Annie Wright School - Shield Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

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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

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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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Bishop of the Missionary District of Spokane, so much of his early and later min- istry was spent in Tacoma that we all came to feel that he belonged equally to us. and he was much beloved by all who knew his friendliness and kindly humor. The Reverend Sidney T. James. Rector of St. Luke s Church, was Chaplain when I assumed my work here in 1925. Mr. .James served faithfully and we II for nine years and resigned in October. 10 27. ' In November of that year I appointed the present Chaplain, the Reverend Arthur Bell. Rector of the then Saint Mark ' s Church and now Rector of the newly restored Saint Luke ' s Memorial Church. He has probably known, taught, and ministered to more Seminary girls than any other Chaplain the School ever had. 1 o all of them he has been friend and pastor, and I need not tell you how effectively he has ministered or how greatly he has endeared himself to all who have known him. I can Irulv add that my ovNji to Raynor Chapel, not only for the con- ferring of diplomas at Commencements but on all other occasions, will always be numbered among my happiest memories. Note: Another Chaplain was the Rev. Frederick Thomas Webb, who served from IPO ' S 1917. HEADMISTRESSES OF THE SEMINARY CHE role of headmistress in a girls ' school is one that calls for great capa- bility, sympathetic personality, and depth of character. The students are influenced by the ideals and the personality of their fieadmistress just as they are by the character and standards of their mothers. The influence and the reputation of the Wright oemmary in the past as in the present is due in large part to the contributions of its headmistresses. The Seminary had its beginning under the courageous leadership of Mrs. I-emuel H. Wells, who was its principal from 1884-1888. Under Mrs. Sarah K. White. 1889-1899. the school prospered until the depression of 189 5 as well as local conditions brought difficulties. By 1899. however, the comf)ined efforts of Mrs. White and Bishop Barker resulted again in a flourishing school. During these years Washington Territory became a state, an event which the w eminary celebrated by a half-holiday. Under Miss Mary Alice Port and under Miss Cora Fitch. 1900-1912. the high standards of the s( hool were continued. Miss Adelaide B. Preston. 1915-1929, devoted herself to building up customs and traditions that would make the Seminary a cherished memory in the hearts of its students as well as to maintaining the highest scholastic rank. L-nder her regime, also, the new school was built. The first principal to begin her period of service in the new building. Miss Sallie Edgerton Wilson. 1929-19 58. influenced the girls both by ihe warmth of her personality and by her scholastic ambitions for them. In 19 58 Mr. F. F aul Todd was made the Managing Director of the school, continuing in this position under Miss Elizabeth Fitch, who became headmistress in the fall of Kr,o 10