Jamaica High School - Folio Yearbook (Jamaica, NY)

Page 15 text:

ADVISERS SINCE she was born in New York City, it was only natural that Miss Ellen Acton should attend Hunter College-after deciding she wanted to become a teacher instead of a landscape artist. When Jamaica's present building was opened, Miss Acton, who had recently been grad- uated, became one of the regular staff. The thing that impressed me most then and still impresses me now is the spirit which pervades jamaica-that of friendliness and whole' someness--qualities in the students which have made it a great pleasure to act as adviser, she said. Truthfulness and sincerity are outstanding qualities of her character. This kind and friendly person advises that we be cheerful and couragf eous. She believes that we have a better chance for advancement and opportunity than had the graduates of a few terms ago. Though always a resident of our city, Miss Acton has by no means confined herself to staying in New York but has traveled extensively to many parts of the world, a pleasure she hopes we will all be able to .g h . ' ' J. f - . n tv iff fm: :. r 4 M, MISS ELLEN ACTON, Adviser I enjoy in the coming future MISS MABEI. BERNHARD, Dean of Girls g ff,li, : 'fl'-f 'Sf' 'V ff . Bur ima.. 94969-, MISS BERNHARD seems to be just about the busiest person in the school. Pass her office in the main hall at any time of the day and you'll always find a line outside waiting to see her. A ready smile and a quiet, gentle manner are always ready to greet you. Miss Bernhard came to Jamaica High School in 1919 as a history teacher. She says that history is her first love and she misses it greatly now. She graduated from Syracuse University, taught in various schools in New York and New jersey and was clean of a boarding school before coming here. She once taught trigonometry but, she says, she had to study very hard to keep ahead of the students. Housefplanning is one of her greatest interests outside of school. She studies magazines and books on this subject in her leisure time and some day hopes to make over the old homestead in a little town in New York State where she was born and which is still the family home. MR. TORD HOLMBERG, senior adviser and mentor of the physiogf raphy department, came to jamaica High School eight years ago, and thus is well able to give his opinion of the male populace of the school. Accoring to Mr. Holmberg, his boys, at least some of them, will in the near future be the leading citizens of New York City. We have some of the finest boys that Jamaica High has ever turned out. Mr. Holmberg received his secondary education at the Manual Train' ing High School, and then attended the Maxwell Training School for Teachers. Finally he received an appointment at a Brooklyn Elemen- tary School where he taught for seven years. Then he went to N. Y. U. and in 1930 entered the portals of jamaica High School. Travelling has occupied some of his time for he has travelled in Westerxi United States and also in South America. - And he still lives in Brooklyn. '-lv-rr-f --1 MR. TGRD HOLMBERG, Adviser eleven

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.

Page 16 text:

I I I I vc MARTIN WILKINS WARREN SAMBACH MARTIN WILKINS JOHN BROWN JOHN BROWN JOSEPH RUSSO WARREN sAMBAcH JOHN BROWN LARRY HAMSLEY ROBERT TRIMBORN WILLIAM RUSSELL ROBERT TRIMBORN ROBERT TRIMBORN MARTIN WILKINS WILLIAM ROEDER WILLIAM SEATON HALL OF FAME Most Popular Liveliest Best Looking Athlete Teachers' Trial Best Dancer Greatest Flirt Best Sport Cutest Miost Courteous Most Artistic Most Sophisticated Best Dressed Wittiest Done Most for jamaica X Most Studious 0 . HEWITT GURNEE ,flaw Lamb RAY GRABER JINMOSI Loquacious MARTIN WILKI cyfgwx Heart Breaker JOHN BROWNf Q-ry L Most Versatile BONNIE BROWN BONNIE BROWN EVELYN GAVEY DORIS BOSSI GRACE LARSEN GRACE SI-IAHERLI EVELYN GAVEY BONNIE BROWN VIRGINIA AAL ADELE BRAMM- MARION SCOTT EILEEN COLE VIRGINIA AAL MARY CARR' BONNIE BROWN NORMA AGARD JEAN BROWN DORIS BOssI EVELYN GAVEY DORIS BOssI