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Proviso East High School serves the educational needs of four villages within the Proviso Township, namely Maywood where it is located, Broadview, Forest Park and Melrose Park. It is the original campus of Proviso Township High Schools District 209. Prior to being split into East and West in 1958, East was known as Proviso Township High School. Proviso East is a comprehensive four-year high school. Since the fall of 1911, Proviso East has been graduating students.
[edit] The Growth of Proviso
- 1910 - The bond issue providing for the establishment of a township high school carried; the seven teachers and 241 students, housed in five rooms on the upper floor of the Emerson Grammar School, became the faculty and student body of the new Proviso Township High School.
- 1911 - The building at the corner of Madison Street and First Avenue was opened for the Class Day exercises of the first graduating class, numbering twenty-two.
- 1913 - An orchestra of twelve pieces made its debut.
- 1916 - The first addition to the "old building," including a gymnasium, auditorium, library, and several classrooms, was ready for the use of the 528 students; the first Provi (yearbook) was published.
- 1919 - The Pageant (student newspaper) made its appearance.
- 1921 - A band of twenty-five players was organized.
- 1922 - To meet the needs of a student body now numbering 1,155, a second addition, including a girls' gymnasium, swimming pool, enlarged auditorium, science rooms, and twenty-four classrooms, was begun.
- 1929 - Construction was begun on the "new building," required to accommodate the 2,014 students.
- 1931 - Proviso obtained the land extending north to Washington Boulevard and east toward the Des Plaines River; the "new building," containing a social room, new library, cafeteria, administrative offices, three study halls, and many classrooms, was ready for use.
- 1934 - The 556 graduates held their Commencement exercises in the recently completed stadium.
- 1938 - Construction was completed on the field house, containing a gymnasium, swimming pool, and other physical education facilities for boys; the student body exceeded 4,000.
- 1956 - The new wood crafts building and Proviso Memorial Hall, containing new music rooms and an additional gymnasium for girls, were constructed.
- 1957 - Proviso Township High School reached its highest enrollment of 4,760.
- 1958 - Freshmen and sophomores residing in the western portion of the district began attending the newly-constructed Proviso West High School, and Proviso Township High School became Proviso East High School.
- 1960 - Proviso West was opened to juniors and seniors.
- 1963 - Eight new classrooms were added adjoining the east arch between the two wings of the main building.
- 1967 - Ten new rooms were added adjoining the west arch between the two wings of the main building.
- 1971 - The field house was remodeled and enlarged, along with the addition of an enclosed overpass to the main building.
- 2005 - Proviso Mathematics and Science Academy is established.
- 2008 - School finally admits it is bankrupt after many years of overspending.
- 2008 - On May 25th one of the biggest class in decades graduate at the class number being 397. Making them legendary.
[edit] Company B of the 192nd Tank Battalion
Some graduates of the early 1940s were members of Company B of the 192nd Tank Battalion, an Illinois National Guard Unit, whose involvement in the Bataan Death March during WWII, has been commemorated every year in Maywood since 1942 [2].
[edit] Notable Alumni and Alumna
[edit] Arts and Entertainment
- actor Dennis Franz
- artist Tom Seghi
- Grammy award-winning Singer/Songwriter John Prine
- actor/playwright/director Mark Lamos
- musical theater actress Carol Laraia Carol Lawrence
- Oscar winner (1982), Emmy Award winner (1998), 7 nominations, Best Sound Mixing Don Digirolamo
- Sculptor - Professor Bob Lockhart, Jr.
- Architect/Apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright, Don E. Erickson (1929-2006)
- singer and television talk show host Mike Douglas
[edit] Educators and Authors
[edit] Philanthropists
- philanthropist Frank G. Schaefer
- renowned physicist and philanthropist and two-time winner of NGA award, Dr. James Skridulis
- Billionaire philanthropist and co-founder of BET Sheila Johnson
[edit] Athletes
[edit] Miscellaneous Alumni
- Gemini and Apollo astronaut Eugene Cernan
- Professional Lumberjack Joe Deleonardi
- Naval designer, ship builder and sailing raconteur John Kupris
- activist & community leader Fred Hampton
- Attorney and former DePaul basketball star Joseph Ponsetto
- Russell Smith famous animal impersonater
[edit] External links
