John Hersey High School is unique in that it is the only school in District 214 named after a person. Many ideas were floated prior to the school being dedicated in 1968. The first choice was "H.H. Schlickenmeyer High School," named after a retired district superintendent. However, Mr. Schlickenmeyer declined the use of his name. Other names were discussed, including John F. Kennedy, Herbert Hoover, and Winston Churchill, before the board decided to stick with tradition and officially name the school "Willow High School." But that name didn’t resonate with many people. A resident suggested John Hersey, and Jack Martin, an assistant to the superintendent at the time, ran with it. He had recently read Hersey’s book, The Child Buyer, and thought that Hersey would be a fitting name for a high school in District 214.

And it was. 

John Hersey High School, established in 1968, was named in his honor, reflecting his lifelong dedication to education and his ability to inspire thoughtful engagement with critical issues. Hersey attended the school’s dedication ceremony and maintained a special relationship with the institution, visiting roughly every four years to celebrate its graduating classes and engage with students. His presence and words left a lasting impact, embodying the values of intellectual curiosity and compassionate leadership.

An acclaimed American journalist and author, John Hersey (1914–1993) is celebrated for his literary contributions and commitment to social justice. Born in Tientsin, China, to missionary parents, Hersey’s early experiences abroad shaped his perspective and informed much of his later work. He attended Yale University, where he demonstrated early promise as a writer, and subsequently studied at Clare College, Cambridge.

Hersey’s career as a journalist began during World War II, where he reported from the frontlines for publications such as Time and Life magazines. His deeply humane storytelling and ability to connect global events with personal experiences garnered widespread recognition. One of his most influential works, Hiroshima (1946), chronicled the experiences of six survivors of the atomic bombing in Japan. This groundbreaking piece, published in The New Yorker, is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of journalism in the 20th century, blending meticulous reporting with narrative power to reveal the devastating human cost of war. The John Hersey High School archives has a rare original copy of this edition, hanging now in the John Hersey Room in the school's library.

In addition to Hiroshima, Hersey authored numerous novels and works of nonfiction, including A Bell for Adano (1944), which won the Pulitzer Prize, and The Wall (1950), a compelling account of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. His writings often explored themes of courage, resilience, and moral responsibility, resonating with readers worldwide.

Today, John Hersey’s legacy endures through his timeless works and the school that proudly bears his name, reminding students of the power of storytelling to illuminate truth and drive positive change. "A school should not be a preparation for life," he once stated. "A school should be life." This sentiment is embodied by John Hersey High School, emphasizing his belief that education should be a vibrant, dynamic experience that focuses on critical thinking and prepares students to engage meaningfully with the world.