Central High School - Red and Black Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

Page 5 text:

JUWCZUUWQ This issue of the Red and Black is fittingly dedicated to Centralites in the Service -- men who are prepared to make the supreme sacrifice that Democracy and the American Way of Life may survive. Who, more rightfully than they, our First Line of Defense, have immediate claim to our admiration and gratitude - admiration for the grit, the courage, and the heroism displayed in the surprise attacks at Pearl Harbor, at Wake, and at Bataanp gratitude for their determination in the face of overwhelming odds to stay the onslaught of the treacherous enemy. Who more effectively than they can inspire civilians to rein- force the First Line of Defense through all-out production of the materiels of war, through conservation of materials vital to de- fense, through generous buying of Defense Bonds, and through one hundred percent cooperation with War Time enactments. To all Central alumni enrolled in the Second Line of Defense we pay tribute, assuming that they, as well as the boys on the firing line, believe that War is our IOB, FREEDOM is our Pay. To our Men in the Service we pledge our wholehearted co- operation, and in order to show a small part of our appreciation, we are printing all available data pertaining to the branch of service, the rank, and the present location of enlisted men. We regret that limitation. of time, tperiod from December 7 to March 28l coupled with inability to contact families tof selecteesl who had moved, has restricted our list to comparatively few names: and we sincerely hope that our readers will voluntarily submit any information they have concerning Central draftees, not included in our list, to the Red and Black. It is our sincere wish that this book prove as interesting to our readers as its compilation has been to us, and that the men to whom it is dedicated, will, in the near future have achieved the goal proclaimed in our theme- On to Victory. -Margaret Schneider. at'

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n 57472111414 None of the graduates and teachers of Central High School typifies so well the dignity, the worth, and the greatness of this venerable old school as did Miss Lillian M. Heltzell. I wish it were in my power to leave on record to each successive generation of Central High students, for their inspiration, some fitting testimonial of the genuine scholarship, the high ideals, and the devoted loyalty of this good woman. But her life was not all seriousness. Coupled with the qualities which I have men- tioned there was a buoyancy and a sense of humor which few people have. Fortunate were the pupils who came under her instruction. In delightful vein she has depicted her recollections of high-school days in the Eighty-fifth Anniversary edition of the RED AND BLACK and most fittingly the 1940 edition was dedicated to her. I can add little in regard to the facts of her life. She was privileged to spend her last two or three years in well-earned rest, making frequent visits back to the school. She seemed to let the years slip by with such ease that all were amazed at her youthfulnessp for, like the classics which she taught, hers was the spirit of perennial springtime: forever old yet forever new. All who knew her admired her greatly for her qualities of mind and heart, but to those in her inner circle of friendship she revealed. herself as a person of rare wisdom, insight, and nobility of character: and because she was a woman of character, she was interested in developing character in others and also in honoring those who possessed it. For many years she served on a student awards committee in Central High School. She had spent so many years in this service that, after her teaching days were over, the suggestion was made that we invite her back, and in an audi- torium session publicly honor her by presenting her with the Citizenship H, an award intended primarily as a means of honoring worthy pupils, but once or twice presented to teachers who had made an outstanding con- tribution to the school. The plans were all made: but, as I recall it, when the time came, she was absent from the city. I now propose that Central High School do honor to the memory of Lillian M. Heltzell by awarding her posthumously the Citizenship H . symbolic of the ideal which, both as a pupil and as a teacher, she did so much to foster. And I propose that there be inscribed on this award in letters of gold the Summa cum laude which she has so richly merited. -H. F. Pratt.

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K 0 QV Qglwzfzzfe At the beginning of the second semester in lanuary, l907, it became necessary, because of the growing importance of commercial education, to find a thoroughly competent man to become the head of the commercial department of Central High School. Such a man was found in the high school at Taylorville, Ill. Thus began the long service of Henry Field Pratt, an uninterrupted service of thirty-five years, in Central High School. Mr. Pratt is a graduate of the Michigan State Normal Col- lege and of the University of Michigan, and by summer study and travel has kept fully abreast of educational progress. His ideals of thoroughness and dependability have been out- standing and many a pupil has been stimulated to high en- deavor and consequent success by his class-room experiences with this inspiring teacher. He is held in high esteem by his colleagues in Central and by the Men's Club of High School Teachers which he has served as president. His most notable characteristic is his conscientious devo- tion to duty, daily, hourly, detailed and faithful, and Central regrets exceedingly that he must leave us. Mr. Pratt takes with him the best Wishes of faculty and pupils. Good luck, Mr. Pratt.