Poudre High School History
First opening its doors in 1964 and graduating its first class in 1965, Poudre High School has proudly served as the comprehensive high school for the communities of Northern Fort Collins, Laporte, Wellington, Red Feather Lakes, Livermore, and Bellvue for nearly six decades.
On Poudre’s 30th anniversary in 1994, an addition was added to and the majority of the building was remodeled. The addition included classrooms, counseling and administrative offices, a new media center library, student commons, an event center, and a River Wall Sculpture.
In 1994, PHS became the Poudre School District’s first high school to host an International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme. Since then, PHS has graduated 1,598 students with the prestigious IB Diploma. In 2016, PHS implemented full-school IB MYP (Middle Years Program); meaning ALL students in grades 9 and 10 are IB students. Also in 2016, PHS implemented Pathways; allowing all students to follow a more focused path based on interests and to obtain industry certifications.
Our Mascot - The Impala
Poudre proudly boasts as being the only high school in the United States with the mighty Impala serving as its mascot.
In our front hallway, a real Impala donated by Dr. Parke in 1966 is proudly displayed.
"In our showcase, displaying itself proud and beautiful, is the symbol of our school, “The Impala.” Its slim erect head watches our progress with soft yet determined eyes. He leads us into competition with a power and spirit unequaled by any other mascot’s. He leads us home in victory proudly. Because the Impala is proud, determined, and the possessor of unquenchable spirit, so are we, the bearers of the name Impala."
-Dauna Baltz, 1968
Meet Cache
Cache was selected after an extensive interview process out of hundreds of Impalas across the southeastern plains of Africa. An impalas creches (herd) can range from 8 individuals to well into the hundreds, so Cache understands and values safety and security that comes with larger numbers. His creche lived their own version of Ubuntu supporting one another and protecting the larger community. Native to the grasslands that boarder woodlands Fort Collins seemed like a natural fit for this outgoing and charismatic impala. His unique swager, positive outlook on life, and his constant desire to be the best he can be while always looking out for the little guys are characteristics that any impala looks up to.
In a recent interview Cache shared some of his favorite things:
Colors: Blue and Silver
Food: anything that comes from Poudre Plates food truck….mmmm
Song: anything by Elvis, and checking out any local talent during New West Fest
Local Hero: Temple Grandin. She looks out for animals and spreads messages of acceptance and positively
Follow Cache on Instagram @the_phs_impala
Ubuntu
At PHS we live by the belief of UBUNTU, translated as "I am who I am because of who we are." Modeling this philosophy allows students to see the impact they can make in their own community and beyond.
Colors
Blue & Silver
Poudre's Fight Song
“Poudre High will hit the line like thunder,
And we'll all shout for you to win.
Poudre High will plow the foe right under,
Never, never to give in.
Silver, blue our colors shining brightly,
Guard them all well throughout the game.
Heads up, drive on until we've won,
And then they'll know the victor's name.”
Poudre High School Principals
Carey Christensen (2024-Present)
Kathy Mackay (2013-2024)
George Osborn (2009-2013)
Sandra Lundt (1993-2009)
Edgar Rice (1986-1992)
Reid Pope (1964-1985)
Athletic State Championships
Boys Soccer (2003)
Girls Gymnastics (2002)
Girls Soccer (1995, 1996)
Girls Cross Country (1993, 1994, 1995)
Girls Swimming (1993)
Girls Softball (1991)
Boys Gymnastics (1984)
Boys Cross Country (1968, 1990)
Football (1969)
The River Wall
"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." - Norman Maclean
To celebrate Poudre High School's 30th anniversary and to commemorate our new building four alumni artists created the River Wall sculture: Bruce Gueswel (class of 1980, professional artist, sculptor), Barbara (Lillyblade) Breen (class of 1969, professional art educator and painter), Christine (Lillyblade) Martell, (class of 1967, professional artist and printmaker), Jerry Hubka (class of 1966, professional art educator, potter and painter)
The 22 bronze plaques are the artists' symbolic representation of the Poudre River and the turbulent, complex temperament of the waters. The River Wall was created by four alumni artists for the expansion and remodel of Poudre High School in 1994-1995. It commemorates the "new building" and celebrates the 30th anniversary of Poudre High School.
The River Wall sculpture was created to represent and honor our namesake, the wild and scenic Cache la Poudre. The Poudre River originates at the Continental Divide between Grand Lake and Trail Ridge, and eventually joins the South Platte River east of Fort Collins.
In the 19th century, French trappers of this region would store their gun powder in secret caves on the banks of this wild river to keep it safe and dry. Cache la Poudre is French for "hide the powder."
The quote, "Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it," from the book by Norman Maclean, was chosen to accompany the sculpture because of the symbolic reference to our namesake river and its meaningful significance to education as an ever flowing pathway of change and lifelong learning. For just as the river and seasons change, so does the pathway of lifelong learning. The bronze quote was a gift from the graduation class of 1994.
Senior Class Gifts
Senior Class Gifts
When you reach the point in your life when you are ready to leave high school it is only appropriate that you leave a lasting mark on the school. Here at Poudre High School it is a tradition that has been going for over many years. Every year the fleeing senior class chooses a gift to leave
for the school to remember them by, whether it be a painting, sculpture or other creative piece.
Click on a year to see and read about the Senior Class Gift for that year. We are in the process of researching the other years. If you have any information about these years, please contact us by e-mailing us at rlang@psdschools.org.
Choose A Year:
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1998 1995 1994 1993 1992 1985 1981 1980
2003
The Senior Class Council began planning their gift to Poudre in the fall of 2002! Meetings were held bi-monthly on Tuesdays. The council met with Ms. Lundt, the principal, to gather information about possible ideas for the 2003 gift and to learn of gifts presented in the past. There was also a meeting held held with the Senior Class Council od 2002. The class of 2002 presented a sculpted impala for the courtyard and envisioned future classes continuing to add improvements to the courtyard.
Through fund-raising efforts and generous donations of several people, the Class of 2003 presented stone tables and benches for the courtyard! There is a bronze inlay in the middle of the tables with the 2003 class motto: "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."
Senior Jacob Pierson's father, Lindsay Pierson, was very generous in his donation of three round concrete slabs for the foundation of the tables and benches. Mr. Pierson donated materials and labor for the project. One Saturday students and crew cut sod and prepared the ground for the concrete. T-shirts for the event were donated by Katie Troxell's parents and were printed with: "I Moved the Mud." The following Saturday students helped the crew pour the slabs. The stone furniture was purchased from Carlos Amato, Denver, with a considerable discount.
Dedication of the 2003 Senior Class Gift was held Tuesday, May 20, 2003 in the courtyard at Poudre High School.
Senior Class Council members included: Katie Troxell, Heather Johnson, and Morgan Taylor. Faculty Advisors included: Shawn Niedenzu, Mike Zenther, Rich Hayek, and Marcie Lewis.
2002
This year's Senior Class Gift was the fountain and pond installed in the courtyard in the middle of the school.
2001
This year's Senior Class Gift was a clock in the front hall. Below the clock are the metal letters PHS with the names of the students who graduated this year.
2000
This year's Senior Class Gift was a stained glass piece of an impala above the main entrance.
1998
This year's Senior Class Gift was a stepping stone in the front of the school. The quote by Henry Ford reads: "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
1995
This year's Senior Class Gift was what we call the River Wall. To celebrate Poudre High School's 30th anniversary and to commemorate or new building, four alumni artists created the River Wall sculpture:
Bruce Gueswel, class of 1980, professional artist, sculptor
Barbara (Lillyblade) Breen, class of 1969, prodessional art educator and painter
Christine (Lillyblade) Martell, class of 1967, professional artist and printmaker
Jerry Hubka, class of 1966, professional art educator, potter and painter
The 22 bronze plaques are the artists' symbolic representation of the Poudre River and the turbulent, complex temperament of the waters. The River Wall was created by four alumni artists for the expansion and remodel of Poudre High School in 1994-1995. It commemorates the "new building" and celebrates the 30th anniversary of Poudre High School.
The River Wall sculpture was created to represent and honor our namesake, the wild and scenic Cache la Poudre. The Poudre River originates at the Continental Divide between Grand Lake and trail Ridge, and eventually joins the South Platte River east of Fort Collins.
In the 19th century, French trappers of this region would store their gun powder in secret caves on the banks of this wild river to keep it safe and dry. Cache la Poudre is French for "hide the powder."
The quote, "Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it," from the book by Norman Maclean, was chosen to accompany the sculpture because of the symbolic reference to our namesake river and its meaningful significance to education as an ever flowing pathway of change and lifelong learning. For just as the river and seasons change, so does the pathway of lifelong learning. The bronze quote was a gift from the graduation class of 1994.
1994
A bronze plaque of the quote, "Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it," from the book by Norman Maclean, was a gift from the class of 1994. It was chosen to accompany the River Wall sculpture, the gift from the class of 1995, because of the symbolic reference to our namesake river and its meaningful significance to education as an ever flowing pathway of change and lifelong learning. For just as the river and seasons change, so does the pathway of lifelong learning.