Central High School - Brecky Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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A Tribute SARAH E. SIMONS Head of the Department of English 1906-1936 The retirement of Miss Sarah E. Simons from the Washington School system has a special significance for the teachers and pupils of Central, for although her work as Head of the English Department has taken her into the other senior and junior high schools in the city, she belongs to us. She is a graduate of this school, and after taking her degree at Stanford University, she came back to Washington to begin her teaching career at Central. She taught here until she was made Head of the English Department in 1906. Miss Simons is a woman of broad scholarship and cultivated tastes, and has won distinction in the educational world by her very fine editing of various school texts, and her publications, which range from the blank verse of a Shakespeare pageant to the pedagogical prose of a book on methods in teaching. As Head of the English Department she was always abreast of the times, and with an open mind for new ideas, kept her department flexible without endan- gering its organization. As a supervisor, the teachers found her sympathetic and generous, kindly in her judgment, and with an understanding of their problems which made her quick to speak the encouraging word and give the helpful sugges- tion. Students, as well as teachers, were aware of her genuine interest in their work. Her ofiice is Filled with their creations-stories, themes, illustrated articles, models, all of which she kept on display. To quote Miss Coolidge, '6Miss Simons has left her impress on the Washington schools. At this time, when so many are expressing their appreciation of her work, Central joins in affectionate congratulations on a career followed with such marked success. ANNE McCoLM E211

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SARAH P. LYNCH 19024CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL-1936 Outstanding teacher of English at Central High School for over thirty years, Miss Lynch rendered long and distinguished service to the pupils of Central and to the English department of the city of Washington. Always a good friend, a wise counselor, an interesting companion, she gave freely of her time and gifts. Teachers and pupils alike drank deeply of her wisdom, yet she always insisted that the inter- course was a process of give and take, for, like Chaucerls Clerk of Oxenford, gladly would she learn and gladly teach. Her outlook on life was always sane, wholesome, courageous, even during the last years when hope of recovery was abandoned. Her troubles were never thrust upon othersg hers was an heroic figureg her life a lesson,fmute yet powerful in character training. Others may come, yes, others will come and achieve success, but her place in the history of Central High School is unique,-all her own, and can never be filled. SARAH E. SIMoNs MARTHA E. WIMER 1917-CENTRAL HIGH Scnooi.-1935 To think of Miss Wilmier' is to feel again the warmth of her interest in all of Central. She came to our French department when the building was new, and she gave to its development the culture matured by years of study and travel, the keen strength of her mind, and a deep love for people, young and old. Within a tiny, fragile figure there dwelt a great understanding. She worked among her pupils with infinite gentleness and untiring sympathy. She delighted in their growth and success, spurred them on with her interest, and inspired them from the wealth of her knowledge. But always the greatness of her achievement was exceeded by the wonder of her spirit. All that she did was heyond the physical strength of her body. Yet one found her ever serene and courageous, ready with warm friendliness and delight- ful, kindly humor to share the problems or enthusiasms of those about her. Courage. it has been said, is a proof of our immortality. ln this lesson, too, Miss Wimer was a great teacher. FLORENCE MURRAY 1231