After a month of anticipation, we finally have a winner in the alumni photo contest. Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo! We had over 400 entries and together they equal an infinite number of memories. Click here to see all the photos.
Thank you to everyone who participated and thank you to our judges from Chicago Public Radio, the Newberry Library and the Chicago History Museum. Thank you also to Office Depot for sponsoring our prizes - digital cameras to the winner, Milan Mitrovic, and the CPS school of his choice.
And the Alumni Photo Contest Winner is:
Roosevelt High School - Victory Lap
It was a tradition at Roosevelt High for the swim team to toss the head coach into the pool after winning a swim meet. Coach Ellis always went willingly - resistance was futile.Photo from 1966.
Two out of three judges selected it as their top pick. The third judge selected it as his second favorite.
Comments from the judges included:
"This photograph seemed to embody this photo contest. The photograph is well done in terms of technique and really capturing a moment in time. It speaks to the traditions of that school and shows real emotions and the joy of these students (and the teacher) participating in a CPS activity."
"I like the movement, action, spontaneity, and joy in this shot. Everyone's having fun. It's both historic and timeless. The coach looks as excited as his students."
The Runners Up - 10 Semi-Finalists
Pictured below are the other 10 Semi-Finalists for the Alumni Photo Contest. They are presented in no particular order. Beneath those are 8 honorable mention photos.
2nd Place Photo
Colman Elementary 1891
This is part of our family photos. I am African American so I am sure the African American child is one of my family members, possibly my great great uncle Lewellyn Higgins. Coleman school still exits today. My family The Higgins, according to the US Census 1910, lived in the 45th block of Gross Street(which does not exist). And most of the the men lived on the block were meat packers. All were white families. Except for the Higgins who were classified as mulattos.
3rd Place (tie) Photo 3
Newberry Math and Science Academy
Newberry Math and Science Academy 150th birthday party, held on Sept 18, 2008 in honor of Walter Newberry’s birthday the same day. Students here are with Arne Duncan.
3rd Place (tie) Photo 3
Brenan School Harmonica Band
My name is Ellen Woods and I'm submitting the attached photo of the Brenan School harmonica band from 1941 when they performed for the Palmer Park Spring Festival. My aunt, Claire Nayder, was the teacher. She taught three generations of Brenan students, retiring in 1970 after more than 40 years.
5th Place Photo
W.Q. Gresham Elementary school
The first few years that I attended Gresham School, it was predominantly white. In fourth grade the teacher came before our class to tell us that a colored family had enrolled in the school and that Linda would be in our class. She said that we should treat her as we would want to be treated. I was excited the next day when Linda was seated in front of me, and we soon became friends. Whenever the teacher needed an errand to be run, she most often would pick us to go. One day before returning to the classroom, we traded shoes for the day. Linda's shoes were a lot cuter than my old saddle shoes, and they fit me perfectly. Linda remained the only African American in our fourth grade class, but by the time I reached eighth grade, Gresham School had become predominantly African American. Now, I was the only white student in the class. And only then, did I have some sense of what it was like to be in Linda's shoes.
One judge said about this photo "I was touched by the story of this particular photograph. At the Chicago History Museum, we are always intrigued by the story behind the artifact, or in this case photograph. By looking at the photograph and reading the description I was able to imagine what it must have been like for both Linda and Leslie. The description also made me go back and look at the details in the photograph such as Linda’s shoes."
6th Place Photo
Mather High School
This photo which was originally was in color , in The Mather Dais (yearbook) and was taken in 1964-65. It shows the various team captains. I am the guy on the far right in the Track uniform
7th Place Photo
Rogers School Photos Circa 1957
8th Place Photo
Belding Graduation 1971
Hiram H. Belding School
Friends: (L) Rachel Mckenna, Lindy Mlynarski, and unknown
9th Place Photo
Thomas J. Waters Elementary School
Miss Kusner morning kindergarten 1964-65 room 108
10th Place Photo
Raymond Teacher
Mrs. Lucille Singley Dunlap, Raymond teacher 1941-1969
11th Place Photo
Lindlbom Class of 1988: Senior Class Sing
Each year the graduating senior come together to sing songs of celebration dedicated to the staff, students and parents.
Honorable Mentions
These photographs ultimately did not make it into the semifinals; however, they were strongly championed by several people on the selection committee and deserve special recognition.
This is a photo of my aunt Winifred "Winnie" Grace Straight (married name Kropidlowski, b. Feb 1923) in front of her H.S. in Chicago, circa1932-1936. Does anyone recognize the school?
Hibbard Elementary Self-Portraits
Narragansett bus outside Steinmetz High School
We are celebrating 75 years of the opening of Steinmetz High School in October, 2009. The alumni association is currently looking for old photos, class "notables" and memorabilia that will be on display.
George Westinghouse Career Academy
Class of 99 Senior Luncheon "Spirit of Chicago"
Graduates of Pulaski Elementary School
Twins, Emily & Helene Ludtke, 1951 Graduates of Pulaski Elementary School, marry brothers in the same ceremony.
Stephen Gale School
From a 1940 school talent show held in the assembly hall.
J H Bowen High School
Snapshot from 1972 yearbook of the 1971 City Baseball Champions after the Star Spangled Banner.
Bateman School
This photo is of the "Father's Council" at Bateman School. They held a parade on May 30th, 1959 down Sacramento Avenue.