Hellgate High School is
located in Missoula,
Montana
. It is the largest high school in the Missoula County Public School's District of
Montana
in terms of student body population.
Hellgate has approximately 1,200 students, and a faculty of
approximately 100.
History
Knight: Hellgate Mascot
First
established in 1908 as Missoula County High School, the school was
later renamed Hellgate High, shortly after the foundation of the
University of
Montana
. Hellgate is one of the oldest high schools
in the State of Montana. Hellgate is a three-story building that
blends several different forms of architecture. Hellgate has an
extensive network of underground tunnels that were used decades
ago.
On September 24, 1952, the morning after giving his
Checkers speech, Republican
vice-presidential candidate
Richard
Nixon spoke at the school. He denied that politics was a dirty
game, and stated that if students thought it was, they should get
involved and clean it up.
The name "Hellgate High School" was not used until
Sentinel High School opened in 1956. Before Sentinel
opened, Missoula County High School was the only public high school
in Missoula, with Frenchtown High school the only other public high
school in the County.
Hellgate is named from the "Hell Gate Canyon", a passage carved by
the Clark Fork River through the Mission-Saphire mountain range.
Hell Gate owes its name to the warriors of the Blackfeet Nation who
often lay in wait along the canyon’s walls to ambush the Salish
People (and their allies) as they journeyed through the gorge
towards the buffalo grounds of eastern Montana. Fearing this dark
and bloody passageway, the Flatheads named the area
"Ne-Missoula-Takoo" (Nemissoolatakoo)," a place of fear by the
water." French trappers called the canyon, Port d'Enfere, which
means "gate of hell." Hell Gate Canyon remained a most dangerous
site until 1855, when the Flatheads and Blackfeet signed a treaty.
Missoula, incidentally derives its name from the Salish name for
Hell Gate, the word having been simplified (corrupted) by
Neo-Europeans to Missoula.
Mission Statement
Hellgate High School
"Hellgate High School, in partnership with students, parents, and
the community, will provide a rigorous education in a safe
environment through which students can acquire knowledge, skills,
and behaviors needed to fulfill their adult roles and
responsibilities in the twenty-first century."
School Song
We are the Knights of Hellgate High.We're loyal, strong, and
bold.Our honor stems from knights brave and true,the glory of the
scarlet and gold.Our goal is set for victoryin everything we
do.Courage is the symbol forthe loyalty that we givethe glory of
the scarlet and gold.
Fight on, you Knights,and go onward to victoryand win for the
scarlet and gold.Carry your colors highlike chargers in the skyand
capture the flag of your foe.Hellgate Knights are after fame.
(clap-clap)Forge ahead and win this game. (clap-clap)Fight on, you
Knights,and go onward to victory,and win for the scarlet and
gold!
Programs
Hellgate High School has a successful music program, sending nearly
20-30 people every single year to the All-Northwest program.
Hellgate has the highest number of people from any high school in
Montana who attend the All-State Band, Orchestra, Choir, and Jazz
programs. Hellgate recently had the highest test scores in the
State in reference to reading and writing.
In 2007,
the Hellgate Academic WorldQuest
team received first place in the State competition, and later
advanced onto the national competition in Washington D.C.
. The WorldQuest team was able to take second
place in the nation.
Hellgate has the highest number of students who participate in the
University of Montana's
Model
United Nations program, sending upwards of fifty people every
single year. Hellgate usually does well in this competition, and
has received the Best Delegation award two years in a row.
Notable alumni
References
- SchoolDigger.com | Hellgate High School
Summary
- Missoula in the Making: A brief history of the
community.
External links
Wikis
Map
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