Henry Clay High School

History

In 1834, the first four-room public school was built in Lexington. It was sponsored by a man named William Morton. Seventy years later, the first four-year high school in Lexington opened on the corner of Walnut and Short streets. This school was named Morton High School.

In 1927, the board of education granted permission for a new school to be built on East Main Street. On July 6, 1928, the board adopted the name Henry Clay High School, requested by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Demographics

The demographic breakdown by race/ethnicity of the 2,058 students enrolled for the 2021–2022 school year was:

Speech and debate team

The Henry Clay Speech and Debate team is currently led by coach Ryan Ray. The Debate team has won the Kentucky State championship 13 times, in 1991, 1992, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Athletics

HCHS offers many varsity sports including: Archery was added as a varsity sport in the 2012/2013 school year

• Football
• Baseball
• Volleyball (girls only)

HCHS also offers hockey, ultimate Frisbee, boys' volleyball, and lacrosse only as club sports since they are not sanctioned sports with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, and the Blue Devil Marching Band in its own competitive arena. The HCHS Marching Band placed as Grand Champions in the Mid-states Band Association circuit for years 2005–2007, and reserved Grand Champions in 2008. In 2006, the ultimate Frisbee team, Grapes of Wrath, fought their way to a city championship, led by captain and team MVP, Steven Myers. The ultimate Frisbee team is currently enjoying a stellar 2008–2009 season which has included the City Championship and State Championship, as well as a top 10 national ranking by the UPA. Also the lacrosse team made it to the Division 2 State Championship in 2007 with an undefeated, 9–0 record. They lost to the Eastern Eagles in double overtime. In the 2012–2013 season, the Henry Clay men's lacrosse team posted an undefeated 18–0 record, defeating Lexington Catholic High School by a score of 10–4 to capture the Division 2 State Championship. During the 2012–2013 season the Henry Clay men's lacrosse team was ranked in the top ten nationally in goal defense and goal differential, while ranking eleventh nationally in goals scored.

Notable alumni

• – US Representative, Kentucky's 6th congressional district
• Neil Chatterjee, former commissioner and chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• – former American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler
• Pamela Brown – newscaster
• – U.S. Congressman, Florida House of Representatives, and Florida Senate; 1992 co-valedictorian
• Megan Kleine, 1992 Barcelona Olympic gold swimming medalist in the 4x100-meter Medley Relay. She was a State Champion swimming for Henry Clay.

References

References

1. (January 2023). "Superintendent's Office". Fayette County Public Schools.
2. (January 2023). "Staff Directory". Henry Clay High School.
3. "School Directory - Henry Clay High School Directory Entry - (# 122)".
4. "Maurice Leach collection on Lexington Schools - Kentucky Digital Library".
5. (2022). "Henry Clay High School in Lexington, KY - US News Best High Schools - 2022 Rankings".
6. "Office of Clinical Practices & School Partnerships - Partner Network".
7. "Search for Public Schools - Henry Clay High School 210186000364 (2018–2019 School Year)". [[Institute of Education Sciences]].
8. "Search for Public Schools - Henry Clay High School 210186000364 (2020–2021 School Year)". [[Institute of Education Sciences]].
9. "Search for Public Schools - Henry Clay High School 210186000364 (2021–2022 School Year)". [[Institute of Education Sciences]].
10. "State Champs -- Teams".
11. (March 2, 2022). "KHSSL 2022 State Debate results".
12. (July 2024). "Henry Clay BlueDevils Football Home Page".
13. "Henry Clay Varsity Baseball".
14. (January 23, 2020). "Henry Clay Girls Varsity Volleyball".
15. "2005 Recaps - AAA Championships".
16. "Lexington Henry Clay Blue Devils".
17. "National Goals Per Game".
18. "About Andy".
19. Beshear, Andy. "Andy Beshear on Twitter".
20. [https://wvusports.com/honors/wvu-sports-hall-of-fame/dominic-black/87 Dominic Black (2004) - WVU Sports Hall of Fame]. ''wvusports.com''. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
21. "Henry Clay senior Walker Buehler a standout on the mound and in the classroom". kentucky.com.
22. (September 26, 2014). "Cowgill went back to Kentucky home to mend".
23. (June 17, 1992). "A Salute to Scholars Our No. 1's". [[Lexington Herald-Leader]].
24. (August 5, 1992). "Student adds award to political resume". Lexington Herald-Leader.
25. [https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-times-tribune-apr-23-1990-p-2/ "Corbin Times Tribune Archives,"] April 23, 1990, p. 2.
26. (June 17, 1992). "A Salute to Scholars Our No. 1's". [[Lexington Herald-Leader]].
27. Fish, Mike. (August 18, 1987). "Ingram is short, slow but making big effort". [[The Kansas City Times]].
28. Perry, Imani. (September 17, 2021). "She Changed Black Literature Forever. Then She Disappeared.". The New York Times.
29. "Olympedia Biography, Megan Kleine".
30. Spalding, Tom, "Henry Clay Best Again on Record Day", ''Lexington Herald-Leader'', Lexington, Kentucky, February 23, 1992, pg. 29