Looking up at the back of the stadium, 2006, before construction and remodeling

Saguaro High School is a former A+ and Blue Ribbon Schools Program certified high schools of the Scottsdale Unified School District in Scottsdale, Arizona.^[1][2] Saguaro was opened in 1966. It is a 4A Div.1 school.

Beginning in 2006, Saguaro underwent massive renovation in response to the swelling student population (mostly caused by the huge inflow of families to North Scottsdale) and aging facilities. The school district is still oddly-shaped, with a pocket of North Scottsdale students carved out of what was once the Desert Mountain High School district due to massive overcrowding of the latter.

[edit] The Area

Saguaro is located near the crossroads of Hayden Road and McDonald Road, two blocks from the 101 Freeway funneling into North Scottsdale. It is located in what is colloquially known as Central Scottsdale, in close proximity to Old Town Scottsdale and the Fashion Square Mall. The student body is very diverse, hailing anywhere from lower-class to extremely wealthy families. Most students from Saguaro go to Arizona State University or Scottsdale Community College.

[edit] Science Department

Saguaro's Science Olympiad teams consistently score in the top two schools at the Arizona State Science Olympiad competition, a testimony to the school's rigorous science program. The school also has an excellent record at the statewide Chemistry Challenge at Northern Arizona University.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Performing Arts

Saguaro High School has all five disciplines in its performing arts department: Orchestra, Band, Dance, Theater, and Choir. There are five choirs: a Men's Choir, a Woman's Choir (dubbed "The Cat's Meow"), coed JV choir, coed Advanced Vocal Ensemble, and the coed Voices of Saguaro, the latter of which has attended multiple national competitions. The band department boasts a marching band, and an upper-and-lower-level concert band set (Symphonic and Concert band, respectively), as well as a jazz band during the spring when marching band is not in session. There is also a winter color guard and winter percussion line, both of which have performed together in the past, but also perform separately.

These are the programs the marching band has performed recently:

2001-2002: Irish music

2002-2003: "Cinema Blockbusters" (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Gladiator, Lord of the Rings)

2003-2004: "Pictures at an Exhibition" (arranged by then-director Julie French)

2004-2005: "The Mask of Zorro"

2005-2006: "Superheroes"

2006-2007: Arrangements of the band Chicago

2007-2008: A Tribute to Stan Kenton

2009-2010: Theater District

[edit] Athletics

The SHS Varsity Boys' Basketball program are 3 time State Champions (1990, 1996, and 2004). The first ever State Championship in 1990 was won by a score of 88-78 over Corona del Sol. The second State Championship in 1996 was won by a score of 50-43 over Prescott and the third State Championship in 2004 was won by a score of 62-54 over Tempe McClintock.

The SHS Varsity Baseball program are one time State Champions (1992). The 1992 team won the school's first ever State Championship in Baseball by a score of 5-1 over Shadow Mountain High School.

The SHS Varsity Football program are four time State Champions (1995, 2006, and 2007, 2008). They have been to the State Championship game a total of four times. They won their first State Championship in 1995 over Glendale Ironwood by a score of 42-7. The school's second and third State Championships came in 2006 and 2007 with a 41-21 win over Tucson Sabino in '06.^[3] and a 23-21 win over Tucson Canyon del Oro in 2007. In this years 2008 State Championships it was against hometown rival Chaparral.38-0. With players like Cory Adams, Max Smith, Cole Rarrick, Kody Koebensky leaving to ASU the only one left now is Erik Ibarra the #3 RB in the state its going to bw interesting to see how they coincide together after a 3 peat.

The SHS Varsity Boy's Golf and Girl's Golf programs have combined for four State Championships (Boy's 1977 and 1990, Girl's 1997 and 1998).

The Girl's Swim and Dive program are one time State Champions (1971) .

The Girl's Gymnastics program won numerous State Championships over the years while it was still a sport at Saguaro High School.

Saguaro's new rivals as of 2009 are the McClintock Chargers.

[edit] Notable alumni

• Sandra Bernhard actress and comedian.
• David Spade actor, comedian and producer.
• Richard Sala artist/cartoonist/author
• Mike Brown, All-Pro Defensive Back for the Chicago Bears.
• J. S. Lewis fiction writer.
• Dale Hellestrae (football player), All-Pro Offensive Lineman for the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and the Baltimore Ravens. He played for 3 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl teams.
• Neal Pollack, novelist and humor writer.
• Mitch Van Kampen, famous businessman was granted honorary alum status in 2002.
• Keith Wallace, lead singer for the punk rock band Sigma (2004)
• Andrea Cambern, TV anchor on WBNS-TV.
• Chelsea Staub, actress.
• The Summer Set, band

[edit] Interesting Historical Facts

• In 1972, Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and even Spiro Agnew made an appearance at the school during Nixon's presidential reelection campaign.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Saguaro High School Online