Meriden High School - Annual Yearbook (Meriden, CT)

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WILLIS J. PROUTY, A. M., PRINCIPAL

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Superintendent Gibbs Dr. David Gibbs, superintendent of the Meriden public schools, was born in Kingswood, New jersey, in 1870, and there received his grammar school education. After being graduated from the New Jersey State Normal School, in 1894, Dr. Gibbs entered Harvard University, Where he spent four years in the Scientific School and one year in the post-graduate department. In 1906 he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Clark University. Dr. Gibbs has, indeed, had a large experience in school work. He has acted as the head of district and grammar schoolsg held position of superintendent of schools in both Massachusetts and New York, and has had the distinction of being division superin- tendent in the Philippines. While in the islands our superin- tendent became the author of several text-books for the use of the Filipinos. Then, returning to this country, Dr. Gibbs be- came engaged in school work in New York, acting as head of the State Normal Training School, in Oswego. From the latter place he was called to Meriden, in August, 1911, and became our superintendent of schools. Within the short space of time in which Dr. Gibbs has been with us he has had a great interest in the Welfare of the com- munity at large. VVith pleasure we have especially noted his particular interest in the high school.

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Principal Prouty lYillis 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 l883. ln the following fall he entered the Freshman class of Tufts College. at Medford, Mas- sachusetts. At this college he pursued a regular academic course, and in 1887, graduated. During the same year he came to Meriden and accepted a position in the high school as teacher of mathe- matics and bookkeeping, and in 1887-8 he had charge of the even- ing school. Mr. Prouty's personal infiuence and ability as an educator soon secured him well-merited recognition, and in 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, Mr. Prouty was given his appointment as principal. Besides the executive ability which Mr. Prouty has displayed in the management of the school, his qualincations in Latin and Mathe- matics have rendered his instruction in these branches most de- sirable. Fraternally he is connected with the Tufts chapter of Z. EV.