Warren Township High School

Warren Blue Devils of Gurnee, Illinois. One of the top Schools in the state of Illinois. It has some of the best sport programs in all of Illinois. A couple of years ago it was made a National Blue Ribbon School. There are currently around 4,000 students. The school is split into two campuses the Oplaine campus and Almond Campus. Oplaine holds the Freshmans and Sophmores and Almond holds the Juniors and Seniors.

Some History

The first high school in Warren Township was erected in 1917. The school first opened in the fall of 1918 with 57 pupils in attendance. This was a one floor school with a basement. Between the years 1920 and 1924, a Vocational Agriculture Building and Farm Shop (separate from the school and outside) were constructed. In 1926, a second floor and Gymnasium were added to the 1917 structure. Additions to this structure were also made in 1951, 1956, 1960, 1968, and 1974.

First Warren Township High School Gym. The original building was destroyed by a major fire on December 20, 1984 just prior to the Christmas Vacation. At that point in time, all students and staff moved to the Lake Forest West Campus. From January 1985 until June 1987, the Lake Forest Campus was the educational facility for all the students of Warren Township High School. Construction on a new facility began in May 1986 and was completed in mid-August 1987. At that point in time, the students and staff returned to Gurnee for the first time since December 1984.

Warren Township High School O'Plaine Road Campus Aerial View A referendum for an additional building was successful in the November 1995 election. Warren Township High School's Almond Road Campus subsequently opened in the Fall of 97 and is located on Almond Road behind the Township Center. This location houses the Junior and Seniors as well as a new music wing and competitive gym. The O'Plaine Road Campus now houses the Freshmen and Sophomores.

Warren Township High School Almond Road Campus Opened in 1997

Warren Township High School District 121 covers 50 square miles and includes the areas of Gurnee, Gages Lake, Wildwood, Druce Lake, Millburn, Park City, Wadsworth, Mill Creek, and Grandwood Park.

Athletics

Football The football teams have always been a force to wreckon with in the North Suburban Conference. This season the went 8-1 in the regular season and are 1-0 in the playoffs this season. The next game is Friday November 04.

Soccer The soccer team was one of the best in state this season winning almost all of the games this season and one their first NSC championship in soccer. The leading scorer was Anthony Colaizzi.

Girls Vollyball One of the best teams this season with 30 wins and only a few loses and are currently ranked 2nd and are in a state tournemnt right now to see who will be #1 this year.

Basketball The basketball team is one of the best in Lake County and Illinois. They finished 2nd a few years back barely losing in what would have been there first state championship. The Mens team and girls teams both almost went undefeated in 2004 and look to go all the way this year and win the championship for both the Men and Womens divisions.

Hall Of Famers

PAST HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES: (from wths.net)

Richard A. Welton, Class of 1960 Mr. Welton is a life long resident of Gurnee; Chairman of Welton's Food Mart, Inc., Mayor of Gurnee for 30 years; Awards received: Illinois Jaycee's Outstanding Young Public Servant, 1974; merchandising Executive's Club Outstanding Retailer, 1987; Carthage College Distinguished alumni Award, 1993; Charter Member Warren Township Library Board.

Kevin Anderson, Class of 1978 Active in sports, band, chorus, speech and drama during high school, Mr. Anderson also excelled in Performing Arts: He qualified 3 times for IHSA State Speech Tournament, including a 2nd place finish in 1978; Played the lead in a Readers Theater production of Lost at C which took 2nd place in the IHSA State Competition. Studies at Chicago's Goodman School of Drama. Has appeared on stage, television, and in films and has co-starred with many acclaimed actors and actresses. Stage roles: Orphans, Orpheus Descending, Our Town, Three Sisters, Sunset Boulevard. Telephone roles: The Wrong Man, Orpheus Descending. Film roles: Miles from Home, In Country, Rising Sun, Hoffa, Sleeping with the Enemy.

James R. Strang, Class of 1952 Mr. Strang graduated from Northern Illinois University. Served in the armed forces, returning in 1957 to his alma mater in the following fields: Biology and P.E. Teacher, Science Club Advisor, Football and Wrestling Coach, Athletic Director, Director of Pupil Services, Principal. Served the Gurnee community as follows: Boy Scout Leader, Gurnee Fire Department Member, Red Cross Instructor, Park District Board Member. Honored as a Book of Golden Deeds recipient by the Gurnee Exchange Club.

Barbara E. Richardson-Cannon, Class of 1946 Ms. Richardson has been Coroner of Lake County since 1982. Known to go far beyond the call of duty and amassed an extraordinary number of contributions to the community. Volunteered time and services to local, state, and national organizations including: College of Lake County Foundation Board, Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association, Salvation Army, American Legion Auxiliary, Gurnee Woman's Club, PADS, American Concern Society. Recognized for outstanding achievements by Y.W.C.A. and The Girl Scouts. Named to Who's Who in Government Services. Received both the Woman Management Award and the Golden Deeds Award from Grayslake Exchange Club.

Gilbert "Gib" Clem, Distinguished Faculty Member of WTHS 1931-1971 Mr. Clem is a graduate of University of Illinois. He taught vocational agriculture for 30 years until its' last class in 1961. In 1962, he became a member of the Science Department, eventually serving as chairman until his retirement. Sponsor of the Future Farmers of America and of the Senior Class. The scholarship, Gilbert Clem Award, was created in his honor. 4-H Leader and served as the dairy superintendent for the Lake County Faire. Member of the Lake County Farm Bureau for 52 years. Charter member of the Warren township Credit Union now known as the Community Trust Credit Union. Member of the Gurnee Village Plan Commission. President of the Warren Township Historical Society. Wrote a booklet on agricultural changes in Warren Township from 1931 to 1981. Recipient of the Gurnee Exchange Club's Golden Book of Deeds Award.

John R. Clem, Class of 1956 John Clem was student body president while a student at Warren. He received his B.S. (1960), M.S. (1962), and Ph.D.(1965) from University of Illinois. He is a distinguished Professor of Physics at Iowa State and senior physicist at Ames Laboratory. Awards: Department of Energy's annual award for Sustained Research in Solid State Physics, 1988; Shared a special award from the Applied Superconductivity Conference, 1990. Internationally recognized as an authority on the subject of superconductivity. Author of more than 150 scientific papers, review articles, and book chapters. Holds a U.S. patent. Member of Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Xi.

Fred Foreman, Class of 1966 During high school, Fred was a member of the National Hnor Society and a three-sport athlete. His senior year he was named All-Conference Center and was part of the Chicago Tribune's All Star Football team. After graduation, Fred entered the United States Air Force Academy and served in the Air Force from 1966-72. He began his legal career with the Lake County Public Defender's Office, then was elected Lake County State's Attorney in 1980, a position he held for ten years. During this time his office received several national awards, including one of the establishment of the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center. Fred was appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois by President George Bush in 1990 and continued to serve in this position until 1993 when he jointed the Chicago law firm of Freeborn and Peters. Fred has been active in several bar associations and has served on the Board of Directors for Lambs Farm, Lake County United Way, the Lake County YMCA and was chairman of the North Star District of the Boy Scouts of America.

Dr. Edward R. May "Doc" Dr. May's accomplishments include Chief Radiologist at Condell Medical Center, Libertyville. He has been a Volunteer physician for athletic teams at WTHS since 1962; a member of Warren Township Board of Education for 20 years, Waukegan Rotary club, Board of Governors of Lake County Republican Federation. Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1980 and 1984. Awards received: "Those Who Excel" from the State Board of Education, "Team Physician of the Year" by the Illinois Medical Society and the Illinois High School Association in 1984, Gurnee Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds Award in 1986.

Bill Souza "Mr. Blue Devil" Retired from WTHS in June of 1986 after 30 years, Mr. Souza was active in the following roles: coach, department chairperson, Assistant to the Superintendent, Director of Public Information. He was honored the following : "Outstanding Educator of America" by the Academy of American Educators in 1974, Fred W. Losch Humanities Award from Waukegan/Lake County Chamber of Commerce in 1983, Gurnee Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds Award in 1989, by the Blue Devil Booster Club for his support of athletic programs at WTHS.

William G. Stratton, Class of 1930 Youngest member elected to the 77th U.S. Congress, Mr. Stratton was elected two years later as State Treasurer. Inaugurated as the 32nd Governor of Illinois in 1953 and re-elected in 1956. He served as the following: Chairman on the national Governors' Conference, President of the Council of State Government, Co-chairman of the Illinois Election Reform Commission, 1985, Board member of the Illinois Sate Chamber of Commerce, 1976-1982. Appointed by President Eisenhower to the Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission and Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, University of Illinois Trustee Emeritus, Laureate and Life Regent of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.

The Honorable LaVerne Dixon, Class of 1927 After graduating from Lake Forest College, Lavern taught for a short period before becoming Principal of Lake Villa Grade School. He earned a law degree at John Marshall Law School and began a career as an FBI agent. LaVerne then went on to practice law from 1946 through 1962, while also serving as a Warren Township High School Board member. LaVerne left the SchoolBoard after 16 years when he became a Probate Judge, a Circuit Court Judge and finally the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court.

Calvin and Rose Leader In 1974, Dr. Leader was named Superintendent of Warren Township High School. During the 12 years of his superintendency, Dr. Leader and Rose attended virtually every sports event, concert, play and speech team tournament in which Warren students were involved. They retired from Warren in 1982, but returned in 1995 for another four years. Dr. Leader graduated from Bowling Green State University and earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Ohio State. He was superintendent for 30 years in four different school districts. Dr. Leader is a member of the following: Gurnee Rotary Club, Gurnee Days Corporation, Various associations for school administrators. Dr. Leader is known for his stirring recitations of poetry and rose is a member of the following: Gurnee Women's Club Board member of CARE, Past president of Beta Sigma Phi Philanthropic Sorority.

Lois Potter Balmes, Class of 1938 Ms. Balmes taught at Gurnee Grade school and later was employed at Warren Newport Library. She is very active in community organizations and volunteer work. She received awards from the following organizations: The Lake County Board as a County Point of Light, Lake County Museum, Gurnee Park District, The R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), Honoree for Gurnee Days in 1986.

Robert W. Depke, Class of 1949 Bob was elected Warren Township Supervisor in 1961 and elected Chairman of the Lake County Board in 1990. He is a long time member and past President of the Lake County Township Officials Association and the Illinois Township Supervisor Association. Bob played a major role in the Gurnee Lions Club and the Gagewood Lions Club. He is the recipient of many community honors and awards, including the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, Grassroots Governmental Leadership Award, and the Gurnee Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds Award.

Gordon W. Washburn, Class of 1931 Mr. Washburn played on Warren's first winning football team. He was involved with Warren's program and activities with his six children and eighteen grandchildren and was an honoree at Gurnee Days in 1989. He is the recipient of the Book of Golden Deeds Award and served as the following: Township Assessor for 29 years, winning an Outstanding Illinois Assessor Award; Village Treasurer for 12 years; District 56 School Board member for 10 years. Memberships include: Gurnee Volunteer Fire Department, Boy Scouts of America, Little League Committees, President/Member of the Gurnee Exchange Club, Gurnee Historical Society. Mr. Washburn served the community in addition to a busy, full time career at Abbott Laboratories, retiring after 43 years as Department Head of Employee Services. He was involved in the National Association of Suggestion Systems holding various national positions including president.

Patrick Read Johnson, Class of 1980 Mr. Johnson was a member of Warren's Speech Team and Blue Devil Band. After graduation, he headed to Hollywood for a career in film. In 1990, he wrote and directed his first film Spaced Invaders. In 1991, he wrote, produced and was the original director for Dragonheart starring Sean Connery and Dennis Quaid. In 1994, he directed John Hughes' film Baby's Day Out. In 1995, he directed Angus starring George C. Scott and Kathy Bates and included the Warren Township High School's Marching Blue Devil Band in the soundtrack. He is currently working on 5-25-77, the autobiographical story of the day Star Wars opened and how it changed his life. Most of his screenplays involve Midwestern values and he continues to live in Wadsworth his wife and two children.

W. Howard Swanson, Class of 1942 During high school, Mr. Swanson was a member of the following: Student Council, Student Body President, as representative to Boy's State, football, basketball and National Athletic Honor Society. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and after the war was a member of the Military Occupation Forces in Japan. He was a graduate of Kent College of Law at the University of Illinois in 1951 and a member of the following: American Bar Association, The Lake County Bar Association, Volunteer Lawyer's Program, Gurnee Community Church, Warren-Newport Credit Union Board of Directors, Charter member of the Exchange Club. He served as the following: Village attorney for 32 years (from 1957 until his death in 1989) and Gurnee Elementary District 56 Board of Education.

Judge Valerie Boettle-Ceckowski, Class of 1977 After graduating from Warren, Judge Ceckowski attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. She continued her studies at SIU's School of Law and graduated in 1983. After serving five years in the he Lake County Public Defender's Office, she entered private practice concentrating in criminal, juvenile, and family law. In 1997, she became an Associate Judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court. Memberships include: Member and past president of Gurnee Breakfast Exchange Club, member and past president of Gurnee Days Corporation, Gurnee Civil Service Commission, Gurnee Park District Advisory Board, Long Range Plan Committee, Volunteer Lawyers Program, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lake County, NICASA Board of Directors and NICASA Advisory Board on Criminal Justice. She has been a member of the Lake County Bar Association since 1985 and served as Secretary from 1996 to 1998. She has been a member of the Illinois State Bar Association since 1985, a member of the Association of Women Attorneys since 1989, and a member of the Illinois Judges Association since 1997.

(will have more added later and somethings fixed)

www.wths.net School's official site