Meriden High School - Annual Yearbook (Meriden, CT)

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WILLIS J PROUTY, A M ,PRINCIPAL

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Superintendent Kelly William P. Kelly, superintendent of the Meriden public schools, was born in Troy, Ohio. He is a descendant in the sixth generation from Seth Kelly, who died in Blackstone, Massachu- setts, in 1758, Whither he had migrated with other Quaker, set- tlers from England, several years earlier. Mr. Kelly was educated at Dartmouth College, receiving the degree of A. B. in 1886, and of A. M. in 190. l7Vhen in college he was a member of the 9. A. X. fraternity, an editor of the college annual, and a member of the glee club. For tvventy-live years he has been engaged in school Work. He has taught in country and city, in grammar school and high school, and in private and public schools, thus gaining an unusual and varied experience as a teacher. After several years, experi- ence as superintendent of schools in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, Hudson, Massachusetts, and Attleboro, Massachusetts, in 1905 he became superintendent of the Meriden schools. He has been prominent in educational circles,being an active member of the National Educational Association, the National Geographical Society, and Religious Education Association. He has been president of the Connecticut Schoolmasters' Club, sec- retary and treasurer of the Connecticut Association of School Superintendents, and at the present time is president of the Connecticut State' Teachers' Association, and vice-president of the American Institute of Instruction. Since he has been with us, Meriden has become the regular meeting place of the Connecticut Association of School Super- intendents, the State Association of School Boards, and of the business meeting of the State Teachers' Association, so that among the members of these organizations it is nicknamed the educational capital of the statef' He belongs to the Colonial Club, the Meriden Business Men's Association, and the Center Congregational Church. He is mar- ried and has two sons. 4

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Principal Prouty VVillis 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 following fall he entered the Freshman class of Tufts College, at Medford, Massa- chusetts. At this college he pursued a regular-academic course, and in 1887 graduatedrvvith 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 book- keeping, and in 1887-8 he had charge of the evening school. Mr. Prouty's personal influence as a teacher, and ability as an edu- cator, soon secured him Well-merited recognition, 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 manage- ment of the schools, his qualifications in Latin and Mathematics have rendered his instruction in these branches most desirable. Fraternally he is connected with the Tufts chapter of 2. Eff. 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.