Danville High School (Illinois)
| Danville High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
|
202 E. Fairchild Danville, Illinois, 61832 United States | |
| Coordinates | 40°08′17″N 87°37′36″W / 40.1381°N 87.6267°W |
| Information | |
| School type | public secondary |
| Motto | Service |
| Opened | 1870 |
| School district | Danville District 118 |
| Superintendent | Mark Denman[1] |
| Principal | Mark Neil[2] |
| Staff | 189[3] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Gender | coed |
| Enrollment | 1,585[4] |
| Average class size | 20.8[4] |
| Campus type | urban |
| Color(s) |
maroon white[5] |
| Athletics conference | Big Twelve[5] |
| Mascot | Odin[6] |
| Team name | Vikings/Lady Vikings[5] |
| Average ACT scores | 18.5[4] |
| Newspaper | Maroon & White[7] |
| Yearbook | Medley[7] |
| Website | www.danville.k12.il.us/Schools/DHS_Site |
Danville High School (DHS) is a public high school located in Danville, Illinois. DHS is part of Danville District 118, which also includes two middle schools and eight elementary schools. This also includes The Kenneth D. Bailey Academy, previously Holy Family Catholic School, the new home for Danville School District 118’s alternative programs.[8]
The school is perhaps best known for three of its alumni who went on to success in acting: Gene Hackman, and the brothers Dick and Jerry Van Dyke, and one who became an important figure in popularizing early twentieth century popular music, Bobby Short.
History
Principals of DHS
Phil Cox, the current principal of Danville High School, is the school's 30th principal since 1870.[6]
| Principal | Years |
|---|---|
| Belle Spillman | 1870-1874 |
| Cornelia Branch | 1874-1876 |
| Annie Hoff | 1876-1878 |
| M. A. Lapham | 1878-1879 |
| Silas Y. Gillan | 1879-1886 |
| E. C. Williams | 1886-1887 |
| Lawrence A. McLauth | 1887-1891 |
| Stratton B. Brooks | 1891-1892 |
| S.A.D. Harry | 1892-1897 |
| B. D. Billinghurst | 1897-1900 |
| B. A. Sweet | 1900-1902 |
| Edwin D. Martin | 1902-1905 |
| Zora Mayo Smith | 1905-1909 |
| Charles E. Lawyer | 1909-1912 |
| A. W. Smalley | 1912-1916 |
| William C. Baer | 1916-1930 |
| John E. Wakeley | 1930-1934 |
| Russell M. Duffin | 1935-1948 |
| E. D. Milhon | 1948-1967 |
| Richard L. Burrer | 1967-1969 |
| Arthur F. Mathisen | 1969-1980 |
| Blaine E. Bonynge | 1980-1989 |
| Dr. Carl Esslinger (interim) | 1989-1990 |
| Dr. Ellen S. Russell | 1990-1994 |
| Dr. Carol A. Stack | 1994-1996 |
| Nanette L. Mellen | 1996-2001 |
| Mark Denman | 2001-2004 |
| Gail Garner | 2004-2006 |
| Marla Bauerle-Hill | 2006-2008 |
| Mark A. Neil | 2008-2013 |
| Phil Cox | 2013-Pres. |
Academics
In 2008, DHS had an average composite ACT score of 18.5, and graduated 75.3% of its senior class.[4] Danville High School has not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on the Prairie State Achievement Examination, which the state of Illinois uses to fulfill mandates set forth in the federal No Child Left Behind Act.[4] The school, overall, failed to meet minimum expectations in mathematics and reading, in addition to two of the three student subgroups.[4] 13.7% of juniors last spring scored high enough on at least three of the four parts of the ACT to be considered “college-ready” for key freshman classes.[4]
In September 2009, the school hosted several education administrators from Taiwan who were visiting to not only see how the school functions, but to participate in a learning opportunity for the school's Global House.[9]
Student life
Activities
The school offers approximately 30 clubs and activities ranging from service-oriented clubs to academic competition, to art appreciation.[10] Among the clubs which are chapters for more national organizations are Key Club, and National Honor Society.[10]
The choral music program supports a choir, show choir, and madrigal program.[11]
The instrumental music program supports two symphonic bands, a pep band (the Maroon Maniacs), percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble, madrigal brass band, marching band (Band of Vikings),a jazz combo (The Tenth Degree), madrigal strings, string orchestra and a symphony orchestra.[12]
In 2004, the school staged the musical Bye Bye Birdie, which (at its 1958 Broadway premier) had starred alum Dick Van Dyke in the role of Albert Peterson. For the 2004 production, Van Dyke returned to the school, and learned one of the numbers (Put On a Happy Face) alongside the students, performing both nights of the show. Van Dyke, who joined the military before receiving his diploma, was also granted his high school diploma at a ceremony.[13][14]
Athletics
DHS competes in the Big Twelve conference and is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA); the organization which organizes most interscholastic high school sports and competitive activities in the state of Illinois. Teams are stylized as the Vikings (or Lady Vikings for women's teams).
The school sponsors interscholastic teams for young men and women in basketball, cross country, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, and track & field.[15] Young men may participate in baseball, football, golf, and wrestling, while young women may compete in cheerleading and softball.[15] While not sponsored by the IHSA, the Athletic Department also sponsors a poms team (Pompettes).[15]
The following teams finished in the top four of their respective IHSA sponsored state championship tournament or meet:[16]
- Basketball (boys): 3rd place (1970–71, 92–93); 2nd place (1935–36, 49–50)
- Football: 2nd place (1976–77) semifinals (1978-1979) (2009–10) semi finals(2010-2011)
- Golf (boys): 4th place (1938–39); State Champions (1981–82)
- Swimming & Diving (boys): 3rd place (1939–40, 40–41)
- Tennis (boys): 4th place (1952–53, 58–59, 66–67); 3rd place (1946–47, 47–48, 2002–03); 2nd place (1951–52, 59–60); State Champions (1945–46, 53–54)
- Track & Field (boys): 3rd place (1983–84, 89–90); State Champions (1924–25)
Traditions
The school has two songs: a fight song and a cheer song. The cheer song's lyrics were borrowed from the cheer song written for Illinois Wesleyan University, substituting "Danville High" for "Wesleyan" and "maroon" for "green".[6][17]
The school claims no knowledge as to why the school colors were chosen, though they date to at least 1906.[6] The school's teams were originally stylized as the Maroons.[6] The school's teams briefly used the name Silver Streaks before adopting Vikings in 1960.[6] While the Vikings name stuck, an attempt to change the school's primary color from maroon to light blue failed to catch on.[6]
Dress Code
As of the 2014-2015 school year, Danville District 118 has revised their current dress code policy. The new policy requires that students dress in a more appropriate and professional manner.[18]
Male students attending the high school may wear the following:
- Pants or shorts must be khaki, navy, black, or gray
- Jeans and athletic sweatpants or shorts are not allowed to be worn
- Shirts must have a collar and can be any color or pattern
- Shirts must not have a logo larger than a hand on the front or back
- Sweatshirts with hoods, commonly referred to as hoodies, may not be worn
Female students attending the high school may wear the following:
- Female students may wear items that comply with the male dress code
- Dresses may be worn
- Khaki, navy, black, or gray skirts may be worn but, they must be longer than fingertip length
- The above rule applies to shorts
- Scarves may be worn
- Strapless dresses are prohibited
- If the shoulder is exposed when a dress is worn, a cardigan or similar must be worn to cover the wearer's shoulders
Notable alumni
- Susan Wittig Albert is an author, best known for her works in the crime and mystery genres.
- Jason Anderson is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher (2003–05).[19][20]
- Irving Azoff is a personal manager to several notable musical talents. He is the former head of MCA Records, and has produced several films (Fast Times at Ridgemont High). In 2008, he became Chairman of Ticketmaster.[21]
- Kenneth D. Bailey was a major in the United States Marine Corps. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Matanikau River during the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. The destroyer USS Kenneth D. Bailey was named in his honor.[21]
- William B. Black is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1986–2010).[21]
- Keon Clark is a former NBA basketball player (1998–2004). He was selected in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft.[22]
- Gene Hackman is an Academy Award winning actor, best known for his work in film (The French Connection, Unforgiven).[21]
- Greg Meidel is a television producer.[21]
- Donald O'Connor was an Emmy Award winning actor and dancer, perhaps best known for his role in the film Singin' in the Rain.
- Scott Shaw is a photojournalist who received the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for spot news photography.[21]
- Bobby Short was a singer and musician known for his interpretations of early 20th century American usic, and for promoting the compositions of African American composers.[21]
- Sterling Slaughter, Former MLB player (Chicago Cubs)
- Matthew Stover is an author who writes predominantly in the genres of science fiction and fantasy. In addition to works such as Heroes Die, he has also written novels set in the Star Wars universe, including Revenge of the Sith.[21]
- Joseph R. Tanner is a former NASA astronaut. He flew into space four times as a mission specialist where he performed work on the Hubble Space Telescope and International Space Station.[21]
- Edward R. Telling was the Chairman and CEO of Sears, Roebuck and Company (1978–85).[21]
- Dick Van Dyke is an Emmy and Tony award winning actor. He was in the original Broadway cast of Bye Bye Birdie, in addition to his work on film (Mary Poppins) and television (The Dick Van Dyke Show, Diagnosis: Murder).[21]
- Jerry Van Dyke is an actor and musician best known for his work on television (My Mother the Car, Coach).[21]
- Reg Weaver is the former president of the National Education Association, and is a vice president for Education International.[21]
- Ned Luke, is an actor best known for his role as Micheal De Santa in the wildly popular video game Grand Theft Auto V, the top grossing video game of all time. He has also appeared as a guest star in several TV Shows including opposite home town hero Dick Van Dyke in Diagnosis: Murder.
-
Maj. Kenneth D. Bailey, USMC
-
Gene Hackman
-
Bobby Short (center, at piano)
-
Joe Tanner
-
Dick Van Dyke
-
Jerry Van Dyke
References
- ↑ "Jackson Building Directory - District Administration". directory. Danville District 118. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ "Danville High School Principal". Danville High School. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ "Danville High School Staff". directory. Danville High School. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "Illinois School Report Card - Danville High School" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Danville (HS)". Illinois High School Association (IHSA). 30 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 "About Danville High School". history. Danville High School. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Danville High School Production Organizations". Danville High School. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ "District 118 Information - District Statistics". Danville District 118. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ Herkamp, Anna (16 September 2009). "Global learning: Taiwanese educational dignitaries tour schools". The Commercial-News (Danville, IL, USA). Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Clubs and Organizations index". directory. Danville High School. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ↑ "Danville High School Choral Music". Danville High School. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ↑ "Danville High School Instrumental Music". Danville High School. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ↑ "Danville High School Choral Music Historic Events". Danville High School. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ↑ "Dick Van Dyke comes Home to Danville High School" (PDF), Maroon & White 2 (2), June 2004: 2–3,
Choreographed by Michael Weaver and arranged by Robert Hills, the highlight of the production occurred when Mr. Van Dyke himself came out to perform “Put On a Happy Face” with the cast ... Since Dick Van Dyke left Danville High School before the end of his senior year to enter the army, Superintendent Gary Tucker, board members David Groves and Leon Parker, and DHS Registrar Nancy Van Vickle presented him with his Class of 1944 diploma.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "Danville High School Athletics". Danville High School. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ "IHSA season summaries". Illinois High School Association (IHSA). 6 October 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ↑ Freese, Ralph S. (8 July 2006). "Illinois Wesleyan Cheer Song". lyrics. fightsonglyrics.com. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ↑ "Uniform Standard of Dress" (PDF). Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ↑ Bleill, Tony (10 July 2009). "Danville's Chuck Robinson, 14, has big-league aspirations". The News-Gazzette (Champaign, IL, USA). Retrieved 1 November 2009.
And by the time he enrolls at Danville High in August for his freshman year, he'll be carrying a reputation as one of the best up-and-coming baseball players in central Illinois ... That's high praise, considering the talent that has made Danville a home. The list includes Jason Anderson, a former Illini and major league reliever now pitching in Class AA.
- ↑ "Jason Anderson". the baseball cube.com. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.8 21.9 21.10 21.11 21.12 "Danville High School - Wall of Fame". Danville High School. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
- ↑ "Keon Clark". biographical sketch and statistics. basketballreference.com. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
Bibliography
Jones, Lottie E. (1911). History of Vermilion County, Illinois. Chicago, Illinois: Pioneer Publishing Company. pp. 255, 334–5.