Born in Peoria, Mary Ellen Selk (1921-2023) graduated El Paso High in 1939, attended Illinois Wesleyan University, and earned both BA (1944) and MA (1954) from Illinois State University.

She taught K-12 vocal music in Yorkville and Woodstock before starting a long career at Bloomington High School in 1949. She directed vocal music at BHS until 1967 when she became Director of Music Activities for District 87, retiring in 1980.

Selk was known for her dry sense of humor and her “tireless devotion to her chosen profession.”

The collection includes four scrapbooks, newspaper articles, an oral history interview, etc.