HR0256 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0256 LRB097 11447 KXB 53932 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the staff, faculty, students, and alumni of St. Joseph High School in Westchester as they celebrate the institution's golden anniversary; and

WHEREAS, St. Joseph High School in Westchester was founded in 1960; St. Joseph High School is a Catholic, co-educational, college-preparatory high school sponsored by the Lasallian Christian Brothers; and

WHEREAS, After the closing of Immaculate Heart of Mary High School, St. Joseph High School became co-educational and moved into the former Immaculate Heart of Mary building to accommodate an expanding enrollment; and

WHEREAS, St. Joseph High School's curriculum has received the highest rating offered by the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities; St. Joseph High School was the first high school in the Chicago area, and one of a select few high schools' in the country, to employ a one-to-one laptop learning program, where each student uses a laptop computer, every day, for every class; St. Joseph High School embraces technology resulting in students who are more effective critical thinkers, problem solvers, communicators, and researchers; and

WHEREAS, St. Joseph High School produces technology-savvy students who are excellently prepared to meet the demands of an evolving global society; St. Joseph High School is the only high school with a credentialed Men's and Women's Leadership Academy, which teaches leadership skills in a daily class for each of its students; St. Joseph High School strengthens the character of students through a constant focus on faith and service based on Lasallian Christian Brother traditions; St. Joseph High School fosters a family atmosphere and provides personalized attention to all students; and

WHEREAS, St. Joseph High School converted to a co-educational mission to accommodate Immaculate Heart of Mary students and other young women from the area; in addition, innovative single gender and co-educational class options were developed for all students; St. Joseph High School welcomes students from all backgrounds, resulting in a tremendously diverse enrollment composed of students from different racial, academic, economic, social, and religious backgrounds coming from more than 100 elementary schools in and around Chicago and its suburbs; St. Joseph High School transforms diversity into an asset by teaching students to work successfully with others from multiple backgrounds, resulting in young men and women genuinely prepared for the real world; St. Joseph High School understands the value of change and incorporates new ideas for an increasingly relevant education; St. Joseph High School is a school where 99% of graduates, regardless of background, are accepted into their college of first choice; and

WHEREAS, On April 9, 2011, St. Joseph High School will celebrate its 50 years of educational excellence at the Golden Jubilee Gala; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate everyone involved in the 50th anniversary of St. Joseph High School and wish them continued success for years to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Donna Kiel, Principal of St. Joseph High School, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.