OUR HISTORY ​ Peoria High's Legacy — 170 Years Strong Founded in 1856, Peoria High School stands as one of the oldest public high schools in the state of Illinois — a living monument to the power of public education and the spirit of community. For 170 years, the halls of Peoria High have echoed with the ambitions of young people who went on to become teachers, doctors, engineers, tradespeople, artists, civic leaders, and entrepreneurs. Generations of Lions have carried the school's fierce pride into every corner of Peoria and far beyond. The building itself has become inseparable from the city's identity: a landmark that has weathered wars, recessions, and sweeping social change while never losing its core mission. Through every era, Peoria High has adapted — embracing new curricula, new technologies, and new ideas — while preserving the traditions and values that make a Lion a Lion. That continuity is not accidental. It is the product of a community that has always believed its young people deserve the very best. OUR MISSION ​ The Alumni Association's Mission ​ The Peoria High School Alumni Association exists to be the connective tissue between every generation of graduates who have walked the stage and received a diploma as a Lion. Our mission is threefold: to honor the past, support the present, and invest in the future. We host reunions and community events that rekindle lifelong friendships and create new ones. We celebrate the achievements of distinguished alumni whose accomplishments reflect the excellence of their alma mater. And we advocate — tirelessly, passionately — on behalf of today's students and the institution they call home. The PHSAA is more than a mailing list or an annual banquet. It is a living network of thousands of graduates united by shared experience and shared purpose. Whether you graduated in 1960 or 2020, whether you live in Peoria or across the country, you are a Lion — and this association is your home. SUPPORTING ALL PATHS ​ Supporting All Paths — College and Vocational ​ At PHSAA, we believe that every Lion deserves a strong foundation for the next chapter — regardless of the path they choose. Whether a graduate pursues a four-year university degree, enrolls at a community college, or enters a skilled trade or vocational program, their ambition deserves investment. Our scholarship program reflects that conviction: we fund awards for academic achievement, leadership, career-technical education, and community service alike. Through our mentorship initiative, alumni in dozens of professional fields connect directly with current students, offering guidance, job shadows, and real-world perspective. We also support workforce-readiness programs that equip students with certifications, interview skills, and financial literacy before they leave our halls. Equity is at the heart of this work. No student should be limited by circumstance. Every Lion who walks across that stage should know that a community of alumni stands behind them, ready to help them roar. THE OPERATING FUND ​ The Operating Fund — Why It Matters ​ The PHSAA Operating Fund is the financial backbone of everything we do. It is the engine that powers our scholarships, our outreach events, our student support programs, and the day-to-day work of keeping this association strong. Public school budgets face constant pressure, and there are critical needs — mentorship coordination, alumni communications, reunion logistics, student emergency assistance — that simply cannot be covered by district funding alone. That is where you come in. Your gift to the Operating Fund goes directly to work: a scholarship check placed in a student's hand, a career fair that opens new doors, a reunion that reminds a graduate they will always belong. We are asking every alumnus to give at whatever level feels right — $18.56 in honor of our founding year, $50, $100, or more. No amount is too small, and no gift goes unnoticed. Every dollar carries the pride and the promise of a Lion. This is your school, your legacy, and your opportunity to shape what comes next.