Newton North High School - Newtonian Yearbook (Newton, MA)

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- ' .QQV N . r' l fn A ,. ,W .av . ff' its 7 7' , .dir 1.11 Richard W. Mechem, Principal PORTRAIT OF A PRINCIPAL Mr. Richard Mechem has been the principal of Newton North High School since 1960. Born in Evanston, Illinois, he attended Illinois public schools in Lake Forest, St. Paul's School in New Hampshire, and Harvard College in Cambridge from.which he graduated with honors. He married his wife. Jane, in 1944, and they had three children: Richard, George, and Ann. He also attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education where he received a Masters Degree. Mr. Mechem worked as a teacher, housemaster, and coach at St. Paul's School, and was Director of Studies there for two years. He then acted as Principal of Walnut Hills High School in Ohio, and finally went on to become Principal at Newton North. He is interested in Philosophy, Sociology, Shakespeare, and Sports, and is currently the Trustee and President of the Judge Baker Guidance Center, as well as a member of both the Commission on Public Secondary Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges: and a Trustee of the Children's Hospital Medical Center. As Principal, Mr. Mechem has a vast amount of responsibilities. He supervises the curriculum, the house plan, and various student activities, and discusses the schooI's problems with students, faculty, department heads, housemas- ters, and parents. He must determine what changes and improvements are necessary in the school in response to student and parent ideas, and must contact the people needed to facilitate these changes and work out any financial or educational problems. In his position of leadership, Mr. Mechem is greatly admired by both the students and the faculty. His personal qualities of honesty, integrity, and courage stand out in the minds of those who know him. He knows what he wants to do and is never afraid to state his position. Through his experience and training, he has acquired a strong personal committment to the individual, along with knowledge, skill, and a sense of humor. Although the ultimate responsibility of the school is his, he is always willing to listen to the ideas of others with an open mind, and ready to lend his support and leadership. ' This year Newton High's major problems were ventilation, financial cut-backs, the parking area, and the pool. The class of 1977 did not see them all solved, but they were constantly being worked on and solutions were being sought. In spite of these difficulties, Mr. Mechem felt that this year was a good one, and that this class was an excellent one. He felt the students were bright, active, enthusiastic, and athletic, and that they were relaxed with the school and the faculty which made for a healthy learning situation. As the class of 1977 leaves Newton North High School, we thank Mr. Mechem for all he has done, and he extends his wishes to us for a bright and successful future.

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U Q- -5 'f f,,,,yN. 1' 1 .. m 'hm . lm Atwood P. Dunham, Administrative Assistant xx Orrin M. Brawn, Director Of Technical Vocational Dept