Memphis University School - Owl Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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Mr. J. W. S. Rhea. mR. J. W. S. RHEA was born and reared in Marion, Virginia. In 1884 he entered Pantops Preparatory School at Charlottesville, Va., where he remained for two sessions. While in this school, he was awarded four medals, two for conduct and two for scholarship. Besides acquitting himself creditably in his literary work and deportment, he won honors in athletics, being a member of baseball and football teams. In 1886 Mr. Rhea matriculated at Hampden-Sidney, from which college he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1890. During his collegiate career, he was prominent both in his college work and in athletics. He was Junior orator of the literary society in 1889 and Senior final orator in 1890. In 1887 he was elected assistant business manager of the College Magazine and business manager in 1888. The next year, the honor of editor-in-chief of the Magazine was con- ferred upon him, and in 1890, that of the presidency of his class. In athletics, Mr. Rhea captured the highest honors. He was captain of both football and baseball teams during his entire four years ' course. In 1887, the Kappa Sigma fraternity elected him one of its members. After receiving his p. A. degree, Mr. Rhea accepted the position of instructor in English and History at Pantops Academy, where he remained for two years. From there, he went to the Classical School in Knoxville, Tenn., where he and his present Associate Princi pal, Mr. Werts, first met. During that year, the idea of establishing a training-school for boys arose and, after consultation with their friend, Dr. Dabney, President of the University of Tennessee, Memphis was selected.

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J. W. S. RHEA.

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During the first three years of his stay in Memphis, Mr. Rhea continued to take considerable interest in athletics, besides filling his office of Associate Prin- cipal and Instructor in his School. He played half-back on and was captain of the Memphis Athletic Club foot- ball team, which became in 1894-95 the champions of the gridiron. He was con- nected with the well-known Chickasaws and became president of that athletic association. He was also a member of the social club of that name. Since Mr. Rhea has become recognized in the field of instructors he has delivered several lectures on educational subjects before various schools and lit- erary clubs of the city and county. He has attended the Harvard Summer School and is well versed in modern methods of teaching. With what discouragements and disadvantages the University School was established and how all these have been met and mastered by the untiring energy of Messrs. Werts and Rhea, will be given under the interesting historical sketch of M. U. S. Nothing more fitting could be said by each of these two gentlemen than that terse but comprehensive quotation, Veni, vidi, vici. 10