Shorecrest High School Traditions

Increasing enrollment in the Shoreline School District, during the late 1950s, brought about the need for a second high school.¹

Shorecrest opened on September 6, 1961 welcoming 840 students, grades 8-10, and 43 teachers. The first graduating class was in 1964 with 359 students.

Shorecrest's name came from an essay contest won by then Morgan Junior High²6th grader Cindy White.

The name was an accurate description of the location. The school's boundaries included the shores of Lake Washington and the school sits on the crest of a hill. The hill, or highland, also led to the school being known as the Home of the Highlanders.

The student body voted on the school colors and selected three: forest green, navy blue, and old gold. It was suggested that the three colors could be part of a plaid or tartan and the students could be known as the Scots. Students did some research and discovered that the selected colors were part of the tartan used by the Clan Gordon of Scotland, which dates back to the 12th century.

In 1967, the school sought and received official permission from Lord Huntley, Chief of the Clan Gordon, to use the Clan colors and symbols, and be representatives of the Clan. Thus the symbols and themes of the Scottish Clan Gordon became part of the school. You can see the actual tartan worn by performing groups such as the Marching band, Lassies, Cheerleaders, and Flags.

Shorecrest has adopted many Scottish traditions:

Pipers (our bagpipers),
Lassies (our highland dancers),
Tattoo³ (our literary publication),
The Loch (our annual - Loch means "lake" and our annual is named for Lake Washington),
The Highland Piper (our school newspaper),
Caen Laida (meaning "moving forward" - our end of the year celebration and goodbye to the senior class and retiring faculty).

Shorecrest is unique among High Schools in that it boasts a bagpipe band. Our Music department offers bagpipes as a class for credit. The Pipers perform at many school events and are at the lead of the Highlander Marching Band. When the pipes play Scotland the Brave it is traditional to stand and clap the beats.

The Higlander Marching band consists of over 100 musicians accompanied by Lassies and Flags. The band members wear the traditional kilt and uniform of the Clan Gordon.

The Highlander Marching Band has performed in numerous local, national and international parades and events, and won many prestigious awards. The band is an all-volunteer group which rehearses outside of class time and prides itself on fine student leadership. The drum line is the heart of the band and its members are distinguished by their red jackets.

The Piper is the official symbol (and sometimes mascot) for Shorecrest. You will see it on many publications and communications authored by the school. One of our pipers, usually the pipe major, will appear live at school events to fulfill this important role. Look for the piper in the tile floor of the school entrance.

Our official mascot is Otis, the fighting Scot. Otis was inspired by Big Otis who came from an oatmeal cereal box (Google it if you don't believe us!). Look for Big Otis in the cafeteria. Otis cheers us on in athletic competitions and is frequently seen at assemblies and school events. Look for a mural of Otis hanging in the gym.

Shorecrest's official crest is the coat of arms of the Clan Gordon (used with permission as stated above). The coat of arms contains two mottos of the Clan Gordon which are also appropriate to the school. At the top it reads "Bydand" which translates to "resilience" (or "remaining"). On the bottom it reads "Animo Non Astutia" which means "by courage, not cunning." You can see the coat of arms hanging in the entrance of the school (and on this website).

As we said earlier, the Shorecrest Colors are Navy Blue, Forest Green, and Old Gold. These are seen in the Clan Gordon tartan worn by some of our performing groups. This is the modern Gordon Family Tartan (sometimes called the Gordon Regimental Tartan). The kilts of the marching band and pipers use this tartan. Also look for it in the neck ties and vests of some faculty members (and the website banner).

There are two variations on the Clan Gordon Tartan. This is the modern Gordon Family Dress Tartan. You will see this worn by some of our performing groups. The Lassies wear this tartan.

Now it is time to show your spirit by learning the Shorecrest Fight Song and Alma Mater. By knowing the fight song you may just help your class win a spirit award at an assembly.

Shorecrest Fight Song

    Now high schoolers from sea to sea
    May sing of colors too,
    But who has better right than we
    To raise our symbols true?

    For Highlanders in battle fair,
    Since fighting days of old,
    Have proved that we've the right to wear,
    The blue and green and gold.

S - H - O - R - E - C - R - E S T

    For Highlanders in battle fair,
    Since fighting days of old,
    Have proved that we've the right to wear,
    The blue and green and gold.

The fight song is sung at school assemblies and competitions. It is posted on the wall of the gym but it is much better memorized. Whenever the football team scores a goal, the band will play the fight song and the audience sings along.

Listen to the fight song:

    MIDI audio file
        4 KB - works with Quicktime or
        Windows Media Player. You may
        need to close previous audio
        windows. Plays entire tune.

The Hallowed Halls of Shorecrest
The Shorecrest Alma Mater

    Through the hallowed halls of Shorecrest,
    May the echoes ever ring,
    While the students raise their voices,
    To their Alma Mater sing.
    Hail to thee, O mighty Shorecrest,
    Raise the gold, the green, and blue,
    Hail to thee, our Alma Mater,
    To your colors we'll be true.
    May the memories of Shorecrest,
    Live forever, never die,
    May our voices raise with songs of praise,
    To the name of Shorecrest High.

    To the hallowed halls of Shorecrest,
    Soon we all must say farewell,
    As the future beckons onward,
    With a voice we know so well.
    May each highlander prove worthy,
    Of her honor and her fame,
    Keep her ideals high forever,
    To preserve her worthy name.
    When we leave the halls of Shorecrest,
    And each lad and lass depart,
    As we say goodbye to Shorecrest High,
    Keep her memory in your heart.

The Alma Mater is also on the wall of the Gym. However, it is more often played at half-time during football games (especially homecoming). The audience is encouraged to sing along.

Listen to the Alma Mater:

    MIDI audio file
        4 KB - works with Quicktime or
        Windows Media Player. You may
        need to close previous audio
        windows. Plays one verse.

Words and music by Beth and Leonard Moore. Leonard Moore was Shorecrest's first choir director.

Notes:

1. Shoreline High was first - it is now the district administration building.
2. Now Kellogg Middle School.
3. A celebration, in Scotland, of the games, music, and lore of the clan.

Shorecrest Construction Facts:

Dedicated: November 9, 1961, 7:30 PM
Architects: Mallis and DeHart
General Contractor: Wick Construction
Mechanical Contractor: L. E. Ballou & Son
Electrical Contractor: City Electric & Fixture
Cost of Construction: $2,452,626.25
Square feet (original): 156,000
Remodeled in 1986 and 1996

Disclaimer & Request:

We've done a lot of research to assemble this page but, as with many organizations, very little was written down for posterity. If you see any errors or know of anything that we should include (here or in the school files) please let us know. You can email the webmaster below. We are especially interested in any photos or stories.

Shorecrest History, Traditions, and Spirit

Shorecrest Fight Song

The Hallowed Halls of Shorecrest The Shorecrest Alma Mater

Notes:

Shorecrest Construction Facts:

Disclaimer & Request:

The Hallowed Halls of Shorecrest
The Shorecrest Alma Mater