Mount Vernon High School (MVHS) is a high school in Mount Vernon, Washington.[3] The school was originally known as Union High School.[1][4] With a student body nearing 2,000, it is the largest public high school in Skagit County, Washington.
Athletics
Gymnasium & Field House
Built in 1951, the Mount Vernon High School gymnasium features original wooden bleachers and other classic architectural features.[5]
In 2003 the MVHS gym was ranked first among twenty of the state's top high school gymnasiums by the Seattle Times. The story referred to it as "the gold standard of high-school gymnasiums" and "the Sistine Chapel of Washington gyms".[5]
Basketball
Mount Vernon is known for its athletic success in high school basketball.[6][7] The Bulldogs' boys basketball team found major success under Mac Fraser, head coach from 1986–2001, who was elected into the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005.
The Bulldogs won consecutive WIAA Class 3A state titles in 1991 and 1992 led by future NBA player Mark Hendrickson.[8] In 2000 the Bulldogs lost in the state title game to Seattle Prep, but returned the next year to defeat Rainier Beach for the 2001 title.[9] The Bulldogs were undefeated in 1991 and 2001.
Music & Forensics
Mount Vernon is known for its musical programs, specifically its Band, Choir, and Mariachi programs. Its band program, under the direction of Skagit Symphony director Jacob Scherr, as well as the Choir program under the direction of Jesus Gomez, have achieved consistent representation at the WMEA Solo & Ensemble competition, with the Percussion Ensemble directed by Daisy Cardona having been invited to the 2024 Percussive Arts Society International Competition.[10] The school's Mariachi program has also been noted for being a unique offering, with it being one of the few existing in Washington State. [11]
The Mount Vernon speech & debate program has been also successful, with the team being a leading chapter of the National Speech & Debate Association and its "100 club", holding 27 nationals appearances.[12]
^ Written at Mount Vernon, Washington. "High School Praised". The Bellingham Herald. Bellingham, Washington. April 27, 1923. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
^ abSmith, Craig (February 25, 2003). "Gym dandies: These hoop havens heaven to some". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 12, 2022. 1. Mount Vernon – This is the Sistine Chapel of Washington gyms. Built in 1921, it is old, wooden and has warmth and heritage. Many consider it the gold standard of high-school gymnasiums.
^Bergin, Mark (March 9, 2004). Written at Mill Creek. "Swanson, Mount Vernon resume state tradition". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Seattle. Retrieved February 9, 2024. Few programs in Washington enjoy Mount Vernon's wealth of basketball heritage. Dating to 1924, when the Bulldogs advanced to their first state tournament, they have — including this year — qualified 22 times. Those appearances have produced three state titles and three runner-up finishes.
^Smith, Craig (March 4, 2001). Written at Tacoma. "Class 3A boys basketball: Top of the Mount". The Seattle Times. Seattle. Retrieved September 12, 2022. Mount Vernon completed an undefeated season last night by beating Rainier Beach 65-52 to win the Class 3A boys state high-school basketball championship at the Tacoma Dome.
^Voegtlin, Anne (October 4, 1985). "Transfer-mation of a classmate". The Columbian. Vancouver, Washington. Retrieved April 24, 2023. When I knew her she was Cheryl Benthien, a fellow member of Mount Vernon (Wash.) High School's Class of 1972.
^Smith, Craig (March 2, 2004). "Basketball was early passion for Caviezel". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 13, 2022. Q: What's the basketball history of Jim Caviezel, the Mount Vernon native who plays Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ" blockbuster? A: Caviezel, 35, grew up in Conway, near Mount Vernon, in a Catholic, basketball-crazy family. As a freshman at Mount Vernon High School, he got thrown in a dumpster by upperclassmen after proclaiming he would make the varsity. He transferred as a junior to O'Dea, played for the Irish, then transferred again that spring to Kennedy.
^Investigation of the My Lai Incident (Report). My Lai Incident Subcommittee. 1970. p. 219. Retrieved September 13, 2022. Mr. Hebert: Where did you go to school? Mr. Colburn: Mount Vernon High School, and Skagit Valley Junior College.
^"Obituary — Donald D. Eldridge". The Olympian. Olympia, Washington. October 24, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2023. He graduated from Mount Vernon Union High School in 1938
^Dizon, Kristin; Kamb, Lewis (January 21, 2003). Written at Mount Vernon, Washington. "Kelly lived life 'strapped in'". Seattle Post Intelligencer. Seattle. Retrieved September 13, 2022. After graduating from Mount Vernon High School in 1983, Kelly went to the University of Washington, where he was an honor student.
^Zolecki, Todd (June 13, 2013). "Kendrick's journey to bigs made possible by dad". MLB.com. Retrieved September 13, 2022. the Phillies selected his son in the seventh round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft out of Mount Vernon High School in Washington