History of United Township High School
UTHS's Beginnings
From humble beginnings as an extension of elementary education, United Township High School has grown into a complex and comprehensive four year high school with one of the finest Area Vocational Centers in the state as part of its facilities.
The population has reflected periods of immense growth and need for additional buildings. The story has been one of success and problems.
The original set of buildings we knew as North Campus housed the school from 1916 to 1960, seeing additions added in 1920, 1922, 1930, 1937, 1940, and 1947.
Bulging at the seams in 1959, the school became excited anticipating a move to a beautiful and modern building about to open.
The junior-senior building, called South Campus, opened in 1960 with 776 students.
Mushrooming growth pushed the two schools to capacity much earlier than anticipated and a 1968 referendum for a second freshman-sophmore building, to be located in Silvis, was defeated by township taxpayers. This blow to the growth of UTHS necessitated radical changes in traditional scheduling.
Early and late classes were tacked on to the regular day and bussing between campuses led to a major policy change when North Campus went on a split schedule day with two five hour periods, from 7 a.m. until noon, and noon until 5 p.m.
Early graduation, removal of most study halls, added classrooms and library space, and a modified open lunch schedule eased the effects of overpopulation at South Campus. But before the anticipated leveling off of this geographical area, which won't be for several more years, future decisions may change the philosophy of UTHS school district even further. Pilot studies on a flexible "year-round-school" with rotating tracts of 45 days in school and 15 days out may be another alternative to the skyrocketing costs of another school building.
What was school like in the early years? Without a building to call its own, meager was an adequate descriptive phrase.
The first UTHS classes were only an extension of elementary and junior high education in the old Lincoln school, the building on 17th Avenue, torn down a few years ago to provide a site for the present International Harvester Credit Union.
In 1912, the first graduate completed her class work for graduation. This lady's name was Verna Parrott. When Miss Parrott began her career at UTHS her class was composed of five people, three girls and two boys. Four dropped out before completing the requirements for graduation. Miss Parrott lived in the immediate area until her death in the 1960's.
Early development in the school saw a music department organized by Miss Beck in 1910, who had taught in the EM grade schools all her teaching life prior to the move to the new building.
Athletics started slowly around 1912 at the same time, competing for popularity with the debating society.
Although graduating classes were small in the early years, the school began to adopt its own personality. Early class sizes were: 1913 – 5, 1914 – 4, 1915 – 3, 1916 – 3, and 1917 – 5. It wasn't until the twenties that any substantial numbers graduated.
A large building was going up on a bluff in East Moline. Completed in 1916, the original UTHS flourished and has since seen 17 separate successful referendums and expansions. Five tracts of land were submitted as possible locations for the school originally. Size and central location were credited as the reasons for picking this one as the new high shool site.
The first building consisted of fourteen rooms within three stories (a basement and a first and second floor). It was designed for a student body of 200. In 1920 a vocational education department was added onthe the lower level. Two additional floors were erected above this area, and commercial subjects were offered. In 1937, the auditorium and gym were built. Another floor to house the cafeteria and several classrooms, was completed in 1940. At the time of this final addition the student capacity had increased to 1500, 300 students over capacity.
Noteworthy Historical Events
which took place during the early years at United Township High School include:
1917
First yearbook publication compiled and bound for students. Then known as The Key, it was illustrated as an actual key which was associated with The Key to Knowledge. The first publication said: "The Key opens the door admitting its readers into the secrets and mysteries of high school life."
This same year, The North Central Association accredited UTHS as a full-fledged academic institution.
1918
The original school song was written entitled "To The Orange and Black". The words and music were composed by Superintendent Castro.
1924
The school paper originally named "Hi Tatler" became "The Key".
1931
The yearbook which was formerly The Key became the Skyline. The name and drawing for the yearbook cover was created by Ramona Allen.
1947
The bus garage at North Campus was built.
1949
The school elected its first Homecoming Royalty, and oddly enough they were brother and sister. Queen: Gloria "Sis" Dailey and King: Chuck Dailey
1958–1960: South Campus Added
The enrollment of students at UTHS had increased so much that it was inevitable a new school must be built. Completed in 1960, the new building left North Campus a mere shell with only freshman and sophomores in attendance.
This excess of space was shortlived with over-population forcing a bond issue proposal in 1968 for an additional frosh-soph building in Silvis. A resounding defeat of the plan left UT with drastic situation which has plagued the school right up to the present. Class extension began in 1969 with "early-bird" starting at 7 a.m. Early-bird and additional late-bird classes continued until the only alternative was to split schedule. North Campus has just completed it second year on split-shifts.
Going to school from 7 a.m. to noon and noon until 5 p.m., no lunch, no studyhall, no freshman elective, no time to talk to friends caused much grief to everyone involved, but when you play numbers games with students, expediency comes first most of the time and individual choice takes a back seat.
Several alternative scheduling plans were considered for the future.
It is hard to believe by looking at it that the South Campus building, located on the acreage at 42nd Avenue and Archer Drive, is [or was, at the time of this article's original writing] fifteen years old.
Housing juniors and seniors since its opening in the fall of 1960, it has maintained full functionality and an elegance all its own.
With the exception of the Area Vocational Center which sprouted off the Administrative wing, South Campus has been altered only slightly to provide additional classes, media and materials center, and a new physical education and wrestling space.
The Nov. 13, 1960 Open House Dedication booklet echoed with pride the "super facilities" story. With room for 1200 originally, 776 students had plenty of room to enjoy South that first year.
The student population surpassed capacity in less than eight years and the defeat of an expansion plan, part of the unsuccessful '68 building referendum, has left UTHS with a touch-and-go situation on the scheduling of students.
Longer days, early graduations, modified schedule, flexible class loads has eased the over-crowding of the seventies. Administrators are keeping a close watch on the future, readying the best possible alternative to provide a complete educational opportunity to all students within the school district.
Some Memorable Moments
in the new building include:
1960
Extra room provides classroom space for overflow elementary schools.
1966
Exchange assemblies between Quad City high schools gave talented students a chance to sign and dance.
1969
Human Relations Council sponsors very successful Cultural Festival-students enjoy sampling of food and heritage from many lands and many people.
1970
The rated basketball Panthers win 30 games before losing out to LaGrange in Illinois state championship.
1971
Concert Choir become world travelers while winning International Choral Festival Title in Rome.
1974
Cafeteria closes down hot lunch program as school adopts "open" lunch period.
Hilltoppers and Panthers
A Panther can be many things to a school—we see it as a name decoration on team uniforms, part of an engraving on a school ring, as a cartoon illustration in the school paper, as a symbol on a yearbook cover, as a clever design on a spirit button, on a plaque in front of the school building, as an in-laid mosaic on the tile floor, painted on athletic facility walls, and in the flesh as the school mascot.
East Moline was known as the "Hilltoppers" for many years because of the geographical location of the first high school building.
In a 1946 election, the student body voted to adopt the "Panther" as a school nickname which could be used in illustration and reality.
"Pete" was an immediate success and through the years, carried on the spirit of UTHS. Although he has seen many changes both serious and lighthearted, Pete has won our hearts as he truly is the "Spirit of UTHS."
Pete made his first live appearance as a mascot in 1956.
UTHS Fight Song (1918)
"To The Orange And Black"...
Come each loyal student of East Moline High
Come join in our song and our school glorify;
We're full of high spirits, good fellows are we,
We're proud of our school and always will be.
To the Orange and Black we'll always be true
We'll stand by our school to the end;
We'll ever be ready to fight and to do.
And a challenge to each one extend.
No school can compare with our East Moline High
We tackle all contests with vim;
Our banner is flung to the limitless sky
We'll never let its glory dim.
(For) youth will be served for ever and aye.
Our spirit of loyalty never can die;
We're conquerors all in the contest of life.
Each ready to meet with success or with strife.
UTHS Fight Song (1966)
We're gonna fight and win for East Moline.
We're gonna keep our banners high.
We've got the team and pep and everything.
Our spirits never die.
You-Rah-Rah!
Fight on for the Orange and Black;
But fight on hard and clean.
Come on, all you Panthers, yell for East Moline.
FIGHT!
District Superintendents, Past and Current
D. B. Hoffman (1914-1916)
E. D. Abbott (1916-1919)
J. W. Castro (1919-1926)
L. F. Fulwiler (1926-1929)
Lee O. Dawson (1929-1960)
Claire L. McCreight (1960-1965)
James Sandilos (1965-1967)
Edward L. Hill (1967-1977)
Dr. Thomas Parker (1977-1984)
Dr. Frank Evans (1984-1988)
Dr. R. Craig Whitlock (1988-2003)
Dr. Barbara L. Suelter (2003-Present)
Compiled by former Superintendent L.O. Dawson, Assistant Superintendent A. T. Berghult, and Skyline Editor Ms. Huber 1974-1975. Content taken from the UTHS website.
If you are still insatiably curious, check out "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," a sixteen-page editorial and pictorial on UT's past by Superintendent Dawson and Assistant Superintendent Berghult in 1974-1975. Vintage '70s hastily comingled with the technology of almost-today! [This is missing from the school's current website. If anybody finds it, please let us know.]