Bethesda Chevy Chase High School - Pine Tree Yearbook (Bethesda, MD)

Page 12 text:

Decisive Leaders “The most pleasant, efficient, demanding leader I have ever met is the description one alumna gave of Mr. William Pyles, principal of Bethesda-Chevy Chase. The truth of those words becomes apparent at our first sophomore assembly when we meet Mr. Pyles and are introduced to the traditions and goals of our school. As our high school career progresses, he becomes our good friend and leader. Even in as large a school as B-CC, there is a great deal of personal contact between Mr. Pyles and the students, fostering a spirit of cooperation and friendliness. Through his guidance and understanding, problems of any size are soon ironed out. He keeps appointments to the minute, and gives careful attention to the most trivial of duties. These arc the little things that mean so much to the efficient running of any school. There is more than friendliness and efficiency behind B-CC’s reputation, however. Mr. Pyles requires and expects the best from every student; meeting his challenge means developing a greater sense of responsibility both toward ourselves and others. The teachers and counsellors help us, and the pronoun “I” loses first place in our vocabulary. We're encouraged not only to study hard but to play hard. We join clubs, attend dramatic productions and varsity contests, and relax at one of the many dances. We win scholarships, jobs, and college entrance. We’re aware of our role at B-CC and realize how important good leadership has been to us. MR. WILLIAM G. PYLES Principal Leaving at the end of the day can mean getting away by five-thirty only to attend a meeting at seven. Mr. Pyles says the hours for his job arc rather irregular. During one of the days B-CC is on her schedule, Mrs. Blew, county supervisor, confers with Miss Phelps, sophomore counsellor.

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Socially Successful ‘ I studied ’till eleven o’clock last night and I’m beat!” “Oh. What'd you study? History? History! Do we have a test in history? And a student rushes frantically to find a quiet spot where he can review and fix a few vital facts in his memory. There’s always a test, an assignment due, a book report, a problem. We write research papers, make oral reports, study, and take tests. We choose our subjects carefully and can elect Home Arts, Earth Science, or DE as well as the old standbys of leadin’, ritin’, and ’rithmctic.” We gripe and groan; we study, and learn. We grow up. Our teachers work to wipe out our weaknesses, teach us how to study, how to express ourselves in speech and in writing. They encourage us to THINK. Years at B-CC are like the adventure of a small boy who bravely sets out into the cornfield for a romp with Mother Nature and his imagination. The waving corn closes in over his head, blue sky winks between the masses of green. The universe is shut out; he is shut in. into his own private, fascinat- ing world. Winding his way across the field, he stops often— to inspect, to study, or just to lie back and dream a bit. Soon he is on the other side, out into the world, the better for his experience. We, too, are better for our experience in an academic high school, outside the nation's capital on busy East-West Highway in Bethesda, Maryland. 7

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Mr. Thomas A. Conlon. B.S., M.A. Vice Principal Miss Dorothy O. Young, B.A., M. Vice Principal Mr. Ray O. Zimmerman. B.S., M.S. Vice PrincijHtl Interested Friends Long after we’ve left this ordered existence of admit slips and Early Departure lists, we’ll remember the v.p. in charge of attendance and behavior. Vice princi- pal, that is! Mr. Z. secs that a call home verifies our absence or establishes the fact that we are on an involuntary three-day suspension. Mr. Conlon has the more tedious task of balancing dates and calendar events so that we won’t be trying to attend a dance in the same place others are Hocking to a basketball game. At the same time, he knows the whereabouts of every key to every room in the school as well as the telephone number of every available substitute for miles around. I bis yeat we occasionally had nine per cent of our faculty out with that flu-like virus, or Asian Flu. Miss Young saw that we received the guidance we needed to choose a college career or plan a life. Provid- ing the necessary link between the administration and the teachers was no easy assignment for the counselling staff as it advised, explained, and kept us on the mark. Mrs. Blew, county su|»ervisor, supplies the necessary link between the administration and the office of the Board of Education in Rockville, Maryland. Mr. Zimmerman lakes time out from Ills more serious duties to pass along the latest anecdote to Mrs. Graff and Mrs. Lcimlracli. Mr. Zimmerman. Mr. Ryles. Miss Young, and Mr. Conlon meet regularly in administrative council. Decisions made here arc reflected throughout the school.