Type Public Locale District 120 Principal Debra "Deb" Nelson | Established 1901 Superintendent Mr. Steven Wrobleski Faculty 79 | |
LaSalle-Peru Township High School, also known as LaSalle-Peru High School, LPHS, or simply LP, is a public four-year high school located at 541 Chartres Street in LaSalle, Illinois, a small city in LaSalle County, Illinois, in the Midwestern United States. LPHS serves the communities and surrounding areas of LaSalle, Peru, Oglesby, Tonica, and Dimmick. The campus is located 18 miles west of Ottawa, Illinois.
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History
LaSalle-Peru Township High School was built in 1897–98, occupying buildings on 5th, 6th and Chartres Streets in LaSalle. The Thomas J. McCormack Library was built in 1920. LaSalle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College was formed at the school in 1924. L-P-O Junior College eventually became Illinois Valley Community College in 1968, and is now located in Oglesby, Illinois. The school's clock tower was built in 1927 and is still in use today. Matthiessen Memorial Auditorium was opened in 1928. Howard Fellows Stadium was opened in 1937. Howard Fellows Stadium was massively renovated in the summer of 1995. There have been many additions throughout the years at L-P High School, including the West Gymnasium, Area Career Center and Dolan Building.
Academics
On the 2010 Prairie State Achievement Exam, 49% of L-P High School 11th graders met or exceeded standards in Reading. 45% met or exceeded standards in Mathematics, and 50% met or exceeded standards in Science.
Athletics
L-P's athletic teams are called the Cavaliers, and use a logo similar to that which was used by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, until the NFL team changed its logo in 1998. The Cavaliers compete in essentially the same sports as most mid-size high schools in the Midwest.
Highlights
In 2000 LP's Drama team placed first in NCIC and sectional and went on to state competition with their performance of Bang Bang You're Dead.
Conference affiliation
From 1964 to 2010, the Cavaliers competed in the North Central Illinois Conference (NCIC), in that conference's larger-school division. Significant changes in conference alignments occurred in the 2000s, however, and starting with the 2010–2011 school year, LPHS became a charter member of the Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference. The NIB-12 includes most of the larger schools from the NCIC, as well as many members of a dissolving conference called the Western Sun Conference. LPHS is in the NIB-12's Western Division.
Fall
Winter
Spring
Year-round
Red and Green
The school song is called "Red and Green", named after the school's colors. It is played after every football score and baseball win. Here are the lyrics:
Come all students of LP High, We will shout our cheers to the sky. 'Neath our colors flying on high Loyalty will never die!
Wave our banners of green and red, Brightly flashing high overhead. Always loyal, La Salle-Peru Great our love for you.
School of honor, glory and fame, With true pride we're praising your name. Known throughout the country and state As a school that's truly great.
Everyone is singing your praise, All our voices loudly we raise. Aways upright, noble and true, Hurrah! La Salle-Peru!
Red And Green was written by Susan Jane Hoelle.
Demographics
As of 2010, the ethnic makeup of L-P High School was 85.7% White, 11.4% Hispanic, 2% Black, .9% Asian, and 0.2% Native American. .5% were said to be at a low English proficiency level. 27.7% were said to be at a low income level.
LP vs. SBA
One of the many local rivalries is with local Saint Bede Academy. They compete in most sports except American Football . The last game took place in 1985.
Yearbook
In 2009, LP's yearbook was named one of the 36 USA Yearbooks Of The Year by Jostens.
The Marching Cavaliers
LaSalle-Peru's marching band was noted for being not only one of the best bands in the state and country, but was also known throughout Europe as well. http://periodicals.faqs.org/201101/2397594361.html
The band recently got a new director. Under new direction, the band has recently won several awards at competitions, including 1st place in class AA at the Danville Marching Invitational, and 1st place in class AA at the Metamora High School Marching Invitational. This year's show is titled "Before The Dawn"
Notable alumni
Edward Elzear "Zez" Confrey, (1895–1971) an American Composer and Performer of Piano Music. Graduated in 1917(?).
Greg Bimm, (1953–) Band Director of one of the premier music programs in the United States Marian Catholic High School. Graduated in 1970.
Mike Goff, (1976–) offensive guard for the Kansas City Chiefs. Graduated in 1994.
Lonnie Bierbrodt (1960-2002), Class of 1978. Person of interest in the murder of Tammy Jo Zywicki (1971-1992). [1]
Richard L. Kolowski, Class of 1961(?) - Nebraska State Senator, 2013 to present.
Phil Seghi, (March 9, 1909 – January 8, 1987), Class of 1926. An American front-office executive in Major League Baseball, he appointed Frank Robinson as Major League Baseball's first African-American manager.