Murphy High School - Mohian Yearbook (Mobile, AL)

Page 12 text:

Seats of the Mighty Back of Murphy’s horizon, lies the sterling char- acter and unceasing labors of Mr. Clark, our prin- cipal and advisor. Ten years has not served to dim the interest he takes in the school, its students and activities. Having come to Murphy High School in 1926, fresh from educational positions in Virginia and elsewhere, Mr. Clark has ade- quately filled the position not only of principal but also of an influential advisor and real leader. His cheerful smile and pleasing personality will ever be a quality, essential to the success and fu- ture of Murphy High School and its students. Our principal is always willing to find time to assist in scholastic enterprises and in projects de- signed to benefit the city and county of Mobile. A Mobilian by birth, by ancestry, by ideals and by service to thousands of boys and girls who have come in contact with her, Miss Mae Kanes is esteemed by the citizens of Mobile and beloved by the student body of Murphy High School. Her ever endearing interest and keen sense of mind has been greatly responsible for the growth and progress of our high school. Miss Kanes was edu- cated in the public schools here and was a gradu- ate of Barton Academy. Since 1926, when Mur- phy High School was erected, she has served as as- sistant principal of our Alma Mater. Miss Mae, as she is known by her boys and girls, has exer- cised an influence of good to everyone who has had the privilege of knowing her. 8 Mr. K. J. Clark. M.A., Principal Miss Mae Eanes, Assist. Principal

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Ole Barton Alabama’s public education was cradled and matured in Barton Academy, the century-old struc- ture of such historical importance to the South. This building, Ala- bama’s monument to education, was founded in 1836, and has since expanded into “the million dollar high school of the South. This remarkable institution was opened in 1837 under the capable leadership of A. S. Vigus. In 1852 the session opened with four hun- dred pupils enrolled, but by the middle of the year the enroll- ment numbered 854. Miss Annie Quigley was first principal of the high school and Mary Horton was the first pupil. The main obsta- cle which served to intervene the companionship of the students was the high board fence which served the purpose of separating the boys and girls. Tradition says that in 1870 the academy was painted pink with the name in large black letters across the front. Facts tell us that during the Civil War the high school was closed and the building was used as a hospital for the soldiers. Memories of school days in this stately building will ever be cher- ished by students of bygone days and history will continue to tell of lhe learned men and women it has produced. 7

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These Three These three rule the sacred inner domain of Murphy high school, the office. Mrs. Fell, Mur- phy’s registrar, is continually busy registering new pupils and arranging schedules. She also checks seniors to see that they meet requirements for graduation. Before Mrs. Fell goes the name and record of every graduating senior from Murphy; and if a senior does not have the right number of cedits in the proper subjects, Mrs. Fell immedi- ately comes to his rescue with an easy, reasonable solution of the problem. Miss Gaston has charge of the records and files of every student at the school and must see that all the files are kept in perfect order for immedi- ate use if necessary. At the end of each semester it is her work to copy the semester’s grades of the students on their card in the file. She also must send all her records of a pupil to the school to which he is transferred. If inquiries are made by business houses, Miss Gaston immediately gath- ers and sends out the four year record of the graduate in question. Included in Miss Gaston’s work is the task of sending records to colleges which Murphy High School graduates attend after leaving Murphy. Better known by all Murphians as Kffie Lou, Miss Brown is the competent private secretary of Mr. Clark. All his mail is taken care of by her, and in her he finds not only someone who can capably take care of his every correspondence, but someone who understands and sympathizes with the student body. In every one of these three can be found sympathy, willingness to help, a certain kind-heartedness, a good worker, and probably most important of all for the jobs they have, a personality. Every boy and girl in the school loves, admires, and respects them. Fell: G ton; Brown In Line to See Mi Mne