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HS Looks Back On Proud History Of District (B With the McHenry Community high school in its fiftieth year, we wonder how many of our readers recall the struggle necessary to make it the modern institution it is today. First, let our minds carry bs back in reminiscence to the year 1892, for that was the earliest that we have any record -of high school graduates in McHenry. Among those receiving diplomas that year were Joel Wheeler and Loretta Walsh, Until 1919 the high school strict included only the city McHenry and was supported by the present grade school district. Impelled by a few leading citizens, an election was held on Sept. 20, 1919, for the purpose of forming anew high school district. By a vote of 312 to 87 favoring the proposal, the boundaries of the district were changed. The new district included all of McHenry township with the exception of a half-mile strip four and one-half miles along the northwest side. It also included a two-mile strip of Nunda township, with the exception of four square miles lying just south of Lily Lake. In 1940 the Wonder Lake district was added by petition and the present district included sixty square miles. BOARD ELECTION IN 1919 The first school election following the enlargement of the school district was on Dec. 20, 1919. Five hundred and two votes were cast and resulted in the election of the following board: Thomas A. Bolger, president; Joseph W. Freund, John M. Schmitt, Charles W. Harrison and D,G. Wells. O.G. Treadway who was superintendent at the time, acted as secretary until April, when Jos. W. Freund was c elected to the office. FIRST GRADUATES 1920 With the enlargement of the high school district the school boasted ninety students of which thirteen were to become the first graduates of the Community high school. These 1920 graduates included George Barbian, William Brunswick, Genevieve Carey, Jennie Mae Cooley, Frank Doherty, Blanche Myers, Clarence Niesen, Harvey Nye, Rosemary Nye, Kathleen O'Reilly, Mary Smith, Elsie Vycital and Robert Weber. Little did these ninety students, or their teachers either, dream that before seventeen years had passed 230 pupils would be taking their place in well equipped classrooms of a new and modern building. NEW SCHOOL BUILT IN 1924 Until the erection of the new high school in 1924 the grade and high school classes were held in the same building. In 1920 and 1921 the gymnasium of the present grade school was used as an assembly hall for high school students. In 1922 a portable annex, which included two classrooms and a library, was added to the east side of the building. This was sold a few years later to the town of Grayslake and used as a church for several years. FLOAT $125,000 BONDS In the previous year of 1921 it became the hope of many citizens tha£%Ic Henry would have a new/aiuF modern school building, and in a special election in December of that year their dream became a reality. The majority of 1,019 voters who went to the polls voted in favor of issuing $125,000 five percent bonds for the erection of a new school. It was not until 1923 that the bonds were sold, and in that year erection of the high school began. The building was not completed by September 1, 1924, so the opening of school was postponed for two weeks. Even then it was necessary to enter the building on artificial steps and for many months the students were hampered in studying because of the noise made by workmen finishing the building. MANY ADDED COURSES In 1919 the choice of courses was somewhat limited in view of those offered today. Available were English, algebra, Latin, general science, chemistry, stenography, physics, plane geometry, history, zoology and botany French and bookkeeping. Even most of these were taught with a minimum of equipment and can hardly be compared with the same courses offered today. For example, the typing class struggled nobly for several years to keep their six typewriters in good repair for the entire class. The first addition to the regular courses occurred in 1921 when Miss Cleora Johnson was hired to teach domestic science in what is now the grade school library. It wasn't until 1923, when W. N. Sears came to McHenry, that any kind of instrumental music program was formed. For thirteen years he instructed in private lessons and directed both band and orchestra. In 1937 Paul Yanda took over the music program and became the first fulltime music instructor. McHenry's orchestra, as well as some individual players, have made a name for themselves throughout the years. In 1931 the orchestra won the state contest for Class C and ranked well in the national contest at Cleveland, Ohio. In 1931 and 1936 two MCHS music students were selected to play in the allstate orchestra in Springfield. HEALTH SUPERVISION In 1926 the first program of health supervision was instituted in the school. With most of the larger schools instituting trade courses, McHenry followed suit in 1939 when Elmer Baum was hired as the teacher. Needless to say, the course attracted many boys to whom the training will always be of value. Another addition to the list of courses is that of agriculture, which was begun in 1941. Ralph Primm made a most successful beginning with a total of thirtyone students. The physical education course also made great strides and is now a requirement. MANY IMPROVEMENTS NOTED Throughout the years many improvements were made in the building itself and new land was added to the original purchase. Originally the school grounds took in only the land upon which the school stands and the football field. A few years later the board purchased all the lots along the north side of the building and in 1939 bought the Vasey properly. The addition of the Wonder Lake distinct provided sufficient additional taxes so that the board of education instituted a new bus system. In 1940, two drivers were hired to transport all rural students to and from school and the program, even in its first year, proved successful. The high school was built in three stages, with the last addition in 1957. There are presently fifty - five teachers and 1,288 students housed in the school. The Junior high school, erected in 1957, is a splendid facility, but some maintenance work is needed. At one time, third and fourth grades met in this building, but it now houses grades 6-8. The building is overcrowded at present. Elementary schools feeding McHenry high school consist of the fiye in McHenry and the three in the rural area - Ringwood, Harrison and and Johnsburg. * -- ~ ~ ~ * * * * * * * * * * * * * f * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * $ * * * * * * 11 I in Your « l Fine School Steel Products First In Spectator Seating * * * Chicago Branch 4725 W. Augusta Blvd. Chicago, III. 60651 626-9601 Calumet Branch 4322 Calumet Ave Hammond, Indiana SA 1-5800 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *