Denair High School Pumped Up for First Football Game

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DHS Football

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

They are small in numbers, but mighty in spirit. Energized by a new coach with an innovative offensive approach, the Denair High football team can’t wait for the 2014 season to start.

The Coyotes open at home Friday against Summerville. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Jack Lytton Stadium.

The 21 members of the varsity and 23 boys on the junior varsity have been practicing for two weeks, but the seeds to a revamped program were planted in early April when Ted Howze was selected to be the varsity coach.

It is Howze’s first foray into the high school ranks after many years as a successful coach with the Cen-Cal Junior Football program in Turlock. He is a veterinarian by training and owns a large-animal practice in Turlock. He also is a former Turlock city council member (2006-10).

Howze has a strong connection to Denair High. His oldest son graduated in the spring and his two youngest sons still attend the school. His late wife, Sharon, was an assistant track coach for the Coyotes.

He takes over a program that was 2-17 the past two seasons.  Howze knows he must change the culture for Denair to again become competitive in the Southern League.

“One of our primary goals is to create an atmosphere where students and parents want to be at Denair High — athletically and academically,” he said. “It’s going to set a tone for other sports as well.”

Howze is passionate about football.

“I’ve wanted to be a high school football coach since I was 15 years old,” said Howze, who played guard and linebacker at Hanford High School before earning degrees in exercise physiology and veterinary medicine at the University of California at Davis. “I knew football was something that influenced my life and built character.” Continue reading “Denair High School Pumped Up for First Football Game” »

DHS Field Ready for First Home Football Game

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DHS Paw Prints

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

On Sunday August 24th 2014, seventeen Denair High School students along with several Athletic Boosters, parents, and community members came out to the Denair football field for a workday that involved a lot of painting.

Students repainted the purple words “Denair Coyotes” and the large coyote paws that lead up the walkway into the stands. They also added a second “Denair Coyotes” and paws on east side of the top walkway in the stands. Some of the Athletic Boosters were out Monday adding black paint outlines to the words and paws.

Athletic Booster Vice President Mr. Russell Steeley and Dominyc Silva, DHS Varsity Quarterback, painted the goal posts. The lift was donated by United Rentals, and Denair High School offers a special thanks to Denair High School alumnus Mr. Jon Rudd for his generosity.

The Athletic boosters painted the stairs with yellow safety paint, and Isaac Starks repainted the door to the announcer’s booth.

Athletic Commissioners Edwin Flores and Brendan Curnow took care of signing up students to volunteer and coordinated adult support.

Denair High School’s first home football game is Friday August 29th, 2014. The Junior Varsity game starts at 5:30 pm with the Varsity following at 7:30 pm.

Breanna Vaughan Joins DHS Science Department

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Breanna Vaughan

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Ms. Breanna Vaughan is Denair High School’s new science teacher. She is teaching Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Physics, and Honors Biology this year. Ms. Vaughan graduated from CSU Stanislaus in 2007, with a degree in Biological Sciences. She taught high school science for three years outside Fresno.

Ms. Vaughan loves seeing students having fun and appreciating and learning science. This year she will focus on improving labs, bringing computers into the lab for virtual simulations and dissections, and developing benchmark assessments that measure student achievement in her courses.

At CSU Stanislaus, Ms. Vaughan was a three-sport athlete playing collegiate soccer, basketball, and running track and field.

Robyn Hilton Joins Denair High School Staff

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Robyn Hilton

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Mrs. Robyn Hilton, Denair High School’s new math teacher, graduated from DHS in 2008. She went on to Fresno State where she earned her degree in Mathematics. She got her teaching credential from CSU Stanislaus.

This year, Mrs. Hilton is teaching Algebra 2, Trigonometry/Calculus, AP Statistics, 8th Grade Math, and Leadership. Her teaching career began at Whitmore Charter in Ceres where she taught 7th and 8th grade math.

Mrs. Hilton’s math classes this year will focus on making math relevant to her students and useful in their lives. She is also working on creating a positive learning environment in her classroom.

“My favorite part of teaching is being able to build connections with my students,” Mrs. Hilton said. She added that she loves when she “can inspire students to continue their mathematics education after high school.”

Beyond math, Mrs. Hilton will be DHS’s Leadership Advisor and Activities Director this year. She will focus on helping Leadership students create more school and community spirit this year through overseeing such activities as dances, rallies, and Friday lunch activities.

Mrs. Hilton will also be providing after-school tutoring Thursdays from 3:00 – 4:00 pm first semester in Room 405. All subjects are welcome, and students will have access to a computer, the Internet, and printing during tutoring.

DUSD Bands Off and Running

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MS Band Students

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Under the direction of substitute music teacher Ms. Julie Mefferd, Denair High School and Denair Middle School band students began practice this week. Within two days of the start of the school year, students already had instruments in hand.

Denair High School band, which currently has 21 students, began warm ups immediately. Student Band President, Andrew Knapp, said many band students felt rusty after not playing their instruments over the summer. He led warm-ups the first two days. Ms. Mefferd commented last week that the high school band is ready for Pep Band performances at home football games, the first of which is August 29, 2014. The band is polishing its “Imperial March” song from the movie Star Wars and rehearsing “The Star Spangled Banner” which they plan to perform at half time of the Homecoming Game October 24.

Middle School Band, which has approximately 50 students, began practice last Wednesday. Ms. Mefferd set the students in concert formation and began sectional warm ups on a practice piece. Students continue to work on fundamentals. Those who have their own instruments are encouraged to bring them everyday.

On August 19, 2014, Denair Unified School District hired retired band director Mr. Donald Thissen, to replace Ms. Cathy George, who left the district this summer. Mr. Thissen, an accomplished trombone player, has taught music K-12 including jazz and concert band and marching band.