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Why Not Here
Submitted by Liz, Near North

Class of 2000, summer school. I barely received my diploma and though I worked hard, I almost had to consider another semester. I learned that when YOU make an effort your actions speak for you. I spent a lot of time on campus, but outside the classroom. I knew anytime I was ready to try, I would be accepted back in, the doors were never locked. Even though I hated high school, I went onto college. My homeroom teacher used to say "Welcome to the friendly confines..." Maybe a historic restoration would reflect the inner beauty pivotal to youth and become a lesson in preservation for all who pass by.

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Von Steuben, my home away from hone
Submitted by Carole Ann (Gypsy), Other US

Von Steuben High School, the flagship of school's in the 50's. It was Grease, Elvis Presley and scholastic leadership all rolled into one. It must be preserved...the man who the school is named after is a hero. Like Von Steuben the man, so many graduates have gone on to become great men and women of our time. The 50's produced wonderful teachers who led the way for its students to become even more successful than they were at the time. The architecture was appreciated by all of us even at the time...we were aware of not only what a wonderful time we lived in, but the amazing structure we called our alma mater was something we were all proud of...and now want to preserve. Our class just celebrated our 50th reunion...some of us went back through the halls of Von with tears streaming down our faces as we photographed the stones, cement and plaster of our past...we want this beauty to remain standing for generations to come to appreciate and remember. Von Steuben...of it's glory we will sing! Carole Roth

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Sorry for Gushing!
Submitted by William H. Pope III, South Side

I graduated from Von in 1987, and I have to agree that the experience of being submerged in the Melting Pot of ethnicity that Von offered me was like a baptism into the most culturally rich way of life I could ever imagine. I look at the photos in my yearbook with my children and they notice how the poses of people weren't taken with groups of Blacks- or groups of Asians- or groups of Whites- but groups of PEOPLE! All mixed in and hugging each other the way the world SHOULD be. I've learned lessons and values that I still use and pass on even to this day. It's truly an honor to be able to assist in the opportunity to beautify an institution on the OUTSIDE -that has helped so much in making me the well rounded individual I am on the INSIDE! -

GO VON!!!

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Von Steuben High School
Submitted by Judy,

When I attended Von Steuben, we were told that over 90% of each graduating class went on to college. High academics was the norm.

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Panther power
Submitted by Burgie, N'west suburbs, Chicago

I attended the Von Steuben Upper Grade Center and then graduated from Von Steuben Senior High in 1974. It was a time of turbulence and change. Von is where I met students of a wide variety of races, religions and ethnic backgrounds (all in a senior class of about 150). We didn't always get along-there were racial tensions and fights, but the experience was invaluable. I still remember protesting the war and Kent State and marching with a group to join students from Mather (their principal basically instituted a lockdown and we went back to Von). I also remember cheering together for a basketball team made up of blacks, hispanics and whites. We may have had our disagreements, but those were put aside when it was time to beat Roosevelt! My daughter attends a good public school in the suburbs that has far more resources and a much larger campus than Von, but it can't hold a candle to the character of that old building, and it would be a shame to let it disintegrate and disappear.

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Melting Pot
Submitted by Melting Pot, South East Chicago

I graduated from Von in 1988. Von was my first real experience with a myriad of cultures. Every culture you could name was represented there and it always felt like a family, not just school. The diversity helped to shape our minds and attitudes about each other and the world around us. I am grateful for my experiences there and will always the memories we, as a class, created. TB

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Diversity
Submitted by MOM, north suburbs

I graduated from Von in 1987. The cultural diversity there was like no other I have encountered to date. At our recent 20 year reunion, many conversations began with special memories and places at Von. It would be a wonderful thing if Von received the funds to make all necessary repairs so that it can continue to be a pillar in its community.

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Best Years
Submitted by Netti, Cook county

I'm a junior at Von Stueben Highschool and I have never been happier. My school is one of the best schools in our region. The teachers are all great teachers and people. The student body is also wonderful. We all try hard and all get along. The diversity at our school is so great, we get to see every different type of culture and beliefs and ways of life. My years here at Von have been my best years i feel smarter, stronger and a better person. My senior year will be sad because it's my last but at least i know I went to the best school in Chicago.

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Fond Memories
Submitted by Carole1672, Northwest Suburbs

I graduated from Von in 1968. It was a special place where I learned the value of education and hard work. While in the Concert Band I developed an appreciation for all types of music that I carry with me to this day. Seeing so many dedicated teachers instill in me the desire to give of myself to public service. I met a great, core group of friends in my four years at Von and although we have gone our separate, professional ways all of us are still together as a group. I always admired and studied the sculptures in front of the entrances. It's a beautiful and inspirational building that must be preserved. Please vote for Von.

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Archtectural Importance
Submitted by Judy, North suburbs

As many of the other people commenting, I also graduated from Von along with my brother and several of my cousins. We attended during the 40's and 50's. We all received excellent educations and went on to achieve professional success. My uncle, a general contractor, also did renovation at the school. In addition to my personal connection to the school, I am an architect and appreciate the uniqueness of the school's design and the importance of preserving it.

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I attended Von Steuben
Submitted by Ms. Lady Pooh, South Chicago

I graduated from Von Steuben in 1997. Our class just celebrated our 10yr reunion. It brought back so many memories. Von has been around for so many years, it would be a shame to let that history fade away.

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Memories are forever
Submitted by Damienknight, Chicago, IL

The person who e-mailed the information LALA of Arizona informed me about these funds. I have to be quite honest that I would be very pleased to see Von Steuben MSC get these funds as they are needed. If we were to notice a true MELTING POT ---Von Steuben would stand out in that very term. We were without a doubt Multicultural. We had fun in those buildings and I still see it today when I pass by, and remember those old days when we would hang on the outside and talk and joke and what have you. No matter what behind those doors ---this very institution has molded minds that have gone on to do much more than what we learned behind books---some of us have even become part of history. But it was this very school that has aloud us the essence of growth and experience. So I ask the these funds be awarded to Von Steuben for future Alum's experience the richness that I have.

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3 GENERATIONS
Submitted by KATHY, NORTHWEST SIDE

My husband, his mother and my son, who was valedictorian for his year, all attended Von Steuben High School. Most of my friends also attended. I remember meeting them for lunch there when I had a day off from my Catholic school. My girfriend and I took swimming lessons there one summer. It is a vibrant place in the community. I was on the LSC there and the school is on the right track for educating our youth. The building facade seems to tell a story. For the past few years there have been mesh barriers over parts of it and the building needs our help.

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Can't put this landmark's value into words....
Submitted by Lala, Mesa, Arizona

I graduated from Von in 1992. I spent A LOT of time there. I will always have wonderful memories of where I met my soul mate John, had some of the best teachers and mentors in the State, and where I hung out and called my "second home". The school isn't just about memories. After swim practice, (I was on the swim team), we would hang out in front of the school for hours. I still have a lot of pictures of the front of the school and its beautiful stone accents. We took pride in our school. Everyone was proud to say they were a student at Von Steuben MSC, (which is what we learned to call it). I go back every year to visit family in Chicago that lives more than half an hour away, and I still go back to see the school. It will always be in my heart. The teachers, the halls and the beauty of the school. I cannot think of a better place to invest time and financial preservations.

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Home Sweet Home
Submitted by Felanice, California

I attended Von Steuben from 1987-1991. The education that I received was phenomenal. Von is special to me because it was my home for 4 years. I laughed, cried and learned at this school. This school carries on a legacy in Chicago. I must say that I learned everything there is to know about Mathematics and Science and that helped to develop my passion for Engineering. I am proud to say that because of Von Steuben High School and the teaching that I received that I have gone on to become an engineer. I know the foundation was set throughout my education there. I'd like to see my school preserved and renovated so that the legacy can continue.

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Von Steuben Needs to be Preserved
Submitted by Felanice Duncan, California

I graduated from Von Steuben in 1991 and I must say that school brings me back to some wonderful memories, the great education that I received and the love for Mathematics and Engineering that I developed. I have now moved on to become a Software Engineer and it was the teachers at Von Steuben that helped to set the foundation for me. I have much love for that school and the legacy that it leaves behind for all of us. Each student that graduates from Von Steuben is apart of the Von Steuben Legacy. As an Alma Mater of Von Steuben, I'd like to see my High School preserved because I CARE. One thing I was taught throughout my 4 years there is that we each play apart in history. Von Steuben means so much to me! Please preserve my school. Thank You! (Felanice)

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Von Steuben Alumni stay connected
Submitted by MM, Chicago

I graduated from Von in 1965 and have never forgotten what a wonderful place Von has been for generations of students. Hundreds of graduates are members of the Von Steuben Alumni Association which has administered scholarships to current students every year since 1995. The Association has also provided funds for special educational experiences for students and has purchased some furniture and display cases for the school. The Von community remains strong... wherever they may be scattered. The women in my graduating class just had a group Sweet 60 birthday celebration....the conversation reminded us what a special place Von was to each and every one of us. Von Steuben deserves to be preserved in order to be able to continue to serve its diverse, city-wide student population in the best physical setting possible.

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Teacher CPS
Submitted by Mercy, 23

This is my neighborhood school. I wish the school all the success in the world in the years to come.

- Mercy Kurian

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Great Place and People
Submitted by CRS, Des Plaines

I taught at "Von" for 16 years. It is an interesting school. The student population is composed of every religious and ethnic group you can think of, but they get along. While incoming 9th graders may not have the highest test scores compared to other magnet schools, they make amazing progress there. In 1999 it was named to the U.S. News & World Report's list of Outstanding American High Schools.

Much of the brick work has been rebuilt the last few years to correct separation from the rest of the structure. We called one office area on the fourth floor the dungeon and hope that it and the chem storage area on north side of the center stairs can be worked on. When I first came we had plastic sheets over the ceiling members to gather rain from the roof into buckets. The sheets are still there, but with several repairs there is less water. More work is needed.

Fran from Chicago mentioned it was originally a Junior High. If you look at name above the south entrance carefully you can see that the word 'SENIOR' in Senior High School was replaced with a slightly different stone at the renaming.
Von is ONE of many Chicago Schools that are significant buildings.

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I didnt really notice, but then it hit me
Submitted by nicole, Northwest Chicago

I attended Von from 1999 to 2003. I didn't take to much notice the buildings architecture until I attended college at the International Academy of Design and Technology for my bachelor in fine arts in interior design. I took a few architecture classes and I fell in love with Chicago and all the great work that is here that no one really appreciates anymore. Now I look at every building and appreciate everything from the doors to the moldings. I just wish everyone would do their part in keeping this city the way its known for, instead of modernizing it like other cities.

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Von Steuben
Submitted by Alice in Wonderland, North Suburbs

I graduated from Von in 1947. Our class just had its 60th reunion and took a bus tour that included Von and the surrounding area. We were unable to visit the school as it was closed for some renovations. We did have a chance to sit and reminisce about our experience and to exam the wonderful facade. We all wondered at the main figure, which did not look like the Baron Von Steuben we would have expected, as this figure is not dressed as an Army General who was an advisor to the Revolutionary Army.

For the most part our experience at Von was exceedingly good - we had our share of teachers and administrators in the Chicago Public Schools and schools elsewhere. We had a few prominent members who contributed to the building of Chicago - for one of whose wife the Blackstone Theatre was renamed. We have Doctors and Lawyers - one such Doctor still practices by going on a medical mission to Guatemala each year. There was one graduate, in 1940, Marshall Erdman, who worked with Frank Lloyd Wright and started his own company.

The students from Von have made tremendous contributions to the city and the country and its students need to be able to continue to do so. There are many buildings worthy of preserving strictly for their historic or architectural significance. Von has both, and in addition is one of the few contributing to the public welfare by virtue of it being an educational institution.

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A Vibrant Urban Treasure
Submitted by Carol, Chicago

My daughter graduated from Von in 2004. I couldn't have been more pleased with her experience there. I especially loved the multicultural student body, the committed and creative teaching staff, and the atmosphere of academic excellence. But an additional part of what makes this school special is the beautiful, creaky old building. It's gleaming wooden floors and intriguing art elements make students feel they are part of an important and lasting academic tradition. Von Stueben represents the best of what an urban school can and should be. Preserving its architecture is key to keeping this community treasure vibrant.

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Memorable art
Submitted by Baubie, Northside Chicago

Three generations of my family were educated at Von Steuben: my uncle, our daughter, and me. We live nine blocks from Von and, so we drive past the building regularly. It is a special place, not only because of all the wonderful high school memories, but because it is an important example of public art.

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Historic Information
Submitted by Fran, Chicago

Von Steuben originally opened as a junior high school. When the pool was built, Johnny Weismueller, the actor that portrayed Tarzen, dedicated the pool.

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High school
Submitted by tom, Von - the place to change the future for the better

I think Von Steuben is not just a building, but a place to change the area for the better. When I first arrived at Von, I was amazed at how long this school has stood in the community and is more than the heart, and soul of Chicago IL.
I have learned how to work hard and realize my dreams in my life and future.

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My High School
Submitted by mbpeters, North Chicago

I graduated from Von Steuben in 2006 and I loved being there. Since it is a public high school, the school doesn't have the funds to restore the building and fix the water damage done to the building. I remember sitting in English class one day on the 4th floor and seeing water coming down from the ceiling. As beautiful as the architecture is, the building is definitely in need of repair. Von is a great school and preserving the building will also help to preserve education there. Please vote for Von Steuben.

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