Mike Finn, Class of 1971
Quelqu'un ici parle-t-il français ?
(Anybody here speak French?)
Peoria High School offered several language classes throughout the years. In the early years Latin was offered. There was even a Greek Class back in 1956. Eventually the language department came down to three core languages in the 60's and 70's. French, German and Spanish later became the core languages taught at PHS. German was taught at PHS from the very beginning in 1857 through 1900 by a core group of instructors. French class has been around many years. Many different instructors were involved through out the years. It's something I wish I would have stuck to as later in life I could have used any one of these languages in my career. For insight into the impact PHS teachers can have on their charges even four decades out, please consider this article involving Mike Finn (’71) on Middlebury Language Schools website. Thanks to Mike for sharing this article.
Bill Robertson, PHSAA President
Mike Finn, Class of '71 Crest photo
Three-Time Alum Reflects on His Path to Middlebury Language Schools
Robert Michael Finn
Hometown: Peoria, Illinois
Program: 7-week Immersion (3x)
My blue-collar home never used the following two words in the same sentence – if and college. Rather, it was invariably when and college. Therefore, by junior high I was well aware of a common university prerequisite – two years of foreign language study. French was offered in eighth grade an hour every day before school. Since classes ran a full year, it counted as first-year high school French. I jumped at the opportunity. But alas, at year’s end my sentiments toward the language were tepid at best. It wasn’t the teacher, it was me. My attitude was one more year of this and I’ll be done with it.
Then came high school. Within six weeks the instructor had me completely turned around. I loved it. What magic was this? Only French was used in the classroom – period. All conversation had to be full French sentences. A simple yes or no would never cut it. During three years in that classroom, I heard a cumulative four or five paragraphs in English. It was used only when an explanation of a particularly thorny grammar issue was required.
A second high school watershed event occurred in a mathematics class. I had Mrs. Barnett for both algebra and geometry. The former I liked, the latter I loved, and she knew it. It became necessary for her to take a few days off. She put me in charge of teaching our geometry classes during her absence. Thank God this was still before the ‘litigate everything’ legal environment so a licensed adult substitute was not required in the room. On second thought, maybe one was required but she decided to ignore it. It was just me teaching in that room. My experience was probably best summed up by Maya Angelou – “but people will never forget how you made them feel”. A dormant seed had been implanted in my core. Perhaps one day I will be a teacher.
As a Marquette undergrad, my strong high school ‘Middleburyesque’ foundation enabled me to place out of 3 of a required four semesters.
Two decades later found me in Purdue University’s MBA program. Graduate business studies typically include an international component. Ours involved classes in Paris and Budapest. On the cab ride from the airport into Paris, I was shocked that I could still carry on a decent conversation in French with the driver. High school full-immersion had to be the reason.
Upon returning home I consumed as much industrial strength French as I could find – newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, music, et al. As the Internet was just starting to come into full fruition, material was plentiful.
No one had to convince me about the efficacy of full immersion. But how could I ever get 7 consecutive weeks off in the summer? Fate was patiently waiting just off stage.
Turn of the millennium employment in the telecommunications industry was a rocky endeavor.After spending two decades with one company, a wild job market found me in a string of tech nerd consulting gigs in four states, none of them lasting more than six months. I told myself that there had to be something more stable out there.
Multiple thoughts flashed through my mind within milliseconds. My still extant predilection for teaching. A stable job. Boss will never tell me to jump on yet another plane. Undergrad major and minor both sciences so my marketability should be strong. And most important for this story, teaching = summers off = Middlebury!! I decided within a second or two. Two years later with MEd and Pennsylvania certification in hand, I began a decade of teaching science in a 150-year-old urban middle school. The challenges as well as the rewards were plentiful. The remaining path to Middlebury, however, had two significant medical potholes awaiting me.
In early 2011 I was excited to be accepted and enrolled at Middlebury. Then it hit me. After twenty-four consecutive years without a sick day, spinal stenosis struck me with a vengeance in the spring. I spent three weeks largely on my back. Injections and physical therapy gradually returned me to a semblance of normal. But I was in no shape to go to Middlebury. I was heartbroken but determined to try again the following year.
And indeed, early 2012 found me again accepted and enrolled. Then came a more somber diagnosis – prostate cancer. Recovery from an April surgery again left me in no shape to go to Vermont. This time, I was even more heartbroken but still determined.
Placement testing put me on the borderline between levels three and four. I knew either would be challenging so I opted for three. My reasoning - if I liked this place, I wanted to have the option of coming back for a second year at the undergraduate level. 2017 saw me back for level 4 at the School of French. And largely to facilitate communication with my students in a heavily Hispanic school, 2015 found me in Level 1.5: High Beginning Spanish.
My deep affinity for Middlebury springs from its plentiful assets. Outstanding faculty and staff passionate about their mission, extra-curricular activities, theatre, a full immersion environment facilitated by the Language Pledge®, three summers spent there in my seventh decade, Vermont and the Green Mountains. Recent summers have often included making short return visits to campus to renew old ties, attend talks and exhibitions, or just hang out on the Proctor patio. Thoughts of returning for grad school are constantly churning through my head.
Perhaps the end of my first year provides the best insight. Like other schools, we had a final banquet ending with a countdown marking permission to return to English. After the clock reached zero and nearly two months of 7/24 French (yes, even in dreams), my ears were assaulted by harsh Midwestern English spilling out of my mouth. I recoiled at my diction which sounded hard, foreign, and distant. Could that voice possibly be mine? I didn’t like it and immediately wanted to go back into my Middlebury French bubble.
Watch the play here.
To view the page above in its entirety (including links to photo stills and a full length recording of a French theater production) please see:
Middlebury Language Schools Web address:
Alumni Notes:
America's 250 Celebration: The Peoria Riverfront Museum
Just a quick note for alumni that live in Peoria or live in the surrounding area.....I visited our Peoria Riverfront Museum on February 19th and walked through the "America 250" displays. This exhibit is one of the most complete histories of our countries founding . From the beginning to today you can take in these wonderful displays. Reading many of these documents tell us that America is always evolving and changing. It's worth a look. Many private collectors have displayed these priceless pieces of American History. It was well worth my time and I left knowing a little more about our country.
"Other displays include the famous orator Frederick Douglass who lectured in Peoria on February 25th, 1859, and according to the Peoria Daily Transcript newspaper, his speech was so well received that Douglass decided to add a follow-up one a few days later.The Transcript reported that ‘appreciative and intelligent’ audience braved the weather in large numbers to hear this famous orator speak." (from a blog Posted on August 30, 2017 by Amy M Cools).
It really struck home when some of those documents were dated in the late 1850's and early 1860's as Peoria High School and its alumni were present for some of the most controversial times in our history. Think about it...Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas debated on the courthouse grounds in 1854 just a few blocks from a soon to be established Peoria High School in 1856. Peoria High's legacy lives on through its alumni and their impact on the community, state and nation. So check out a little bit of history at the museum and remember that good ol' PHS was around when this country was in its infancy. Bill Robertson, Class of '78
Two Peoria High School Alumni have displays at the Museum
Very Proud of our Alumni! Check'em out!
The 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame
April 25, 2026
Peoria High School Foyer
Doors open 11:00am
Program Begins 12:00pm
Event Registration is now open!
Come join us in honoring the latest inductees to the Peoria High School Athletic Hall of Fame sponsored by the Peoria High School Alumni Association. Below are our most current class of individual inductees and teams. We would love to see a great crowd and have some fun reminiscing about the great stories from their times at PHS. RSVP and sign up below by hitting the button below.
or
Mail a check to:
Peoria High School Alumni Association
Athletic Hall of Fame
1615 N North St
Peoria, IL. 61604
Please send a list of all persons you are paying for in your party attending the banquet!
Names please (including yourself and guests on the list), if you are an inductee, your meal is taken care of, however donations are accepted and appreciated.
Want to mail your check and form?
Download Athletic Hall of Fame Form here:
1. Download form and print off (it's 2 pages)
2. Fill out completely and include your guest names on the back if more than one guest. If just one guest, fill out the front with your name and guest.
3. Mail your payment and form to:
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Peoria High School Alumni Association
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1615 N North St
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Peoria, IL 61604
4. Ensure you mail in time for the deadline of April 15, 2026.
5. If you are an inductee (list on form), your meal is covered. All others must pay.
PEORIA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – EIN: 37-1267248
Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Established in 1856, Peoria High School is the largest oldest high school
in continuous operation West of The Allegheny Mountains
SAVE THE DATE:
Peoria High School
Alumni Association
Golf Outing
Friday, May 29, 2026
More information coming soon!
Check back soon!
Mt Hawley Country Club
with a dinner at Barrack's Cater Inn to follow honoring Coach Phil Salzer
We need sponsors for the Golf Outing- Interested? Give the Alumni Office a call!
309-682-4854
The USA Hockey Teams, both Men and Women take the Gold at the Olympics! Way to go Team USA!
However....Remember PHS Hockey? Here's look back!
Peoria High School Hockey Club 70's and 80's
Most people watched the Olympics and especially the historic hockey matches. Did you know we had a Hockey Club/Team at Peoria High School in 1977 and into the 80's. And yes, the Mid-State 10 schools had other teams such as Richwoods and Pekin. They were not officially recognized by the school district, but they played the game they loved! I remember it well! Digging through the old Opinion Newspapers I found this article by Jim Kreid. If any of you were here when the Peoria Prancers or the Peoria Rivermen were playing at the Civic Center, you would have seen Jim on skates out there officiating the hockey games. Kind of a rough job at times! Great article by Jim.
It wasn't until 1980 that the Hockey Club appeared in the Crest. It was not a recognized sport within the district.
The 1985 Crest shows the Hockey Club was still kicking and playing games for PHS. The sport was beginning to gain in popularity due to the Peoria Rivermen who won the Turner Cup the previous year. That was a game to watch for sure...it was a sell-out!
Please take a minute to donate!
We don't have a membership fee...we exist due to your donations.
You are what makes us go! Just hit the donate button below or scan the QR code.
For you Tech Savvy Lions, This QR code will take you to year long PayPal donation page to PHSAA
or
Mail a check to:
Peoria High School Alumni Association
1615 N North St
Peoria, IL. 61604
PEORIA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – EIN: 37-1267248
Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Established in 1856, Peoria High School is the largest oldest high school
in continuous operation West of The Allegheny Mountains
1955 Buick Special convertible. What a few of us would give to have one today!
The ads from the Crests over the years provide a glimpse into life at PHS over the years.
From the 1955 Crest...
How can we forget Hunt's?!
Here's a few to take you back! Hunt's had a Drive-in for many years then sometime in the 60's they went to indoor service only.
Many of us remember Travis Cadillac and Pontiac on Main! Right at the top of the hill before heading downtown. Nice '55 Pontiac convertible.
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