Belleville Central High School - Tower Yearbook (Belleville, NY)

Page 9 text:

It Is a pleasure for the Glass of 1951 to dedicate this yearbook to Mrs. Gertrude S. Chapman who has taught science and mathematics in this school continuously since January 1923- Mrs. Chapman has been quick to volunteer her efforts and to give generously of her out of school time. Her cheerful and cooperative attitude in her school associations is a valued asset• Not only has she been the advisor to the freshman class for many years, but she has also given helpful suggestions to many older students when they were planning their futures. Active in organizing and guiding our student council, court and patrol, she has the ability to see situations clearly and to state definite opinions. In dedicating-this annual to Mrs. Chapman we wish to express our appreciation of her many years of faithful, conscientious and efficient service to this school. 5

Page 8 text:

Board Of Education i»iather,Treasurer;Shaad, principal ;L‘nstman,Clerk; Chamberlain; Shear; Salph, President;;v 111 lams ;Whitley Faculty Butler, Barnard, Otis, Shaad, Bellinger, Cutter, Mumford, Connor Cook, Dunn, Clark, Chapman, Holly, Wheeler, Hollister, Parmer, McDougall. Maloney, Overton, Pishel Crysdale, Dube, Stoll, Robinson, Smith, Eastman, Bregg, Lerch, Bishop s'

Page 10 text:

Then hail to thee. Old Union, Though we be far or near, Our hearts will cry Thou art our Mother yeti How very aptly do these words express the true sentiments of their writer, Phila Butler Bowman Smith, throughout her own life. The fourth daughter of a family of nine girls and one boy, Phila Butler came from Chestnut Ridge by horse and buggy, in 1887 to study at Old Union, then a private hoarding school. Her genial disposition and intense interest In the Sibylline Society of which she was the second president won her many lifelong friends. After graduating with the famous class of 1892, she never failed to return for class reunions at Commencement time and for the Decennial Reunion in 1902 she wrote the following lines honoring her Alma Mater: Oh tender Mother, once again, in thy beloved walls Our footsteps Joy to wander, while our laughter thrills thy halls, So dear to us, so kind to us, in days that now are past. We come to speak of loving thoughts that will forever last. When, in 1905, she returned to make her home at Union Academy as the wife of the Principal, Robert W. Bowman, her hospitality and ever graciour personality endeared her to the entire student body. In later yeers when her interests became many and varied. Her affection for Old Union remained constant. At the time of the burn- ing of Union Academy, Phila Butler Bowman again took up her pen in the following tribute to the Bell-Tower, the last vestige of the old school. I stand the sentinel, my feet today Amid the ashes yesterday my pride. I stand and call with every passing hour Flame cannot wholly wreck--Love must abide. I am the Tower. The flames have left me here To speak for thee each hour in trumpet-tone She is thy Mother, and she is not dead I Rebuild her temple I Rear again her throne I I am the sentinel. The village sleeps. The old church spires their shadows fling afar. The wind is hushed. Soft snows heal all thy wounds. And through the broken portal, Lo, a starl Later, In 19 2, w en her clans celebrated their Fiftieth Reunion they paid homage to her memor y, for she lives in the hearts of her many classmates and loving friends. And the Class of 1951 wish to express the'r sincere trubute to Phila Butler Bowmen Smith by making The Alma Mater the theme of their Senior Annuel, The Tower of 1951 6