HR0649 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0649 LRB100 15051 ALS 29886 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Trinity High School on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its founding; and

WHEREAS, Trinity High School is a Catholic college-preparatory high school for young women; Trinity has earned an excellent reputation as a premier high school with a strong commitment to educating young women and preparing them for the future: intellectually, spiritually, socially, and morally; for 100 years, Trinity has been a cornerstone of the Oak Park-River Forest community; and

WHEREAS, In July 1917, five Dominican sisters from Sinsinawa, Wisconsin purchased land on the northwestern edge of River Forest and founded Rosary House, a Catholic high school for girls; recruiting students proved to be difficult, but by the following year, 15 students were enrolled; they were called the Fortunate Fifteen, one for each mystery of the rosary; for the next four years, a grade level was added until Rosary House was a four-year high school; the first class of 28 students graduated in 1922, and that same year, the school was accredited and admitted to the North Central Association of Colleges and High Schools; the school established the first Girl Scout troop in River Forest and continued to add extra-curricular activities, including baseball, croquet, basketball, a drama club, a camera club, an annual yearbook, and an alumnae club; Rosary House continued to grow; the school was moved, and the name was changed to Trinity High School in 1926; and

WHEREAS, The next several decades brought continued change and success to Trinity, including increased enrollment, the construction of new buildings and additions, an interview with Eleanor Roosevelt, a charter from the Quill and Scroll, the international honor society for high school journalists, a first-class rating from the National Scholastic Press Association, participation in the National Merit Scholarship program, the introduction of an Advisory Board and the formation of a Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Trinity's tradition of academic excellence continued with the introduction of the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma program in 1994; the program encompasses a rigorous pre-university course of studies designed as a two-year curriculum covering six academic areas; in addition to the traditional liberal arts curriculum, students take a Theory of Knowledge class, fulfill a 150 hour service requirement, and write a 4,000 word essay on a topic of their choice; shortly after introducing the International Baccalaureate Diploma program, Trinity also implemented block scheduling, which is based on the collegiate model; Trinity was the first Catholic school in the Chicago Archdiocese to offer this program; and

WHEREAS, By choosing to remain a single-gender school, Trinity affirmed its commitment to challenging and preparing young women to be tomorrow's leaders; Trinity's graduates have been and will continue to be innovative, productive, and leading members in all aspects of society; the lessons they have learned at Trinity High School have helped them build successful careers, loving families, and better communities; and

WHEREAS, Trinity still embodies the same spirit of those first Fortunate Fifteen girls and the same dedication of the pioneer sisters who began Rosary House High School; this spirit and dedication to education, leadership, and faith will guide Trinity High School through its 100th anniversary and many years beyond; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize Trinity High School on the 100th anniversary of its founding, and we wish them many more successful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Trinity High School as an expression of our esteem and respect.