Fenwick High School (Oak Park, Illinois)

Fenwick High School
Address
505 W. Washington Blvd. Oak Park , Illinois 60302-4095 USA
Coordinates	41.88099°N 87.788589°W / 41.88099; -87.788589
Information
Type	secondary parochial
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Opened	1929
Oversight	Archdiocese of Chicago
President	DePorres Durham, O.P.
Principal	James Quaid, Ph.D.
Teaching staff	73
Grades	9–12
Gender	coed
Enrollment	1,175
Campus	suburban
Colour(s)	black &   white
Slogan	Veritas
Athletics conference	Chicago Catholic League & East Suburban Catholic Conference
Nickname	Friars
Publication	Touchstone
Newspaper	The Wick
Yearbook	Blackfriars Yearbook
Tuition	US$9,850
Affiliation	Dominicans
Website	http://www.fenwickfriars.com/

Fenwick High School is a private university-preparatory school located in Oak Park, Illinois. The prep school was founded in 1929 as part of the Province of St. Albert the Great (Dominican Friars). It is the only school still operated and staffed by the Catholic Order of Dominican friars in the United States. It is named in honor of Bishop Edward D. Fenwick.

Highly selective in its admission policies, the school has approximately 1,200 students. Acceptance is based on performance on the special Archdiocesan Admission Test. The school colors are black and white and the mascot is a Friar. Fenwick's president is Father DePorres Durham, O.P. and the principal is James Quaid, Ed.D. Fenwick has produced many prominent alumni with excellence in various fields, including top athletes such as Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lattner and professional basketball player Corey Maggette.

History

Fenwick High School was founded as an all-boys college preparatory high school in 1929 by the Catholic Order of Dominican Fathers and Brothers of the Province of St. Joseph. Since its founding, Fenwick has maintained a strict dress code which includes slacks, dress shirts and ties for the boys and plaid skirts and knee-high socks for the girls. During assemblies, blazers must be worn. Fenwick was originally intended to be a prep school for matriculation to the University of Notre Dame in the Midwest and Georgetown University on the East Coast, similar to Andover's matriculation to Yale and Exeter's matriculation to Harvard. Today, Fenwick's students matriculate to top universities across America. In 1939, the St. Joseph Province was divided and Fenwick High School became part of the new Province of St. Albert the Great, with headquarters in Chicago. In 1992, girls were admitted for the first time. Today, Fenwick is known as a secondary school. Students use some athletic facilities, including a baseball field, two football fields, a softball diamond, and a soccer field on the campus of Fenwick's Dominican Priory in the nearby suburb of River Forest.

Fenwick has a long tradition of being a superior academic school as evidenced by the high number of National Merit Scholars and Illinois State Scholars, high ACT and SAT scores, and large numbers of students matriculating to top universities. Fenwick has a highly accomplished faculty, three of which have earned the Golden Apple Award. Fenwick's instructors also have impressive credentials. For example, the English Department has instructors educated at Notre Dame University, London University, and the University of Chicago. The school's History Department is headed by an Amherst College and Northwestern University alumnus, the brother of Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn. Fenwick's Principal, Dr. Quaid, has been honored with several distinctions, including the Influential Teacher Award from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as sitting on the Board of Directors of the Illinois High School Association and formerly serving as the President of the Interscholastic Council of Private Schools.

In 1983 Fenwick was selected by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School, designating it as one of the top private and public schools in America. On January 18, 1999, U.S. News & World Report classified Fenwick as an "Outstanding American High School", making Fenwick tied for the #1 ranked preparatory school in the Chicago area. Fenwick's 2007 class had over 70% earn academic awards and scholarships to top universities around the country with the monetary value of these awards in excess of $13,900,000 (up from $12,555,800 in 2006 and 9,370,000 in 2005). The 2007 graduating class also boasted 153 Presidential Scholars, 79 Illinois State Scholars, an ACT average of 27 and 10 National Merit Finalists, with 15 additional receiving commendation for being named to the top 5% in the nation.

Around the time Fenwick started admitting girls, there was a proposal to officially move classes to the school's priory in River Forest, or construct a brand new school in collaboration with nearby Trinity High School. The idea almost passed, but was dropped when Fenwick insisted on maintaining complete control over the standards of the new school. Instead, Fenwick has commenced several expansion campaigns at their present location in Oak Park based around their original Neo-gothic designed school created by the New York architect Wilfred E. Anthony, who also redesigned the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Indiana for the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. The latest expansions include: a new field house with a 1,100 seat gymnasium and a 450 seat natatorium; several new classrooms and updated athletic lockers; a new school entrance and gateway inspired from the Arch of Northwestern University; and additional science laboratories and art studios, all of which are in keeping with the original Neo-gothic look of Fenwick's school and priory.

Fenwick is the only high school in the United States owned and operated by the Dominican Order, and the school maintains the intellectual tradition associated with Thomas Aquinas. Fenwick's school mottoes are the same as those of the Dominican Order: Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare (praise, bless, preach); Veritas (truth); Contemplare et Contemplata Aliis Tradere (to study and hand on the fruits of study). Fenwick often uses the Blackfriar as a mascot over a generic friar mascot since the Blackfriar is specifically associated with the Dominican Order.

Historically, Fenwick has shared a friendly rivalry with St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. The Fenwick/Ignatius rivalry is based on both school's long tradition of high academic achievement as well as Fenwick being of the Dominican Order and St. Ignatius being of the Jesuit Order. When it comes to athletics, Fenwick usually is the leader in this rivalry, especially in the areas of girls basketball, water polo, football, as well as many of the other sports played between these two schools.

Academics

The first sentence of the school's philosophy statement, defines the school as a "college preparatory high school". Students are required to take four years of theology, English, mathematics, and a foreign language are required for graduation.

As a part of the third year theology course, students are required to plan and conduct a "Christian Service Project". The project requires a minimum of forty hours of service, no more than 20 of which may be completed prior to the start of the student's junior year.

The school offers 18 courses as a part of the Advanced Placement program: English Language, English Literature, Art History, French Language, Spanish Language, Statistics, Computer Science A & AB, Biology, Chemistry, Physics (C), Environmental Science, U.S. History, European History, Economics, World History, and U.S. Government.

The school offers AP Calculus BC, and gives students the option to take either the "AB" or "BC" test at the end of the year. Beyond AP Calculus, the school offers courses in multivariable calculus, linear algebra and differential equations.

Extra-curricular achievements

Athletics

The Fenwick Friars compete in two conferences. The mens teams compete in the Chicago Catholic League (CCL), while the womens teams compete in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. The school competes in state championship series sponsored by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

The following teams have finished in the top four of their respective state tournament sponsored by the IHSA:

• basketball (girls) •• 3rd place (1999–2000, 03–04); 2nd place (2002–03); State Champions (2000–01, 06–07)
• soccer (girls) •• 4th place (2003–04)
• softball •• 4th place (1997–98)
• swimming & diving (boys) •• 4th place (1985–86); 3rd place (1975–76, 93–94, 3005–06); 2nd place (1974–75, 76–77, 77–78, 81–82, 84–85, 92–93); State Champions (1989–90, 90–91, 91–92)
• water polo (boys) •• State Champions (2001–02, 03–04, 04–05, 05–06, 06–07, 07–08)
• water polo (girls) •• 2nd place (2006–07); State Champions (2003–04, 04–05, 05–06, 07–08)

The boys' varsity hockey team has played in the state championship game, held at the United Center, in five consecutive seasons (2002–2006), winning the state title (the Blackhawk Cup) in the 2002–03 and 2003–04 seasons. The 2003–2004 team compiled a record of 62-9-2 and is considered one of Illinois' most accomplished high school hockey teams to have ever played in the Midwest. The hockey team has won five straight Kennedy Cups, three of them over their hockey arch rival Loyola Academy.

The boys lacrosse team took the state championship in just its second year as a varsity program.

Fenwick has been a dominant force in water polo. Since the IHSA first started sponsoring a water polo state tournament in 2002, Fenwick's mens and womens teams have won a combined ten of the first fourteen state championships.

Prior to the institution of a state playoff system for football in the 1970s, Fenwick competed to play in the Prep Bowl, which pitted the champions of the CCL against the champion of the Chicago Public League. Fenwick won two Prep Bowl titles at the game's usual home of Soldier Field. The first was in 1945 where a crowd of 80,000 fans saw Fenwick defeat Tilden High School, 20-6. The second was in 1962, and saw Fenwick defeat Schurz High School, 40-0. The win not only capped an undefeated season, but was played before over 91,000 fans; the third largest crowd to witness a high school football game in Illinois history. The 1945 game is tied for seventh in terms of crowd size.

As of 2007, Fenwick has 77 all-conference and 18 all-state athletes. The boy's JV hockey team and the girls pom pom team have also earned state championships. Sports Illustrated has added Fenwick to its list of the "50 Best High School Athletic Programs in the Country", recognizing Fenwick as having the best athletic program in Illinois. Fenwick's 2006-2007 swim/polo teams produced nine Academic All-American athletes.

Non–athletic activities

Fenwick's academic teams are also highly competitive. The Math Team was state champion in 2002 and is also the highest scoring private school in the AA Division for 13 years in a row. 2008 marks the 15th consecutive year for Fenwick's Math Team to qualify for state.

Fenwick's Scholastic Bowl Team has been league champions for the last 4 years., and has twice finished in the top four at the Illinois High School Association State Championship Tournament (2001 & 04).

Fenwick's Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering/Junior Engineering Technical Society (WYSE/JETS) teams are also highly accomplished; Fenwick's WYSE/JETS teams are seven-time Illinois state champions.

The Wick (school newspaper), The Blackfriars Yearbook, and the Touchstone (literary magazine), have all been recognized with awards by the American Scholastic Press Association. The 2006-2007 edition of Touchstone was awarded first place with special honors by the American Scholastic Press Association-placing Fenwick's publication at the top 5% of all high school literary publications in the country. Touchstone has earned 970/1000 possible points by the American Scholastic Press Association, thereby allowing it to be a contender for the Most Outstanding High School Literary and Art Magazine. Fenwick speech teams and debate teams are also ranked highly, with 2007 marking the tenth consecutive year to have state qualifiers.

Traditions

Over the years, Fenwick has developed several traditions that have become a staple of the school's alumni recognitions and fundraising efforts. These include:

St. Martin de Porres Award: This award is named after St. Martin de Porres, a Dominican Friar in Spanish Colonial Peru, who served as a physician, dentist and pharmacist to help those who were enslaved. The award is exclusively given to Fenwick alumni working within the medical field and demonstrating excellence as either an M.D. or D.D.S.

Accipiter Award: This award, meaning "hawk", is the highest honor Fenwick gives to their alumni whom have achieved excellence within the field of law. Induction ceremonies are held annually at the Union League Club in Chicago. The 2007 recipient was Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn.

Lumen Tranquillum Award: This prestigious award is given to Fenwick alumni whom have built a life that is inspirational to young people. Recipients of this award may also be qualified to enter into Fenwick's Hall of Fame

Blackfriars Dinner: This fundraising black tie gala is the most important event for creating scholarship aid to worthy students in need. It began in the 1950s as the "Sponsor's Dinner" to help with the difficulties of Fenwick's tution costs. Since its founding, the yearly benefit has raised millions of dollars for scholarships. The event has taken place at various elegant locations around Chicago, including the Cadillac Club and, most recently, the Imperial Ball Room at Chicago's Fairmont Hotel. The Lumen Tranquillum award is also presented at this event.

Cog Hill Golf Outing: This yearly golf outing for Fenwick alumni is the largest of its type in the Chicago area. Typically, 450 of Fenwick's alumni attend yearly to play golf on the same course of the Western Open.

Young Alums Boat Cruise: This yearly yachting excursion on Lake Michigan is a chance for Fenwick's young alumni to help fundraising for students in need while also catching up with old friends in a festive environment. Typically, each event will raise thousands of dollars to help needy students.

Fight song

Fenwick's fight song was inspired by one of Yale's fight songs, "Down the Field".

March, Fenwick, march down the field!
March, Friars, march, men of steel!
We conquer our foes and wield–
A fearless strength that reveals–
Our loyal men never yield!
Fight, friars, fight 'till the end!
Fight, friars, fight 'till we win!
Fight for our colors BLACK AND WHITE!
And for Fenwick and victory!

When singing Fenwick's fight song, "BLACK AND WHITE" is typically shouted and one's fist is pumped in the air.

Chapel

Fenwick's St. Dominic Chapel is the central feature of the school. Built in 1929, the chapel is designed in the Neo-gothic architectural style. Within the chapel are rows of carved choir stalls for the singing and recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours. The chapel is especially noted for it stained glass windows by Rinaldo Angelo Zarlenga, O.P., a Dominican Father from Rome, Italy whom had his artistic training within the Vatican and later set up a workshop at Fenwick's Dominican Priory in River Forest. Several of Zarlenga's works can be seen at Fenwick including: a bronze statue of St. Dominic, a bronze crucifix, a mosaic of The Last Supper, as well as 10 stained glass windows depicting the Virgin Mary, 8 Dominican Saints, and one Blessed. The chapel's 10 stained glass windows specifically depicts the following individuals: Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, St. Dominic, St. Peter, St. Martin de Porres, Pope Pius V , Catherine of Siena, Virgin Mary, Vincent Ferrer, and Fra Angelico.

Notable alumni

Public service & politics

Joseph Kerwin, America's first astronaut, M.D.

• Daniel Cronin (class of 1977) is an Illinois State Senator representing Illinois' 21st Legislative District (1993–present).
• Michael D. Healy (class of 1945) was a Major General in the U.S. Army and highest ranking member of the Green Berets. He served in both the Korean War and Vietnam War.
• Joseph Kerwin (class of 1949) was a NASA astronaut who flew on the Skylab 2 mission, becoming the first American medical doctor in space. He was also a CAPCOM for the Apollo 13 mission.
• Pat Quinn (class of 1967) was Illinois State Treasurer (1991–95) and Illinois Lt. Governor (2001–present).
• Timothy J. Rooney (class of 1975) is a a prominent defense attorney in Chicago, whose clients have included Dan Rostenkowski and former governor George Ryan.
• Otto J. Rutt (class of 1979) is a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps and senior member of the Defense Human Capital Strategy Program Executive Office

Arts & letters

• Philip Caputo (class of 1959) is an author (A Rumor of War) and Pulitzer Prize winning reporter for coverage of Chicago election fraud.
• Pat Creadon (class of 1985) is a film director (Wordplay) and cinematographer.
• Aimee Garcia (class of 1996) is a professional actress (Veronica on The George Lopez Show).
• Kevin Jakubowski (class of 1997) is the screenwriter of the film Assassination of a High School President. The fictional school in the film shares its nickname and colors with Fenwick.

Athletics & gaming

• Bates Battaglia (class of 1993) is an NHL forward (1997–04, 05–present). He played for the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals.
• Johnny Lattner (class of 1950) was a professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won the 1953 Heisman trophy playing for the University of Notre Dame, and is the only two–time winner of the Maxwell Award (1952 & 53). He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
• Corey Maggette (class of 1998) is an NBA forward (1999–present), and first–round draft pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. He has spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers.
• Ben Ponzio (class of 1993) was a 2007 World Series of Poker Bracelet Winner in the $2,000 No Limit Texas Hold' em event.
• Mike Rabold (class of 1955) was an NFL offensive lineman (1959–62, 64–67), mostly with the Chicago Bears.
• Dave Schrage (class of 1979) has been a collegiate head baseball coach at Northern Iowa University (1991–99), Northern Illinois University (2000–02), University of Evansville (2003–06), and University of Notre Dame (06–present).
• Ken Sitzberger (class of 1963) was a diver who won the gold medal in the 3 meter springboard at the 1964 Summer Olympics. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1994.
• Marques Sullivan (class of 1996) was an NFL offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills (2001–03).

Business & industry

• John Barron (class of 1976) is the General Manager of the Chicago Sun-Times
• Bernard Brennan (class of 1951) is the former CEO of Montgomery Ward (1985–96), and brother of Edward A. Brennan.
• Edward A. Brennan (class of 1951) is the former CEO of Sears, Roebuck and Co. (1986–95); and later served on the boards of American Airlines, McDonald's, 3M, and Exelon, among others.
• Daniel Brutto (class of 1974) is the President of UPS International.
• Bernard Dan (class of 1979) is the President & CEO of the Chicago Board of Trade
• Dennis Kelleher •• is the CFO of Pan American Energy.
• A. G. Lafley (class of 1965) is the President & CEO (2000–present) and Chairman of the Board (2002–present) of Procter & Gamble
• Michael R. Quinlan (class of 1962) is the former Chairman of the Board (1990–99) and CEO (1987–98) of The McDonalds Corporation. Since 2000, he has been a Director of Dun & Bradstreet.
• Larry Wert (class of 1974) is President & General Manager of WMAQ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Chicago.

Notable Staff

Three members of the staff have achieved notability for winning the Chicago area Golden Apple Award. While the award has been given every year since 1988, high school teachers are not eligible each year. There are ten recipients each year.

• John Quinn, Chairman of the History Department, was a recipient in 1992.
• Ramzi Farran, chemistry teacher, was a recipient in 1998.
• Rev. Joseph Ekpo, theology teacher, was a recipient in 2007.

References

Sources

• Koenig, Harry C. (1980). "A History of the Parishes of the Archdiocese". St. Vincent Ferrer Parish. Retrieved 2007-05-30. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
• The Times Harlem-Irving

External links

• Fenwick High School
• Illinois High School Association