Chicago (population: 2.8 million) is located along the shores of Lake Michigan in northeastern Illinois. From its early days as a Potawatomie settlement, then as the site of Fort Dearborn in 1803, which led up to the formation of the city and its incorporation in 1833 and 1837, respectively, the "City of Big Shoulders" became a major location in the US for various reasons. Railroads and water transportation were two reasons why Chicago was one of the fastest growing cities in the country during the 19th Century.

Today, numerous railroads and highways of interstate, US, state, and local designations bring people together in the city on a daily basis, as does air traffic at O'Hare and Midway Airports. Chicago is a melting pot of people from many nationalities, making it ethnically diverse, and thus, is referred to as "the cultural, economic, and financial capital of the Midwest" (according to Wikipedia).

The history of Maria High School in Chicago was found on the Maria High School website at the web address of http://www.mariahighschool.org/#!history/c38l

 Hail Maria High School, wave your gold and blue

 Your fair and loyal daughters ever will be true

 Your silver portals beckon, your gleaming cross points the way

 We love your name, we'll bring it fame, Maria, we proudly say:

 Maria High School, Maria High School,

 Tribute to Heav'n's fair Queen

 Maria High School, Maria High School,

 You're the fairest of all we've seen

 We love your banner, we'll do it honor,

 We'll cherish the gold and blue

 From our loyal hearts we'll always shout,

 Maria High, we're true to you!