ABOUT MHS
MOLINE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
MOLINE, ILLINOIS
The 1984 Moline Girls Softball Team (If you see yourself, write me!!)
THESE PAGES ARE DEDICATED TO HEIDI HUTCHISON, front row, far right.(*)
LIL, the coach
(*) Heidi Hutchison was/is an inspiration, not
only to her teammates on the softball team, but to her teammates on the Moline
Girls' Tennis Team, the Girls' Basketball Team, and those adults she allowed to
enter her world. I was just one of those adults and I am proud to have been her
coach, her teacher, and her friend. Heidi lived each day fully and in God's
Grace. She is more than merely missed by all who knew her; she is loved.
1973....July...I was singing for a close friend's
wedding when the notice that I was hired to teach at Moline High School came in
the mail. My parents read it to me over the phone. The Watergate Scandal was in
the news and I was going to be a teacher. I was actually hired the day I
interviewed in June of that year.
I moved into an apartment not far from the school and met my first student. Her
name was Maria. Maria showed me the "ropes" of MHS and I was off and
running. She, as well as many other students certainly made me feel welcome. I
taught mostly gymnastics but had the most "units" of the dreaded Field
Hockey. "Rookies" always were given that sport to teach and I think I
had 8 separate classes of the game. UGH! My "best" student was Nancy.
She was put in my classes every time I taught it. Actually, she had the
misfortune of not getting the ones she wanted so she settled for me. I made her
my official "Queen" of Field Hockey. After the first class, she never
had to play the game again.
I earned a mighty $9400 + $600 for the now defunct GAA (Girls' Athletic
Association). I was helping the group build a float (one of about 20 I worked on
through the years) for Homecoming and after listening to the radio most of the
night, my battery had died. I had my trusty 1970 VW Beetle that my best friend
and I had named Alexander Struttlebug the III (she already had owned #s I and
II) so I was late getting home. Then the call came that my mother had
died.
Mom didn't even know me right before she died. She had another stroke, her 3rd
but this time she didn't win. I miss her every day and that was so very long
ago.
I worked with the Gymnastics Team for years but was involved with the Track
Team, the Tennis Team, Young Life, being a class sponsor, helping out with the
Nerieds Swim Club (only for their shows), Cheerleaders (off and on for 17
years), and was named the head Softball Coach. I figure I can lay claim to the
foundation of those teams. They went on to win the State Championship 4 times
and have been in the top 3 many times. My Tennis Teams always went to the State
Tournaments.
I was the Co-Director of ADC with my great friend Sue for 8 years. ADC is the
Senior Variety show and one of the best things students do at MHS. Our shows
were funny and dignified at the same time. They also featured the talents of the
students.
I was at MHS for 17 years and they truly were "the best days of my
life". I miss those students, my teacher friends, my TEC friends and
experiences, my Cursillo times, and the area. Seventeen years was the
longest time I spent anywhere in my life and I couldn't have asked for a better
place to be than Moline High School, Moline, Illinois. To all "my
kids"... thank you. And thank you for calling me 'Lil.
One of the Cheerleading squads
(1987) MHS Softball Team 1983
Atop a mountain in Colorado at Young Life Camp 1980 or so
#1 Tennis Doubles Team
1983
"Hands on" coaching!!
Just watching this time!!
Both boys and girls basketball teams played in Wharton Field house which could seat up to 6,000 people. It was not
unusual to have the "house" packed especially with season ticket holders. Some
season ticket holders willed their tickets down through generations. This picture, taken in 1973,
gives you just a small idea of the size of this arena.
I have MANY more pictures of my students and the things they did. I will be
adding them periodically but only after obtaining permission from each
individual.
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Copyright © Susan J. Brien, Ed.D.
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