Peoria High School - Crest Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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Guides Students Dr. Mark Bills, superintendent of the Peoria Public Schools, strived unceasingly to improve the quality and depth of the school system. One of his most recent efforts was the fine arts program. An accomplished musician himself, he has encouraged the support of the school's orchestras, bands, and choirs by in- creased budgets and official recognition. All this support result- ed in a much-improved cultural program, which benefited the whole city. Of course, a taste for music and .a desire for students to enjoy it as well was not all a position such as the superintend- ent of schools demanded, and Dr. Bills' extensive administrative experience enabled him to fulfill his duties as administrator equally well. Supplementing the qualities of Dr. Bills are the members of the Board of Education. Duly elected, this group of community leaders met twice a month to consider and discuss such problems as the purpose of education, teachers, salaries, budgets, and build- ing programs. Due to the school boardis efforts, Peoria High now boasts a modern gymnasium, a large foyer, and many other fa- cilities appreciated by both faculty and students. These members gave their time to the community without a salary, reaping only the same benefits they helped provide for the whole city: an efficient, modern school system. MARK W. BILLS Superintendant THE BOARD CONSISTED of Leo Sullivan, Robert Jamieson, Virginia Newell, Elizabeth Cleaver, Jackson P. Newlin, and Espey C. Williamson. Page 19

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Competent Administration Mr. Max Mills, Peoria High's warm and capable principal, was certainly considered the heart of the high school as he ex- pelled his spirit and energy into the life-blood of the school, His life was Peoria High, and Peoria High was his life. His pride in Peoria High School was only surpassed by his tremendous love for its students. The time he devoted in service to the school was seen in his uncanny ability to attend nearly every function of almost every facet of school life. He had rare capacity to reach into the depths of a student's character, thereby extracting the student's best efforts. Although he carried the burden of re- sponsibility for the entire school, he was never out of touch with the individual student, his problems and his ambitions. What he has done for Peoria High School was felt as pride for the high standards and ideals of Peoria High, which Mr. Mills has invoked. An assistant principal, Mr. Harvey Tucker combined a kind of benevolent discipline with a spirit of responsibility to the needs of Peoria High and its students. Although his duties required a good deal of his valuable time, Mr, Tucker was never too busy to discuss a problem with a student. Miss Florence Poshard, Dean of Girls, had both the ability to accomplish her extremely varied tasks efficiently and the pride in her job and Peoria High to complete them with perfection. Her able hand could be seen in the carrying out of vital school activities, She completely supervised graduation activities. HARVEY L. TUCKER Assistant Principal

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THE NEVERENDING TASK of keeping the study halls quitt and in order Was the job Mr Sutton and Mrs. Slavens faced. l.'llf llfSl'S ll Three years ago the Peoria High School library was modernized. Since then new facilities have constantly been added. Many new books were purchased, both for research and reading enjoyment. The conference rooms were always in use, and the record players and tape recorders were always loaned out. The library offered all types of literature and had an excellent selection of periodicals, The research is- land provided all kinds of encyclopedias and specific types of reference books on particular topics. Mr. Stanger and Mrs. Bill offered individuals help in finding a book or certain material. A new system of library passes was in effect this year. The students no longer obtained their passes from their teachers. As they entered the library they received a pass, filled it out explaining why they were using the li- brary and returned it to the librarians. From the library the passes were put in the teachers, mailboxes. ln this way the teach- ers could learn what students went into the library and what they did. Two faculty members were assigned to the study hall. This was their only job, and they had complete charge over ity as in past years the regular teachers used free periods to supervise the study hall.