Tuscola High School - Tuscolian Yearbook (Tuscola, IL)

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MR. WILLIAM BUTKOVICH RETIRES FROM SCHOOL SYSTEM Displaying his athletic ability at the University of Illinois. Lounging after a hard day of studies. As a new teacher at Bradley Bourbonnais. A quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams might have had him in mind when he wrote: “The way to succeed at quarterback is to call the unexpected consistently.” For 28 years he called the plays both on and off the field at TCFIS. His football teams were conference champions; his student body learned the discipline which molds character. Mr. William Butkovich, who has been involved with the Illinois public school system for 35 years, retired at the end of the school year. Mr. Butkovich attended the University of Illinois where he played football and baseball and received a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in physical education and a minor in biological science. He then went on to Eastern Illinois University to receive a master's degree and an advanced certificate in administration. He first went to work at Bradley-Bourbonnais High School as a football and baseball coach and as a drivers’ education, biology and physical education teacher. He taught there for 7 years. Mr. Butkovich then came to Tuscola in 1956 where he coached football and track and taught physical education, drivers’ education and health. He remembers being a little nervous while instructing new drivers. One of his fondest memories of this time is of how his fellow teachers helped him when he needed it. He was ill, and they took over his classes for him so he could get some rest before the crucial conference football championship game. “Those people were great!” he said. After nine years as a teacher and head football coach, Mr. Butkovich became the principal of TCHS. He tackled the turbulance of the ’60s and ’70s with determination, and seeing steady and positive improvements in the '80s, has taken great pride in the accomplishments of his graduates. Mr. Butkovich has seen many changes in the school system since 1956. One was the decrease in enrollment from 1700 students in the system to the present enrollment of slightly more than 1000. Another was the construction of separate school buildings for elementary, junior high and high school. Mr. Butkovich will be remembered for his unwillingness to compromise for a time; for a longer time we will remember his willingness to listen. As one season of play ends, another begins. We hope that his new game plan includes many opportunities to enjoy his retirement, secure in the knowledge that he called the plays with honesty and integrity — consistently. 4

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Clubs.................53 Sports................87 Staff................109

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Celebrating his 60th birthday in 1984. Observing an assembly. Addressing students at an assembly. SCHOOL SYSTEM LOSES VALUABLE SECRETARY Sending a message over the intercom. Selling a lunch ticket to Richard Rentsch. This year also marked the retirement of Mrs. Mildred Grubb, a secretary in the Tuscola school district for 29' : years. She began as a secretary at North Ward High School for principal Reeve Norton and superintendent J. H. Uammack. Her daughter was a starting freshman that year. She was able to watch both her daughter and her son go through high school. She liked working with high school students as they helped keep her informed of the current trends. A big change in her career was the moving of high schools from North Ward to the present school in 1957. The principal at that time was Charles Whalen. Mrs. Grubb recalls dreading the big move. “Everything had to be packed and sent and arranged in the new school.” She stated that the move was a smooth, organized operation. Before the new school was finished, Mrs. Grubb remembers taking a tour of the new building and thinking she would never be able to find her way around. She worked for four principals at this school, including since 1965 Mr. Butkovich. Mrs. Grubb has no set plans for the future; however, she intends to spend some time with her parents and to visit her son in Hawaii. We wish her well in her retirement. 5