Joliet D-204 to hold reception for Joliet East High School memorabilia

JOLIET – Memories of Joliet East High School will be revived at a memorabilia display reception Monday.

The reception for the school that has been closed for about 33 years will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Joliet Township High School District 204 administrative center, 300 Caterpillar Drive, according to a district news release.

Joliet East Kingsmen and their teachers, families and friends are invited to attend. The event is free, open to the public and will include musical entertainment by the JTHS Orchestra.

Joliet East was one of three high schools in the district, along with Central and West. The school closed in 1983 because of declining enrollment. The school was only open for 19 years.

The building now houses the Joliet Job Corps, an employment training center for low-income youths.

The nickname for the school was Kingsmen and its colors were Kelly green, gold and white.

Efforts to preserve the memory of the school in a permanent display at the administrative center began last fall.