Mount Vernon Seminary - Cupola Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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THE HISTORY OF MOUNT VERNON SEMINARY OUNT VERNON SEMINARY had its beginning’ in a quiet home at 204 F Street. There, fifty years ago, about twenty girls studied under the direction of Mrs. Elizabeth J. Somers, whose influence in their lives was never effaced. Those daughters of the former Mt. Vernon Seminar)’ will always remember the homelike atmosphere and spirit of comradeship that Mrs. Somers created. This pleasant family of hers soon outgrew the accommodations of her home, and, five years after the founding of the school, the house at the southwest corner of Eleventh and M Streets was acquired. But the number of pupils continued to increase, and the demand for even more space resulted in the purchase of additional property that of Mr. Noyes, the editor of “The Evening Star,” Mr. Noyes house was enlarged, and in 1902 Senior House was added to the group of buildings. I hough the school had expanded as far as possible in all directions, the need for accommodations was not satisfied, and Mrs. Somers wisely realized that she must find another and larger home. The idea came to her that, by incorporating the school, a new institution with an assured future might be formed. But, before the far-sighted founder could execute her plans, failing health forced her to retire. So it was not until 1916 that Mrs. Somers ' dreams materialized, when the incorpora- tion was carried on by Mrs. Adelia Gates Hensley, who, for many years, had been associate head mistress. Under a board of directors, with Mrs. Hensley as president, a non-profit-making institution was established, and a site on Nebraska Avenue chosen as the permanent home of Mount Vernon Seminary. But the cost of erecting a desirable building was found to be prohibitive for the funds then in the possession of the school. Mrs. Hensley, however, was not a woman to be discouraged by diffi- culties, once she had determined on a course to pursue. She asked the old girls to make loans to the Mount Vernon Seminary on unprotected notes, giving her word as security. Large sums of money were advanced; Mrs. Hensley’s word was security enough. The school also borrowed heavily of several banks in Washington. By 1923 all the securities advanced by the Alumnae had been repaid. When Mrs. 7

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Frontispiece 4 Dedication — 5 History of School 7 Mrs, Somers’ Picture 9 Mrs, Hensley’s Picture 10 Miss Cole’s Picture 1 1 Faculty . 12 Cupola Staff 14 Senior Class 16 School Calendar 48 Junior Class 50 White Class 52 Yellow Class 54 Literature 57 School Events 89 Dramatics 99 Athletics 103 Clubs ] 15 Jokes — 125 Student Body 131 Advertisements 1 36 6

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1 fensley died, her debts of honor, as she called them, had been met in full and the indebtedness to the hanks reduced. In 1917 a spacious building of Georgian architecture opened its I riendly doors to old and new pupils. Since that time many girls have entered these doors; entered and left them finer and better women for the years spent within. Yet the school, so happily established, was to experience two losses. In November, 1923, Mrs. Hensley died. This was a great grief to all who had known her and had felt her inspiring influence. In the follow- ing June, Mrs. Somers also passed away. Miss Jean Dean Cole then took over the responsibility laid down by Mrs. Hensley, and continued the work that Mrs. Somers had started. Now, in the Spring of 1925, the Alumnae are erecting on the school grounds a memorial chapel to the founder. Within the chapel an organ dedicated to Mrs. 1 fensley will he built — on May 23rd to be played at the school ' s Golden Jubilee; Mount Vernon Seminary may pause to look back over fifty years of progress — golden years of earnest endeavor, devotion, and accomplishment. 1 hit the complete history ol the school is not written until an insight into the characters of its three head mistresses has been gained. For they gave to Mount Vernon Seminary its spirit and its standards, and what the school is today is due most of all to their personal contributions. Mrs. Somers believed that living is a fine art and should be cultivated by tbo.se attributes which make it so — gentleness, courtesy, and considera- tion. She gave to the daughters of Mount Vernon Seminary her love of beauty and high regard for the qualities of a true gentlewoman. Mrs, I iensley contributed her unfailing sympathy to the spirit of the school and to its ideals her absolute integrity of heart and mind. One cannot mention Mrs. Hensley without also speaking of Miss Cole, the present head mistress. For years. Miss Cole, as associate principal, by her industry, her courage, and her progressive sin, pint the policies of Mrs. Hensley into practical action. Miss Cole’s vitality and force inspire in the girls a desire for progress and self-improvement. She is a fit guardian of all that is finest in the school, and under her, it may look forward to a sure future as well as back to an honorable past. Isamu, Crmi-u .