St. Joseph High School (Westchester, Illinois)
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| Motto | Vincit Qui Laborat |
|---|---|
| Established | 1960 |
| Type | Roman Catholic, Co-ed, College Prep |
| Affiliation | Christian Brothers |
| President | Mr. David G. McCreery |
| Principal | Mrs. Donna Kiel |
| Students | 887 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Location | Westchester, Illinois, USA |
| Colors | Red, White and Black |
| Nickname | Chargers |
| Mascot | Joe Charger |
| Website | St. Joseph High School www.stjoeshs.org |
St. Joseph High School (or St. Joe's) is a Roman Catholic, coeducational, college prep, laptop learning[clarify] school in Westchester, Illinois, and is sponsored by the Christian Brothers of De La Salle.
St. Joseph High School is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. St. Joe's is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association and the Christian Brothers Educational Association. The school is also a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC), and the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC).
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[edit] Admission
Students come from more than 100 elementary schools from the western suburbs and the City of Chicago. The students are accepted for admission based on the entrance exam, grade school records, and teachers’ recommendations for freshman year. Transfer students are accepted based on their academic records, discipline reports, and recommendations. Currently, the racial make up of the school is Caucasian, Hispanic, African American, Biracial, Asian, and Native American.
[edit] History
The story of St. Joseph High School began with an invitation from His Eminence Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago, to the Christian Brothers to administer and staff a new Catholic high school in Westchester, Illinois. Construction of the original building (1840 S. Mayfair Ave.) began on July 2, 1959, and was completed in September 1960. The school was dedicated on September 16, 1961, by His Eminence Albert Cardinal Meyer, Archbishop of Chicago.
The all-boys school first began operations on September 7, 1960, with 390 freshmen. In July of 1963, St. Joseph High School received state recognition as a three-year high school and was granted full approval as a member of the Illinois High School Association. By the spring of 1964, the educational program had developed to such an extent that the school was given full recognition by the State of Illinois as a four-year high school. In 1987, St. Joseph High School was accredited by the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.
St. Joe's has served Chicago and the western suburbs for nearly 50 years. The continually developing curriculum has evolved into strong academic programs for students in three major areas: Honors Program, College Preparatory "A" Program, and College Preparatory "B" Program. St. Joseph High School was also the recipient of Exemplary Accreditation as a Transition School by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
The school was featured prominently in the 1994 documentary film Hoop Dreams. The protagonists, William Gates and Arthur Agee, attended SJHS to play basketball.
In late August 2004, the students of St. Joseph High School became the first students in a Catholic high school in the state of Illinois to enter an all wireless, all laptop learning campus. Every student and teacher at St. Joe's has an IBM/Lenovo laptop computer.
In February 2005, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, gave St. Joseph High School his approval to change the mission of the school and expand from an all-boys school to a co-educational school beginning in the 2005-2006 school year. Immaculate Heart of Mary closed in June 2005, and St. Joseph, following the tradition of St. John Baptist de LaSalle, welcomed young women into the St. Joseph family. [1].
On August 25, 2006, St. Joe's purchased the former Immaculate Heart of Mary High School building and surrounding property located at 10900 W. Cermak Road. School President David McCreery explained the reason for the acquisition of the building and property: “St. Joseph’s objective is to prepare our students to compete in the world and succeed in life. We have created an exceptional and innovative education for our young men and women, but our facilities needed to be strengthened. The new building and additional property provides St. Joseph with exciting, new opportunities.” The plan was to convert the “new” building into an academic campus, while continuing to use the 1840 S. Mayfair Ave. Gym and related facilities, parking lot, and athletic fields. On January 22, 2007, the student body, faculty, and staff of St. Joseph High School all began a new era in the new Chargerland.
The theme for the 2007-2008 school year is “St. Joseph High School, Uniting as a Family of Faith, Achieving Success for All.”
[edit] Facts
- School Motto: “Vincit Qui Laborat,” which means “Victory Belongs to Those Who Work”
- Nickname: Chargers - St. Joe's is Home of the Chargers
- School Colors: Red, White and Black
- Charger Emblem: In the days of the Roman Empire, one person of courage, strength and determination was selected to step out and lead the charge of the Roman Legion. This person was called the “Charger.”
- Mascot: Joe Charger
To Play Joe Charger is one of the highest honors bestowed upon a member of the Chargers. Although usually played by a member of the Senior Class, it not uncommon for faculty to put on the armor. Here are some noteable performances:
- 1964 - Thomas Hurt
- 1967 - Leslie Propst
- 1994 - James St. Louis
- 1997 - Paul Hurt
- 1998 - Angela Fredricksen
- 2004 - Paul Bruton
- 2004-2005 - Sam Fron
- 2005-2006 - Edd McMurray
- 2007 - Peter Waller
- 2008 - Danek Znika
As many Alumnus know, St. Joseph High School has a rich history of fine educators. When you think of St. Joseph High School, the names of some of the tenured faculty come to mind:
- Mr. Tony Quattrochi - Mathematics, Business, and Technology Education Chair; Former LaSallian Educator of the Year
- Mr. Tom Hurt - English Department Advisor; Former LaSallian Educator of the Year
- Br. Leo Jones - Alumni Relations Assistant; English Teacher Emeritus; Former LaSallian Educator of the Year
- Mr. George Strnad - Former LaSallian Educator of the Year
- Mr. David Hotek - Co-Director Campus Ministry; Former LaSallian Educator of the Year
- Mr. Tony Menella - Bookstore Manager; Educator of Business; LaSallian Educator of the Year
- Mr. Bill Riley - Student Services Assistant
- Mr. David Purton - Public Relations Director; English Teacher Emeritus; Former LaSallian Educator of the Year
These teachers, along with many other decorated faculty, continue to touch the lives of Chargers today.
In May of 2008, Mr. Anthony Menella was honored by his fellow faculty and staff as the Distinguished LaSallian Educator of the Year.
[edit] Great Seal
The seal represents the various elements of the school’s tradition and spirit.
In the center is the crest of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, the Catholic order of Brothers who sponsors St. Joseph High School. At the top of the crest is the Latin phrase Signum Fide, which means the Sign of Faith. Below the Brothers’ crest is the broken shield, the family emblem of St. John Baptist De La Salle, a 17th century French saint who founded the Christian Brothers.
Below it hangs the star of Bethlehem, which is a guide for students of Lasallian schools around the world. The star once guided the three kings and now guides Lasallian students to Christ.
On one side of the star of faith is the symbol of the atomic age which depicts the school's dedication to learning and technology. On the other side, is the hammer and chisel representing the school's patron saint, St. Joseph the Worker, who was noted for his simple, but hard work as a carpenter and as the foster father of Christ.
The entire crest is surrounded by plumes and a knight’s helmet, representing the English tradition of the Village of Westchester.
Finally, at the top of the great seal of St. Joseph High School is the school motto, “Vincit Qui Laborat,” which means “Victory Belongs to Those Who Work.” Directly below the school seal is a cross which salutes the Catholic character of the school.
[edit] Administration
- President - Mr. David G. McCreery
- Vice President of Finance - Mr. Jeff Forgue
- Vice President of Development - Ms. Marianne Bero
- Vice President of Leadership - Mr. Mark Zavagnin
- Principal - Mrs. Donna Kiel
- Vice Principal for Faculty Supervision - Mr. Kevin Gallmeier
- Assistant to the Principal - Mrs. Pat Woss
- Dean of Students - Mr. John Perovich
- Director of Guidance and Counseling Services - Ms. Paulette Finnegan
- Director of Alumni, Special Events and Facilities - Mr. Gene Pingatore
- Director of Finance and Enrollment - Mr. Joe Tortorich
- Director of Maintenance - Mr. Bill Kren
- Director of Security - Sgt. Rick Hawk
- Director of Public Relations - Mr. David Purton
- Director of Development - Mrs. Tracy Greco
- Director of Technology - Ms. Susan Lamparter
[edit] Additional facts
Every spring, St. Joseph High School hosts ChargerFest and sponsors its Super Raffle, which are the school’s biggest fundraisers. ChargerFest features the Super Raffle drawing, a buffet, door prizes, additional raffles, games, and music. The Super Raffle was instituted in 1995. The raffle boasts a grand prize of $10,000 and has been deemed a great success each year. All proceeds benefit SJHS
In March 2005, St. Joseph High School was selected as the School of the Week by the CBS 2 Chicago's Morning News. St. Joe's was subsequently featured live on TV on March 4, 2005, on Friday Hoops. Ed Curran, the CBS 2 Chicago weather man, hosted the show from the school’s gym. The show broadcasted 18 spots of SJHS highlights.
In December 2005, St. Joseph High School hosted an event entitled “Becoming a True Leader,” which featured prominent leaders of today sharing leadership experiences and advice with the entire St. Joe's student body and visitors. His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. began the program by blessing the St. Joseph community and the school’s past heritage and new initiatives.
One of the school's most famous graduates is Isiah Thomas, former NBA star and former president of the New York Knicks organization.
Legendary St. Joe's Head Basketball Coach Gene Pingatore and Isiah Thomas were both honored at the 1st Annual Induction of the East Suburban Catholic Conference’s Hall of Fame Dinner on Thursday, March 9, 2006.
In 1999, St. Joseph High School Varsity Boy's Basketball won the IHSA Championship.
The Grand Marshall for school-sponsored parades is Class of 2006 graduate Edd McMurray. On April 13, 2007, in a ceremony held at the Parthenon Restaurant in Chicago, IL, Edd McMurray was given the distinct title of President Emeritus of Student Organizations. Paul T Hurt, Student Life Director at the time, presided over this ceremony. Edd McMurray is the first person in St. Joseph High School’s 47-year history to hold this title. At this event, Jose A. Gomez Jr., class of 2007, was also named the President Emeritus of Student Council. David Shumaker, a prominent religion teacher said, "I find no better people to bestow these awards upon. Edd and Jose truly are Chargers, showing true character, Charger pride, and a love for Joe Charger."
School president, Mr. David G. McCreery, was honored as Person of the Year 2006 by the Westchester Chamber of Commerce at its annual Installation Dinner on Saturday, February 17, 2007, at The Carlisle in Lombard, Illinois. Mr. McCreery received this award in recognition of all that he has achieved on behalf of St. Joseph High School and the community.
[edit] Christian Brothers and the Lasallian Tradition
St. Joseph High School is a Lasallian school and a part of the Christian Brothers Midwest District.WALTER
The Brothers of the Christian Schools, known as the De La Salle Christian Brothers, are members of one of the largest worldwide societies in the Roman Catholic Church. St. John Baptist de La Salle in France founded the order in 1680 for the purpose of providing a Christian education for youth. For more than three hundred years, in over eighty countries, the Christian Brothers have conducted elementary and secondary schools along with colleges and universities.
Currently, in the United States, nearly 2,000 Christian Brothers are involved in educational enterprises representing 75 high schools, several middle schools and seven colleges and universities.
