Hyde Parks Hales Franciscan Appoints John Young Principal

John Young Appointed New Hales Franciscan Principal

Hyde Park, CHICAGO, IL (PRWEB) August 2, 2004 -- Hales Franciscan High School Board of Trustees has appointed John Young to the position of Principal effective immediately.

Mr. Young has 43 years of service in the education sector. Most recently Young served as principal of Lyons Township High School. Prior to that, he was principal of Normandy Senior High in Normandy, Missouri for seven years and successfully spent eighteen years as principal of Covert Public Schools in Covert, Michigan.

I am excited to be a part of an institution like Hales Franciscan High School which strives to develop young men as leaders of their families, contributing members of their communities, productive citizens of our country, and supportive members of our diverse world" said Young.

Mr. Young holds a B.S. of Education and M.A. of Guidance and Counseling from Michigan State University. Young received an Ed.S. in Secondary School Administration and completed his doctoral course work at MSU.

We are extremely pleased to have John Young as President of Hales Franciscan High School. John is a proven leader, and will bring great skills and insight to the young men of Hales, as well as the community" said Bill Owens, President of the Hales Franciscan Board of Directors.

About Hales Franciscan
Hales Franciscan High School was founded in 1962 by the Franciscans of the Sacred Heart Province and the Archdiocese of Chicago. It is the only historically all African-American, Catholic, all male college preparatory high school in the state of Illinois. The school is accredited by the North Central Association and certified by the Illinois State Board of Education. Hales became independent school in 1993 and is now owned and operated by a Lay Board of Trustees. Currently, enrollment is approximately 300 students and the Student-Teacher ratio is 17 to one. The mission of Hales Franciscan High School is to educated young African-American men Unto Perfect Manhood" by devoting themselves to excellence in their life work; encouraging service in their communities; preparing them for a successful college experience; developing their intellectual capability; instilling in them a strong sense of the sacred dignity of the individual through responsibility, perseverance, discipline, confidence and compassionate service to others; and teaching them to uphold the values expressed in the Christian, Catholic and Franciscan traditions.

About John Young
John Young graduated from Covert High School in Covert, Michigan as the Salutorian of the 1956 class. Young excelled in academics and as a member of various student organizations serving as Treasurer and then President of the student body. Young also excelled at athletics, earning All-State honors in basketball as a senior.

Young then went on to Michigan State University where he majored in education and played three years of varsity basketball -- helping MSU to become Big 10 champions and a second place finish in the Midwest NCAA Regional. Young was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and continues to play significant roles in the Michigan State University Varsity Club and MSU Alumni and MSU Black Alumni Associations.

After graduating from Michigan State, Young taught Special Education classes and coached on the junior high level. Young created a youth service group called L.O.T. (Leaders of Tomorrow) working with teenage boys and participated in Head Start in various leadership roles. Jackson County Jaycees selected John as the Outstanding Young Educator of 1967.

In 1969, John became the first African-American principal at his alma mater, Cover High School in Covert, Michigan. During his 18 year tenure at Covert a comprehensive curriculum, student support and student activity system was developed.

Young served in various membership and support roles for the Van Buren County and the State of Michigan educational systems, including Youth Services Board of Directors, the Commission on Child Abuse, the Educational Advisory Committee, the Human Rights sub-committee and the Outstanding Schools Selection Committee.

Young was awarded M.A.S.S.P. Principal of the year honors in 1985 and 1987.

In 1987 Young became principal of Normandy Senior High School in a suburb outside of St. Louis, Missouri. Normandys 2,000 student population was over 90% African-American. Normandy faced financial problems, campus unrest, community criticism and poor staff morale when Young took charge. By highlighting the strengths of the student body, Young was able to develop programs that encouraged Normandy students to excel.

In 1994, Young was appointed principal of Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois. Young was able to bring leadership to the 3,500 student community, regenerate interest in the school and develop solid connections between the school, parents and their community.

Young has been a member of many professional organizations, including the National Alliance of Black Educators, the American Association of School Administrators and has participated in numerous special activities including the Southwestern Bell Mentoring Program

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