PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL (ILLINOIS)

'Prospect High School', or 'Prospect', is a public four-year high school located in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Township High School District 214, which also includes Buffalo Grove High School, Elk Grove High School, John Hersey High School, Rolling Meadows High School, and Wheeling High School

Contents

History

Academics

Athletics

Activities

Fine & Performing Arts

Band

Choir

Orchestra

Jazz Band/Ensemble

Notable alumni

Controversies

References

External links

History

Prospect was opened in 1957 as a freshman campus for the now-defunct Arlington High School. By the next school year, the district had grown enough that Prospect was turned into a full four-year school.[1]
In August 1995, on only the second day of the new school year, the school's field house suffered a fire. The cause of the fire was nothing short of a freak accident. Thick mats used by the track team (mostly the mats for high jump) had been out in the blistering sun on the previous day. The mats, with the heat of the sun still within them, were placed above a loft in the field house. One of the mats rested against a frayed electrical cord. The heat of the mat combined with the frayed wiring started the fire. The scoreboard and school record plaques were melted in the fire, though the most damage came from the water damage from the fire hoses. The field house was closed off for most of the 1995-1996 school year. The field house re-opened with a much-need lighting improvement, better basketball floor, and new paint.
The most recent additions to the school have been a library in 2002, a new art wing in 2003, and a new cafeteria in 2004. As of 2007, work is being done to remove asbestos from the older parts of the building.

Academics

In 2005, Prospect had an average composite ACT score of 23.5, and graduated 93.0% of its senior class. Prospect has made Adequate Yearly Progress on the Prairie State Achievement Examination, a state test used for No Child Left Behind Act.^[1]

Athletics

Prospect competes in the Mid-Suburban League East Conference and Illinois High School Association. Its mascot is the Knight.
Since 2000 they have had one of the top football programs in the state, led by head coach Brent Pearlman.
The Knights have won three IHSA state football titles under Pearlman, in 2001, 2002, and 2005.

Activities

Fine & Performing Arts

The award-winning Fine Arts department at Prospect High School provides students with a broad exposure to the visual and performing arts. The department consists of many performing ensembles including the concert band, symphonic band, marching band, jazz band, symphonic orchestra, chamber orchestra, concert choir, chamber choir, jazz choir, and show choir. Art studies include beginning and advanced studies in drawing, painting, sculpting, and photography. In addition, Prospect provides the opportunity to compete in congressional debate and speech. Prospect's dance ensemble, “Orchesis,” performs in an annual recital, district festivals, and sporting events. Annual theater productions include the fall and winter plays and the spring musical, with corresponding courses focusing in drama and theater tech. Visit the fine performing arts website for more info.

Band

The Prospect High School band program consists of a symphonic band, concert band, marching band, and percussion ensemble. The symphonic band and concert band regularly perform in concerts and festivals in Illinois and throughout the Midwest. The Symphonic Band has been invited to perform at the prestigious University of Illinois Superstate Festival 11 times and was named the Honor Band in 2005. The Prospect High School Marching Knights have gained national recognition for their outstanding performances at state and national competitions. The band has been selected for the finals five times at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, and was the Grand Champion at the Bands of America Toledo Regional in 2001. In addition, the band has won the Grand Championship at the University of Illinois Marching Band Festival 25 times, including the past 24 years consecutively. They have performed in Hawaii, London, Phoenix, Orlando, Houston, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, and the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena (1986 and 2006). The marching band has also performed for three Presidents of the United States. After nearly thirty years under David Morrison, the band program is now under the direction of Chris Barnum. [2]

Choir

The Prospect Choir Department consists of 5 choir classes: Varsity Choir, Treble Choir Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, and Madrigal Singers/Vocal Jazz Choir. Prospect Choir also boasts two competition-level show choirs, Company and Mixed Company. Company is a 46-voice all-women's show choir; Mixed Company is a male and female show choir of 44 singer/dancers. In addition to the large class ensembles, three small groups rehearse after school. Knight Voices is a mixed 6-voice vocal jazz ensemble specializing in R&B and vocal jazz. One Stop (all-male) and Girl Stop (all-female) are two student-run a cappella groups that perform at many of the school concerts. The choir department actively participates in local area choir festivals as well as State and National music associations IMEA and ACDA. Individual choir members consistently have been selected for All-District and All-State vocal ensembles each year. Show choirs at Prospect have a solid tradition of high awards in Regional and National competition. Company and Mixed Company pride themselves on Best Vocals, Best Soloist, and Best Choreography Awards. Also, the accompaniment Combo has received Best Horns and Best Combo in several of the competitions from the 2005-2006 season. The Choir program is under the direction of Ken Whitney and Jennifer Trioano.

Orchestra

The Prospect’s Symphony Orchestra performs several concerts throughout the year including an annual performance tour with Prospect’s top Jazz Band. Past tours have included performances and clinics at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, and Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Orchestra has also performed in joint concert with the Rockwood Summit High School Orchestra in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Illinois Wesleyan University Orchestra. Concerts have featured music premiers, including the Illinois premier of “Cummington Overture” and “15,000 Days on Earth” composed by Dr. Richard Maltz of the University of South Carolina. The Orchestra participates in District and State Festivals, and orchestra students are selected regularly for District IMEA and All-State Orchestra. The spring Orchestra concert features student Concerto/Aria winners, and performances by top performers from all around the nation. The Orchestra program is under the direction of Patrick O'Connor.

Jazz Band/Ensemble

The award-winning Jazz program at Prospect High School has received consistent superior ratings and top placement at festivals for more than a decade. Prospect’s top Jazz Band travels with the Orchestra on the annual performance tour. Past tours have included performances and clinics at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, and Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The annual spring jazz concert features a guest artist(s), vocal, and instrumental performing ensembles. Past guest artist have included Steve Wiest, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, Rob Parton, Mark Colby, and more. The 2007 guest artists are Bob Lark (trumpet) and Colleen Timler (vocals). The Jazz program is under the direction of Patrick O'Connor.

Notable alumni

★ Gary Van der Voort, gymnast at University of Michigan 1964 - 1967 (class of 1963)

★ John Ankerberg, TV evangelist and author (class of 1964) [3]

★ Tom Lundstedt, Professional Baseball Player; MLB, (class of 1967) [4]

★ Dave Kingman, Professional Baseball Player; MLB, (class of 1967) [5]

★ Reinhold Weege, television writer, producer and director (class of 1967) [6]

★ Bruce Boxleitner, film and TV actor (class of 1968) [7]

★ Jeff Bzdelik, Head Coach Denver Nuggets 2003 - 2005. Head Coach, Colorado Buffaloes basketball team 2007 - present. (class of 1971)

★ Senior Mastor Sergeant Kenneth H. Ross, Current Squadron Superintendent, 311th Airlift Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colorado "Big Pappa" (Class of 1972)

★ Randy Clark, Professional Football Player; NFL, (class of 1974) [8]

★ Mike Quade, Third base coach of the Chicago Cubs (class of 1975) [9]

★ Kateryna Yushchenko-Chumachenko, first lady of Ukraine (class of 1979)

★ Chris J. Scherkenbach, US Army Chief Warrant Officer, died June 2005 with 16 other soldiers in the deadliest attack on American troops in Afghanistan (class of 1982)

★ Jeff Francis, Professional Football Player; NFL, (class of 1984) [10]

★ Rich Schutz, weightlifting champion, member of the 1988 and 1992 US Olympic weightlifting teams (class of 1984)

★ Todd Wolfe, Michigan State Basketball Forward (class of 1985) [11]

★ Ann Ryan, film actor (class of 1987) [12]

★ Kenny Labbé, cycling champion and member of the U.S. Postal Service cycling team. (class of 1988). [13]

★ Rosa Blasi, film and TV actor (class of 1990) [14]

★ Todd Heisler, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist (class of 1990) [15]

★ Luke Stuckmeyer, Reporter & Anchor, Comcast Sportsnet (class of 1990) [16]

★ Rusty Wimberly, indie rap artist (class of 1994) [17]

★ Jennifer Morrison, film and TV actor (class of 1997) [18]

★ SSgt Christopher P. McCormick USAF Combat Controller; awarded air force cross for excellence in Baghdad, Iraq 2003-2005. (class of 2001)

★ Randy Toppel World class body-builder (class of 2002)

Controversies

Jason Krigas, 36, was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for sexually abusing a female student in September of 2006. Krigas was fired by the school in 2005. Krigas was a well-respected teacher credited with building the once-small Prospect High School choir into an award-winning powerhouse prior to his conviction.
In October of 2006 The Illinois Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS) began investigating allegations of abuse against former Prospect High School administrator David J. Good. That investigation ended in December 2006, with DCFS officials stating that all allegations against Good were unfounded. Good was the former assistant principal of activities at Prospect. He resigned from his job on October 12, 2006 after a leave of absence that had begun on September 22, 2006.

References

1. [ftp://ftpirptcard.isbe.net/ReportCard2005/1401621400005_e.pdf Illinois School Report Card]


★ “Prospect band is Pasadena-bound”, ''Chicago Tribune, December 21, 2005. [19]

★ “Teacher fired over sex abuse cases: Ex-Prospect choir leader vows to fight”, ''Chicago Tribune'', August 26, 2005.

★ “First lady of Ukraine comes home 'Ukraine now must make hopes real'- Chicago native talks about troubles of past, risks of future”, ''Chicago Sun-Times'', April 6, 2005.

★ “Chorus teacher accused of sex abuse”, ''Chicago Sun-Times'', March 2, 2005.

★ “Schools soar to new heights in report card”, ''Chicago Sun-Times'', December 15, 2004.

★ “Mt. Prospect music teacher gets top honor”, ''Chicago Sun-Times'', March 23, 2003

★ “Golden nugget - After 32 years, Prospect graduate Jeff Bzdelik found the job of a lifetime”, ''Chicago Sun-Times'', February 4, 2003.

★ “Assault trial ends in guilty pleas, apology, 2 teens get 5 years of probation”, ''Chicago Tribune'', March 12, 1999.

★ “Prospect proud of conservatism”, ''Chicago Sun-Times'', January 15, 1992.

★ “Ex-Tennessee QB Francis a passing success”, ''Chicago Sun-Times'', January 15, 1992.

★ “Weighty problem for Schutz, Mt. Prospect lifter trails European foes”, ''Chicago Sun-Times'', August 5, 1987.

External links

★ Official Website

★ Prospect Marching Knights Home Page

★ Prospect Knights Athletic Information Page

★ Prospect High School Choir Home Page

★ Prospect High Alumni Website