Bristol High School - Green and White Yearbook (Bristol, RI)

Page 19 text:

THOMAS FRANCIS VAN VOAST College Widow, 4; Class officer-secretary, 3; Executive Committee, 4; P. I). Club, 4; Baseball, 2, 3, 4; Football, 3, 4; Basketball, 2, 3, 4; Dramatic Club, 4. BETTY KEITH WAITE P. D. Club, 4; Commercial Club, 3, 4; Drama tic Club, 2. ELSIE HARRIET WEAVER College Widow, 4; Secretary of Class, 2, 3; Green and White, 3, 4; P. I). Club, 4; Dramatic Club, 2, 4; Student Council (Vice President-Secretary); Pickles, (chorus), 4. 17

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IRENE JOYCE SYLVIA Executive Committee, 4; P. D. Club, 4; Debating Club, 4; Nature Club, 4; Commercial Club, 3, 4; Photography Club, 4; Dramatic Club, 2, 4; Pickles (principal), 4. RUTH RITA TATTRIE Cheerleader, 4; Flower of Venezia, (chorus), 2; College Widow, 4; Student Council, 3, 4; Green and White, 3, (Editor-in-Chief), 4; Photography Club, 4; Latin Club, 3; Dramatic Club, 2, 4; Executive Committee, 3; Vice President of Class, 4; Pickles, (chorus), 4. PHOEBE ANNE TEXIERA College Widow, 4; Dramatic Club, 4; Com-tnerical Club, 3, 4; P. D. Club, 4; Pickles, (principal), 4. HENRY PAUL TRUDELL, Jr. College Widow, 4; Executive Committee, 4; Debating Club, 3, 4; French Club, 4; Baseball, 3, 4; Football. 3. 4; Photography Club, 3, 4; Dramatic Club, 4; Pickles,( principal), 4. 16

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FIFTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (Written especially for this edition of the Green and White by the Right Reverend Louis C. Sanford. Bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquim, California, who was the editor of the first high-school paper published by students in Bristol, the Iris, which appeared in 1884.) The Freshmen of the High School today cannot possibly feel as important as our class did in 1881. It was but a step across the hall of the second story of “Byfield” from Miss Bradford’s room in the northwest corner to the High School in the southwest corner, but that step added several cubits to our stature. In the Grammar grade we were called by our first names as little boys and girls should be. In our new altitude we were addressed as Mr. and Miss. My eleven years could scarcely sustain the weight of so much honor. There were, perhaps, forty High School students. Their instruction was supplied by two teachers. The Principal, Mr. William Shcafe Chase, had just graduated from Brown University, where his studies included neither pedagogy nor Rhode Island School Law. It is doubtful if he ever passed an examination on the Constitution of the United States. Unqualified, as he might be regarded now, he seemed then to be highly competent. The school appeared to prosper under his administration and his ability and winning qualities made friends of his pupils. In fact, he married one of them, after her graduation, and took her with him to new fields of endeavor. Mr. Chase is still alive, an ardent advocate of good causes. He never looked like a schoolmaster and indeed the three or four years in Bristol marked the beginning and end of his school teaching experience. His successor, Mr. James A. Estee was a teacher by profession and had the manner. He was tall and thin and wore a reddish-brown mustache. If he lacked some of the personal graces of Mr. Chase, his understanding of boy nature was wide and exact. Two boys will never forget his kindness, when, in order that their preparation for college might not be retarded. he had them come to his sick room for recitation. Principals came and went, but the Assistant Principal was permanent. She had taught school since her girlhood and, coming later to the High School, remained until her retirement on account of age. No M. A., or even B. A., followed her name. Women in her day had few opportunities to win degrees. Her culture, which is the proper word to use, was acquired in her home, through her social contacts and reading. Many of the older people of Bristol will remember Miss Anna Manchester. Little, erect, with pale, regular features and snapping dark eyes, always severely clad in black silk, her eye glasses supported on a gold chain, she had the poise of a great lady, as indeed she was. We learned many things of her besides the Latin declensions and the feeble scientific information which went by the name of ‘natural philosophy.’ Our simple curriculum would seem old-fashioned today. We studied English, Latin, Greek, French and Mathematics. It is true, we penetrated a short distance into the mysteries of chemistry and astronomy and some of us toyed with the rudiments of book-keeping which demanded little concentration and afforded the chance to write with red ink, which did not have for us then the sinister meaning it has since acquired. But these fancy relaxations were never allowed to obscure the importance GREEN OArudL WDIDTTEr 18