Chapman High School

Story

Chapman High School is a high school located in Chapman, Kansas, United States. The mascot for CHS athletic teams is the Fighting Irish. CHS is the only high school in Chapman USD 473. Students come to CHS from Chapman Middle School which is fed by elementary schools throughout Dickinson County, Kansas. There are four other districts in Dickinson CountyHistoryOriginally named Dickinson County Community High School, the high school was established in 1889 as the nation's first county high school.In 1961, a second high school was completed, which replaced the 1880s school.In 1966, USD 473 was created by the merging of 11 grade schools and this high school. There were 105 teachers and 1,736 students in the district. At this time, the school was renamed Chapman High School with 530 students.On June 11, 2008 at 10:22 Wednesday night, a massive tornado ripped through Chapman. It caused extensive damage to all of the USD 473 public schools in addition to damaging or destroying 60-80% of the homes in Chapman. About 80% of the structured High School sustained some form of damage with numerous structures being destroyed. Two months after the tornado devastated Chapman, the 2008-2009 school year began without delay.In 2011, the third high school was completed, which replaced the 1961 school that was damaged by the tornado.In 2011, the University of Notre Dame contacted the high school because the illegal use of its registered trademark and the "Fighting Irish" logo. Chapman High School has used the "Fighting Irish" logo since 1967. Its publications are called the "Emerald" and "Shamrock", the four-leaf clover is distinct on the school's website, it has a Fighting Irish library, and the Fighting Leprechaun mascot was put on the sign in front the school. Notre Dame requested that Chapman High School limited its use of the "leprechaun" and require the text "Chapman High School" included on all items that it sells. The district has decided to launch a contest to design a new mascot and logo. The deadline to submit entries is December 1, 2011. A committee will determine the top 5 suggestions which will be put to a vote in January 2012. The new mascot and logo will be announced and unveiled on February 10, 2012.