Warren Township High School has existed for a very long time. And within those over 100 years, from the O’Plaine Campus to the Almond Campus, lots and lots of things have happened on and off campus. Do you know some of the things that happened? You probably don’t, so… here are 10 facts about WTHS that may be interesting to you!
#1: The Yearbook Hasn’t Always Been Around
If you’re someone who thought that the yearbook was around since the beginning, then think again. The first yearbook was actually made in 1924, known as the Angelus. It only cost $1.50 (which is $27.05 today with inflation). 100 years later, the yearbook can now cost up to $80 if you procrastinate, which you probably shouldn’t do! And if you’re curious about what it looks like, there are two 1924 yearbooks in the Almond Campus library if you want to look at them.
#2: The O’Plaine Campus Isn’t as Old as You Think
(DISCLAIMER: Please don’t do anything that is said here. You will get arrested.)
Some people may think that the O’Plaine Campus is the same building as it was when it was built in 1917, but it actually isn’t. The original building still had many additions, but had a different layout from the school we have today. However, on December 20, 1984, a student would commit arson onto the original O’Plaine Campus building, causing major damage. Classes were moved to Lake Forest High School until 1987, where the building was rebuilt into the one we know today.
#3: Clubs You Didn’t Know Existed
There are a few clubs at Warren that you probably haven’t known about. One of these clubs was the Aviation Club, which was about planes. Another one was the Field and Stream club, about hunting and fishing. Warren students would actually use hunting rifles in this club!
#4: Agriculture Training at Warren
Back in the early 1900s, Warren Township was a rural community known for dairy farming. Because of this, WTHS would educate students about farming and agriculture. These classes would continue to be held until 1961, due to the changing times and less people living on farms.
#5: The First Sports
Warren’s first sport was basketball, which was first played during the 1918-1919 school year. Football didn’t come to Warren until the 1923-1924 school year. Warren Baseball also started sometime in the 1920s.
#6: At Disney World
There have been a few times where the WTHS Marching Band was at the Disney World. During spring break in 1988, they went to Disney World and marched in the Main Street Electrical Parade. They also went back in 1999.
#7: There Was WTHS Cola?
In 1976, cans of cola were produced for the WTHS Marching Band. I’m unsure what it actually tasted like, but I assume that it tasted like… cola.
#8: The Blue Devil Looked Quite Different
The Blue Devil mascot hasn’t changed in a while, but it has really changed over the years! The Warren Blue Devil used to look less like a cartoon and more like an actual devil. He also had a pretty nice mustache, which the current one doesn’t have.
#9: Students From Around The World
Some of you probably haven’t known that there are 68 countries represented by students that attend Warren. Around 34.87% of the world has a student at Warren that represents their country! Sure, it’s not much, but we would say we’re pretty international.
#10: Flags
Speaking of countries… I counted about 209 country flags (plus 2 Illinois flags) at the Almond Campus, and about 190 country flags at the O’Plaine Campus. This totals to about 400 country flags at both campuses!
Here’s the math behind all of this: every classroom has a U.S. flag in it, so I counted the number of classrooms. There are also flags in the gyms, the lecture hall, the cafeterias, some offices, and other places in the school. I also counted the international flags, the flags outside the campuses, and the flag flown over the White House at the O’Plaine Campus. I did not count any stadiums or the Transition Center, or other flags in classrooms. This definitely isn’t all of them, but there are still a LOT of them that I did count… (that was a lot of looking around and counting to do)
And that’s pretty much it. You probably didn’t need to know these things, but now you know them!
