Bismarck Henning High School
| Bismarck-Henning High School | |
|---|---|
|
School Logo | |
| Location | |
|
350 Holloway Street, Bismarck, Illinois United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | High school |
| Established | 1919 |
| Principal | Mr. Brent Rademacher |
| Dean of Students | Mr. Phillip Benjamin |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Number of students | 380 |
| School color(s) | Blue, White, and Silver |
| Mascot | Blue Devil |
| Staff | 28 |
| Website |
www |
Bismarck Henning High School or BHHS is a high school located in Bismarck, Illinois, and is currently hosting students from Rossville, Alvin, Bismark, Henning, and parts of Danville. The school's demographics currently consist of 98% white students. The 2007 graduation rate was 86.2%.[1] The drop-out rate in 2007 was about 1%,[2] compared to the state average of 4%. As of 2007, the school has 380 enrolled students and is one of the biggest schools in Vermilion County aside from Danville High School.
History
The school was originally named Township High School and had an athletic rivalry with Henning High School. Eventually, the school changed its name to Bismarck High School, and around the 1960s the Bismarck and Henning schools merged to create one Bismarck-Henning High School. In 2005, the local Rossville-Alvin High School shut down and students were given the choice to go to Bismarck or Hoopeston Area High School.
Talk of this had been going on for a while, but eventually the Rossville school board had to cave in and decided to close the school for financial reason. Currently the majority of the students from Rossville attend BHHS, and because of this, prior to the move, the BHHS building received a major addition. In 2003, construction began on a new gymnasium, band room, and cafeteria. They also shut down the original and oldest part of the school. This part was originally the only part of Township High School, but rather than spend the money on bringing it up to code, they decided to tear it down and build a brand new wing of the school. The cafeteria, gymnasium, and band room were all completed before the 2004-2005 school year, and the new wing was completed shortly thereafter. In the 2006-2007 school year the school decided they needed a Dean of Students and promoted a middle school teacher, Rusty Campbell to this role. In the 2007-2008 school year, the school district switched the Jr. High and High School officials. The principal for the High School, Richard Decman, left the district, and the Jr. High School principal Scott Watson took over his chair. The Dean of Students Rusty Campbell then took over for the Jr. High Principal.[3]
History of the Blue Devil
During World War I, the French infantry unit called the Chasseurs Alpins were nicknamed "les Diables Bleus", or "the Blue Devils". They first gained attention when their unique training and Alpine knowledge was counted upon to break the stalemate of trench warfare in their native region of the French Alps. Unfortunately the Vosges Campaign in March 1915 failed to alter the status quo even though the Blue Devils won accolades for their courage. However, their distinctive blue uniforms with flowing capes and jaunty berets captured the public imagination. When the United States entered the war, units of the French Blue Devils toured the country helping raise money in the war effort.
Irving Berlin captured their spirit in song describing them as “strong and active, most attractive…those Devils, the Blue Devils of France.”
Athletics
Bismarck is known primarily for its athletics. It hosts a wide arrange of sports and activities, and continue to bring in fans, alumni, and students to the events.
| Fall Sports | Winter Sports | Spring Sports | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Football | Boys Basketball | Boys Track and Field | Cheerleading |
| Volleyball | Wrestling | Baseball | Dance Team (Devilettes) |
| Soccer | Girls Basketball | Girls Track and Field | Chess |
| Golf | Softball | Scholastic Bowl | |
| Cross Country | Girls Soccer | Marching Band |
School song
The official school song of BHHS is "The Bismarck-Henning Fight Song" which is played to the tune of the Notre Dame Victory March. It is currently played by the band at every football game, Basketball game, and every pep rally. The cheerleaders and Devillettes also perform during the playing of the song. The Song has become a necessary tradition, and no matter when it is played, the fans always show support.
Cheer, cheer, for old Bismarck High Sing out he praises, shouting her name Send the following cheer on high Raise up the rafters to the sky Although the odds be great or small Old Bismarck High will win over all While her loyal sons are marching Onward to victory, Rah! Rah!Rah!
References
- ↑ Interactive Illinois Report Card
- ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ↑ McGee, Noelle. The News-Gazette (Thursday, August 16).
External links
Coordinates: 40°15′47″N 87°36′35″W / 40.263023°N 87.609744°W