By Kay Phelan
Destin High School’s (DHS) Governing Board and Head of School, Principal Cruickshank, recently held a community surprise reveal, news update and a meet and greet for their new Athletic Director, Philip Dorn.
The first order of business was to unveil a very large 15’ Mako shark statue for the new, tuition-free public charter school’s courtyard water fountain for the incoming DHS students. A Mako shark is the chosen school mascot. Destin fisherman Capt. Mike Parker let guests know that this is a replica of a 15’, 1,222-pound shark that holds the current world’s record by IGFA (International Game Fish Association) as the largest, heaviest short-fin Mako shark in the world. It was caught off the coast of Massachusetts by Capt. Chris Peters in 2001.
Capt. Mike and Father Mike Hessee made the trip to Gray Taxidermy in Pompano Beach to pick up the shark and bring it back to DHS in Destin. In a volunteer capacity, Capt. Mike and many fishermen from the Destin Fishermen for Christ Bible Study group were kind enough to perform the challenging shark installation in the fountain. For sure, this shark is destined to be an icon for the school as well as the Destin community.
The shark was generously donated by Heidi LoCicero, a founding DHS board member, and her husband, Brian LoCicero, along with their son Andrew and finance’ Ann Elizabeth Walker, and daughter Peyton and finance’ Beau Trist. “Great things are happening in our little beach town,” says Heidi. “I am truly honored to serve on the founding board of Destin High School and to be able to leave such a legacy for our community. In donating this gift, my family hopes that this iconic shark statue will be the backdrop of many wonderful moments, memories and photos taken at Destin High! Sharks help maintain a balance, which keeps our oceans healthy, and sharks have longevity, having inhabited our oceans for 400 million years. That’s some serious staying power…just like Destin High will be!”
The first DHS students in the class of 9th, 10th and 11th grade will have the honor of naming the mascot shark. They will also select a school motto, alma mater song, mission and founding principles on which to live by.
Newly announced Athletic Director Philip Dorn is veteran leader in high school and college athletics. Coach Dorn has 13 years of experience as an Athletic Director in Florida, 19 years as a Head Football Coach, and 20 years of experience as an Assistant Football Coach—all at the high school and college level. The well-known coach, formerly at Ft. Walton Beach High School, plans for a vigorous sports curriculum at the new DHS. His philosophy of “All Sports, One TEAM!,” will begin immediately to build DHS athletics to a successful educational-based values athletic program.
In addition to offering an advanced and state-mandated core curriculum, DHS will also utilize a place-based approach to learning that will take advantage of the local geography, industry and community.
Currently, there are just under 29 open seats left towards a total enrollment of 300 students. Then DHS will start a waiting list, and open spaces will be chosen via a lottery format. Call (850) 424-1664, email info@destinhighschool.org or visit www.destinhighschool.org.
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