Willamette High School

History

Willamette High School first opened to students on September 26, 1949. The opening of Bethel School District's only comprehensive high school was the culmination of a process that began on April 9, 1948. On this date, the rural Lane County, Oregon communities of Bethel, Clear Lake, Danebo and Irving passed a measure to consolidate and build the high school. A 50 acre school site was purchased on May 17, 1948. Funding was provided by bond levies passed on May 11, 1948, and October 20, 1948. Willamette was an early candidate for interior filming location in Grease. In November 2012, Bethel voters approved a $10 million science wing. In 2022 a new $3 million CTE building was approved for classes like graphic design, photography and kitchen type classes to take place.

Academics

In 2008, 79% of the school's seniors received a high school diploma. Of 316 students, 251 graduated, 37 dropped out, five received a modified diploma, and 23 were still in high school in 2009.

In 2022 88% of the school's seniors have a high school diploma. Out of 359 students, 319 graduated and 40 dropped out.

Willamette High School offers two Advanced Placement (AP) classes and opportunities for college credit through Lane Community College. The school also offers limited night school classes for students and district patrons for credit recovery.

Athletics

Willamette High School athletic teams compete in the OSAA 6A-7 Southwest Conference (excluding football, which competes in 5A-SD2). The athletic director is Bill Wagner and the Bookkeeper/Accountant is Laura Canaday.

State Championships:

• Boys Track and Field: 1985
• Boys Cross Country: 1957, 1958
• Cheerleading: 1985, 1989, 1992, 1996, 2000
• Girls Basketball: 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014

Wolverine Stadium

Willamette's Wolverine Stadium was completely rebuilt after being burned down on August 2, 2003. The new stadium includes an artificial turf field.

Notable alumni

• Brandon Beemer, 1998, actor and model, The Bold and the Beautiful
• Mickey Loomis, 1974, general manager of the New Orleans Saints
• Quintin Mikell, football player, Philadelphia Eagles
• Curtis Salgado, 1971, blues musician, who inspired John Belushi to form the Blues Brothers

References

References

1. "Willamette".
2. "Willamette High School". National Center for Education Statistics.
3. 1949-1950 Annual of Willamette High School
4. "13 Wacky Behind-the-Scenes Secrets You Never Knew About the Movie ‘Grease’".
5. "Bethel Bond - Bond History".
6. (2009-06-30). "State releases high school graduation rates". [[The Oregonian]].
7. (2009-06-30). "Oregon dropout rates for 2008". [[The Oregonian]].
8. "Willamette High School Graduation Rate". Oregonlive.com.
9. "Student Handbook 2019-2020". Willamette High School.
10. "Records & Archives".
11. Adams, Tom. (2008-07-30). "New football-soccer field for Eugene high school". [[KVAL-TV]].
12. "The Bold and the Beautiful ACTOR - Brandon Beemer".
13. (2010-02-22). "Bethel Fact For The Weeks Of February 22, 2010".
14. Crafts, Fred. (1979-01-04). "The Birth of the Blues (Brothers)". [[The Register-Guard]].