The cry is taken up by Englishmen across the land. Edward the Confessor has died and two rivals claim to be heir to the throne; Harold, the Saxon Earl of Essex and William, Duke of Normandy. Their armies clash during the chilly month of October, Culminating in the violent Battle of Hastings. William's Norman army conquers Harold's band of Saxons in what is now Kent, England. He becomes known as Wi
lliam the Conqueror and ascends the throne. His reign brings great change in English life. For the first time England is united under one king. In a southern corner of France called Bayeaux, a tapestry is woven to immortalize William's victory. The seventy-seven scenes on two hundred and thirty yards of embroidered linen bring the drama of the conquest alive with men fighting gallantly on horseback in their shinning suits of armor. The tapestry stands as a tribute to the courage and power of the battling armies. Take 1889. Pioneers have been traversing the Oregon Trail for years, arriving in the western territory to seek their fortunes. On November 11, the land north of Oregon is named Washington and inducted into the Union by President Benjamin Harrison. The settlers must start a new life according to the rugged rules of the Pacific Northwest. One year later the small hops growing community of Titusville, south of the expanding city of Seattle, is renamed "Kent" by founding father Era Meeker. He hopes this will inspire the town to repeat the success of its namesake. Take 1979. In the town of Kent, high schools are over crowded, a third must be built. Dr. George Wilson is chosen as principal. A planning committee of parents, students and teachers form to discuss a name and school colors. The only stipulation is that the school must have "Kent" as either a prefix or suffix. Using Kent, England and its history as a theme, the new school is named "Kentwood". They decide to use "Conquerors"as the team name signifying William the Conqueror's strength, determination and excellence. The annual is named "Tapestry" to preserve memories of school just as the Bayeaux Tapestry preserved the memory of the Battle of Hastings. The committee decides that Kentwood will have three school colors instead of the usual two found through out the Northwest. Green is chosen to symbolize the rolling fields of Kent, England. Black and silver are to represent William the Conqueror's suit of armor. A coat of arms is drawn up to be the school symbol. It is a copy of an eleventh century knight's battle green. The "K" in the middle of the shield is a replica of the "K" in the Norman alphabet. Kentwood also needs a fight song. Dr. Wilson takes the melody from Ohio State University's fight song and pens the inspiring lyrics himself. This new school with such an exciting history is destined to be a success. The pride and integrity of William the Conqueror is instilled in the school. Kentwood High School opens its doors and welcomes students and teachers alike in 1981.
