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'''Academics and Science'''
'''Academics and Science'''
* [[Richard Anthony Parker]], [[Egyptologist]] who studied the mortuary temple of [[Ramses III]], founded the [[Brown University]] [http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Egyptology/ Department of Egyptology] and selected as a Corresponding Fellow at the [[British Academy]].<ref>Associated Press, Richard Parker , 87, Egyptologist, Retired Professor, Boston Globe, June 7, 1993, at 17.</ref>
* [[Richard Anthony Parker]], [[Egyptologist]] who studied the mortuary temple of [[Ramses III]], founded the [[Brown University]] [http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Egyptology/ Department of Egyptology] and selected as a Corresponding Fellow at the [[British Academy]].<ref>Associated Press, Richard Parker , 87, Egyptologist, Retired Professor, Boston Globe, June 7, 1993, at 17.</ref>
* Jake Matijevic, Chief of Rover Engineering at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)<ref>[http://www.planetary.org/news/2008/0630_Mars_Exploration_Rovers_Update_Spirit.html The Planetary Society, Planetary News: Mars (2008): Mars Exploration Rover Update], 30 June 2008.</ref>



'''Authors and Journalism'''
'''Authors and Journalism'''
* [[James T. Farrell]], author of over 40 published works, including the ''[[Studs Lonigan]]'' trilogy. {{Fact|date=September 2008}}
* [[James T. Farrell]], author of over 40 published works, including the ''[[Studs Lonigan]]'' trilogy. <ref>[http://www.newberry.org/collections/FindingAids/troyfarrell/TroyFarrell.html The Newberry Library, Inventory of the Leander Troy-James T. Farrell Papers, 1932-2004, processed by Virginia Hay Smith, 2006.</ref>
* [[Robert Cooley]], author of ''[[When Corruption was King]].'' <ref>''Sunday Lunch with Bob
* [[Robert Cooley]], author of ''[[When Corruption was King]].'' <ref>''Sunday Lunch with Bob Cooley'', Chicago Sun Times, August 27, 2006, by Debra Pickett.</ref>
Cooley'', Chicago Sun Times, August 27, 2006, by Debra Pickett.</ref>


'''Business and Politics'''
'''Business and Politics'''

Revision as of 21:35, 18 September 2008

For other schools with the same name, see Mount Carmel High School.
Mount Carmel High School
File:MC logo.jpg
Location
Map
Chicago
,
Illinois

USA
Information
TypePrivate, All Male
Motto"You came to Carmel as a boy. If you care to struggle and work at it, you will leave as a man."
Established1900
PresidentFr. Carl Markelz, O.Carm
Grades9–12
Enrollment900
CampusUrban
Color(s)Brown and White    
MascotCaravan
NewspaperThe Caravan
YearbookOriflamme
AffiliationsCatholic, Carmelite
Websitehttp://www.mchs.org

Mount Carmel High School is an all boys Catholic high school in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, the school is operated by the Carmelite order of priests and brothers, some of whom live in the nearby Saint Cyril Priory. These Carmelites are assisted by dedicated lay faculty and a nationally recognized coaching staff. Mount Carmel's student body is highly diverse- a tribute to its mission on Chicago's heavily segregated south side.

Mount Carmel is occasionally confused with Carmel High School in Mundelein, Illinois, and Mount Carmel High School in Mount Carmel, Illinois. The former is also a Carmelite school, while the latter is the town of Mount Carmel's only public high school.

History

In the Fall of 1900, the Carmelite order established St. Cyril College at 54th and Jefferson (now Harper) on Chicago's South side. In the first year there were 13 students and five priest teachers. The following year the college was moved to 64th and Washington (now Blackstone) because of the need for a larger building and better access to public transportation. The St. Cyril College Building at 64th and Star (now Dante) was completed in 1902, and classes began with 137 students and 11 faculty members.

At first the college had three departments: (1) Academic, which included both a junior high and a high school program; (2) College, a four-year program with emphasis on Greek and Latin; (3) Commercial, a three-year course. In 1918, with young men being called to serve in World War I, the college curriculum was dropped while the high school department was enlarged and improved.

In December 1922, Father Elias Magennis, General of the Carmelite Order, and Archbishop Mundelein of Chicago agreed on the need for the immediate construction of a new St. Cyril High School Building. In the spring and summer of 1924, a three story main building was erected by the Thompson-Starrett Construction Company with Zachary Davis as the architect.

File:Stand up and cheer 1924.jpg
Dedication - 1924

William Lynch, a St. Cyril College graduate, was in charge of construction. Later that fall, the new building was dedicated as Mount Carmel High School.

Even in its early years, the school's tradition of alumni sending their sons to Mount Carmel was strong. But during the late 1960s, the economic deterioration of the Woodlawn neighborhood contributed to a significant decrease in enrollment. Mount Carmel's close proximity to the Black P. Stones/El Rukn street gang may have also hurt the school's ability to attract students. But thanks to the efforts of Father David Dillon and numerous other Mount Carmel faithful, the school survived by bussing in students from neighboring areas- many of whom are carrying on family legacies. Current redevelopment projects in the Woodlawn area and southern expansion by the University of Chicago have improved the future outlook of the school and its surrounding community.

Campus

The Mount Carmel campus is located at the intersection of East 64th Street and South Dante Avenue, less than a mile from Lake Michigan. The oldest surviving structures are the three-story main building and the Carmelite Chapel.

In the 1950s and 60s, Mt. Carmel saw the addition of two buildings: the Student Center and the two-story Learning Center. Since then, the campus has gradually been enlarged, beginning with the student parking lot and the athletic field on the south end of the property. Thanks to the Capital Campaign Case Study, the campus was further expanded to include the Scott School property. In 1992, construction began on a new monastery for the Carmelites. Additionally, a science and computer center called the Graham Center was built on the site of the old Carmelite Monastery. Although the old Priory was demolished to make room for the Graham center, the original Chapel was saved and given a facelift.

The school again expanded in 2005 by adding the Mt. Carmel Convocation Center. The structure houses three gyms, an indoor track, weight room, offices, locker rooms, meeting areas for alumni and faculty, a student center/dining hall, and new computer and science labs. A new student parking lot was built on the north end of the campus.

In addition to the Convocation Center, Mt. Carmel's athletic facilities include Carey Field for football and Haggerty Field for baseball and soccer. The 'Old Gym' still hosts athletic competition, including the school's annual Fight Night boxing event. The original four-lane, 20 yard pool hosts the Swimming and Water Polo teams. Off-campus facilities used by the school include the Jackson Park trails and practice fields, Gately Stadium, Eckersall Stadium, and the Homewood-Flossmoor ice arena.

Also, for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year there will be a new building constructed primarily for drama events. The building will be known as Taylor Drama Center and will be located where the current faculty parking lot is.

Academics

Academic excellence is the trademark of Mt. Carmel High School. Once recognized as a Blue Ribbon [1] and National Exemplary School, Mount Carmel offers a comprehensive and competitive curriculum. With four programs of study, the school serves the needs of all types of college bound students:

The Honors/Advanced Placement Program

The Honors Program challenges students to maximize their potential by placing them in accelerated courses, and enriches their experience through Advanced Placement courses in Literature, American, European and World History, Physics, Calculus and Foreign Languages.

Accelerated College Prep Program

Students in the Accelerated College Prep Program pursue a challenging curriculum developed to prepare them for acceptance into the college of their choice. All requirements meet the standards for college admission established by the Illinois Board of High School Education.

College Prep Program

The College Prep program prepares students to successfully meet the standards for college admission. To be admitted to this program, a student's standardized test scores must show college potential and his grammar school transcript and letters of recommendation must confirm a solid work ethic.

McDermott-Doyle Program

The McDermott-Doyle program meets the needs of young men with specific learning disabilities who seek a college education but require accommodations to achieve their goals. There a limited number of seats in this program, with preference given to students who are Catholic or graduates of Catholic grammar schools.

Athletics

Mt. Carmel has been home to numerous champions of the athletic field. The 1950 football team has been considered by local prep journalists as the best in Illinois history.[citation needed] Led by running back Frank Pinn and future Notre Dame coach Terry Brennan, the Caravan rolled to an 11-0-0 record that included both the Catholic League and Prep Bowl championships. In addition to 1950, Mount Carmel's football team has won city championships in 1927, 1932, 1933, 1939, 1943, 1951, 1952, 1960, 1967, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1993 and 2001.

In 1974, the Chicago Catholic League agreed to participate in IHSA state tournaments, signaling a new era of Mount Carmel athletics. Coach Bill Barz led the Caravan to its first ever IHSA state championship in 1980, when the football team defeated Hinsdale South 15-10. Since then, current coach Frank Lenti has guided the team to 9 additional state crowns in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Only Joliet Catholic Academy has won more IHSA football titles (13), although the Caravan leads the head to head series by a 28-9 count.[2]

As a member of the Detroit Red Wings, Chris Chelios visits Mount Carmel, displaying the Stanley Cup his team had recently won.

Mount Carmel's athletic success extends far beyond the gridiron. The school's first state championship was won by the Water Polo team in 1975, when they defeated perpetual powerhouse Fenwick High School in triple overtime.[3] The Ice Hockey club has amassed 5 state championships (1979, 86, 87, 88, 90) and a Catholic League record 20 Kennedy Cups.

In 1985, coach Ed McQuillan and the Caravan captured the first IHSA Boys Basketball Championship won by a Chicago Catholic League School. From 1992-94, legendary coach Bill Weick and future Olympian Joe Williams led Mt. Carmel to 3 consecutive IHSA Wrestling titles. The Rugby team has also won three state championships (1998, 1999 and 2000).[citation needed]

Several other Caravan squads have placed in the finals for state, including: Baseball runner up: 2005; Football runner up: 1986, 1995, 2005, 2006; Volleyball third place: 2000; Wresting runner up: 1998, 2002; Rugby runner up: 2002, 2005; Rugby semifinalists: 2003, 2006, 2007. Caravan teams and individuals have also won countless Catholic League Championships in Football, Golf, Soccer, Cross Country, Wrestling, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Baseball and Track & Field.[citation needed]

Complete List of Competitive Activities

Notable alumni

Academics and Science


Authors and Journalism

Business and Politics

Professional Athletes, Olympians and Sports Figures

Television, Stage and Hollywood

References

  1. ^ Blue Ribbon Schools 1982-2002.
  2. ^ Andrew Herrmann. "A classic Caravan comeback; Mount Carmel 21, Joliet Catholic 20." Chicago Sun-Times. 27 August 2007.
  3. ^ Illinois Water Polo at Illinois Water Polo 2007 All-State Banquet. Retrieved 18 September 2008.
  4. ^ Associated Press, Richard Parker , 87, Egyptologist, Retired Professor, Boston Globe, June 7, 1993, at 17.
  5. ^ The Planetary Society, Planetary News: Mars (2008): Mars Exploration Rover Update, 30 June 2008.
  6. ^ [http://www.newberry.org/collections/FindingAids/troyfarrell/TroyFarrell.html The Newberry Library, Inventory of the Leander Troy-James T. Farrell Papers, 1932-2004, processed by Virginia Hay Smith, 2006.
  7. ^ Sunday Lunch with Bob Cooley, Chicago Sun Times, August 27, 2006, by Debra Pickett.
  8. ^ The Life and Death of the Deadliest Man Alive, The Chicago Reader, July 14th, 2006, by Dan Kelly
  9. ^ When Denny McClain Stood Baseball on its ear, The Detroit News, March 1, 2003, by Mary Bailey.
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