Buffalo Grove High School
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| Buffalo Grove High School |
|
| Motto | "...and Back those Bison" |
| Established | 1973 |
| Type | Public secondary, Middle income residential |
| Principal | Patrice Johannes |
| Faculty | 157 certificated staff members with 76% having a Masters degree |
| Students | 2319 (2006 Enrollment) |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Location | 1100 W. Dundee Road Buffalo Grove, Illinois USA (847) 718-4000 28 miles northwest of downtown Chicago |
| Colors | Navy Blue, Burnt Orange and White |
| Mascot | The Mighty Bison |
| Yearbook | Stampede |
| Newspaper | Charger |
| Website | bghs.dist214.k12.il.us |
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Buffalo Grove High School, or BG is a public high school located in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, a northwest suburb of Chicago. One of six four-year comprehensive high schools in Township High School District 214, serving the portions of the Villages of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, and Wheeling.
Contents |
[edit] History and recent events
[edit] 1986-1987 school year
- Division 6A IHSA Football State Champions
[edit] 1988-1989 school year
- IHSA Boys Soccer State Champions
[edit] 1999-2000 school year
- Class AA IHSA Girls Basketball State Champions
[edit] 2003-2004 school year
- In 2003, new classrooms, a foyer, and offices opened as part of a six-million dollar new development.
- In January 2004, the Varsity Bison Poms squad attended the Universal Dance Association's National Dance Team Championships. Although they competed with two routines, they were most successful with their Hip Hop routine. The team had to pass a preliminary round in order to progress to the final round, where they received the honor of placing tenth in the entire nation. The dance showcased a "car" theme.
- A student on the competitive speech and acting team placed fifth in the nation at the National Forensics League tournament in Humorous Interpretation.
[edit] 2004-2005 school year
- On August 27, 2004, the Bison hosted their first Friday Night Game under the new lights at Bison Stadium as they hosted Glenbrook South. They were the final team in the Mid-Suburban League to switch from Saturday afternoons to Friday Night.[2]
[edit] 2005-2006 school year
- Gay Homecoming Couple stires up some controversy [3]
- On December 15th, 2005, Buffalo Grove Police responded to a telephone bomb threat a little after 7:30. The school was in lockdown for over two hours. After 10:00, students were let out of their classrooms, as many left school and had their parents call them out. [4]
- A week after a bomb threat caused a lockdown and police search of Buffalo Grove High School, police officials said they arrested 14 year old boy that told them he made the false threat Dec. 15 because he wanted an extra day of winter break.
- Parents fight against board, possible book ban [5]
- Three students were suspended for distribution of an underground newspaper, the Dis-Charger. The students have created an online petition aimed at the school administration, ensuring students' rights at BGHS. [6] The staff of the underground newspaper has continued working on (yet to be released) new issues. This story was covered in a segment on Free Talk Live. [7]
[edit] 2006-2007 school year
- On July 23rd, 2006, BGHS was tragically struck with the death of class of 2008 member, 16-year-old Corey Diamond of Arlington Heights. He was killed in a car crash at the corner of Dundee and Schoenbeck by a rental truck being pursued by police. Two other teenagers were in the 2001 Ford Taurus that was hit by the truck. The driver, Elliott Cellini, was taken to Lutheran General Hospital and listed in critical condition. A passenger in the back seat, Brandon Forshall, was taken to Northwest Community Hospital and released after being treated for minor injuries. [8]
- On September 3rd, 2006, Chavario White, 15, was shot in the head on a Sunday night outside his apartment complex in the 800 block of Colonial Drive before 10 p.m. Chavario was a sophomore at BGHS. Police believe the shooting was gang-related. The death shook the school that was less than 3 weeks into the year. Many students started a fund-raiser for Chavario and made T-shirts mourning his death. [9]
- Students travel to hollywood after creating a spoof of the office tv show, called The Tech Lab [10][11]
- On April 5th, 2007, the Bison faced its third tragedy in a little over 8 months. 18 year old senior Matthew Szakola of Buffalo Grove was killed by a car on Lake-Cook Road. He was walking on the raised median near Raupp Boulevard at 10:50 p.m. He walked into the westbound lane of traffic and was hit by the side mirror of a Toyota. Then somehow he ended up walking into the eastbound lane where he was killed head on by a Cadillac, that fled the scene. Matt was said to have been drunk and fighting with his girlfriend a little before he went out for a walk. An immediate facebook group was made entitled "Remember Matt Szakola". He was only 2 months away from Graduation. [12]
[edit] Academics
- 1999-2000 Blue Ribbon Award for Exellence presented by the US Department of Education.
- In 2005, Buffalo Grove had an average composite ACT score of 22.9, and graduated 91.7% of its senior class. The average class size is 22.6. Buffalo Grove has not made Adequate Yearly Progress on the Prairie State Achievement Examination, a state test part of the No Child Left Behind Act.[2]
[edit] Class of 2005
[edit] ACT Scores
| Buffalo Grove | 22.9 |
| National | 20.9 |
[edit] SAT Scores
| Verbal Average | |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Grove | 607 |
| National | 508 |
| Math Average | |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Grove | 643 |
| National | 520 |
Class of 2005 Survey of Buffalo Grove High School No. % Attending 4-year College/University 309 67.2 Attending 2-year College 114 24.8 Entering Labor Market 23 5.0 Attending Trade/Technical School 8 1.7 Entering Military 1 .2 Apprenticeship 1 .2 Other 4 .9
Class of 2008 No.: 612 students
2005 National Merit Scholarship Finalists 7 2005 National Merit Commended Students 10
[edit] Athletics
Buffalo Grove competes in the Mid-Suburban League East Conference and Illinois High School Association.
The Boys' Athletic Director is Kip North and the Girls' AD is Marianne Mendoza.
[edit] Fall Sports
| Sport | Coach |
|---|---|
| Boys Golf | Tom Dineen |
| Boys Soccer | Rick Schoffstall |
| Football | Rich Roberts |
| Boys Cross Country | Jaime Klotz |
| Girls Golf | Peter Duffer |
| Girls Tennis | Kevin Schrammel |
| Girls Volleyball | Marianne Mendoza |
| Girls Swimming | Tom Mroz |
| Girls Cross Country | Ron Brusa |
[edit] Winter Sports
| Sport | Coach |
|---|---|
| Boys Basketball | Ryan O'Conner |
| Boys Swimming | Pat Cornfield |
| Wrestling | Dave Durlacher |
| Girls Basketball | Tom Dineen |
| Girls Gymnastics | Stephanie Schrader |
| Girls Bowling | Jean Tripam |
[edit] Spring Sports
| Sport | Coach |
|---|---|
| Baseball | John Wendell |
| Boys Gymnastics | Chris Stevens |
| Boys Tennis | Kevin Schrammel |
| Boys Track | Jamie Klotz |
| Boys Volleyball | Matt Aiello |
| Boys Water Polo | Pat Cornfield |
| Girls Badminton | Chris VanGrondelle |
| Girls Softball | Laura Stock |
| Girls Track | Steve Gibble |
| Girls Soccer | Sarah Alonzo |
| Girls Water Polo | Tom Mroz |
Bison Boosters Executive Board Members
President: Frank & Stephanie DeSimone
Vice President: Sheila O'Gara
Secretary: Joseph and Nancy Paczosa
Treasurer: Mario daPonte
[edit] Clubs and Activities
| Club | Sponsor(s) | Assistant(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Art Club | Ms. Byrne | |
| Band | Mr. Jacobi | |
| Battle Bots IQ | TBA | Ms. Cleveland |
| Blue Crew | Mr. Siegal | |
| Breakdance Club | Ms. Cleveland, Ms. Marshall | |
| Cheerleading | Ms. Konkel | Ms. Brickman |
| Chess Team | Mr. McCabe | |
| Choir | Ms. McEachran | |
| Debate Team | Ms. Katzman | |
| Drama | Fall Play - Ms. Stenzel Spring Play - Ms. Smalley Tech Crew - Mr. Mahlman, Mr. Goldspiel Musical - Ms. McEachran Costumes - Ms. Andres Tickets/Publicity - Ms. Ludemann |
|
| E.C.C. (Environmental Club) | Mrs. Grunschel | |
| Expressions | Ms. McEachran | |
| French Honor Society | Ms. Meyer | |
| FEA (Future Educators of America) | Ms. Gates | |
| Gay/Straight Alliance | Ms. Zacharski and Mrs. Hamilton | |
| German Club | Ms. Santeford | |
| Health Awareness | Mrs. Wodka | |
| Improv Club | Ms. Smalley | |
| Interact | Mrs. Grunschel, Mr. Caldera | |
| Jazz Band | Mr. Jacobi | |
| Juggling Club | Ms. Cooper | |
| Latino Connections Club | Ms. Orti | |
| Math Team | Mr. Huynh | |
| Mentors of Student Talent | Ms. Levin | |
| Multicultural Club | Ms. Pilarski, Mrs. Knudsen | |
| National Honor Society | Ms. Rhodes | |
| Newspapers (Charger) | Ms. Sigan | |
| Orchesis | Ms. Carrison | Ms. Baima |
| Orchestra | Mr. Kosobayashi | |
| Peer Counseling | Ms. Fox | |
| P.E.A.C.E. | Mr. Wardle | |
| Peer Mediation | Mr. Kincaid | |
| Political Action Committee | Ms. Haen | |
| Poms | Ms. Meyer | Ms. Lewis |
| Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) | Ms. Deal | |
| Scholastic Bowl | Mr. Park, Ms. Levin | |
| Science Olympiad | Mr. Schram, Mrs. Raucci | |
| Spanish Honor Society | Mrs. Arnold | |
| Speech and Acting Team | Ms. Repa | Mr. Fenstermaker, Ms. Ruzicka, Mr. Vinopal, Ms Weiland, Ms. Romack |
| Student Council | Ms. Schrader | Ms. Lindbloom |
| Technical Theater Crew | Mr. Mahlman | |
| Variety Show | Mr. Clark, Mr. Mahlman | |
| Writing Contests | Ms. Norman | |
| Yearbook (Stampede) | Mr. McDermott | |
| Senior Class Board '07 | Ms. Allaire | |
| Junior Class Board '08 | Ms. Fullhart | |
| Sophomore Class Board '09 | Ms. Rhodes | |
| Freshman Class Board '10 | Ms. Marcin |
[edit] Notable alumni
- The first overall pick in the 1996 MLS draft, Brian McBride, graduated from Buffalo Grove High School. He has since played in three FIFA World Cups for the US men's national soccer team and was named MVP in the 1998 MLS All-star game. He currently plays for the Fulham Football Club in the English Premier League
- University of Notre Dame football standout Tom Zbikowski graduated from Buffalo Grove High School with the class of 2003, and started for the Bison for three years. He starred as an option quarterback and strong safety for BG, and plays safety and returns punts for the Fighting Irish. [13]
- The Simpsons writer Larry Doyle graduated from Buffalo Grove High School.[14]
- Three Major League Baseball players have graduated from Buffalo Grove High School: Mike Marshall, Tim Bogar, and Josh Paul. [15]
- The 1984 sixth round pick of the NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints, Don Thorp (DT Illinois), graduated from Buffalo Grove High School. In his career, he also spent time on the rosters of the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, and Kansas City Chiefs. [16]
- NHL Detroit Red Wings defenceman Brett Lebda attended Buffalo Grove High School.
- Actress Jessy Schram graduated from Buffalo Grove High School with the class of 2004.
- Threadless Creative Director Jeffrey Kalmikoff graduated from Buffalo Grove High School with the class of 1997. [17]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Official Website
- School profile from the district website
- Windows Live Local satellite photo of school campus with labels
- Class of 1987 Reunion Website
| Mid-Suburban Conference |
|---|
| East Division: Buffalo Grove • Elk Grove • Hersey • Prospect • Rolling Meadows • Wheeling
West Division: Barrington • Conant • Fremd • Hoffman Estates • Palatine • Schaumburg |
