Blake School - Reflections / Call O Pan Yearbook (Hopkins, MN)

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THE 1936 CALL O' PAN teachers there. The first issue of the Torch was printed in 1916, and with the United States in imminent danger of being drawn into the World War, military training under the supervision of Mike Horne was begun. A Boy Scout troop under the leadership of J. C. Sanderson was also organized. Mr. Charles Lamb joined us in 1917. With many years of hard work and fine accomplishments behind him, Mr. Newton resigned as Headmaster in 1919. His position was capably filled, however, by Mr. R. B. Johnson, and in the next year, Mr. Prescott Cleveland came to the school. In 1926, when Mr. Johnson withdrew from the position of Headmaster, Mr. Eugene C. Alder joined us. Too much cannot be said for the improvements Mr. Alder has made in Blake. He has increased the school's good standing in Minneapolis, has bettered relations with other schools, and has supervised all of Blake's affairs with remarkable ability and foresight. This is the history of Blake's twenty-nine years of life. We, her present students, who are benefiting from what years of toil, hardship, and kindness have attained, can only thank those who have made this possible: Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Gale, who had the Gale Drive constructed for us; Mr. C. C. Bovey, through whose generosity our present Chapel was made possible; Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Crosby, who refurnished our Library so beautifully; and in fact, all who have added in any measure to the school. Then, too, let us not forget the masters and pupils who, for twenty-nine years, have worked to give Blake the standing that it has today among the country day schools of the United States. To all these we are indebted, and it is our intention to prove that their efforts have not been in vain. 22

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- ■ — THE 1936 CALL O' PAN THE HISTORY OF BLAKE SCHOOL BACK in the dim age of 1907, Mr. William McKendree Blake founded the school that now bears his name. He was a graduate of De Pauw University in 1873, and had spent many years in teaching before coming to Minneapolis. When he arrived here, he was moved by many requests to start a private school for boys, and on September 20, 1907, in a private residence at 200 Ridgewood Avenue, the Torch first began to burn. For four years under Mr. Blake's leadership, the school grew slowly. However, in 1911, feeling that the responsibility entailed in the school's management was becoming too much for one of his advanced years, he resigned his position as Headmaster. Several Minneapolis men had by this time become interested in the prospect of Blake being made into a preparatory school for eastern universities. Led by Mr. Charles C. Bovey, this group decided to incorporate the school under a board of fifteen trustees. The corporation then gave Mr. Blake a position in the new school, raised a guarantee fund for a new building, and obtained Mr. C. B. Newton as Headmaster. Mr. Newton was a graduate of Princeton, and before coming to Blake had taught at Lawrenceville and at Germantown Academy. These changes caused an increase in attendance that forced a shift in location to 1803 Hennepin Avenue. Here football, basketball, and baseball teams were organized. In March of 1912 the first inter-school debate with St. Paul Academy was held, and Blake emerged victorious. The trustees then decided to adopt the country day school idea for Blake. A suitable site between the Interlachen Club and Hopkins was secured, and work was begun at once. In the fall of 1912 the students in the high-school grades began work in the new building, while the younger boys remained at 1803 Hennepin. Mr. Noah Foss, who has now finished twenty years of faithful service at Blake, came to us in this year. Nineteen-twelve also saw the changing of the school colors from blue and gold to brown and white, and the holding of the first Founders' Day celebration. The Union and the Student Council had their inception in 1914. The Union had much the same aim as it has today, but the Council was more of a disciplinary body than it is at present. The Junior School was moved to 22nd and Colfax in 1915. It had Mr. L. M. Wilson as its principal, and Miss Mary McDonald, Miss Anna Barbour, and Mr. H. A. Westmark were among the 21

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THE 1936 CALL O' PAN WILLIAM JAMES GLENN FOR three years Mr. Glenn has been a most helpful advisor to the class of 1936. Devoting considerable time and interest to the affairs of the class and of the individuals, he has aided us immeasurably through his welcome encouragement and careful guidance. Not only has he closely watched our scholastic and extra-curricular activities, but he has also given valuable advice to the Seniors in the selection of colleges and in the problems we will face during the next four years. Any member of the class felt perfectly at ease to consult Mr. Glenn on his particular difficulty and without fail gained the desired solution and inspiration. The graduating class of 1936 takes this opportunity to thank Mr. Glenn for his friendly interest and understanding advice so unselfishly rendered during the past three years. 23