Fitzgerald High School (Warren, Michigan)

Fitzgerald Senior High School is a public high school located in Warren, Michigan in the United States. The school is part of Fitzgerald Public Schools, and is located at 9 Mile and Ryan. The school colors are blue and gold, and the school mascot is the Spartans. Fitzgerald is ranked the third most diverse school in Michigan, with over 40 different cultures and ethnicities. Fitzgerald High School had 910 students enrolled for the 2012-13 school year.

History

Fitzgerald opened around the 1920s-1930s as a two-room school (present day Lafayette club, on Ryan south of 10 mile) with over 100 students in 1930. By 1939 there were about 300-400 students, which led to parents and students proposing a new building be built. In 1940 the state accepted the proposal and a new building was built. In the 1940s, population in the area boomed and more people moved to the district, which made the enrollment grow quickly. Enrollment kept growing, and by 1942 it had increased to roughly 840 students.

In 1948 Fitzgerald Junior-Senior High School opened Unit A with nine classrooms, a cafeteria, a library and offices. Mrs. Neigebaur-Perry became the principal as well as superintendent. In 1950 Earl S. Eidt was hired as superintendent and P.D. Chatterton became the Junior-Senior High School's principal. Enrollment reached 1838 by 1951.

Unit B was added to the Junior-Senior High School with 16 classrooms and football and track area. A bond was issued for the building of 50 additional classrooms. By 1955 enrollment had reached 2648. Another large addition to Fitzgerald Junior-Senior High School was opened, including a new library, gym, and cafeteria. In 1957 enrollment was 3414. The new swimming pool opened.

Enrollment hit another new high of 4714 in September 1963, which led to the opening of many schools around the area.

In 1965 enrollment hit 4959 and the D wing was added to the Junior-Senior High School. On January 22, 1967 the auditorium was opened. In 2002 the new Auto Technology and Pre-engineering Center opened. A new Media Center and Communication and performing Arts Center opened at Fitzgerald High School in 2003. In 2004 the athletic fields were updated and the old auto shop demolished to make way for future expansion. In 2005 a new athletic field house was built. The cafeteria and kitchen in the high school were expanded. Janette Brill became the sixth superintendent. In 2006 a second high school gym was added. The pool was renovated. A new lobby entrance and courtyard were built and parking lots restructured. Today the school only has roughly about 1000 students.

Clubs

Fitzgerald has a number of clubs for both parents and students, including a Fitness Club for students and the community, Multi-Cultural Club, S.A.D.D Club, Band Boosters, the Fitz Athletic Association (FAA), a recycling club, Student Council, and National Honors Society (NHS). Fitzgerald also has a new robotics team that competes in games and competitions against neighboring schools.

Band

Fitzgerald concert bands are directed by Brian Roelandt. The Fitzgerald Spartan Marching Band is directed by Roelandt with Assistant Director Adam Busuttil, and Camp Instructors Adam Busuttil and Anthony Case. The Fitzgerald Instrumental Music Program has a long history of success. There are currently three concert bands and a marching band. The Fitzgerald bands have been recommended by many as one of the top 100 band programs in the United States. They have received numerous awards including consistent 1st Division ratings at district and state band festivals, a Grammy Enterprise Award, Grammy Signature School Finalist, Educational Excellence Award from MSBOA, and National Champion of an online music festival. They have been invited to march in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade, 2012 Olympic Games and the Grosse Point Santa Parade. These awards have allowed the band to travel across the United States to cities such as New York, Chicago, San Antonio, New Orleans, San Francisco and Nashville. The band has also traveled to Canada and England.

Mission statement

The mission of Fitzgerald, a community~oriented school system, is to educate and nurture each student to acquire the academic, vocational, and social skills needed to become a self~sufficient citizen by providing relevant, engaging instruction and utilizing support systems necessary to assure success in a changing society.

School songs

The alma mater "Blue and Gold" was composed by Tauno Luoma and arranged by John Smith. The "Fitz fight song" was composed by Tauno Luoma and arranged by John Smith.

Sports

Sports at Fitzgerald High School include JV and Varsity Football the football team finished 8-2, Sideline Cheer, Boys' Varsity Soccer, Girls' Varsity Swimming, Girls' Varsity Volleyball, JV and Varsity Softball, Girls' Varsity Tennis, Varsity Track, Boys' Varsity Basketball, Girls' Varsity Basketball, Varsity Bowling, Varsity Competitive Cheer, Boys' Varsity Swimming, and Wrestling.

Notable alumni

• Kelly Carraway (Class of 1987), Miss World 1988
• Areeya Chumsai (Class of 1989), Miss Thailand 1994
• Joe Kopicki (Class of 1978), NBA player
• John Wojciechowski (class of 1981), NFL player/NCAA football

External links

• Fitzgerald Public Schools
• http://fitz.k12.mi.us/schools-programs/fitzgerald-high-school/
• http://macombhistory.us/Schools2/FitzgeraldSchools%20.html