Annie Wright School - Shield Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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to be dedicated lo Bishop Keator. Also keeping this great friend of the Seminary ever in the minds of all is the oil portrait which hangs above the fireplace in the Great Hall. It was presented by Mrs. Keator in 1027. to be the property of that institution forever. In 1Q35 to celebrate its fifty years of existence alumnae, friends, and all those then connected with the School presented an outdoor pageant. The Masque oj the Golden Age. In the Foreword of the program is an explanation of the naming of the pageant: This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Annie Wright Seminary. It seems to us to be the unique year of its eventful life — a year-mark never before attained — once passed, never again experienced. Fiftieth anniversaries of indi- viduals are celebrated by a golden anniversary — thus, 1 he Masque of the Golden Age . By pantomime, dance, music, acting, and song, the histor ' , traditions, and spirit of the Seminary were depicted. The event was, as had been hoped, impres- sive and beautiful. Not even a rain-storm which sent members of the audience to the rloistfT for shelter cletrarted essentially from its dignity. In the years belwroii its 50th and its 60th birthdays the Seminary has con- tinued to devote itself to the same objectives that had motivated its leaders in the past. Difficulties have been met and surmounted. A complete record of the history of this period must not omit reference to the dark days in 1945 when the financial burden that the Seminary was then carrying had to be lifted. The loyal efforts of many friends, not least among whom were the students themselves, resulted in a solution that has left the school in a position to face the future with confidence in its financial stability. During this critical period, the Right Reverend S. Arthur Huston, bishop of the Diocese of Olympia sinr ave unceasingly of his time and his energies. The War has. of course, touched the Seminary. Girls now in the school will, as alumnae, recall drives of many kinds — War Bonds, clothing for the Russians, tin cans — in addition to the traditional bringing of food at Thanksgiving and Christmas for needy Tacoma families. Those who were students in 1942-45 will remember the excitement caused one afternoon when a jeep, purchased through their efforts, stopped in front of the school. Many had the thrill of a short ride and also of being photographed in it. The collecting of ration books after vaca- tions became a new office duty. The office itself assumed a different aspect. Instead of a uniformed maid at the switchboard, teachers and girls were in charge. In the dining room too the girls assumed new roles, taking their turns serving the tables at dinner. Breakfast and lunch were served in cafeteria style. Gone were white table cloths, except for occasions such as the festive meals at Christmas and Easter. How many of these changes will leave their permanent mark is a matter of frequent conjecture. Probably some of them will assume the dignity of tradi- tions. In fact, this process is already taking place. Even as we write this record we realize that we are not presenting a static picture: for while we read history we make In torv 8

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constant. As phrased by the Right Reverend Frederic W. Keator. Bishop of the Diocese from 1902-1024, the desire of those in charge of the girls was to give them a real home where they would make lasting friendships and learn truths that would help them to build characters of real worth. ' And so in this first Annie Wright Seminary, inspired by strong leaders like Bishop Paddock and Bishop Keator and guided by cultured Christian principals and teachers, the students began to mould the tradition and ideals that are still an integral part of the Annie Wri fht Seminary in the sixtv first vp;ir ime its founding. But as the years passed, there came the realization that n [iiv school were to continue to fulfill the aims of its founder and its benefactor, it must have a new home equipped to provide facilities for the increased enrollment and the extended curriculum. Under the presidency of Bi shop Keator. the Board of Trustees pub- lished a booklet entitled The Annie Wright Seminary. 1884-1924. in which archi- tects drawings for a new building were presented, together with an explanation of the need for a larger school and more extensive grounds. With few changes the drawings represent the Seminary as it appears today. The site of the new school was not many blocks from that of the old, and again there was a wonderful view of water and mountains. But its ten acres of grounds provided space capable of caring for a roomy modern building as well as for tennis courts, playing fields, and extensive lawns. The plans were adopted and put into execution at once. So zealously was the work carried on under the inspi- ration of Bishop Keator and of Miss Adelaide B. Preston, principal at this time, that the building was ready for use in the fall of 1924. Tudor red brick had re- placed Victorian turrets — though we need not imagine that the school had the gracious appearance on that opening day in 1924 that it has now. Lawns had yet to be planted, as well as trees and shrubbery, and its walls were not as yet ivy-covered. iMuch of the beauty of the grounds today is due to the lovely custom of tree-planting by each graduating class. Several trees have been planted by members of classes graduating prior to 1924. who felt they wished their classes represented on the grounds of the new school. Many of the names of those connected with the founding and growth of the Seminary received perpetuation in the new building through the naming of cer- tain of its parts in their honor. The dining-room is known as Paddock Hall; the cloister, as Wells Cloister. The chapel was given by the alumnae of the time through the Raynor Chapel fund, which was started by Nellie Bridgman Plummer with the ten dollars she had just received as a prize for writing the winning school song, still our Alma Mater song. It was dedicated to the beloved Amanda Whit- tlesley Raynor who had been vice-principal from 1884 until her death in 1907. Through the inspiration of the Class of 1021 a fund was raised for a tt mnasiiim. 7

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CHAPLAINS OF IHL SEMINARY CHI: Right Reverend S. Arthur Huston. Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia, is a familiar and revered figure at the Seminan-. Although Bishop Huston lives in Seattle, he often comes to Tacoma and to the Seminary. He is present at all the important occasions of the school year, such as the Christmas and Easter Carol services. Confirmation. May Day. and Commencement. Not only has he done a great deal for our school, but through the years he has become an integral part of it. Because of Bishop Huston s intimacy with the Seminary, the Staff asked him to tell our readers something about the Chapel and the men who have served as its chaplains. We wish to thank him for the article, printed below, which he sent in response to our request. How fitting it is that Raynor Chajjel wherein we seek God s guidance and strength should be named for one whose character and influence bore lovely wit- ness to all those high ideals for which the Chapel stands. Such a person was Mrs. Raynor, and the alumnae whose lives she had touched have paid her this tribute in giving her name to the Chapel. •Of our Chaplains I have known only three. W hen the Seminary was founded In 1884 the Reverend Lemuel H. Wells, then rector of Saint Luke ' s Church in New Taconi i nu it frr t r li, pl,un But ,ilflioiia!i Ix- I fv ame tlie first 9