Destrehan High School
Destrehan High School is a public high school located in Destrehan, Louisiana, United States and is approximately twenty-five miles west of New Orleans. It is part of the St. Charles Parish Public School System and serves all students on the east bank of the Mississippi River from grades 9 through 12.[4]
| Destrehan High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
1 Wildcat Lane , 70047 United States | |
| Coordinates | 29°57′53″N 90°22′58″W / 29.964805°N 90.382693°W[1] |
| Information | |
| School type | Public |
| Established | 1924 |
| School district | St. Charles Parish Public School System |
| Principal | Jason Madere |
| Teaching staff | 89.67 (FTE)[2] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Gender | Co-Ed |
| Enrollment | 1,482 (2022-23)[3] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 16.53[2] |
| Campus type | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Garnet and gray |
| Athletics | Louisiana High School Athletic Association |
| Athletics conference | District 7-5A |
| Mascot | Wildcat |
| Nickname | Fighting Wildcats |
| Rival | Hahnville Tigers East St. John Wildcats |
| Yearbook | Remoulade |
| Website | http://www.stcharles.k12.la.us/destrehan |
It serves the communities of Destrehan, Montz, New Sarpy, Norco, and St. Rose.[5]
History edit
In 1923, the Mexican Petroleum Company donated three and one half acres of property to the St. Charles Parish School Board for the construction of a high school.[6] On August 7, 1923, the school board president accepted the donation and St. Charles Parish approved a bond issue for school construction.[6][7] Destrehan High School was dedicated on September 15, 1924, and the facility received 234 pupils in grades one through eleven.[7] The location of the original high school was on River Road, approximately 0.3 miles downriver from the St. Charles Borromeo Church on the current site of Harry Hurst Middle School. Destrehan's first graduating class consisted of Placide Hotard and Eldridge Gervais.[7]
Destrehan football began eleven-man team play in 1946.[8] In 1948, ground was broken on Destrehan High Stadium as the home for the football team.[8] The 1,200-seat stadium, completed in 1949, was located behind the original high school main building and cost $18,000 to build.[8] The Pan-American Petroleum Company donated the land to build the stadium.[8]
A new gymnasium was constructed on the Destrehan campus in 1954.[9]
In 1969, then all-black Mary M. Bethune High School in Norco was closed.[7] Elementary-aged children attended schools directed by court guidelines, and high school students moved to Destrehan High School.[7]
The process of integrating the two student bodies caused several disruptions. On October 7, 1974, students were sent home early after racially motivated fights broke out in the school.[10] Another incident between a bus full of black students and white parents and students resulted in 13-year-old Timothy Weber, who was standing outside with his mother, being shot.[10] Gary Tyler, a black student, was arrested and later convicted of the murder.[10] A federal appeals court ruled Tyler did not receive a fair trial, but he was never retried and remained in prison until his release in May 2016.[11]
The original high school located on River Road closed after the completion of the 1974 school year. The new campus located at its current location on Wildcat Lane opened on November 16, 1975.[9][12] In 1977, the original high school main building was damaged by fire and was later demolished.[9]
In 1981, the Destrehan High School Athletic Field and Field House were completed on the new school campus. The athletic field was later renamed Wildcat Stadium.
Beginning in 2005, students in grades 11 and 12 from both Destrehan and Hahnville High School's have had the option to attend the school district's Satellite Center for half of the school day. The goal is for students to concentrate on career paths that are projected to expand the most over the next decade. Courses at the Satellite Center include: Advanced Television Broadcasting, Digital Media, Engineering Design, Interactive Media, Process Technology (PTEC), Health Care Exploration, Patient Care, Hotel-Restaurant and Tourism (HRT) Administration, Culinary Arts, and Students Teaching And Reaching (STAR).[13] As of the 2018–2019 school year, the Satellite Center added courses in Instrumentation and Health Clinical. Thus, the courses of Digital Media, Interactive Media, and Advanced Television Broadcasting were moved into the academic wing of the school district's brand new Rodney Lafon Performing Arts Center less than a block away from the Satellite Center. Despite the move, these three courses are still considered a part of the Satellite Center.[14]
In 2017, Destrehan High School was one of thirty high schools world-wide to be named "world-leading learners" and to receive a fellowship based on academic excellence, and reducing the achievement gap between racial and socioeconomic groups and innovation.[15]
On August 29, 2021, the school suffered significant damage caused by Hurricane Ida. The roof of the main building, which houses the administrative offices, the library and auditorium, collapsed.[16] Additional campus buildings including the gymnasium also received damage from the hurricane. The students attended Hahnville High School for an alternating-day schedule while repairs were being made. The school reopened on January 18, 2022.[17]
In 2022, expansion and renovation of Wildcat Gymnasium was completed. The expansion increased seating capacity to 1,000 and a new auxiliary gym and elevated running track were built.[18]
Classroom expansion edit
To accommodate for larger student bodies, the school has had numerous building additions and wing expansions.
The Mathematics Building (known today as "Building D") was completed in 1993. It is a one-story, t-shaped building with a total of 14 classrooms. It also added a new textbook storage room when it was built. Originally intended as a mathematics building, it now houses most sophomore core classes and some senior core classes. One of the classrooms has been converted to a staff lounge. The building is located (if facing from the main entrance) right of the softball field, left of the main building, in front of the JROTC building, and behind the Gym Building ("Building C").[19]
The JROTC Building (known today as "Building G") was completed in 1996. It was originally a two classroom building with two one-person restrooms. In 2014, the building was expanded adding two more one-person restrooms, a new office and a new drumline room. After removing the portable classrooms that Building L replaced, students in ROTC have access to a large yard space for practice. If facing the front, the building is located directly left of the shop buildings, right of the back field behind the "D" building and in front of the tennis court.[20]
The Humanities Building (known today as "Building B") was completed in 2001. The building added roughly 25 new classrooms.[21]
The newest building (known as "Building L") was completed in 2014. It added 17 new regular-sized classrooms and six specialty rooms.[22]
Athletics edit
The Destrehan High School athletic teams, known as the Fighting Wildcats and Lady Cats, compete in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA).
- Baseball
- Basketball (Co-ed)
- Cross Country (Co-ed)
- Football
- Golf (Co-ed)
- Soccer (Co-ed)
- Softball
- Swimming (Co-ed)
- Tennis (Co-ed)
- Track and Field (Co-ed)
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Athletic facilities edit
-
-
- Fighting Wildcats Field House-Strength and Conditioning Facility
- Fighting Wildcats Lighted Practice Complex
- Wildcat Gymnasium
- Fighting Wildcats Baseball Field
- Lady Cats Softball Field
Football edit
The Destrehan Fighting Wildcats football team competes in District 7-5A in the LHSAA. The Fighting Wildcats play their home games at 5,000-seat Wildcat Stadium. They are coached by Marcus Scott.[23]
State championships edit
Championship history
The 2007 state championship team finished the season ranked 22nd in the nation[26] and the 2008 state championship team finished the season ranked 18th in the nation.[27] Those teams under head coach Stephen Robicheaux were part of a 30-game winning streak from 2007 to September 2009.[28][29][30][31]
| Year | Winning Team | Losing Team | Location | Class | Record | Head coach | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Destrehan | Six-man | ||||||
| 1949 | Destrehan | 14 | DeQuincy | 6 | 1A | 12–1 | Vane Wilson | |
| 1973 | Destrehan | 21 | Lutcher | 0 | Lutcher, Louisiana | 3A | 12–0–1 | Jessie Roussel |
| 1993 | West Monroe | 28 | Destrehan | 21 | Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans | 5A | 12–3 | Tim Rebowe |
| 2007 | Destrehan | 41 | Acadiana | 21 | Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans | 5A | 15–0 | Stephen Robicheaux |
| 2008 | Destrehan | 14 | West Monroe | 3 | Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans | 5A | 14–0 | Stephen Robicheaux |
| 2014 | Acadiana | 23 | Destrehan | 7 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans | 5A | 14–1 | Stephen Robicheaux |
| 2019 | Acadiana | 8 | Destrehan | 3 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans | 5A | 11–4 | Stephen Robicheaux |
| 2022 | Destrehan | 17 | Ruston | 10 | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans | 5A | 14-0 | Marcus Scott |
The Fighting Wildcats have won twenty-six LHSAA district championships:[34] 1949, 1958, 1963, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1981, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
The Fighting Wildcats have made the LHSAA playoffs forty-five times:[34] 1941, 1949, 1958, 1963, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Baseball edit
The Destrehan Fighting Wildcats baseball team competes in District 7-5A in the LHSAA. The Fighting Wildcats play their home games at Fighting Wildcats Baseball Field. They are coached by Christopher Mire.
State championships edit
| Year | Winning Team | Losing Team | Location | Class | Record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Destrehan | 1A | |||||
| 1956 | Hahnville | 2 | Destrehan | 0 | 1A | ||
| 1964 | Destrehan | Farmerville | 1A | ||||
| 2003 | East Ascension | 10 | Destrehan | 6 | Acadian Park, New Iberia | 5A | |
| 2005 | Jesuit | 8 | Destrehan | 2 | Zephyr Field, Metairie | 5A | |
Boys' basketball edit
The Destrehan Fighting Wildcats basketball team competes in District 7-5A in the LHSAA. The Fighting Wildcats play their home games at Wildcat Gymnasium. They are coached by Khary Carrell.[36]
Girls' basketball edit
The Destrehan Lady Cats basketball team competes in District 7-5A in the LHSAA. The Lady Cats play their home games at Wildcat Gymnasium. They are coached by Twalla Powell.[36]
State championships edit
- (1) Girls' basketball championship: 2017[37]
| Year | Winning Team | Losing Team | Location | Class | Record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Mount Carmel | 69 | Destrehan | 60 | Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles | 5A | 31–2 |
| 2017 | Destrehan | 62 | Barbe | 57 | University Center, Hammond | 5A | 35–0 |
Track and field edit
The Destrehan Fighting Wildcats and Lady Cats track and field teams compete in District 7-5A in the LHSAA. Home track meets are held at Wildcat Stadium.
State championships edit
- (1) Boys' track and field championship: 1971[9]
| Year | State Champion | Location | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Destrehan | 3A |
Band edit
The Pride of Destrehan Fighting Wildcat Band is the name of the band representing the school.[39]
Notable alumni edit
Arts and entertainment edit
- Shelley Hennig, actress and Miss Teen USA
- Mike A. Young, actor
Athletics edit
- Paul F. Boudreau, NFL and CFL assistant coach
- Macon Clark, NFL safety
- Burnell Dent, NFL linebacker
- Jordan Jefferson, NFL quarterback
- Justin Jefferson, NFL wide receiver
- Damaris Johnson, NFL wide receiver/punt returner
- Jamall Johnson, NFL linebacker and actor
- Glen Logan, NFL defensive tackle
- Damon Mason, AFL defensive back and AFL assistant coach
- Rondell Mealey, NFL running back
- Kirk Merritt, NFL wide receiver
- Jerico Nelson, NFL safety
- Jeremy Parquet, NFL offensive lineman
- Rusty Rebowe, NFL linebacker
- Tim Rebowe, head football coach at Nicholls State University
- Ed Reed, NFL safety and NFL assistant coach; Member of the NFL Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame
- Darryl Richard, NFL defensive tackle
- Mike Scifres, NFL punter
- Darrington Sentimore, NFL defensive end
- Josh Victorian, NFL cornerback
- Darius Vinnett, NFL cornerback
- Devon Walker, safety for Tulane University and New Orleans Saints
- Michael Young Jr., NFL wide receiver
Elected officials and judiciary edit
- Joel T. Chaisson, II, Louisiana State Senate president and district attorney
- Gary Smith Jr., Louisiana state senator
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Destrehan High School". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
- ^ a b "School Detail for Destrehan High School". National Center for Education Statistics.
- ^ "Destrehan High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ "Destrehan High School". usnews.com. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ^ "Destrehan High School" (Archive). AdvancED. p. 4. Retrieved on December 3, 2016.
- ^ a b "Public Education". scphistory.org. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e . Archived from the original on 28 January 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "St. Charles Parish Public Schools Part 2: 1901–1950". scphistory.org. pp. 42, 45, 47, 49. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g "St. Charles Parish Public Schools Part 3: 1951–1980". scphistory.org. pp. 6, 7, 8, 18, 34, 43, 45, 46. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ a b c Herbert, Bob (5 February 2007). "Opinion | Gary Tyler's Lost Decades". The New York Times.
- ^ . eji.org. Archived from the original on 2016-05-07.
- ^ "About Our School-DHS History". stcharles.k12.la.us. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
- ^ "Satellite Center". stcharles.k12.la.us. Retrieved 2011-07-21.
- ^ "Satellite Center Changes". www.stcharles.k12.la.us. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
- ^ "Destrehan High is one of 30 schools in the world to get this global honor". nola.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
- ^ "Destrehan High School finally reopens to students after Hurricane Ida's devastation". nola.com. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "Destrehan High School reopens 141 days after Hurricane Ida". Fox8live.com. 18 January 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "Hahnville, Destrehan high school gyms begin renovations this week". St. Charles Herald-Guide. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "History of School System Bond Issues" (PDF). stcharles.k12.la.us. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
- ^ "New school wings will be ready for students next school year". heraldguide.net. 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
- ^ "Destrehan High School Humanities Wing Addition". murrayarchitects.net. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
- ^ "Destrehan High School Wing Addition". murrayarchitects.net. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
- ^ "Marcus Scott chosen as head football coach at Destrehan". crescentcitysports.com. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ "Destrehan Wildcats Football". 14-0productions. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ a b "Louisiana High School Football State Championships 1921-2021". 14-0productions.com. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ "Destrehan 2007 Football Rankings". maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2014-11-24.
- ^ "Destrehan High School Finishes 18th". maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2014-11-24.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "Thibodaux ends Destrehan's 30-game win streak with a 31-21 win". wwltv.com. September 12, 2009. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
- ^ "Thanks for the memories: Steve Robicheaux retires as Destrehan football coach". nola.com. February 14, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
- ^ "Steve Robicheaux steps down as Destrehan football coach". crescentcitysports.com. February 14, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
- ^ "For St. Charles schools, tradition of football excellence was born in '49". St. Charles Herald–Guide. November 24, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "This is Rusty Rebowe". L'Observateur. June 8, 1998. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
- ^ a b . 14-0productions. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ a b . 14-0productions. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ a b "Destrehan hires four new head coaches, names seven total to new roles". St. Charles Herald-Guide. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ a b "Destrehan 62, Barbe 57: Cara Ursin caps off prep career with perfect season, 5A title". nola.com. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- ^ "Lady Wildcats fall to Mt. Carmel in state championship game". St. Charles Herald-Guide. 9 March 2014. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
- ^ "The Pride of Destrehan Fighting Wildcat Band". stcharles.k12.la.us. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
External links edit
- Destrehan High School website