Madison Junior High Warhawks celebrate three decades

Longtime Madison Junior High teacher Tom Luthy still remembers moving into the Naperville school 30 years ago.

"Hotel California" and "Dancing Queen" were on the radio, temperatures were frigid, and eager educators had a new vision for what a junior high could be.

"We envisioned teams of students and teachers working together where cooperation and collaboration seasoned with the right amount of competition would help all students achieve and succeed," said Luthy, who now teaches at Naperville North High School. "I think that's still the case today."

Roughly 30 years later, the school celebrated its anniversary, bringing both current and former Warhawks together under the theme "30 Years: Building Unity in Our Community."

"Madison is not just one year or one person," Principal Erin Anderson said. "It is the building of unity throughout the years that distinguishes this community as something special. It is the gifts and talents by so many that empower us to fly with honor and soar with pride."

Students throughout the event shared ways in which their teams are helping the community, including donating to groups such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Toys for Tots.

"Madison is a great school with great students and great teachers," said Anna Norman, student council executive board member. "We have what it takes to make a difference in our community so let's pull together and make it happen."

Former students who now work at the school - Emily Law, Courtney Lindahl and Kimberly Obradovich - shared their recollections of their earlier years at Madison, including roller skating and bowling parties, paying for lunch with cash and teachers writing on chalkboards.

Law said the sense of community at Madison is undeniable.

"As the years have passed the faces have changed, but the sense of understanding remains the same," she said. "Madison strives to understand how each student learns best."

The school's choir, band and orchestra performed during the ceremony, which also included a tribute to Phil Lawler, who revolutionized the school's physical education program and went on to be a director for PE4life.

"Phil Lawler has not only given to the Naperville and Madison communities but to the nation as well," said John Scherrman, current physical education coordinator. "At a time when our nation is fighting to promote healthy and active lifestyles, Mr. Lawler has used physical education to fight and win this battle."

Lawler filled students in on trivia about their school including the origin of their Warhawk mascot and that the flag in the school gym once flew over the Capitol on President James Madison's birthday. To close, he led them in a Madison cheer.

"I watched this building go up brick by brick," he said. "But the reality was it's not about the bricks, it's about the students."