Massanutten Military Academy - Adjutant Yearbook (Woodstock, VA)

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DEDIC TIO The Senior Class of l950 is proud to co- dedicate its yearbook to Capt. Holt, a fine 'friend and guardian. All of us who have known him are aware that he has been much more than a faculty oH'icer-he has been our friend. His vast knowledge of mathematics has not only been successfully endowed to us in class, but also during much of his off-duty time. He has always been willing to direct his energies toward making Massanutten a better school. and making its students better citizens. Capt. Whllter ll. Holt explains Geometry to Cadet Handshaw. Captain Oiliourltc is .1 reluctant subject for the photographer. Sharing with Capt. Holt the distinction of being dedicatee of this volume is Capt. O'Rourke. The sun does not always rise in Ireland, but after seeing the smile of this genial, salty man, our riding master. we can overlook the geographical inaccuracy of this statement. Many happy days we have spent away from campus on horseback, taking in' structions from this gentleman who is patient and understanding. He has ma.le our ex- cursions to the school farm and subsequently to the trails of the Massanutteri Range mo- ments of hig'i excitement and pleasure. 4

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THE , 19 0 IIJU AN DOUGLAS R GORDON Editor ln Chief GORDON S. HASTINGS and VERNON N. WARFIELD Adve tls ng Manage s SENIOR CLASS MILITARY ACADEMY

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HISTORY HE WORD MASSANUTTEN is rather diliicult for a great many people to under- stand, for it is not what you would call a common word. It is, in fact, unique. It is of Indian origin and is supposed to mean Great Mountain, although it has received different deh- nitions by historians. This name has been applied for many years to the fifty-mile range of mountains which splits the Shenandoah Valley from Strasburg to Harrisonburg into two sections. It is a beauti- ful range of mountains, towering in some places over two thousand feet above sea level. Some geologists say it is a slip from the Appalachians on the west boundary of the Shenandoah Valley. Be that as it may, the word MASSANUTTEN is very well-known in Virginia and when the founders of our school selected this name, they gave it a distinctive character. Some schools are named after the names of the towns in which they are locatedg others take the names of bene- factors and distinguished people. Suffice to say that in the half-century that Massanutten has been operating, the name has become well-known throughout the land, through many channels of publicity and, by virtue of the songs and cheers and sentiments attached to the name, it is very dear to the alumni and friends of the school. The village pastors of the Shenandoah Valley, after discussing the matter at church meetings for many years, made known their wishes to establish an institution of learning. In 1898 they bought the property belonging to former Senator Riddle- berger on the south,side of Woodstock. This con- sisted of a spacious colonial house surrounded by a grove of young Norway maples. The house had been erected in 1878 and the trees planted soon afterwards. Massanutten is the product not only of the de- sire of the membership of the Reformed Church in the surrounding area, but was the dream of a few men who found leadership in the Rev. J. Silor Garrison, who, at the present time, lives in retire- ment in the neighboring town of Harrisonburg.