North Central High School is a four-year public high school in Spokane, Washington in the Spokane Public Schools District 81. It opened in 1908 as the second high school in the city; the original structure was razed and the new building opened in 1981. Each year Newsweek magazine ranks the top public high schools in the nation when it comes preparing students for college and life. In 2009, NC ranked 692 in the nation. In 2010, 608th in the nation. In 2011, NC ranked 697th in the nation, 10th in the state of Washington and 1st in Eastern Washington. North Central was home to the 2008 Nike Cross Nationals champions. History North Central High School opened in September 1908 with only half a wing and 12 classrooms ready for the 200 newly enrolled students. Events in the school's history include the outbreak of scarlet fever that led to every student being checked twice a week by throat specialist, visits by William Jennings Bryan who spoke of the importance of public speaking and Booker T. Washington who spoke of being a slave boy and the founding of a college in Tuskegee, Alabama. Following the fire at South Central High School in June 1910, its students attended North Central until it was rebuilt. The new school on the SCHS site was renamed Lewis and Clark High School and opened in 1912. South Central opened in 1891 and was "Spokane High School" until North Central opened in 1908. Groovy Shoes In 1991, NC and its rival school, Shadle Park, began a spirit competition named Groovy Shoes. The first theme NC chose for its Groovy Shoes T-shirts was "Shadle Park on the Spot" and featured the "Spot" from 7-Up commercials that year. While the two basketball teams battle it out on the court, the more important competition takes place in the stands annually at the Spokane Arena. Using school symbols and colors, art students at each school created a "groovy" looking shoe. The pair of shoes became the Groovy Shoes. Possession of the shoes goes to the winner of the spirit competition. There is a week long build up where students decorate the school hallways according to the year's theme in a competition between the classes. The spirit week before the big game, gets students hyped to be a part of the event. During the con, which takes place the day of Groovy Shoes,