Springville High School (Utah)

Springville High School is one of the two high schools that serve Springville, Utah, United States.

Springville High School
Address
Map
1205 E. 900 S., Springville, Utah 84663

Springville
,
Utah

United States
Information
TypePublic high school
Established1902
School districtNebo School District
PrincipalRobert Fleming
Teaching staff71.91 (FTE)[1]
Grades10–12
Enrollment1,612 (2022-2023)[1]
Student to teacher ratio22.42[1]
CampusSuburban
Color(s)Red, blue and white
     
MascotRed Devils
NicknameSHS
AffiliationNebo School District
SuperintendentRick Neilson
MottoDedicated to Excellence[citation needed] – United in Service[citation needed] – Educated for Success[citation needed]
WebsiteSpringville High School

History

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On January 9, 1902, the trustees of Springville school district called a meeting and agreed to establish a high school to better accommodate the children of the district. This was an almost unanimous opinion of those present. This marked the beginning of the first Springville High School. Two school buildings were agreed on to be built then as well.[2] Sites for these new school houses were decided on the week later.[3]

Mascot

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Springville High School's mascot is the "Red Devils". The first reference in the press to anything resembling "Red Devils" dates back to 1923 during a tournament of state basketball champions from several western states, where the Springville starters were said to have "played like demons". The earliest use of the "Red Devil" moniker occur in Springville Herald reports of the 1926 Springville High football season.

The second incorrect story is often circulated that the mascot name comes from the original construction of the school, when the Red Devil Cement Company allegedly assisted with the building, including an actual cement bag with the Red Devil Cement logo on it that can be found in one of the display cases in the high school.[4]

The mascot has come under fire multiple times, the most recent opposition occurring when local citizens organized a committee titled "Parents for Mascot Review". These parents challenged the mascot by stating its common use as a symbol of evil as well as noting the racial connotations. In a letter to Nebo School District, the president of the Navajo Nation stated that "the use of the term 'Red Devils' lends or conveys the immediate opinion of assertion of offensive racial commentary."[5] Despite these efforts, the mascot remains unchanged as of 2023.

Athletics

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Springville High School has posted regional championships in tennis, cross country, soccer, golf, volleyball, swimming, football and basketball.

The Red Devil swim team won back-to-back boys' 4A state championships in 2008[6] and 2009.[7] The championships of 2008 and 2009 mark the first time a boys' team of any sport at SHS has won back-to-back titles.

The boys' basketball team won the 2017 4A basketball championship,[8] under Coach Justin Snell, for the first time since 1958. In 2020, the boys' basketball team won the 5A state,[9] Coach Snell's second title in four years. The girls' basketball team was 5A runner up. In 2021 the girls team snatch the 5A state title.

In 2017, the boys' track team won the 5A state title[10] and followed by the 5A title in 2018.

In 2016, the Springville High School Boys Cross Country won the at large bid to go to the prestigious Nike Cross National race. The team placed 15th overall. In 2017, the team placed 5th at the race under head coach Samantha Smith. In 2017, the boys' team won the 5A state championship. The girls' team won the 5A state title in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.[11] In the 2019, 2020, and 2021 region eight Cross Country meet, Springville achieved the first place position in every race.

Notable alumni

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Springville High School, August 2015

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Springville High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Salt Lake Tribune | 1902-01-10 | Page 7 | Progressive Springville". newspapers.lib.utah.edu. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  3. ^ "Springville Independent | 1902-01-16 | Page 3". newspapers.lib.utah.edu. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  4. ^ Taylor, M. Lee (November 4, 2014). "The Origin of the Springville High School 'Red Devil' Mascot". Serve Daily. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2023 – via PressReader.
  5. ^ "Utah Town Sees No Evil in Devil Mascot". ABC News. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014.
  6. ^ "Springville boys swim to 4A championship". Deseret News. January 9, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "High school swimming: Springville boys, Taylor rule the 4A pool". Deseret News. January 7, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  8. ^ "High school boys basketball: Springville claims first title since 1958 in 2OT thriller". Deseret News. December 25, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  9. ^ "Springville tops Timpview 66-53 to claim boys 5A basketball championship". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  10. ^ "Skyline girls, Springville boys win first 5A cross country titles". Deseret News. December 24, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  11. ^ "High school 5A cross-country: Springville girls eke out win to 5-peat, Mountain View boys dominate in repeat". Deseret News. December 19, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
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40°09′18″N 111°35′17″W / 40.15500°N 111.58806°W / 40.15500; -111.58806