Secondary school in Park Ridge, Illinois, United States
Maine East High School
, or
Maine East
, and officially
Maine Township High School East
, is a public four-year high school located at the corner of
Dempster Street
and Potter Road in
Park Ridge, Illinois
, a northwest suburb of Chicago, in the United States. It is part of
Maine Township High School District 207
.
The building itself, constructed in the 1920s, is noted for its distinct
Art Deco
style.
History
[
edit
]
Maine East
was known as
Maine Township High School
when it was built in 1929 as a replacement for the original Maine Township High School, which itself had been built in 1902. Until 1959, when
Maine West High School
was built, it was the only school in the district. The school was built with an indoor rifle shooting range and a swimming pool. Over the years, the shooting range was closed and the swimming pool closed with a larger modern pool opened in a new section of the building.
In the early 1920s, Maine Township became the first high school in Illinois to teach courses in automotive repair and
telegraphy
.
[8]
During the
Great Depression
, most of the staff taught without financial compensation, as the district could not afford to meet salaries. As thanks, local merchants provided necessities to the staff free of charge.
In 1936, Maine East's band director, Alexander Harley, along with his wife Frances, founded Maine Music Masters as a way of honoring musicians in the school band. The idea spread and, in 1952, the chapters at individual high schools were incorporated as Modern Music Masters. In 1983, it was renamed
Tri-M
Music Honor Society. Today, it is the largest international honor society in music education.
[9]
In December 1944 students at Maine Township High School combined forces with their teachers, school administrators, and community members to sell war bonds. The drive succeeded, raising $551,000. As a result of their efforts, the students were invited to a dedication ceremony at the local Douglas Aircraft plant, where C54 Skymaster cargo planes were built for the war. The students named one of the planes the “Maine Flyer” and came up with the motto, “Faster and Higher, That’s Maine’s Flyer.”
In December 1959, the student-operated radio station
WMTH-FM
went on the air. The first broadcast was of a basketball game in the school fieldhouse. The sportscaster students were
Harrison Ford
and
Marshal Seese
. Ford went on to become a major movie star and Marshall went on to be a weather-caster at
The Weather Channel
.
For a short amount of time, in 1958?1959, there were so many students enrolled in the school (approximately 7,000) that the school day was split into two parts so that half of the population attended in the morning and half in the afternoon. The largest graduating class was the class of 1970 with just under 1,100 students, just before the opening of Maine North High School. Prior to that, graduating classes of about 1,000 students were in 1959, just before
Maine West High School
opened, and the Class of 1964, just before
Maine South High School
opened. When
Maine North High School
closed in 1981, a majority of the students from that school were sent to Maine East, with the remainder being sent to Maine West High School and Glenbrook South High School.
[
citation needed
]
Building and grounds
[
edit
]
The architecture of the original building was inspired by the architecture of the
Powell Library Building
at
UCLA
. The original building was L-shaped, with a long wing running north?south, parallel to Potter Road. A shorter wing runs east?west, parallel to Dempster Street, with both wings meeting at "the tower" where the main entrance is located. Each of the wings is three stories tall.
The tower is six stories tall, though the higher floors are not in use today because of fire hazard (there is only one narrow staircase granting access to these floors). The fourth floor contains the new heating and air-conditioning systems. The "tower" originally housed the art and music rooms, but since 1960 houses the broadcasting transmitter for
WMTH 90.5 FM
, the student-operated radio station. Following World War II and up into the late 1960s aviation classes were given with the use of a
Link Trainer
installed in the tower. The sixth floor also has a balcony on the outside from which there is a distant view, on some days, of the Chicago skyline.
The school has two swimming pools. The newer one is used for
physical education
classes, and by the interscholastic
water polo
and swimming and
diving
teams. The original
natatorium
, located in the basement, has been shut down due to the need for financially unfeasible repairs, but is kept for its irreplaceable decorative mosaics, which could be damaged with further exposure to water and chemicals.
The school also has a
firing range
in the
basement
that was in use when the school opened, as training with firearms was considered essential for young men in the wake of
World War I
. The firing range was also used for
World War II
because many people wanted to join the military. Though today used for storage, it is believed to be one of the few non-military academies to still have a usable firing range on the premises.
On the
American football
/
track and field
field there is a memorial for Maine East World War II alumni behind the stadium.
Starting in 1988, the school's ecology club began a clean-up and restoration of a small section of the property which was native
savanna
.
[10]
In addition to general clean-up, students began annual
buck thorn
cutting days.
[10]
In addition to some
endangered species
, trees as old as 200 years were identified.
[10]
Academics
[
edit
]
The school offers 18
Advanced Placement
courses:
English language
,
English literature
,
biology
,
environmental science
,
chemistry
,
physics (C)
,
calculus (AB & BC)
,
statistics
,
computer science (AB)
,
Spanish language
,
Spanish literature
,
U.S. history
,
European history
,
government and politics
,
economics
,
music theory
and
studio art
.
[11]
Maine East has been ranked in the top 1,500 of America's public schools (based on the
Challenge Index
), as reported by
Newsweek
. In 2009, the school ranked #1,192 and in 2006 it ranked #1,181.
[12]
Activities
[
edit
]
Maine East High School is active in United States
policy debate
and hosts a tournament with regional significance to Great Lakes-region high school debaters, as those advancing far enough receive a bid to attend the national Tournament of Champions.
[
citation needed
]
The following teams were placed in the top four of the
IHSA
sponsored State Championship Tournament of their respective competitive activity:
[13]
- Debate
: State Champions (1971?72, 1979?80, 1980?81)
- Scholastic Bowl
: 4th (1994?95)
- Speech Sweepstakes: 3rd (1971?72)
Maine East High School is also home to the Park Ridge
Rotary Interact Club
, founded in 2013. The Interact Club boasts a large amount of student involvement and has led major fundraising and community service initiatives. The Interact Club has conducted service projects on the local and international level. Its initiatives have received coverage by numerous media outlets. Its motto is "Service Above Self" and it allows students to develop leadership skills through service.
[14]
Athletics
[
edit
]
Maine East has competed in the
Central Suburban League
since 1972. Before then, the school competed in the West Suburban Conference. The school also competes in state championship tournament series sponsored by the
Illinois High School Association
(IHSA).
The school sponsors interscholastic teams for men and women in
basketball
,
cross country
,
golf
,
gymnastics
, soccer, swimming and
diving
,
tennis
,
track and field
,
volleyball
and
water polo
. There are men's teams in
baseball
,
American football
and
wrestling
, while women may compete in
badminton
,
cheerleading
and
softball
.
[15]
The following teams were placed in the top four of the IHSA] sponsored State Championship Tournament of their respective sport. These also include IHSA recognized finishes by Maine Township High School prior to 1960:
[16]
- Baseball: State Champions (1957?58, 1958?59); 2nd (1948?49)
- Cross country (boys): State Champions (1970?71, 1979?80); 2nd place (1947?48); 3rd place (1950?51, 1969?70, 1971?72); 4th place (1955?56)
- Golf (boys): 2nd place (1949?50)
- Gymnastics (boys): State Champions (1978?79); 2nd place (1967?68, 1979?80); 3rd place (1966?67)
- Gymnastics (girls): State Champions (1976?77); 2nd place (1979?80); 3rd place (1977?78); 4th place (1978?79 & 1980?81)
- Soccer (boys): 2nd place (1975?76)
- Swimming & diving (boys): State Champions (1931?32, 1933?34, 1934?35, 1935?36, 1936?37); 3rd place (1937?38, 1951?52, 1952?53, 1953?54, 1954?1955, 1958?59): 4th place (1932?33, 1942?43)
- Track & field (boys): State Champions (1940?41, 1945?46); 2nd place (1930?31, 1936?37, 1943?44)
- Wrestling: 2nd place (1969?70); 4th place (1972?73)
Notable alumni
[
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]
Government
[
edit
]
Writing and journalism
[
edit
]
Arts
[
edit
]
- The
Hager Twins
, also known as the "Hager Brothers" and "The Hagers", were a duo of American
country music
singers and comedians who first gained fame on the TV series
Hee Haw
. They were identical twin brothers Jim (August 30, 1941 ? May 1, 2008) and Jon Hager (August 30, 1941 ? January 9, 2009)
- Bob Abrahamian
(1995) was a soul music deejay, historian, archivist and record collector.
- Karen Black
(1957) was an
Oscar
?nominated and two?time
Golden Globe
-winning actress (
5 Easy Pieces
,
Easy Rider
).
[
citation needed
]
- Hugh Brannum
(1927) was an actor best known for his portrayal of
Mr. Green Jeans
on the children's show
Captain Kangaroo
.
[25]
- Harrison Ford
(1960) is an Oscar and Golden Globe?nominated actor best known for playing roles such as
Indiana Jones
,
Han Solo
and
Jack Ryan
.
[26]
- Jami Gertz
(1983) is an
Emmy
?nominated actress (
The Lost Boys
,
Twister
).
[27]
- Steve Goodman
(1965) was a two?time
Grammy Award
?winning
folk
singer-songwriter best known for writing "
City of New Orleans
" and "Go, Cubs, Go".
[28]
- Rich Koz
(1970) is a Chicago radio and television personality best known for playing the
Son of Svengoolie
.
[29]
- Scott Mutter
(1961) is an internationally recognized photographer.
[30]
- Carrie Snodgress
(1963) is an Oscar?nominated and Golden Globe?winning actress (
Diary of a Mad Housewife
).
[31]
- Michael Janis
(1977) ? award-winning glass artist
Class of 1973 honors 50 years post grad with their classmates
Grammy Nominees
The Flyin Ryan Brothers
dueling Rock Guitarists Jimmy Ryan class of 1973 (who also penned a children's book with his daughter) and Johnny Ryan class of 1974
https://ryanetics.com/
Multi Grammy Winner
Randy Waldman
1973 has been Barbra Streisand's Pianist and Arranger for about 30 years or so. He also has worked with many other stars including Stevie Wonder and Seal and put out two Albums recently, one being called "Superheroes".
https://www.jazzpilot.com/
Grammy Winner
Dan Cutrona
who was the longtime Keyboard Player for The Archers, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, The Bee Gees and so many others also is Producer, Arranger and Songwriter for himself and may others
https://www.johnace.co.uk/sessionguitarist.html
Multi Grammy Winner
Patrick Leonard
Keys Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Keyboardist for Madonna, Jewel, Sean Lennon, Michael Jackson and so many more top named artists
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leonard
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Songs_written_by_Patrick_Leonard
Business
[
edit
]
Athletics
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
"Maine East High School"
.
Statistical abstract
. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). February 2, 2021
. Retrieved
August 21,
2011
.
- ^
"Ken Wallace ? Superintendent"
. Maine Township High School District 207. 2011. Archived from
the original
on September 27, 2011
. Retrieved
August 21,
2011
.
- ^
url =
https://maine207.org/news/dr-melissa-pikul-selected-as-maine-east-principal/
- ^
"Maine East High School"
. National Center for Education Statistics
. Retrieved
February 2,
2021
.
- ^
a
b
"Park Ridge (Maine East)"
.
School information
. Illinois High School Association (IHSA). August 20, 2011
. Retrieved
August 21,
2011
.
- ^
"School Directory | IHSA"
.
- ^
"2010 Illinois School Report Card ? Maine East High School"
.
Statistical abstract
. Chicago Tribune. 2011. Archived from
the original
on November 22, 2011
. Retrieved
August 22,
2011
.
- ^
Friedlund, Thomas (publishing consultant) (1999),
Niles Centennial History
, Walsworth Publishing
- ^
"History of Tri-M"
. Archived from
the original
on September 28, 2007
. Retrieved
September 22,
2007
.
- ^
a
b
c
Cascio, Stefanie (October 25, 1995). "KID ECOLOGISTS SAVE SAVANNA MAINE EAST HIGH SCHOOL CLUB WORKS 7 YEARS ON AREA".
Chicago Tribune
. p. 1.
ProQuest
283987157
.
- ^
Course offerings
- ^
The Top of the Class The complete list of the 1,500 top U.S. high schools
; 8 June 2009;
Newsweek
; accessed 20 June 2009
- ^
Maine East Activity Records at IHSA.org
- ^
"Maine East, Rotary Join Forces to Create Club - Journal & Topics Newspapers Online: Business"
. Archived from
the original
on July 9, 2014.
- ^
"Maine East interscholastic sports"
. Archived from
the original
on July 4, 2008
. Retrieved
August 5,
2008
.
- ^
Maine East Athletic Records at IHSA.org
- ^
"Melissa Bean's entry at Washington Post Congressional Database"
. Archived from
the original
on September 25, 2007
. Retrieved
September 18,
2007
.
- ^
Hillary Clinton's entry in the Congresspedia
- ^
"Maine East Alumni Assn"
. Archived from
the original
on July 27, 2011
. Retrieved
May 2,
2008
.
- ^
"Maine East Alumni Assn"
. Archived from
the original
on July 27, 2011
. Retrieved
May 2,
2008
.
- ^
Hermann, Brenda (December 14, 1992),
"Life In A Padded Cell: A Psychotic Boy With A Pet Rat Is Not The Usual Stuff Of Comics"
,
Chicago Tribune
, retrieved
August 21,
2011
,
`In comics you're either rich or you're a cult figure,`` explains artist Marc Hempel, creator of ``Gregory,`` the story of a psychotic boy and a pet rat ... Hempel, 35, was born in Evanston and grew up in Park Ridge where he attended Maine East High School.
- ^
Married But Looking
on Amazon.com
- ^
Book of Grudges
on Amazon.com
- ^
Maine East Alumni Assn
- ^
Maine East Alumni Assn
- ^
Yearbook photo of "Harry Ford" as a part of the first WMTH radio group
- ^
Grahnke, Lon;
Settling down with `Sibs': Glenview's Jami Gertz finds happy home on TV
; 1 October 1991;
Chicago Sun-Times
; accessed 20 June 2009
- ^
"University of Chicago announcement of Clay Eals' tour for his Steve Goodman biography"
. Archived from
the original
on June 10, 2008
. Retrieved
September 22,
2007
.
- ^
Biography of Rich Koz
at Chicagotelevision.com
- ^
Jensen, Trevor,
"Scott Mutter: 1944 ? 2008: Photographer mixed images to great effect ? Work included Wrigley Field lighted by fans, a forest with parquet floor"
,
Chicago Tribune
March 13, 2008, accessed June 20, 2009
- ^
Maine East Alumni Assn
- ^
Steve Smith statistics and biography
at databasefootball.com
External links
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]
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