A chilling tale unfolds within these walls. Viewmont High School. It’s a story few know. A story etched in the very stones of this building. In 1974 serial killer Ted Bundy stalked these halls. He abducted 17-year-old Debra Kent. It happened during a school play. The Redhead. Bundy was seen repeatedly in the auditorium. He even pretended to be an usher. He abducted Debra from the parking lot. Later he confessed. He didn’t kill her at Viewmont. He took her to his apartment. There he murdered her. Another student Susan Curtis also attended that fateful play. Bundy abducted and killed her too. This is Viewmont High School. A place of learning. A place of tragedy.
Viewmont High School opened its doors in 1964. Today it thrives. It’s a public high school in Bountiful Utah. It’s part of the Davis School District. Principal Travis Lund leads the school. Viewmont boasts impressive achievements. It’s consistently ranked among the top 5% of public high schools in the US. Students excel. They score an average of 23.44 on the ACT. The graduation rate is 96%. Over 40% of graduates earn college credit. They achieve this through Advanced Placement and Concurrent Enrollment classes.
Viewmont’s excellence extends beyond academics. The school offers a wide array of athletic and artistic programs. Its students have won 41 state titles and 219 regional titles. The drill team alone won state championships in 2022 and 2023. The wrestling team is a powerhouse winning seven out of the last ten state titles. Viewmont’s men’s tennis team also shines with three recent state titles. Even the swimming teams have won two state titles each. Drew Bonner a Viewmont swimmer set a state record in 2016. He achieved this in the 500-yard freestyle.
Viewmont’s vibrant student life extends beyond sports. The school houses numerous clubs. These range from art and anime to debate and DECA. The student-run bookstore is a hub. It sells everything from Frazil drinks to Viewmont apparel. The Danegeld the school newspaper has been published since 1964. It even has an online blog. Viewmont’s Vikings Give program raises thousands of dollars for local charities. It began by supporting Guadalupe Elementary School. Now it supports many causes.
So Viewmont High School stands tall. It’s a place of learning. It’s a place of achievement. A place with a complex history. It is a testament to the resilience and spirit of its students and staff. It’s a school where history and hope intertwine. Viewmont High School. A legacy etched in both triumph and tragedy. Remember Debra Kent. Remember Susan Curtis. Remember the story. Remember Viewmont.