Massanutten Military Academy - Adjutant Yearbook (Woodstock, VA)

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RALPH HENRY ABBAS MAJ. GUYA. BENCHOFF ROBERT J. BENCHOFF CHARI.ES E. BE-rms - LESLIE I. FoU'rs B.S., M.A. B.E. AB., LLB. B.S., M.S. THE FACULTY THOMAS D. COBB AB., MA. DEAN LEROY E. GLUNT FRANCIS E. PALMER ROBERT W. PORSCHE MYRON L. SIMPSON JOHN WINKELMAN B.S.C. I-LB. B.S. A.B. T H E A D J U T A N T - 1 9 3 6 uk Q 14 J I

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Dr. and Mrs. Benchoff DR. BENCHOFF has been Headmaster of Massanutten Academy for 31 years. From the day when Massanutten was composed of a single building Cnow Dr. Benchoff's homej, until the present, the grandest year in Massanutten's history, Dr. Benchoff has labored, dreamed and perfected. Slowly yet steadily under his guiding hands the school has grown, new buildings have been erected, the campus enlarged and beautifled. Massanutten is indeed proud of its Headmaster, and-we like to think-our Headmaster is proud of us. Dr. Benchofl was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school, he entered Franklin and Marshall College, receiving his AB. in 1898. He taught for five years, and then took graduate work at Columbia University, where he received his Masf ter's degree in 1904. ln 1905 he became Headmaster of Massanutten. The inspiration of a former teacher, Dr.Willian1 Mann Irvine, Headmaster of Mercersburg Academy, led him to undertake the building of the school to which he has dedicated his life during these years. Besides his untiring work at school, Dr. Benchoff has always been active in the civic affairs of both town and state. He organized and has twice been president of the Wood- stock Rotary Club, was president of the Shenandoah National Park Association, and directed the campaign which raised the first million dollars for its development. ln 1920 Dr. Benchoff married Miss Florence Conant CWells College, 19140, of Paterf son, New jersey. Mrs. Benchoil's training and disposition have been invaluable to Dr. Benchoff in his work. Because of their kindness and friendliness, Dr. and Mrs. Bencholf have endeared themselves to faculty and students alike. Their great abilities and pleasing personalities cause all who are privileged to know them to respect and admire them. i131 lk THEADJUTANT-1936

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- a---- .-v-1--yi., ui The Story of Massanutten ASSANUTTEN is an Indian word meanf ing Great Nlountainf' It is rather diffi- cult to grasp at first, but if you divide it up into syllables thus, Masfsafnutaten, it is easily remembered and eventually becomes music to the ears. It is the name of the fiftyfmile mountain range lying to our east, at the base of which lies the beautiful Anne Lupton Recreation Club. If space permitted and this mountain could speak, it would give a thrilling historical narrative. Massanutten is primarily a school which prepares boys for college. Cther courses are offered, including those in music and in commercial subjects. ln these thirtyfsix years, over eighteen hundred boys have come and gone, many of whom have entered the leading col- leges and universities of this country. Massanutten is fully accredited and boys who win the coveted diploma are admitted into the higher institutions without hesitation. The aim has been to build a school upon the principles of sound scholarship and leadership. Without doing violence to anyone's religious training, no boy can attend Massanutf ten for any length of time without feeling the touch of its strong interest in his welfare, his hopes, ambitions, and his professional success and happiness. Realizing that history repeats itself, and that the laws of nature move slowly and surely, and much the same through succeeding centuries in so far as they relate to human beings, Massanutten aims to develop not only a sound mind, but also a well developed body, for what is life worth without good health? To that end the boys are permitted to enjoy many forms of sport. The equipment is very complete, and there is opportunity for every lad to get into the game of his choice and enjoy the fun of it. ln addition to interscholastic sports which, if not overdone, add zest and spirit to the life of the school, an R.O.T.C. unit strengthens the physical program. The idea is not to teach boys to glorify war of the life of the soldier, but rather to give them a certain training and experience which will not only teach obedi- ence and discipline, but also lead to an intelligent understanding ofthe horrors of war, and thus help to buildup our nation in righteousness and peace. The land and buildings at Massanutten have been made possible by the generosity of the Reformed Church, and many friends who are interested in Christian education from other denominations. The history of the school reads like an epic, and no one can enter its C151 lk THE ADJUTANT-1936 '11 r 'H