Annie Wright School - Shield Yearbook (Tacoma, WA)

Page 14 text:

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

Page 13 text:

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

Page 15 text:

tiE eighth headmistress in the history of (Ke oeminary. Miss Ruth Jenkins, took her place among this honored line of Seminary principals in 1942. She hecame a part of the school almost at once, surrendering her whole spirit and selfless energies to its welfare. During her first year she was faced with the most critical period the Seminary had experienced. Her tireless efforts and excel- lent business ability played a large part in the continuation of the school, whose existence beyond this year was for some time a matter of doubt. Once the school was firmly established financially. Miss Jenkins devoted herself to all aspects of school life. Materially, she has accomplished innumerable improvements . But her greatest contribution lies in the personal contact she maintains with every girl. She is their ready confidante. Each one is keenly conscious of the unceasing inter- est Miss Jenkins takes in her — personally and academically. This sincere interest, combined with her wisdom and her delightful personality, have made her dearly loved bv t lu) knoxN ' her. 1 1