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

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MR, JACKSON, THE TROUBLE SHOOTER “Classical students could do a better job of balanc- ing the privileges and responsibilities that go with a democratic school. Some of us are eager for the privi- leges but cool toward the responsibilities.’ This is the opinion of Mr. Belding F. Jackson, Classical’s assistant principal. If there is a program to be re- arranged or a pressing problem to be solved, Mr. Jackson with his friendly smile and helpful manner is the man to see. Mr. Jackson lives in Belchertown, Massachusetts, whence he commutes every day. He was born in that town and attended high schcol there. At school he liked all his studies, but particularly math and English. After graduating from Massachusetts State College with a B.S. degree, he went to Middlebury College where he received his master’s degree in English. He was editor-in-chief of the newspaper of Massachusetts State, The Collegian, and of the year- book, The Index. He taught journalism at the High School of Commerce for 15 years before coming to Classical in 1943. He was acting assistant principal there in 1941-1943. As if he is not busy enough with Classical Junior and Senior High besides being principal of the Springfield Evening Adult School, Mr. Jackson has been writing a column in the Belchertown weekly newspaper for fourteen years. This popular column is called The Steeple Soliloquizes, and it includes “any- thing from an occasional book review to affairs con- cerning veterans and problems of education’’. As its writer says, “It is a kind of safety valve for me in which I talk over things of interest to me and the readers.” In his spare time Mr. Jackson also tends a good- sized victory and flower garden. He often goes fishing with his sixteen-year old son, George. But he says he’s beginning to think this has its disadvantages. It seems that George had outgrown his fishing boots, and offered them to his father for five dollars. But now Mr. Jackson says he has a horrible feeling that he paid for the boots in the first place, and thus got caught two ways. George is interested in science, and his father would like to send him to Massachusetts State or Middlebury College. Mr. Jackson also has a daughter, Marjorie. She is eleven years old, and her main interest at the moment is horses. Mr. Jackson’s experiences with the Junior as well as Senior High make him an excellent counselor and administrator. He never seems to be too busy to bend a willing and interested ear to anybody’s woes. His sense of humor and quick smile brighten many otherwise dull moments in the day.

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BELDING F. JACKSON Assistant Principal

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Dr. William C. Hill We, the Class of 1946, rememter with gratitude our first two years at Classical, under the leadership cf Dr. Hill. We will never forget the motto he. taught us so well.