Destrehan High School

Destrehan High School is a public high school located in Destrehan, Louisiana, United States. The St. Charles Parish Public School System school serves all students on the East bank of the Mississippi River in grades 9 through 12.[4]

Destrehan High School
Address
1 Wildcat Lane

Destrehan
,
Louisiana
70047

United States
Coordinates29.964805°N 90.382693°W / 29.964805; -90.382693[1]
Information
School typePublic
Established1924
School districtSt. Charles Parish Public School System
PrincipalJason Madere
Teaching staff88.33 (FTE)[2]
Grades9–12
GenderCo-Ed
Enrollment1,374 (2018-19)[3]
Student to teacher ratio15.56[2]
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)Garnet and gray   
AthleticsLouisiana High School Athletic Association
Athletics conferenceDistrict 7-5A
NicknameFighting Wildcats
Websitehttp://www.stcharles.k12.la.us/destrehan

It serves the communities of Destrehan, Montz, New Sarpy, Norco, and St. Rose.[5]

History

Destrehan High School, a public secondary school, is located on the east bank of St. Charles Parish in Destrehan, Louisiana, approximately twenty-five miles west of New Orleans.

In 1923, St. Charles Parish approved a bond issue for school construction. On September 15, 1924, the Destrehan High School facility received 234 pupils in grades one through eleven. Destrehan's first graduating class consisted of Placide Hotard and Eldridge Gervais.[6]

In 1969, then all-black Mary M. Bethune High School was closed, bringing an end to racially segregated schools and forcing the two student bodies to be combined. Elementary-aged children attended schools directed by court guidelines, and high school students were moved to Destrehan High School.

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.[7] 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.[7] Gary Tyler, a black student, was arrested and later convicted of the murder.[7] 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.[8]

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 with the start of the 1975 school year.[9]

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).[10] 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.[11]

In 2014, two instructors were arrested for having illegal amorous relations with a 16-year-old student.[12] In early 2016, a third teacher was criminally charged for a similar offense.[13]

In 2017, Destrehan High School was one of thirty high schools world-wide to be named "world-leading learners" and to receive a fellowship to share with other schools techniques to excel with the challenges in today's world. The criteria for selection was based on their strength in at least one of these categories: academic excellence, schools that are reducing the achievement gap between racial and socioeconomic groups and innovation, and schools that are aligning classroom outcomes with local labor market stills that are crucial to success in the 21st century economy.[14]

Expansions

To accommodate for larger student bodies, the school has had numerous building additions and wing expansions.

Building B (Humanities Building)

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").[15]

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.[16]

Building B (Humanities Building) breezeway

The Humanities Building (known today as "Building B") was completed in 2001. It was the first two-story (and first multi-story) building on campus. The building added roughly 25 new classrooms. Today it houses most core courses (math, science, social studies/history, and English) for freshmen (on floor 1) and juniors (on floor 2). It also houses many senior courses and some sophomore courses. The building has four stairwells, all of which are outside of the building. The entrance to the building is a breezeway with two stairwells that lead to the second floor and two doorways that lead to the first floor. Above the breezeway opposite to the stairs is a large staff lounge. The building is directly left of the main building, directly right of the football field, directly in front of the Gym Building ("Building C"), and facing the front of the school.[17]

Building L

The newest building (known as "Building L" was completed in 2014. The building allowed for the elimination of all portable classrooms on campus increasing yard space and improving school safety. It is the second two-story (and multi-story) building on campus. It added 17 new regular-sized classrooms, 3 new arts classrooms, a new drama room, a new band room and a new choir room (for a total of 23 new classrooms). It also added two more offices and an additional staff lounge. The first floor houses computer classes, all arts classes, speech classes, sports medicine, and drama. The second floor houses foreign languages, choir, and academically-gifted courses. The band room is a two-story classroom with a large amount of floor space on the first floor and many practice rooms on the second floor. Between the band room and corridors, there is a large lobby with display cases.

Each hallway is also complete with accent lighting, televisions, and display cases that connect directly from the arts classrooms. Originally, there were plans to place music and drama on a third floor, but due to a strict time limit, the idea was scrapped and band/choir/drama were placed on floors 1 and 2. The building is directly right of the main building and faces the front of the school.[18]

Alma Mater
On sacred lands beyond compare
Where river echoes fall,
Stands Destrehan our school so true,
To thee we pledge our all.
Our spirit and our loyalty
For thee will never die.
Our love will live eternally,
Till stars fade from the sky.
Thy learned walls our hearts enthrall,
Thy teachings do inspire.
The tender glow our hearts bestow
Grows steadily to fire.
And as the years go slowly by
We ever will be true.
The years we've spent, so much they've meant
Though life fades from our view.

Extracurricular activities
  • Band
  • Beta Club
  • Cheerleading
  • Choir
  • Color Guard
  • Culture Club
  • Dance team (Desty Darlings)
  • Drama
  • Drill Team
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes
  • Graphic Media Appreciation Society
  • Homecoming
  • JROTC
  • KickOff Mentors
  • Literary Club
  • Literary Rally
  • Mu Alpha Theta
  • National Honor Society
  • PREP Club
  • Quiz Bowl
  • Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society
  • SADD
  • Sports Medicine
  • Student Council
  • Team 3039 – Wildcat Robotics
  • WISE Club
  • Yearbook

Athletics

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
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling

Athletic facilities

Football

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.[19]

State championships

The Fighting Wildcats have won five LHSAA state football championships.[20][21] The 2007 state championship team finished the season ranked 22nd in the nation[22] and the 2008 state championship team finished the season ranked 18th in the nation.[23] Those teams under head coach Stephen Robicheaux were part of a 30-game winning streak from 2007 to September 2009.[24][25]

LHSAA State Championship Games
Year Winning Team Losing Team Location Class Record
1941 Destrehan Six-man
1949 Destrehan 14 DeQuincy 6 1A 12–1
1973 Destrehan 27 Lutcher 0 3A 12–0–1
1993 West Monroe 28 Destrehan 21 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 5A 12–3
2007 Destrehan 41 Acadiana 21 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 5A 15–0
2008 Destrehan 14 West Monroe 3 Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans 5A 14–0
2014 Acadiana 23 Destrehan 7 Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans 5A 14–1
2019 Acadiana 8 Destrehan 3 Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans 5A 11–4

The Fighting Wildcats have won twenty-one LHSAA district championships:[26] 1949, 1958, 1963, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1981, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.

The Fighting Wildcats have made the LHSAA playoffs forty-one times:[26] 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 and 2019.

Fighting Wildcats players in the NFL

Year Name Position Team Round Pick Teams
2020 Justin Jefferson WR Minnesota Vikings 1st Round 22nd Minnesota Vikings
2012 Jordan Jefferson QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free Agent Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2012 Damaris Johnson WR Philadelphia Eagles Free Agent Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans
2012 Jerico Nelson SS New Orleans Saints Free Agent New Orleans Saints
2011 Josh Victorian CB Baltimore Ravens Free Agent Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, New York Giants
2009 Darryl Richard DT New England Patriots 7th Round 234th New England Patriots
2007 Darius Vinnett CB St. Louis Rams Free Agent St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons
2005 Jamall Johnson LB Cleveland Browns Free Agent Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2005 Jeremy Parquet OT Kansas City Chiefs 7th Round 238th Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers
2003 Mike Scifres P San Diego Chargers 5th Round 149th San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers
2002 Ed Reed DB Baltimore Ravens 1st Round 26th Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, New York Jets (NFL HOF)
2000 Rondell Mealey RB Green Bay Packers 7th Round 252nd Green Bay Packers
1986 Burnell Dent LB Green Bay Packers 6th Round 143rd Green Bay Packers, New York Giants
1978 Rusty Rebowe LB New Orleans Saints Free Agent New Orleans Saints

Baseball

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

The Fighting Wildcats have won one LHSAA state baseball championship.[27]

LHSAA State Championship Games
Year Winning Team Losing Team Location Class Record
1964 Destrehan Farmerville 1A
2003 East Ascension 10 Destrehan 6 Acadian Park, New Iberia 5A
2005 Jesuit 8 Destrehan 2 Zephyr Field, Metairie 5A

Since 2000, the Fighting Wildcats have won seven LHSAA district championships: 2002, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Boys' basketball

The Destrehan Fighting Wildcats basketball team competes in District 7-5A in the LHSAA. The Fighting Wildcats play their home games at Destrehan Gymnasium. They are coached by Troy Green, Sr.

Girls' basketball

The Destrehan Lady Cats basketball team competes in District 7-5A in the LHSAA. The Lady Cats play their home games at Destrehan Gymnasium. They are coached by Jenn Miller.

State championships

The Lady Cats have won one LHSAA girls state basketball championship.[28]

LHSAA State Championship Game
Year Winning Team Losing Team Location Class Record
2017 Destrehan 62 Barbe 57 University Center, Hammond 5A 35–0

Band

The Pride of Destrehan Band is the "official" name of the band representing the school.[29]

Notable alumni

Arts

Athletics

Elected officials and Judiciary

See also

References
  1. "Destrehan High School". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  2. "School Detail for Destrehan High School". National Center for Education Statistics.
  3. "Destrehan High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  4. "Destrehan High School". usnews.com. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  5. "Destrehan High School" (Archive). AdvancED. p. 4. Retrieved on December 3, 2016.
  6. "DHS History - destrehan.cfm". Archived from the original on 28 January 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/05/opinion/05herbert.html
  8. http://eji.org/Gary-Tyler-released-from-Louisiana-prison-after-41-years
  9. "About Our School-DHS History". stcharles.k12.la.us. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
  10. "Satellite Center". stcharles.k12.la.us. Retrieved 2011-07-21.
  11. "Satellite Center Changes". www.stcharles.k12.la.us. Retrieved 2018-12-28.
  12. "Police: Destrehan teachers had illegal amorous relations with a student". WGNO. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  13. Goldstein, Sasha (19 January 2016). "Third teacher from same Louisiana school busted for sex with student after female teen fesses up". NY Daily News. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  14. "Destrehan High is one of 30 schools in the world to get this global honor". nola.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  15. "History of School System Bond Issues" (PDF). stcharles.k12.la.us. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
  16. "New school wings will be ready for students next school year". heraldguide.net. 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
  17. "Destrehan High School Humanities Wing Addition". murrayarchitects.net. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
  18. "Destrehan High School Wing Addition". murrayarchitects.net. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
  19. "Marcus Scott chosen as head football coach at Destrehan". crescentcitysports.com. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  20. "Louisiana High School Football State Champions". 14-0productions. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  21. "Destrehan Wildcats Football". 14-0productions. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  22. "Destrehan 2007 Football Rankings". maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2014-11-24.
  23. "Destrehan High School Finishes 18th". maxpreps.com. Retrieved 2014-11-24.
  24. "Just enough, just right for Destrehan". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  25. http://www.wwltv.com/sports/stories/wwl091209bhdestrehanloses.1724d6289.html%7CThibodaux ends Destrehan's 30-game win streak with a 31-21 win
  26. "Louisiana High School Football All-time Playoff List". 14-0productions. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  27. "Louisiana High School Baseball State Champions". 14-0productions. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  28. "Destrehan 62, Barbe 57: Cara Ursin caps off prep career with perfect season, 5A title". nola.com. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  29. "The Pride of Destrehan Band". stcharles.k12.la.us. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
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