Northampton Area High School - Amptennian Yearbook (Northampton, PA)

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Figures CHARLES H. BILHEIMER At time outset of iris teaching career. duties in the Central building, wliere lie taught Hintermediaten grades, now comparative to tlie first several years of 11ig11 scilooi. Remaining tl'1ere until 1907, lie tilen spent a silort time in the Washington building, pending completion of tile newly constructed Franklin building. where ire started in 1908. in 1910 lie was named principal of tile Franlclin scimool, serving in that capacity until 1928, when lie partici- pated in opening anotimer new school-tiie junior iligii school, as assistant principal and instructor in mathematics, tire motlier of music. Still serving in tlie junior laigll scllool, lic- lias ioeen an invaiuaiole factor in its growtli as an educational institution, developing, among other projects, time sclsioolys outstanding citizen- sl1ip program tllrougil student goveinrnent elec- tions. N A lover of music, Mr. Billieimer made an early acquaintance with tlais field, wimen, as a luoy, lie studied violin, later winning a position in tlie tiien popular Vveaversvilie orchestra. Oi this group luis iarotiier Clinton was also a mem- loer, playing tlie clarinet. At College lie relin- quisiied iris violin for the gridiron, where lie played tackle for his alma mater and developed a love for sports equal to 1'1is love for music. Today, we find him a familiar figure at any atiiietic contest. Also interested in vocal music, and tire possessor oi a fine tenor voice, lie sang lor many years on iris cliurcli ciroir. To time iaeloved and iamiliar figure, who iras tauglcit tiiree generations of lxlorthamptonians liow to figure, we therefore iiumioly dedicate this volume, hoping that some day we, in a small way, miglit also ine aisle to aciiieve some of time accent acliieved lay Mr. Biliieimer in' service to humanity. ' Page 11 ,

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Accent Un CHARLES H. BILHEIMER In a characteristic present day pose. in direct contrast to the symphonyys measure upon measure and strain upon strain of heau- tifui meiody emheiiished with fuii, rich chords, is the simpie, iittie folic song. Passed on from generation to generation, it increases in popu- larity and appeai untii it more than crescendoes the symphony in universality. As unpretentious and unassuming as the ioiic song, yet equaiiy as ioved and just as fa- miiiar, is Mr. Biiheimer, who, in our opinion, has contrihuted the outstanding meiody to this composition. Borrowing a phrase from Mon- trose,s Darling Ciementinef, we can iiteraiiy caii him a Hforty-ninerf, for he compietes his forty-ninth year of teaching, and ali forty-nine of them have heen spent in the service of North- ampton, this year. A native of the pastorai environs of neigh- horing Aiien township, he can unquestionahiy Page 10 ciaim the honor of having given his entire life to this vicinity for the good of aii. He has played a dominant roie in educating at ieast three gen- erations of youthful Northamptonians for life, for some time ago he hegan instructing the grandchildren of his early students. Round and iuii has been his experience, inasmuch as he grew up with our schools, or rather, perhaps we should say that our schoois grew up with him. He has not oniy taught more of our citi- zens than any other teacher, hut he has aiso taught more of our people to hecome citizens, for he conducted night classes in citizenship for immigrants over a period of some years. It was in 1899 that, following his graduation from Kutztown State Teachers coiiege, he first stepped into a classroom at the Stemton school, iater the Third ward school and forerunner of the Franklin building. In 1904 he tooic up new

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