As our mission statement indicates, “Morris Community High School works to provide each student the opportunity to reach their full potential academically, socially, and personally.” The focus of this article will be to highlight some of the outstanding student and faculty achievements in the three mission statement areas.
This year, nearly four out of every five Illinois high schools will be labeled as “failing” as the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) target scores ramp up to 85% of students meeting or exceeding standards on the PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Exam). While accountability is a must, this column will feature some of the accomplishments achieved by our students and staff that go far beyond the results of two days of standardized testing. MCHS has a great deal to be proud of.
This year, 27 Morris Community High School seniors were recognized as Illinois State Scholars and the local chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 28 new members.
MCHS has a variety of academic teams that compete in various events during the year. The math team won the Regional and had seven first place winners. The team will compete at the State level in April.
The Speech team placed third in this year’s IHSA Regional, advancing eight individuals and one team event on to the Sectional. Amber Hunnewell advanced to the State meet and took 16th place overall.
The Art department recently hosted the Conference Art show and took third overall. Two individual art students placed first and third at the University of St. Francis High School Art show as well.
The Choir and Band participate in IHSA activities and perform well year after year. Last weekend, senior Charlotte Ulrich led a talented cast in the MCHS production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” The opportunities for students to excel in academic and co-curricular activities are very important in the overall mission of the district.
The social development of our students is an important component of their overall educational program. Students perform community service, participate in clubs and activities, and take on projects that not only benefit them personally, but others as well.
This spring, MCHS and GAVC are partnering with the Grundy County Housing Authority in the development of an intergenerational project designed to support the Saratoga Towers “Connected Living” initiative. Students will provide technical support as well as assist residents in developing “life projects” that will capture their personal story that can be shared with family and friends.
Students and faculty raised over $6400 for various charity groups through a variety of activities such as the Empty Bowls soup event, Faculty verses the Fuzz charity game, coaches verses cancer night, and prom style show just to name a few. These activities help raise social awareness and highlight the responsibilities we all have to the community.
The TROUPE organization will donate their proceeds from an upcoming talent show to Relay for Life of Grundy County and the Drama club will be holding a Drama Camp workshop for first through eighth graders. All of the MCHS student organizations do a great job of teaching students the importance of “giving back.”
Personal development occurs in many ways and our staff is working hard at improving our ability to meet the needs of all students. Individually, students and staff have been recognized for a variety of achievements. Kyle Jorstad earned National Merit Finalist status for his performance on the PSAT and SAT exams, ranking him among the nations elite students. Jorie Struck was elected to serve as Governor at the annual Girls State Conference held on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. Jorie is the first Morris High School student to be elected to this position. John Scholtes earned the conference MVP award and All-Sectional team for his outstanding performance on this years scholastic bowl team. These are just a few of the individual accomplishments that highlight the successes that sometimes may go unnoticed.
Choral director Mr. Paul Jung won the prestigious Distinguished Service Award presented by the Illinois Music Educators Association and science teacher Mr. Rob Wallon has been accepted into the National Science Teacher’s Association and its fellowship professional development program. Mr. Wallon will be able to bring innovative instructional strategies into the classroom from that unique program.
Our cooperative education program allows students to explore potential careers by their participation in job shadowing and internship experiences. Mrs. Barb Rath directs 14 students at 11 various job sites. Students are placed with the State’s Attorney’s office, Sheriff’s Department, Morris Police Department, Mack and Associates, Morris Hospital, Saratoga Elementary School, District 54, ICS, and MCHS. The community has been very helpful in placing students and these real world experiences have been valuable for our young adults.
Preparing for and writing this article has served a reminder of all of the “great” things that happen every day at MCHS. Morris Community High School has a rich tradition for producing successful, productive citizens. With our mission in mind, we strive for improvement in order to help students exceed the expectations they set for themselves as they prepare for the future.
