Jamaica High School - Folio Yearbook (Jamaica, NY)

Page 13 text:

SENIOR CLASS OF JUNE, 1938 SENIOR CLASS OFFICERS Martin Wilkins ................................................ President Marie Brown ......... ..... ............ V 1 ce President Virginia Aal ............,..... .................... S ecretary Warren Sambach ............... .. ........ . ................ Treasurer SENIOR CLASS SPONSORS Mr. William Rooney Ryan Mrs. Sophie W. Sorkin CLASS SYMBOLS Class Motto .................. Post proelmm, praemmm Class Colors White and Gold Class Flovx er Tullp ENROLLING ROOM PRESIDENTS ack Alexander John Denice joseph Hanlon Kenneth Kmnes Edmund Nergart: William Seaton Eileen Klindworth Natalie Bertini Marie Gaffney Norma Agard Eileen Cole Edward Thomas Edward Shemet Virginia Wallace Janet Lowander Miriam Seekamp Irene Piechnik SENIOR ENROLLINC TEACHERS Top vow, left, to Tight: Mrs. Mabel R. Judge, Miss Cora E. King, Mr. Maurice J. Lovin, Miss Ann M. McCormack, Miss Mary E. Rhodes. Left, running down: Mr. A. George Jacobson, Mr. Herman Drucker, Mr, Thomas J. Cairnes, Mr. Moses Bergman. Right, 'running clown: Miss Anne C. Schrage, Miss Theresa M. Schreiber, Mrs. Fred' ricka E. Tracy, Mrs. Frieda Zion.

Page 12 text:

Roscoe A. Grant Very few students have crossed the threshold of that rcclfcarpcted sanctuary niarkccl 'llfvening School Olhceu the workshop of lwlr, Roscoe A. Grant, adniinistrativc Assistant of jamaica High School yet, within this quiet, spacious room, most of the strings of the Seniors' education are controlled. Littlcfpuhlicized, Mr. Grant is literally the hackfhone of all the Senior classes. Starting in the year 1912, he has made over fifty programs for the school and taken upon himself the task of looking over all prospective graduates' records. Born on a farm in Vermont, he went to an ancient little red school house for his primary etlucation. Alter gracluatiiw from Wt'sle 'an Universit f he won a icllowshiw to the Berlin Llniversit' and there studied is . 5 5. I . , . l , iireek and Latin, Coming hack to the United States, he hecarne principal of a couple of small high schools, taught at Fisk University lor three years, went to DeVv'itt Clinton for seven years, and then came to Jamaica. His adventures have heen varied and include a hike ride across England and Holland. Basehall, chess, and travel are his chief hohhies during his leisure. Most conspicuous of his personality traits, however, is his grand sense of humor.

Page 14 text:

Ve-.. - - ar. 'L A5 1. ' 1 ii MR. WILLIAM RYAN, Sponsor SENIOR ALWAYS seen with a book under his arm and a characteristic tongue in cheek attitude, Mr. William Rooney Ryan, English teacher, is known throughout the school as an expert on contemporary literature. Yet few of his friends know of his striking talent for making a home livable. His wife, also an English teacher at Jamaica, stated that at home, Bill's arrangement of flowers and furniture is always novel . Born in Manhattan, he is a typical New York sophisticate whose will' ingness to oblige and whose broadfminded opinions have caused ref peated requests by students to enter his classes. As proof of his gen' erous nature, Mr. Ryan is always willing to lend to both students and his faculty friends books from his quite extensive library. His idea of recreation in the summer is complete leisure while taking sunbaths. One of the richest personalities in the school, Mr. Ryan is famed for .his good taste in clothes, his worldly views, and his satirical humor. In teaching, his creed is: i'Teach the high school student independence, individuality, and tolerance, and he will be educated --a belief which is the very keynote of his own character. HAROLD A. BROWN, of the Classical Language Department was born in New jersey, but came to New York City at a very early age. After the usual course of instruction he came to jamaica High School in 1923 as a Latin teacher and has been adviser to the Senior Class since 1929. His main interest outside of school is his family which includes three lively little girls, A rabid golf fan, he also likes to putter around in his house and garden. He's had lots of experience with year books and seniors in his eight years as adviser. The first year book appeared in 1932, and although smaller, it had the same essential features as the year books of today. Although his work with the Seniors takes every free moment of his time and causes all sorts of headaches, Mr. Brown always manages to look calm and easyfgoing. If a caricature were to be drawn of this tall, wellfdressed, classical- looking teacher, it most certainly would depict him worrying over figures and seniors who don't do things as they're told . MR. HAROLD BROWN, Adviser . BORN in Boston, Mrs. Sophie Sorkin wouldn't live any other place ..., . V A f 5 1 LLM-- - .J ten MRS. SOPHIE SORKIN, Sponsor but in the heart of New York City . Determined at Hrst to be a teacher, she soon decided to concentrate on her own language first and after four energetic years at Hunter College, during which time she was active in dramatics, she emerged as a husky-voiced teacher of speech. Ranking high among her likes are the movies and theatre. Curiously enough, as proof of her contradictory nature she likes the sophisticates such as Katherine Cornell as well as Pluto in the silly symphonies. Best known for her grand sense of humor, Aunt Sophie once pretended a case of laryngitis for a period to get a class quiet. Coming straight to jamaica after college graduation, Mrs. Sorkin soon organized the Junior Dramatic club and is still sponsor of the group. Her success as a teacher is due in part to her creed of try to under' stand the difficulties of the student and appreciate their friendship . Endowed with reddish brown hair, expressive gray eyes and a warm smile, her sincerity and understanding nature are qualities which have enriched her personality to the fullest extent.