Kino History

Eusebio Francisco Kino, S. J. (1645 - 1711)

Our school was named for a priest and explorer who lived in Southern Arizona from 1687 until his death in 1711. Born in Segno in Northern Italy, this quiet and gentle man was schooled in Italy and Germany.

Kino came to Mexico in 1681 in the service of his church. He served in Baja, California, until he was assigned to Northern Mexico in 1687. Kino began to bring his beliefs to the Pima and Papago Indians by riding as much as 35 miles a day on horseback. He introduced new techniques in farming and raising livestock, as as well as his religion to the first inhabitants of our state. As he made his journey through Arizona, he drew maps. It was one of these maps that would first show California as part of the mainland and not as an island.

Kino explored Arizona as far north as the Gila River and west into California. He made more than 40 of these exploring trips, enduring the problems of desert travel. He became one of the first recorded explorers of Arizona and thus was honored in the name of our school.

Our school was built on farmland in 1965. The first Kino students were on double sessions at Mesa Junior High School during the 1965 - 66 school year. The new facilities included an Olympic - sized swimming pool. In 1975 - 76, the gymnasium, concession stand, bookstore and present office were constructed. The 531 - seat auditorium was built during the 1982 - 83 school year. During the summer of 1992 and 1993 the remainder of the school was remodeled.

Our school population has been as high as 1,650 students. Our campus included Fremont Junior High on double sessions in 1968 - 69. In 1974, our student population declined when Poston Junior High was opened. In 1982 - 83, Taylor Junior High shared our campus for one semester. Mr. Lorenzo Rich was Kino's first principal. Mr. Kirk Hansen became our second principal from 1972 to 1994. Mr. James Sutcliffe served as principal from 1994 to 2003. Dr. Steve Pierson was principal from 2003 to 2005. Mr. Dominic Salce was principal for the 2005 - 2006 school year. Assistant principals include Mr. Jaren Tolman, Mr. David Mullins, Ms. Susan Scoon, and Mrs. Michele Lorig. The team leaders since 1978 have been Mr. Marvin Wright, Mr. Marvin Lamer, Mrs. Patricia Terry, Mrs. Karen Meszar, Mr. James Sutcliffe, Ms. Susan Scoon, Dr. Audrey Guydon, Mr. Mark Spencer, Mr. Mike Casillas, Mr. Bartley Beckert, Mr. Jeff Ziebell, Mr. Gary Durrett, Ms. Cathy Jackson, and Dr. Giselle Edman.