Peoria High School - Crest Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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DE DI CA TI ON 16 Introduction S ...- '-1 ,yAb M s, M, . ' .,,.,. k kkiv liluw' Wa-, For giving many years of service to Peoria High School, we dedicate the 1981 Quasquicentennial CREST to Mr. Henry Stepping-an administrator, teacher, and friend who has given to those who have known him, not only of his mind but of his heart. a ff? if ' . -eo 'A , a You are equal to all others some may have greater talents and power where you are lacking but you are greater in areas where they cannot go do not stop your own growth and progression by trying to emulate. . . or follow. . . anyone step out with courage develop all that you are meant to be look for new experiences . . . meet new people learn to add all new dimensions to your present and future you are one of a kind . . . equal to every other person accept that fact live it use it stand tall in belief of who you are reach for the highest accomplishment touch it grasp it know it is within your ability live to win in life and you will -diane westlake Km J ,S I 31 31

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PEORIA HIGH SCHOOL-125 YEARS i Peoria, Illinois is an ever-expand- ing city, not only in population but also in the education of its people. In 1981, Peoria has a total of four public secondary schools including Peoria High School, Manual High School, Richwoods Community High School and Woodruff High School. Of these four, Peoria High School was the first, starting in 1856. This was only the second public secondary school in Illinois. In May of 1856, the first classes were held on the second floor of the Peoria Female Academy at the cor- ner of Iefferson and Iackson Streets. The school was called the Third School District at this time and received the name Peoria High School in 1862. Mr. Charles E. Hovey was appointed by the State Legisla- tor to act as the first principal and Miss Sarah Mathews was Peoria's first secondary school teacher. In these earlier days high schools were not as easy to get into as they are today. In order to be admitted into high school, a prospective stu- dent had to take an entrance exam. Each student had to get 7596 to be admitted to Peoria High School. One person passed this test but fourteen others came within five percent of passing and were admit- ted. The following year a new entrance exam was composed that pal at P.H.S. Left: The first classes were held on the second floor of the Peoria Female Academy on Ieffer- son and jackson Streets. Right: Charles E. Hovey was the first princi- l l 5 1 l l gave students a better chance of passing. The required courses in these first years included Algebra, Latin, Natu- ral Philosophy, Caesar, Physical Geography, Physiology, Geometry, Virgil, Rhetoric, Trigonometry, Cicero, Moral Philosophy, Chemis- try and History. These courses were taken over the four year period. By 1858 Peoria High School's stu- dent body had increased to fifty- nine and four of these were ready to graduate. Lucetta Howell became the first valedictorian of an all female class. History 17