Omaha Benson High School Magnet, Benson High Magnet, or Benson High, is a public high school in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, in the Benson neighborhood. The original site of Benson High was the current building that houses Benson West Elementary School. Founded in 1904, Benson High is one of the oldest high schools in the state. Its enrollment is approximately 1,500 students. As of 2024, the principal was Melinda Bailey. The school mascot is the Bunny.
Contents
Athletics
"The N-Word" controversy
In April 2007, the student newspaper published a four-page special feature entitled "The N-Word" examining the use of the racial epithet "nigger" within the school community. It included factual reporting, editorial content, and a transcript of a round-table discussion on the topic in one of the school's ethics classes.
Community response was mixed. Many students and parents, and the school's principal, were supportive of the newspaper's coverage, but the school district received many phone calls expressing concern or offense at the content. The school district, Omaha Public Schools, put the principal on temporary administrative leave and denounced the publication. The principal was later reinstated.
Notable alumni
Tom Becka, talk radio personality
Jackie Brandt, MLB player and 1961 American League All-Star
Walter Holden Capps, U.S. Representative from California
Hal Daub, U.S. Representative from Nebraska
Terry Goodkind, fantasy author
Dave Hoppen (born 1964), NBA player
Jason Jolkowski
Floyd Kalber, television journalist
David Karnes, U.S. Senator from Nebraska, 1987 through 1989
Kenton Keith, professional football player
Nile Kinnick, football player and 1939 Heisman Trophy winner
Nick Nolte (born 1941), film actor
Robert Reed, science fiction author
Amber Ruffin, writer, Late Night With Seth Meyers, The Detroiters (Comedy Central), The Amber Ruffin Show
Khyri Thomas (born 1996), American basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League and the EuroLeague, former NBA player
Tony Veland, NFL safety
Andre Woolridge, professional basketball player, All American at the University of Iowa