013|website=LCSBlog.com|access-date=September 9, 2017}}
Doug Lindsay
| asst principal =
| teaching_staff = 45.65 (FTE)
| enrollment = 1,118 (2023–2024){{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=2621180&ID=262118005840|title=Lapeer High School|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|accessdate=February 3, 2025}}
| type = Public
| grades =
| conference = Saginaw Valley League
| slogan =
| motto =
| mascot = Lightning
| mascot image =
| team_name =
| nickname =
| colors = Navy blue and Kelly green
{{color box|#000080}} {{color box|#4CBB17}}
| established = 1922
2014 (current form)
| homepage = {{URL|http://east.lapeerschools.org/}}
}}
Lapeer High School is a coeducational public high school located in Lapeer, Michigan. It was established in 2014 following a merger of two high schools. LHS has one of the largest enrollment of any school in Central Michigan or The Thumb.
History
Lapeer High School existed as one school until the 1975–1976 school year when growing enrollments caused the need for an additional high school building. As a result, Lapeer High School was split into two: Lapeer West High School and Lapeer East High School{{cite web|url=http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/-5235399322612510796/lapeer-fans-will-miss-their-version-of-michigan-michigan-state-football-rivalry-as-east-and-west-teams-prepare-to-merge/|title=Lapeer fans will miss their version of 'Michigan-Michigan State' football rivalry as East and West teams prepare to merge|author=|date=September 14, 2013|website=MLive.com|access-date=September 9, 2017}}
In March 2013, the Lapeer School Board voted to consolidate the two high schools. The board decided to act sooner rather than later in addressing long-term structural issues plaguing the community - lower birth rates, declining population, and reduced funding due to current and projected enrollment declines.{{cite web|url=http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20130323/lapeer-will-soon-be-a-one-high-school-town-after-board-approves-merger-of-high-schools|title=Lapeer will soon be a one high-school town after board approves merger of high schools|author=|date=March 23, 2013|website=TheOaklandPress.com|access-date=September 9, 2017}} Over the previous 30 years, both high schools saw enrollments decline by about 15%.
Lapeer High School was established in 2014 in the former Lapeer East building, which was renovated in the summer of 2013 to accommodate the increase in enrollment, which as of 2014 stood at 2,112. The Lapeer West building now houses alternative education and other educational programs.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc12.com/story/21800619/lapeer-community-schools-consolidate-into-one-high-school|title=ABC12.com|website=ABC12.com|access-date=September 9, 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820111111/http://www.abc12.com/story/21800619/lapeer-community-schools-consolidate-into-one-high-school|archivedate=August 20, 2014|df=mdy-all}} Before consolidation, each high school had an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students.{{cite web|url=http://www.mhsaa.com/portals/0/documents/AD+Forms/1415enroll.pdf|title=MHSAA > 404|author=|date=|website=www.MHSAA.com|access-date=September 9, 2017}}
Athletics
Lapeer High School competes in the Saginaw Valley League, a 14-school conference that primarily serves a large geographical area of Central Michigan, specifically the Flint/Tri-Cities area. Before consolidation, both Lapeer East and Lapeer West were original members of the Flint Metro League since its founding in 1968. With the announcement of the planned consolidation of Lapeer East and West High Schools and subsequent denial of membership to the Flint Metro League (based upon LHS's new larger enrollment), district officials began a thorough process to determine new league affiliation with input from students, coaches, and parents. Additional options besides SVL included the Oakland Activities Association, the Macomb Area Conference, and competing as an independent school.{{cite web|url=http://thecountypress.mihomepaper.com/news/2013-09-29/Sports/Lapeer_High_to_play_in_Saginaw_Valley.html|title=Lapeer High to play in Saginaw Valley - September 29, 2013 - thecountypress.mihomepaper.com - The County Press|author=|date=|website=MiHomePaper.com|access-date=September 9, 2017}} LHS is in the South Division of the SVL, competing against schools in the Flint area.
Before opening, a committee of teachers and students from both schools decided on the school's new mascot and colors. They chose "Lightning" as the mascot and blue and green as the colors. The colors pay homage to the past of both former schools: navy blue from Lapeer West and kelly green from Lapeer East.{{cite web|url=https://lcsblog.com/2014/04/04/lapeer-community-schools-to-unify-under-district-wide-mascot-colors/|title=Lapeer Community Schools to unify under district-wide mascot, colors|last=lapeercs|date=April 4, 2014|website=LCSBlog.com|access-date=September 9, 2017}}
As the former East and West High Schools were rivals of one another, and with the move to a new athletic conference, LHS lacks a natural rivalry.{{cite web|url=http://nbc25news.com/news/local/bittersweet-last-day-of-school-at-lapeer-west-high-school-before-merger-with-east|title=Bittersweet last day of school at Lapeer West High School, before the merger with East|first=NBC25|last=Newsroom|date=June 19, 2014|website=WEYI|access-date=September 9, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20130915/HSS1201/309140075/mick-mccabe-lapeer-west-lapeer-east-prep-football|title=freep.com|author=|date=September 15, 2013|website=Freep.com|access-date=September 9, 2017}} Past non-conference opponents that LHS will now play regularly include the Flint schools and Davison High School.
Notable alumni
- Kelly Best (West), Miss Michigan USA, 2007
- Larry Carney (East), children's author and songwriter
- Louis C. Cramton (LHS), politician and judge
- Danelle Gay (West), Miss Michigan USA, 2006
- Roger Kish (West), head wrestling coach at North Dakota State University
- Terry Knight (LHS), rock and roll music producer and promoter for Grand Funk Railroad
- Jake Long (East), professional football player
- Joe Long (East), professional football player
- Asya Miller (East), blind athlete, goalball competitor
- Nathan Miller (West), Former Blue Angels Pilot{{cite web|url=https://lapeerareaview.mihomepaper.com/articles/home-grown-blue-angel-lapeeraes-top-gun-major-nathan-miller/|title=Home-grown Blue Angel — Lapeer's Top Gun, Major Nathan Miller|date=August 17, 2006|website=lapeerareaview.mihomepaper.com}}
- Terry Nichols (LHS), convicted accomplice in the Oklahoma City bombing
- Glenn Pakulak (East), former professional football player
- Charles E. Potter, (LHS), former U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator serving Michigan
- Victor Prather (LHS), former flight surgeon and space suit designer
- Kemp Rasmussen (West), former professional football player
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://east.lapeerschools.org/}}
{{Saginaw Valley League}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Educational institutions established in 1922
Category:Public high schools in Michigan