Mercer Island High School

Mercer Island High School
Address
9100 SE 42nd Street Mercer Island , Washington 98040 United States
Coordinates	47°34′19″N122°13′07″W / 47.57194°N 122.21861°W / 47.57194; -122.21861
Information
Type	Public
Established	1955
NCES School ID	5304980 [1]
Principal	Nick Wold
Teaching staff	75.63 FTEs [1]
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	1,465 (as of 2023–2024) [1]
Student to teacher ratio	19.63 [1]
Campus	Suburban
Color(s)	Maroon & White [2]
Mascot	Herbert the Snail [3]
Nickname	Islanders
Team name	Islanders
Rival	Bellevue High School
Newspaper	The Islander
Affiliation	Mercer Island School District
Website	www.mercerislandschools.org

Mercer Island High School (MIHS) is a public high school located in Mercer Island, Washington, United States, as part of the Mercer Island School District.

As of the 2022–23 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,524 students and 74.51 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 20.45. There were 68 students eligible for free lunch and 31 eligible for reduced-cost lunch. ^[1]

Awards and recognition

During the 2006-07 school year, Mercer Island High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education. ^{[4] [5]}

Music program

The school's marching band has traveled to play at national and international events. It participated in the 104th annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, in 1993; ^{[6] [7]} the 117th edition in 2006; ^[8] the 123rd edition in 2012; ^[9] and the 130th edition in 2019. ^[10]

In 2011, the band traveled internationally to participate in the 2011 London, England New Year's Day Parade & Festival upon royal invitation. ^[11] In 2014, the marching band participated in the 116th Victoria Day parade in Victoria, British Columbia; they returned in 2017 for the 119th Victoria Day parade. ^{[12] [13]} In 2015, members of the marching and concert bands traveled to Australia as part of a tour including participation in the Australian National Band Championships. ^{[14] [15]}

The Mercer Island High School marching band has also performed during the halftimes of several Seattle Seahawks football games at Lumen Field. ^{[16] [17]} They performed at the Ring of Honor induction for long-time team owner Paul Allen in 2019. ^[18] In November 2023, the band participated in the 97th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. ^[19]

Athletics

Cheerleaders

Mercer Island High School was honored by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association as the 3A Wells Fargo Scholastic Cup Champion for the 2005-06 school year, based on State championship victories in boys' track and field, boys' golf, boys' swimming and diving and boys' tennis. ^[20]

The boys lacrosse team was WHSBLA Division II state champion in 1996 (defeating Vashon High School in the tournament final) and won the Division I title in 2001 (vs. Bainbridge High School), 2004 (vs. Bainbridge), 2005 (vs. Issaquah High School), 2006 (vs. Issaquah), 2011 (vs. Bainbridge) and 2015 (vs. Bellevue High School) ^[21]

Girls' Swim and Dive had an undefeated season in 2009 ending it by winning the State Championship. Boys' Swim and Dive also went undefeated in the 2009-2010 season, and went on to win their fifth consecutive State title.

The girls' and boys' tennis teams have won a combined 41 State championships since 1972. ^[22] The girls tennis team has won 25 state titles and has been inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame. ^[23]

The basketball team, formerly coached by all-time Washington state wins leader Ed Pepple, ^[24] recorded its first losing season in 38 years in 2006.

In 1981 Mercer Island Basketball Team lost the AAA State basketball final game to Shadle Park in a controversial decision. ^[25] At 64-65 to Mercer Island, a last-second shot by Shadle Park "depending on who you are listening to, either clearly did or clearly didn’t beat the air horn." ^{[26] [27]}

Boys' swimming was rated first in its class by the 2006-07 NISCA National Dual Meet Team Rankings. ^[28]

Since 2011, the unofficial school mascot has been a maroon-and-white snail named Herbert. ^[3] The “tropical warrior” Islander mascot of the ‘70s was deemed to be offensive and has not been used since. ^[29]

Notable alumni

See also: Category:Mercer Island High School alumni

• Bill Anschell ('77), jazz pianist and composer. ^[30]
• Mark Bathum ('77), Paralympic alpine skier who has competed at two Winter Paralympics, two World Cups and two World Championships. ^[31]
• Daniel Bonjour ('99), actor, director, writer. ^[32]
• Matt Boyd (born 1991), professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. ^[33]
• Steve Bunin ('92), ESPN commentator ^[34]
• Travis DeCuire (born 1970), basketball head coach, University of Montana. ^[35]
• Stanley Ann Dunham ('60), mother of former U.S. President Barack Obama ^{[36] [37]}
• Jean Enersen (born 1944), journalist who worked for 48 years at KING-TV in Seattle. ^[38]
• Josh Fisher ('00), former professional basketball player ^[39]
• Caroline Fraser ('79), writer who won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography. ^[40]
• Pétur Guðmundsson (born 1958), Icelandic former professional basketball player and coach who was the first Icelander ever to play in the NBA. ^[41]
• Alex Goyette ('07), film writer, director. ^[42]
• Adrian Hanauer (born 1966), owner of Pacific Coast Feather Co., majority owner and general manager of Seattle Sounders FC. ^[43]
• Bill Hanson (born c. 1940), retired professional basketball player who played for Real Madrid Baloncesto. ^[44]
• Steve Hawes, played ten seasons (1974–84) in NBA for Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, and Seattle SuperSonics ^[45]
• Brad Idzik ('10), offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. ^[46]
• Mark Jerue ('78), former linebacker for the New York Jets and the Los Angeles Rams ^[47]
• David Kirtman ('01), fullback for New Orleans Saints ^[48]
• Aaron Levie ('03), co-founder of Box.net ^[49]
• Matt Logie ('99), college basketball coach ^[50]
• Ben Mahdavi ('98), former NFL linebacker and long snapper. ^[51]
• Joel McHale ('91), actor, Jeff Winger in NBC's Community , host of E! Entertainment Television's The Soup . ^[52]
• Jordan Morris ('13), player for United States men's national soccer team and Seattle Sounders FC. ^[53]
• Annie Parisse ('93), actress who has been featured on Law & Order and As the World Turns ^[54]
• Steve Penny (born 1964), businessman and sports administrator who was President and CEO of USA Gymnastics from 2005 to 2017. ^[55]
• Owen Pochman ('95), football player for New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers ^[56]
• Nancy Ramey (born 1940), competition swimmer who represented the United States at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, where she won a silver medal in the 100 meter butterfly. ^[57]
• Anne Rosellini, film producer ^[58]
• Ethan Sandler ('91), writer and actor. ^[59]
• Dylan Smith ('03), co-founder of Box.net ^[49]
• Quin Snyder ('85), head coach of NBA's Utah Jazz ^[60]
• Gordon Sondland ('75), U.S. Ambassador to the European Union ^[61]
• Darby Stanchfield, actress ^{[62] [63] [64]}
• Vauhini Vara, (‘00) author and journalist ^[65]
• Dave Wainhouse, ('85) former MLB player (Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals) ^[66]
• Mary Wayte, ('83) Olympic gold medalist in 200m freestyle in 1984. ^[67]
• Sean White ('99), MLB pitcher for Seattle Mariners. ^[68]
• Peter Daniel Young ('95), animal rights activist. ^[69]

Notable faculty

• Gillian d'Hondt (born 1982), women's basketball coach, professional European women's basketball player. ^[70]
• Sheryl Swoopes (born 1971), former professional basketball player, who was the first player to be signed in the WNBA. ^[71]

References

1. School data for Mercer Island High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed July 18, 2024.
2. "Mercer Island (WA) High School Sports - Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, and more | MaxPreps". Maxpreps.com. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
3. Staff. "A snail sighting", Mercer Island Reporter , January 14, 2011. Accessed June 6, 2017. "Mercer Island High School senior Teddy Trimble is ‘Herbert the Snail,’ the Islander mascot never before seen in physical form, at its very first appearance on Friday night at the boys and girls basketball games."
4. ^[ permanent dead link ‍]
5. Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 2003 Through 2007 (PDF) Archived March 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine , United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.
6. "Prepping for the Parade : Hundreds of thousands of people will converge on Pasadena Friday for the 104th Tournament of Roses parade. Whether you are camped along the route or in front of your television, here are some facts and figures to help you enjoy the parade. : Tournament of Roses Route". Los Angeles Times. December 31, 1992. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
7. "Volunteer Petal Pushers Put End to Rose Parade Crisis : Spectacle: Rescuers finish decorating six floats that were behind schedule. All entries will be on display at route's end". Los Angeles Times. January 1, 1993. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
8. "Rose Parade 2006 - Pasadena (January 2, 2006)". www.parstimes.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
9. "Band gets ready for Pasadena". Mercer Island Reporter. December 7, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
10. Miller, Madison (January 9, 2019). "MIHS band marches with Puerto Rican band in Tournament of Roses parade". Mercer Island Reporter. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
11. "Mercer Island High School marching band is off to London - Mercer Island Reporter". August 11, 2011. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
12. Harnett, Cindy E. (May 20, 2014). "116th Victoria Day Parade wraps up with sunshine and smiles". Times Colonist. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
13. "Mercer Island High School band performs at Victoria Day Parade". Mercer Island Reporter. May 25, 2017. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
14. "Mercer Island High School musicians to visit Australia in 2015 | Community briefs". Mercer Island Reporter. May 27, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
15. "E-Connections / MIHS Band in Australia". http. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
16. "Newport High School Marching Band Shows Its Support of the Seahawks". Bellevue, WA Patch. January 11, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
17. Condotta, Bob (December 11, 2014). "Seahawks announce fan activities for 49ers game". The Seattle Times . Retrieved April 15, 2021.
18. "Carroll urges Seahawks fans to arrive early for Paul Allen Ring of Honor ceremony". RSN. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
19. "Mercer Island High School band arrives in New York to play in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade". king5.com. November 20, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
20. "WIAA 4A/3A Scholastic Cup Champions", Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Accessed October 16, 2007.
21. "State Champions". Washington High School Boy Lacrosse Association. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
22. "WIAA State Championship History (See Classifications 3A and 4A, boys and girls tennis)". Washington Interscholastic Activities Association . September 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007.
23. "Hall of Fame - Mercer Island High School Girls Tennis". Washington Interscholastic Activities Association . Retrieved September 16, 2020.
24. The Final Score: "Washington basketball coaches career win–loss records." Archived September 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved March 22, 2007.
25. "Mercer Island Reporter March 18 Page 1". mih.stparchive.com. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
26. "A legend's legacy: Ed Pepple | Four decades at Mercer Island and a lifetime of teaching - Mercer Island Reporter". Archived from the original on April 3, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
27. "1981 Washington State High School Boys Basketball Championship". Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
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29. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2012. retrieved May 14, 2012.
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31. Mark Bathum, Team USA. Accessed September 16, 2020.
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33. Matt Boyd, Oregon State Beavers baseball. Accessed September 16, 2019.
34. Meet Steve Bunin, KING-TV, updated August 28, 2019. Accessed September 16, 2019.
35. Brewer, Jerry. "Montana’s new coach very much a product of Seattle basketball", The Seattle Times , November 22, 2014.
36. Jones, Tim. "Family portraits: Strong personalities shaped a future senator, Barack Obama.", Chicago Tribune , March 27, 2007. Accessed May 21, 2008.
37. "The Seattle Times | Local news, sports, business, politics, entertainment, travel, restaurants and opinion for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest".
38. Davila, Florangela ."Jean Enersen; Jean Enersen is the KING 5 newscaster, this region's first female anchor, the woman who's held the position for the last 35 years.", The Seattle Times , November 25, 2007. Accessed September 16, 2020.
39. Ko, Michael. "Basketball star loses lawsuit", The Seattle Times , October 15, 2002. Accessed September 16, 2020.
40. Miller, Madison. "Mercer Island native wins Pulitzer Prize for Biography Caroline Fraser chronicles life of Laura Ingalls Wilder; credits MIHS teachers.", Mercer Island Reporter , April 24, 2018. Accessed September 16, 2020.
41. Bonk, Thomas. "Petur The Great? : Lakers Find Themselves a 7-2 Ice Man Who Might Just Prove to Be a Big Help in Playoffs", Los Angeles Times , April 3, 1986. Accessed December 16, 2020.
42. "Getting the shot Teen spends summer making a film with friends", Mercer Island Reporter , November 24, 2008. Accessed September 16, 2019.
43. Adrian Hanauer, Seattle Sounders FC. Accessed September 16, 2019.
44. Bill Hanson, RealGM. Accessed September 16, 2020.
45. Steve Hawes, Basketball-Reference.com. Accessed November 28, 2007.
46. "Brad Idzik". Lehigh Mountain Hawks . Retrieved February 3, 2024.
47. Managan, Megan (November 19, 2012). "Mercer Island native honored as Husky Legend". Mercer Island Reporter . Retrieved July 29, 2023.
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51. Miller, Ted. "Mahdavi calm, confident; UW linebacker listens to opera to relax before games", Seattle Post-Intelligencer , August 29, 2002. Accessed September 16, 2019.
52. Brodeur, Nicole. "From Mercer Island, jumping into "The Soup"", The Seattle Times , August 22, 2004. Accessed October 6, 2007.
53. Evans, Jayda. "Mercer Island High School retires jersey of Sounders star Jordan Morris", The Seattle Times , April 25, 2019. Accessed September 16, 2019.
54. Annemarie Cancelmi Archived January 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine , As the World Turns . Accessed December 10, 2007.
55. Grady, Mary L. "Balancing act: Penny is CEO of USA Gymnastics – MIHS grad also new father of triplet girls", Mercer Island Reporter , November 24, 2008. Accessed September 16, 2020.
56. Popper, Steve. "Pro Football; Fledgling Punter Steps Forward After Six-Year Layoff to Do the Kicking for the Giants", The New York Times , November 10, 2001. Accessed September 16, 2019.
57. Celms, Elizabeth. "MI Olympic swimmer still inspires", Mercer Island Reporter , September 9, 2008. Accessed September 16, 2020.
58. Macdonald, Moira (January 25, 2011). "Mercer Island's Anne Rosellini receives 'surreal' Oscar nod for 'Winter's Bone'". The Seattle Times . Retrieved February 12, 2015.
59. "Ethan Sandler's Epitaph; Actor Ethan Sandler, a 1991 Mercer Island High School grad (and former 'flag dude' at MIHS), has written a play with old college chum Adrian Wenner called Epitaph, that will be performed at Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse on May 27.", Mercer Island Reporter , November 24, 2008. Accessed September 16, 2019
60. via Associated press. Also as of 2014 became the coach of the Utah Jazz (Basketball team) "Missouri coach Quin Snyder resigns", The Seattle Times , February 10, 2006. Accessed May 20, 2008.
61. Staff, KIRO 7 News (November 21, 2019). "U.S. Ambassador Gordon Sondland has Mercer Island ties". KIRO. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
62. "'Scandal' actors: Then and now". seattlepi.com. December 10, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
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64. "'Scandal' actors: Then and now". San Antonio Express-News. December 10, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
65. "Class of 2000 Begins Final Year in Spotlight -- Local High-School Seniors Tell How It is, in Their Words | the Seattle Times".
66. Raley, Dan. "Where Are They Now: Dave Wainhouse; Former Mercer Island, Washington State pitcher played briefly with the Mariners", Seattle Post-Intelligencer , May 1, 2007. Accessed September 16, 2019.
67. "Flashback: Mary Wayte Bradburne, Mercer Island, Class of 1983", October 14, 2003. Accessed September 16, 2019.
68. "Former Islander White debuts with Mariners", Mercer Island Reporter , November 24, 2008. Accessed September 16, 2019.
69. "MIHS grad charged in 1997 animal terrorism", Mercer Island Reporter , November 24, 2008. Accessed September 16, 2019.
70. Scott, Shaun. "State-champion coach resigns from position; Gillian d’Hondt departs after three seasons of leading the Islanders girls hoops program.", Mercer Island Reporter , June 15, 2008. Accessed September 16, 2019.
71. "Loyola names Sheryl Swoopes head women's basketball coach", KCBD-TV, April 12, 2013. Accessed December 16, 2020.

External links

• Official site