Classical High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

Page 16 text:

THE BLUE AND WHITE i Dr. Jessie M. Law By the retirement last year of Dr. Jessie lvl. Law, Classical lost a teacher loved and respected by all who knew her. For thirty years as head of our history department she worked earnestly to bring about the fine reputation that that division now has for its thoroughness and completeness of scope. Students who came under the spell of Dr. Law's teaching during those thirty years have ever afterward considered it an un- forgettable experience. She inspired her courses with an understanding and a human- ness that made fit background for critical interpretations of her subject. Because of these qualities, Dr. Law became to many the embodiment of all that was fine and best in this school. Now that she is gone, Classical will strive to remember always the things for which she stood. Xvalter McDuffee The retirement last june of Mr. Walter V. lVIcDuffee was received with deep regret by pupils and teachers alike. Springf1eld's oldest teacher in point of service, Mr. lVIcDuff ee has gained wide-spread recognition as the author of many valuable Latin text- books, and as a prominent participator in educational research throughout the state and nation. As head of our Latin department, he brought to this school a deep appreciation of the classics. His teaching was mingled with a wisdom and a patience that commanded the respect of all his students. His firm and resourceful judgments have contributed greatly to the high position which Classical has been accorded among the country's preparatory schools. By his withdrawal from active service, lVIr. lVlcDuffee has left a gap which will be hard to Hll. MSM

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THE BLUE AND WHITE Above our stage this arched lunette looks down And from its soft-toned mural spills The silence of its thought. As some low sound Of song within old quiet places stills Itself with sadness and is hushed with peace, So here, within an emptied echo-space. The artists colors blend and there is cease Of all but low-sung meaning in their grace: Oh once lthey singl when Indian campfires glowed, were bright, There came the fathers, sturdy pioneers Who scorned the savage flicker for a light Qf learning pure and shining through the years, A light that now gleams here upon this wall M- Afusing ray. the high' thought in a hall. li1,EANola VVvITI-IINGTON 75

Page 17 text:

THE BLUE AND WHITE H1 M Susan R. Scott Last February, Classical lost another of its able teachers, Miss Susan R. Scott, a woman whose personality and cultural back- ground had come to be a marked force among her students. To the many who knew her, Miss Scott represented all that was best in our New England conservatism combined with a fine broadmindedness. Firm and help- ful in her guidance, Miss Scott seasoned her teaching with a spicy, penetrating sense of humor that delighted her pupils. She en- livened her subject with a wide range of knowledge and made it vital and interesting. Indeed, her knowing and timely comments stimulated her classes to enthusiastic, thought- ful work in English. This high standard, together with the regard in which she is held by her pupils, may well be termed Miss Scott's memorial. Mary H. Woodbury At the conclusion of this semester. Classical loses another of its competent faculty mem- bers, one who has given many years of faithful service to the mathematics department. Since 1912, Miss Mary Hale Woodbury has been with us, working conscientiously, and earnestly helping her pupils to a mastery of her subject. By all her students her in- struction has been highly valued both for its thoroughness and its precision. Miss Wood- bury was never one to be content with a superficial teaching of her subjectg through careful explanation of the more minute de- tails, she made her teaching complete and clear. She leaves with the best wishes of us all, and especially with those of 'MM whose adviser she was for two years. 3505