[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 72 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF CREAL SPRINGS SCHOOL IN CREAL 
                           SPRINGS, ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in congratulating Creal Springs School, in Creal Springs, Illinois, 
on the occasion of their 100th Anniversary.
  Creal Springs was first named Eau Mineral by the French settlers in 
Southern Illinois who were drawn to the natural springs found in the 
area. As the town grew, its name was changed to Sulphur Springs and 
later, Creal Springs, after one of the prominent landowners.
  As legend of the curative powers of the sulphur spring waters spread, 
Creal Springs developed into a thriving resort destination in the late 
19th Century.
  As the community grew, schools were developed. The Creal Springs 
Seminary was chartered in 1884 as a college and conservatory of music 
and was the first college in Williamson County. In 1912 1913, the Creal 
Springs school building was constructed to provide educational 
facilities for students from kindergarten to 11th grade.
  Initially, there were two grades per classroom on the building's main 
level while the upper grades were located on the upper level. The upper 
level also contained an auditorium, complete with a stage and changing 
areas. The basement contained two merry-go-rounds as well as a wood 
shop.
  As the community and the needs of the school evolved, there would be 
a number of changes. A new gymnasium was added in 1939 and a new 
addition for grades K 1 was constructed in 1954. Creal Springs School 
would become part of Marion Community Unit School District #2 in 1953 
and, in the 1970's, community pressure would prevail in keeping the 
school as grades K through 8.
  Through the years, Creal Springs School has received many awards, 
recognizing its excellence in education. In 1939 it was placed on a 
list of ``Recognized Elementary Schools in Williamson County'' and the 
high school was rated the ``Highest 3 year High School of Williamson 
County.'' In more recent years the school received the Golden Spike 
Award and the Academic Improvement Award from the Illinois State Board 
of Education and, most recently, Creal Springs School won the 2011 
Disney's Planet Challenge grand prize for middle schools.
  After 100 years of educating the youth of Creal Springs, a new school 
building has been built and will be ready to welcome the students for 
the 2012 2013 school year.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
administration, faculty, staff and students of Creal Springs School as 
they celebrate their 100th Anniversary.

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