Ben Blewett High School - Brochure Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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Page Three IN MEWACRIALJ by Miss Mildred Foulkes RACHEL STIX MICHAEL The Florence Nightingale of St. Louis Her particular interests were in the education of crippled children and in the field of their rehabilitation. She was a fairy godmother to the children of the Elias Michael School, named by the Board of Education in honor of her husband and as a tribute of their regard for her. Her sympathy with the handicapped and the sick was always active, and led her to help organize and carry on the Missouri Association for Occu- pational Therapy, which became a major beneficiary in her estate. As a member of the Board of Education for three terms she threw her support on the side of high standards for the public schools with constant zeal. She was a deeply religious woman, and true to the finest traditions of her inheritance. One who had the privilege of serving her closely for many years says, Regardless of the many trials that left her alone, bereft of daugh- ter and husband, she faced life unafraid, because she sought only the values that might endure. Calmly deciding that her life belonged to the community, she faced the problems of men and Women and children of every race and every creed-all who had need for her service. Modestly she asked advice, patiently she sought the truth, then with the courage 'born of unselfishness she worked with confidence that the right solution of their problems could be found. So, as you dedicate this book to her memory, may you seek to know and lend your aid to some of the com- munity needs that she labored for, you will then know the joy that will come to you from emulating a truly great soul like Rachel Stix Michael.

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A TRIBUTE TO BEN BLEVVETT Ben Blewett was born at Russell- ville, Ky., February 25, l856. His successful career began when he finished Washington University and became a teacher at the Cote Bril- liante School in 1877, As he was very conscientious and understanding, his advancement Was understood when he was appointed principal of the E following schools: Lowell School, 1878, Humboldt School, l88U, the Carr Lane School, 1883, the Divoll School, l884, the Stoddard School, 1889. In 1897 he became assistant superintendent of instruction and on the death of Frank L. Soldan was chosen superintendent of instruction of all St. Louis Schools, and served until his death. Mr. Blewett, as everyone knows, had been a true and faithful friend to all who had the pleasure of being acquainted with him. The advancement of education in St. Louis is credited to him. lt was he who was instrumental in starting children to school at five. After working several years for the reduction of the school age limit, in l9l3, he was successful. The understood purpose of the reduction was that children under six years of age and over twenty years of age could be educated through city funds. This legislation enabled adults to attend night schools without tuition and permitted children to have an extra year of education by starting to school at the age of five. The summer school owes its inception to Ben Blewett also. He was respon- sible for the significant revision and modernizing of our comprehensive courses of study. The most unique and noteworthy contribution to the St. Louis Public Schools was the lessie Parsons Blewett Fund, established as a memorial to his wife. This perpetual foundation, a gift of SSODOO, from Mr. Blewett, was to aid teachers in furthering their education and assisting them in financial distress, during or after service. After his death a commemorate of his name was thought of for his efforts in behalf of the public school system. A bronze bust was erected in the lefferson Memorial for him. Page Two

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THE STAFF ROBERT DYKTOR IRWIN CHERRICK BOB O'NEILL CAROL HINCHCLIEFE GEORGE PAPPAGEORGE VIRGINIA BOHLE VIRGINIA GABLE MAURICE KNOCHE FRIEDA MILLMAN IOHN PINGREE MARY LOU LAMONT IOYCE HOOPER EVELYN LINDLEY EVELYN APPELMAN BELLA BERESE IOHN BARRETT IOHN CHAPIN ROBERT DEGENER HELEN LOTZ DOROTHY PALUMBO IEANETTE SCHNEIDER MELVA LEE STAPP DENORA YEDLIN SARAH ZLEPPER MILTON BURMAN HUDSON RHINEHART HUGH LAKE ROBERT WHITESELL MARY ECKERT LORRAINE SULLIVAN MARIE MCKINNON VIOLA GARGER BETTE LAMB IRENE PULTMAN LAWRENCE SCHLEICHER LOUIS SCHVVARTZ SIDNEY SVARIN Page Four