Shadow Ridge High School has been a cornerstone of the community since it opened, thanks to a dedicated group of teachers and staff who’ve been here from the beginning. Their commitment and passion have helped shape the school into what it is today.
When Shadow Ridge first opened, it was a lot smaller, and everything was just everywhere. “It was super chill,” says Paige Smith, a teacher who’s been at the school since day one. “We had a thing called the 9th grade academy, so the freshmen were kept in their own part of the school. It was calm, and the halls didn’t feel as crowded. It felt a lot more like a middle school.”
But with growth came change. The school’s population has dramatically increased over the years, and so have the policies and expectations. “As the school grew, so did the rules,” says Ms. Nicole Kelly, a staff member who has been at Shadow Ridge since it first opened. “Back then, it was a lot more relaxed and easy. Now, it’s more structured with new principals and a shifting curriculum. It’s just part of the process.”
Sports, too, were in a building phase. “We didn’t have seniors in the first year, so our teams were young,” says Karissa Guthrie, who started at Shadow as a counselor and coach. “Freshmen were making varsity, which was rare, but they did great. Over the years, our sport programs have really grown and become competitive.”
Even with all the changes, some things remain the same. “The students here are just good kids,” says Mrs. Rush, secretary. “That’s what I hope never changes.”
After all these years, Mrs. Paige Smith sums it up, “I am Shadow Ridge, I don’t want to leave. This is home, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come. I’ll retire here.”
While technology has changed how students learn, some teachers, like Ms. Quidato, have noticed a difference in student focus. “When we first opened, students were way more focused on the lesson,” she recalls. “Now, with phones and earbuds everywhere, it’s harder to keep them engaged sometimes.”
Despite the challenges, these teachers have created lasting memories. “I remember when a freshman earned a black letter for playing three varsity sports,” says Ms. Smith. “It was a big deal for all of us.”
As Shadow Ridge continues to grow, the heart of the school remains in the hands of those who’ve been there since the beginning, ensuring that its legacy endures.
