Willowbrook High School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Willowbrook High School
picture =
principal = Mr. Dan Krause
established = 1959
type = Public secondary
grades = 9–12
city = 1250 S. Ardmore Ave.
Villa Park
state = Illinois
country = U.S.
enrollment = 2,239
faculty = 127
campus = Suburban
mascot = Roman Warrior
colors = Columbia Blue, Silver
newspaper =
yearbook =
website = [http://www.dupage88.net/wbhs/default.htm]

Willowbrook High School, or WBHS, is a public four-year high school located approximately half a mile North of Illinois Route 38 on Ardmore Ave in Villa Park, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of School District 88, which also includes Addison Trail High School. Willowbrook draws it's students from Villa Park, Oakbrook Terrace, and portions of Elmhurst, Oak Brook and Lombard.

History

The research, planning and decision-making that led to the opening of Willowbrook in September 1959 started in the late spring of 1950 when the Board of Education launched a study of residential growth in the District 88 communities. The board resolved in January 1958 that the new school be named Willowbrook and that it be occupied, all four grades, for the first time in September 1959.

Helping shape the Willowbrook traditions was Student Advisory, a committee of incoming sophomores, juniors and seniors. They worked with Principal Herbster throughout the summer of 1959 to choose the school colors and athletic teams nickname; draft the constitution for the Student Council; and organize Willowbrook’s first Homecoming (October 9-10, 1959). The students in the school’s first years were subjected to a strict dress code that prohibited jeans, pants without belts, short skirts, and no long hair on the boys.

The Rock

The rock is a tradition in Willowbrook High School's history. It was dug up when the new auditorium was built in the 1960s. It was then positioned outside the main entrance doors of the high school building. Students usually paint it in the night with various slogans or colors of their discretion. People use it to express how they feel, and to show what's going on. You may or may not get in trouble if you're caught.

Academics

In 2005, Willowbrook had an average composite ACT score of 20.4 and graduated 87.6% of its senior class. The average class size is 22.3. Willowbrook has not made Adequate Yearly Progress on the Prairie State Achievements Examination, a state test part of the No Child Left Behind Act. [cite web
url = http://www.dupage88.net/dist88/curriculum/WB%20REPORT%20CARD.pdf
title = Illinois School Report Card
accessdate = 2007-01-11
date = 2005
work = Willow Brook High School
publisher = ]

The class of 2009 became the first to pass in 2008.

Athletics

Willowbrook's athletic teams play in the West Suburban Conference - Gold Division, and Illinois High School Association. Willowbrook's mascot is Willy the Warrior.

Activities

Notable alumni

*Tom Hicks, Chicago Bears LB 1976-80
*Jody Gerut, Outfielder for the San Diego Padres
*Daniel Castady, drummer for Showoff, currently fronts The Fold.
*Tom Higgenson and Dave Tirio, members of Grammy-nominated pop/rock band Plain White T's.
*Dave Macleary, 1979, amateur tennis player
*Matt Roth, Defensive end for the Miami Dolphins.
*Rocco Pisano - Winner of Best High School Animated Film at 2003 Ottawa International Animation Festival. Subject of 'Someone You Should Know' by ABC Ch. 7 Chicago.
*Kenneth Pobo, 1972, noted American poet
*David Hyde A.K.A. Dave Envy, bass player for the band Showoff
*Jake Lindhorst, Guinness Book World Record Holder
*Eric Swain, film director
*Robert Falls, Artistic Director, Goodman Theatre, Chicago

References

Dan Schatzeder, major league baseball, pitcher Expos, Tiger, Twins. Winning pitcher, game 6 1986 World Series.

Mike Sheldon, NFL Dolphins, Bills, Bears. Played Tackle, Guard and Center.

Mike Rowland, Pitcher, San Francisco Giants 1981-1982

Kirk Mango, Olympic Qualifier, Gymnastics 1980 Boycott. NIU Hall of Fame. 1975 State Rings Champion.

External links

* [http://www.dupage88.net/wbhs/default.htm Official website]
* [http://www.wbtheateralumni.org Willowbrook Theater Alumni Association (WTAA) homepage]
* [http://www.dailyherald.com/story/print/?id=173811] Article about Willowbrook Theatre Production of "The Nerd".