La Salle Peru Township High School - Ell Ess Pe Yearbook (La Salle, IL)

Page 4 text:

Memories of the Past G D' , ij ,ii 'll'lll L ET us for a few brief moments recollect memories of our high school since its establishment forty years ago. l.a Salle-Peru Township l-ligh school was organized April 11, 1896, under the Town- ship Highschool System of the State of lllinois, in Congressional Township Thirty-three North, Range One East, as School District 190. Geographically spealcing the tri-cities are unique in that they are all located in a single township, La Salle and Peru being separated only be a boundary line, and Oglesby being but four miles distant with the lllinois River as a natural boundary. With these towns growing up separately so close together with their widely divergent nationalities and natural rivalries, one would thinlc that such a cooperative social undertalcing as the La Salle-Peru Township l-ligh School would be impossible, as perhaps it would have been had it not been for Mr. F.W. Matthiessen. ltwas he who first had the hope for united action through which and only through which, either town ever would have had the modern equipment and service which it has. l-lis worlc was always as much for others as for himself, and he, so well aware of what he owed to education, began worlcing for the best school available. Still no history of l.a Salle-Peru Township l'ligh School would be complete without constant men- tion of Dr. Thomas J. McCormaclc because one can almost say that he was the school, his development was its development. Dr. McCormacl4's ideal of our high school has been very well expressed in the following statement: The La Salle-Peru Township High School has an educational mission to perform. lts destiny within the next generation is by the silent and slow worlcing influences of high ideals of conduct and high standards of labor and thought effective to transform the intellectual and social fiber of our on-growing manhood and womanhood, and through their example to shape, in a measure, the future action and sentiment of the Community. Most appropriately the La Salle-Peru Township l-ligh School has been denominated as the peoples college. It has placed within the immediate reach of their children facilities and advantages, and its courses, properly pursued, supply a sufficientfoundation for most any profession, technical, or business career. Mr. Matthiessen's philanthropy was again exemplified by his donating the money for the Social Center Building, designed after the Great Lalces Naval Station Building, as a means of affording rec- reation to the employees of the plants of the tri-cities and their childiren. The year 1919-1990 was a year of building and general improvement. Entire new heating, ventilating, humidifying, and vacuum-cleaning apparatuses were installed in all the buildings, a new electric lighting system was introduced, recitation rooms and laboratories were remodeled, and individual loclcers were provided for the students. The most progressive step was in the form of a Bureau of Educational Counsel to bring to the people of the l.a Salle-Peru Township l'ligh School, peace, happiness, and human efficiencyu and especially beha- vior and conduct, since they are related to career and vocation. The next step of advancement was the new building, it being completed and made ready for occupation in April, 1998. The E L L E S S P E detail forthe decorative scheme carried outthrough this building was the worlt of Dr. fVicCormaclc. The foyer of the auditorium on the first floor is dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Matthiessen, The Annual year book pubhcdtlon Kvlxhili the second mezzanine or art lounge is dedicated to Eda att iessen. of The La Salleaperu Township l-ligh Schcgjl thas had a steady increase in atten ance ever since its esta is ment in 1898. THE SENlOR Cl-ASS lts ever widening influence has been extended from two hun- dred to fifteen hundred students. Just as the number of students of has increased, so has the number of the faculty. It has increased from thriteen to approximately sixty competent members. ln the LA S A L L E, P E R U T- H- last forty years La Salle-Peru has sent out into the world nearly 3000 graduates, ready to pursue professional, technical, and Ld Sane-peru Illinois business careers. Nor is our school without some famous sons ' and daughters who have won acclaim in the fields of business, 1 9 3 7 science, music, law, education, athletics, and medicine. Q

Page 3 text:

Cla, ifi. f f . . Z f.. , x 275 A fag!! Vvjg A Reflections as of Forty Years 1897 E 1937 QNNJ 1897 MOMENTOUS decision has been made, and during the last year, l.a Salle and Peru Townships have been erecting a new terra cotta high school at the corner of Fifth and Charter Streets in l.a Salle. Very impressive is the clock tower which faces the Fifth Street side. We citizens agree that we will have a school of which we can speak with pride. It nothing comes of the General Weyler insurrection in Cuba and war with Spain is not declared, there will probably be more than two hundred students to give headaches to six teachers and Superin- tendent Brooks who will take charge in September. Students are excited by the Spanish situation in Cuba, and some of the more venturesome will volunteer their services if war is declared. Does Spain realize that a large or small attendance at La Salle-Peru l ligh rests on her shoulders? 1907 Even though l.a Salle and Peru Townships are suffering from the worst panic since 1893, we have rallied enough to hire fifteen teachers besides Superintendent McCormack to take charge of the three hundred students who are attending this growing institution. New courses in Manual Training and Domestic Science have been added to the curriculum, and are becoming more popular every year. This is especially true since the Manual Training Building was constructed and equipped. Probably the most appreciated addition to the flourishing school is the lunch room which was established at the be- ginning of the second semester. Miss Josie Griffin, who was placed in charge, has become a popular figure, for everyone hails the person who helps satisfy hungry craving that comes to us at about twelve 1917 With bands playing, and student soldiers drilling, l.a Salle-Peru certainly looks like a military camp. Young soldiers proudly display their new uniforms to the envious students who were unable to join the army. L-P. grads,who have been called to the colors, are bidding good-bye to their friends before they leave for Hover there. Girls do their bit by knitting sweaters and socks for the soldiers to wear. All join in singing Beautiful Katiefx Long, Long -frail,'l and ulfeep the Home Fires Burning. Though the real import of the dangers our sons are to suffer has not yet come, we all know that the drilling, singing, knitting, and saying good-byes won't be over 'til its over, over there. . 1927 Pros erity has cast a favorable eye on La Salle and Peru Townships. Factories and the Western Clock Hgollegen are calling the students from the preliminary process of education to the great prob- lems of earning a living. Because of this boom of prosperity only six hundred students are attending EII Pe this year although the faculty membership has risen to thirty-two all of whom are competent to teach these young industrious students. Along with the boom of industries has come a benefit to education in the shape of a new building now being erected for a' junior college and high school. The Matthiessen Memorial Auditorium which will be a section of the new school is beginning to come into view. Dimmer and dimmer fade the mem- ories ofthe old Manual Training Building which at one time occupied the site where the New Building is now being erected. o'clock. . 1937 The tax payers empowered the Board of Education to take advantage of the financial aid offered by the Federal Government through Public Works Administration in order to erect a new edifice to take the place of the old, condemned Main Building. Now the work is almost completed and the stu- dents go from one class to another through spacious, newly-painted halls. However the pride and joy of all is the magnificent McCormack Memorial Library which is situated in about the center of the build- ing. We all desire to use this pleasant room as a study. Another room we all take pride in is the new modernistic cafeteria and study hall combined. With the new building, new stadium, athletic field, and new powerhouse. Ell Pe High is so changed that few believe the splendor we see is really ours. La Salle-Peru Township High School La Salle-Peru, lllinois

Page 5 text:

Visions of the Future 'W s it . Q l .fl i f ' i . -i.fs:.,.g.. STRUCTURE destined to be the pride of the community. The outstanding tribute to the best that has been developed in modern schooling. An architectural accomplishment of which its oc- cupants may be justly proud. An edifice possessing ever-lasting possibilities. Such is EII Pe l-ligh, for in it we see vast opportunities for increasing greatness. We build up on our minds a vision of it in years to come. A school which will offer its students a splendid career-inspiring curriculum. One supplied with the facilities to provide a four year college course. Equipped with television and motion pictures as a means of presenting to its students a more realistic study. Radio, and along with it television, will be considered a necessity. Social and recreational acti- vities, as well as educational programs, may be brought to the school through these mediums. lts athletic undertalcings in outside communities-football, basketball, swimming, traclc-may be brought to the eyes and ears of interested listeners and well-wishers at home. l-learsay reports will be practically obliterated. Each, and all, will be able to follow activities and will not be obligated to read accounts in the news- papers to learn of the outcome. Lilcewise, through radio, students will be given a more vivid and definite picture of the subject under discussion. Radio lessons in the art of play production will be brought to dramatic classes. l-listory classes may follow current events by everyday pursuance of news flashes by well-known commentators. English classes may learn of those renowned in the field of literature by lectures coming to them through the ether. And then too, there will be motion pictures to aid students in their study. lo those in the typewriting classes will be brought films to illustrate correct posture, fingering, and approach. Science classes may actually watch the movement of protozoa as shown in pictures under great magnification. The curriculum may be so extended as to include many subjects that are not at this time being offered to students. New fields of worlc requiring slcill and experience are rapidly being opened up. To Fill the positions these create, high school pupils must have an opportunity at school to learn of these things. instruction in air conditioning, refrigeration, television, electric arc, oxy-acetylene welding, machine shop and radio may wisely be instituted. Such improvements in facilities for teaching will enable instructors to impart to students more rapidly and thoroughlythe mastery ofdifficult lessons. These new agencies will no doubt enable a teacher to handle larger classes just as efficiently as now but with less effort than required at present. All in all, there is no limit to the progress which L-P. l-ligh may malce within the next few decades. Possibilities which we can not now forsee may materialize. But for progress, there must be full cooperation with willing helpers, and we must take every advantage of our opportunities. ,3 Ell Ess Pe Staff of 1937 Editorial Board Al Castelli, Chairman Natalie Leland, Vice-Chairman Mildred Swanson Novella Kellerns Business Board Eugene Keutzer, Chairman Al Mankowski Senior Personnel Bernadine Weyand, Chairman Luella Metzinger Arlene Levan Wm. Schweickert lda Caresio Bonnie McCloughan Bernice Nelson, Typist Calendar Lucille Coughlin Shirley Stewart Athletic Board Betty Farley, Chairman Joe Koss Organizations Ross Miller Frank Pauline Literary Barbara Burke