Meriden High School - Annual Yearbook (Meriden, CT)

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WILLIS J. PROUTY, A. M., PRINCIPAL

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Superintendent Kelly WILLIAAI P. KELLY, superintendent of the Meriden Public Schools, was born in Troy, Ohio, and was educated in the graded schools of his native town. After completing his course in the Troy High School, Mr. Kelly entered Dartmouth College, in 1882, and while there represented his college in literary and musical lines. He was a member of GJ. A. X. fraternity. He became a graduate of Dartmouth in 1886 with the degree of A. B., and three years later was honored by his college with the degree of A. M. Like many other young men, Mr. Kelly turned his interest towards school teaching because of the sure salary, and in doing so discovered the vocation to be his life work. In 1886 and 1887 he was principal of Coe's Northwood Academy, Northwood, New Hampshire, and from that time on Mr. Kelly has proved himself equally at home and efficient in every department of instruction that he has undertaken. In 1897 Mr. Kelly became superintendent of the schools of Hudson, Massachusetts, and two years later accepted the same office at Attleboro. Here he remained for six years, during which time he greatly built up and developed the school system. From this place he was called to Meriden as successor to Mr. A. B. Mather, and entered upon his duties of superintendent August 1, 1905. 'Mr. Kellyls experience and breadth of mind have already accomplished much for Meriden's schools during the short time he has been with us,and will undoubtedly do more in the future. In his relations with the High School, Mr. Kelly has on frequent occasions evinced his interest in the students officially and personally, and has attracted to himself many friends among faculty and scholars. 7

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Principal Prouty WILLIS JAMES PROUTY, A. M., principal of the Meriden High School, was born in Spencer, Massachusetts. Here he was reared and received an excellent schooling, graduating from the Spencer High School with the Class of 1883. In the follow- ing fall he entered the Freshman class of Tufts College at Med- ford, Massachusetts. At this college he pursued aregular aca- demic course and in 1887 graduated with exceptional honors, having majored in Latin. During the same year he came to Meriden and accepted a position in the High School as teacher of mathematics and bookkeeping, and in 1887-8 he had charge of the evening school. Mr. Prouty's personal influence as a teacher and ability as an educator soon secured him well-merited recog- nition, and 1889 found him assistant principal of our school. Six years later Tufts College conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts, and upon the resignation of Prof. Simeon T. Frost in 1900 a still further proof of the confidence of Meriden's school authorities in Mr. Prouty was given by his appointment as principal. Besides the executive ability which Mr. Prouty has displayed in the management of the school, his qualifications in Latin and mathematics have rendered his instruction in these branches most desirable. Fraternally he is connected with the Tufts chapter of E. HV. His genial personality and Willingness to help as teacher or friend have brought Mr. Prouty in close touch with both the faculty and students, of Whose loyalty and support he may rest assured.