Houston Woods High School - Viking Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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I . WM. gwenclofgn asiioff QOIOQI' I After forty-four years of dedicated teaching, Mrs. Gwendolyn Scott Roper retired from the Baltimore Public School System, February 1, 1970. Every year has been full and rewarding, but my twenty-seven years in vocational education highlight all my experiences, she said enthusiastically. It was quite obvious that these memories brought her pure delight. I Mrs. Roper completed the Dunbar High School, Lynchburg, Virginia. Afterwards, she became a HAMPTONIAN, majoring in home economics. Hampton awarded her a diploma, the Bachelor of Science degree, and the Master 'of Science degree. Further studies were pursued at Mount Saint Agnes College and the University of Maryland. Before coming to Baltimore to teach, Mrs. Roper taught in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Newport News, Virginia, Hampton Institute, Virginia, and Annapolis, Maryland. Of these assignments, she cherishes the fifteen memorable years she was at' Hampton Institute. Some of her assignments at Hampton were manager of the campus grill, supervisor of students' dining room, clerk and proof reader of the painting department, assistant to the dean of women, and teacher of nutrition in the college home economics department. These areas of her experiences offered opportunity for Mrs. Roper to work with junior and senior high school pupils, adult education classes, and varied community projects. Mrs. Roper came to Baltimore as one of two 'Gfirst full time Negro dietitians appointed in this city. Her assignment was that of dietitian and teacher of institutional cookery to a group of vocational school girls in the cafeteria of Douglass High School, now our Houston-Woods Junior-Senior High School. Personal and Family Living was first introduced into the Baltimore Public Schools, at School No. 453, by Mrs. Roper to girls, in 1958. Later, in 1959, the course was expanded to include boys, in 1960, the course was broadened to include both boys and girls together. Mrs. Roper was cited for this work and other of her contributions and talents during her career. The best rewards from life's experiences, declares Mrs. Roper, come from the best you give to each experience. Therefore, she has lived a full, rewarding life. She is a charter member of the CORNELIAS, a mothers group organized some thirty years ago, member of the Baltimore Chapter, GIRL FRIENDS, INCORPORATED, member of the REVELERS BRIDGE CLUB, charter member of HAMPTON PALS, member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FASHION ACCESSORIES AND DESIGNERS, and a soror of ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY. I Mrs. Roper enjoys needlework, dress designing, experimental cookery, interior decorating, leather and metal work, as Well asnreading, writing, gardening, and the theater. In response to what she will do in retirement, Mrs. Roper smiled and said, I don't think Iwill have much time for the wheelchair. She plans to complete a cook book and to up-date her five years' study of her Family Life Education in Baltimore, entitled PERSONAL AND FAMILY LIVING: A 'Need in the Education of the Total Child Recognized through a Five Years' Pilot Program at the General,Vocational School, No. 453, l96ll.' I Y , . , . ' , - M. ,.:f2'TT1,g.2 Y -' ' 3 F! 'f f .Q '-r a .vi if 5 'ii . 1 9 'fad

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E jAanLd for flue Wemor . gLllellJ0fyll WOIDQI' H.. ,fx i:..L ,....e Ef We are the proud r e cipients of the hours of endless planning and preparation you gave to the creation of a successful school. Retired-1970

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,v lecficafion Our beloved class sponsor and friend, Mr. Melvin R. Smith, for your sincere cooperation, for your helpful suggestions, and your great effort in helping to train us to be better men and women for the business world, we, the Class of 1970, dedicate this issue of The Viking to you as a lasting memento of our short but cheerful association. V i We are highly grateful and thankful for the recognition, the leadership, and the love for one another which have been inspired by Mr. SmithQ So great have been our rewards that we consider this a minute means of showing our appreciation for the years he has toiled to help us achieve our goals. We shall ever remember his words: 4'The goal is yoursg strive hard and you'll make' itf' ' i The Graduating Class of 1970 ..- .