Manual High School - Thunderbolt Yearbook (Denver, CO)

Page 14 text:

T HE THUNDE RB O LT ATQFA iff A fjfff MR WR HILL jfwwf THE DIRECTORF' 7 MR. SAM R. HILL for the past six years has directed the play known as Manual Life. In that time his ability as a producer has gained statewide recognition, But when asked about his success he modestly replied, My system is very simple. I use psychology in many ways. His way of handling the stars, seconds, and extras was constant evidence of his personal interest in each one. The players also realized and appreciated the fact that they could go to him at any time and be assured of a square deal. Mr. Hill's career as a director began in Wyoming in 1912 where he taught until 1915. He returned to Denver in the latter year where he taught at South High School. At South he also coached athletics. In 1922 he was promoted to the position of Assistant Principal of South. From that position he advanced to the principalship of Grant Junior High School in 1925. Later in 1927 he was transferred as principal to Smiley junior High School. From there he assumed his duties as principal of Manual Training High School in 1928. During the years 1933-34 Mr. Hill held city and state educational positions of great im' portance. He was president of the Principals and Directors Association of the Denver Public Schools, and president Of the Eastern Division of the Colorado Education Association. The above positions brought with the honors a heavy,respon' sibility, the responsibility of charting, along with other Colo' rado school executives, the way for education in Denver and Colorado over the rocky Shoals of depression. That Mr. Hill retained his genial disposition during those years, despite his many problems, is a tribute to his personality. E81

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TO A REAL TROUPER FOR her staunch loyalty to the highest ideals of her profession, her conscientious devotion to the wclf fare of Cach student and continuous service to lvlanf ual for twentyfthree years, we dedicate this hook to Miss Lida M' 'r. I'7l

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THE THIILNQDERBOLT . A9 55. ASSISTANT DIRECTORS MR. STEELE A SPOTLIGHT on the stage was Mr. Steele, who for many years efhciently aided the other managers in producing a sue' cessful program at Manual. Perhaps promif nent among reasons for Mr. Steele's success was his popularity with the stars, seconds, and extras. and his many years of experience in putting on shows at Manual. Trouper Steele graduated in the first class of Manual in 1896, a leading character in the Hrst show. Way back in 1901 he returned to the Man' ual stage as a producer. It seemed that once he had tasted of the life every Manual player led, it went to his head, stayed in his blood, and generally became a part of him. Every Bricklayer and exfBricklayer who came in conf tact with Mr. Steele found him willing and capable of helping. Those who forever have passed from the portals of the Manual stage move along with gratitude in their hearts to one who was ever ready with constructive help. june, 1934-the curtain falls, gradua' tion. September, 1934-the curtain rises, new faces-on with the show, Trouper Steele! MISS ATKINS MISS ATKINS, a veteran of the Manual stage since 1897, took over the task of aiding the actresses in their special theatrical problems in 1924, when she became assistant director. In that position, her tireless efforts were responsible for the progress of many Manual actresses toward stardom. Under Miss Atkins' guidance, members of the cast have never failed to go on, and the curtain has always risen on time. Her inspiring advice has caused many Manual seconds and extras to rise toward stardom. The farfreaching inf fluence of the assistant director aided thou' sands of players. Two thousand boys and two thousand one hundred thirtyfnine girls have made their exits from the Manual stage, since she joined the show. All of these were free to seek the kindly advice that the assist' ant director was ever willing to give. The fall of the curtain in 1934 upon the graduating hundreds marked the end of thirty-seven years of service for Assistant Di- rector Atkins on the Manual stage. With the fall of that curtain came the realization to all Manual players that it would be difficult inf deed, to stage the show without Miss Atkins. With the realization came the wish that she might see the curtain rise for many years to come at Manual. 9 - ,W 'UH -. A, 'A