Phillips Academy - Pot Pourri Yearbook (Andover, MA)

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DEDICATICN 1960 Mr. M. Lawrence Shields, A.B. lt is unfortunate that more of us did not have the opportunity - as older generations had - of knowing Mr. M. Lawrence Shields. Mr. Shields came to Andover over twenty-five years ago as an assistant track coach. He had just come from Antwerp, where he had placed third in the l5OO meter run of the 1920 Olympics. Three years later he became an in- structor in biology, a position which he held until l942. taking time off only to participate in a map-making expedition to Labrador: ln 1942 he went into the navy, where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He returned to Andover to become Alumni Secretary, where he remained until 1951 when he became Secretary of the Academy, the position he held intil his retirement. Page 8 One of Mr. Shield's most notable characteristics is his fascinating sense of humor. lt seems as if it is always present, whether it be to cheer someone up, to poke fun at someone, or just to display an amazing wit. ln everything he does, his humor shows. For instance, Mr. Shields has given only one demerit in his career. This was when he offered a senior in his dormitory the option of taking a demerit or carrying a load of wood to his housemaster's apartment. The boy chose the former alternative, and received the demerit to everyone's surprise, including Mr. Shields. lt is impossible to transmit the true character of Mr. Shields in a few words. He is an amazing man who has devoted his whole life to Andover. ln apprecia- tion of his service, we dedicate the l96O Pot Pourri to him, hoping that he has many happy years before him.

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lt would take more intellectual curiosity than Andover boys can muster to turn the Idylls of the King into an adventure in exciting litera- ture, or Moby Dick, encumbered with dreary detail about whaling and the anatomy of its obect, into unparalleled marine excitement. It was Harford W. H. Powel who first convinced us that English teachers, as well as students, turn pale when the time comes to decipher Mel- ville's digressions or unattractive Tennyson poetry. Who else would train his troops to identify the play and lines from which Shakespeare quotations were taken, and then test them with lines he composed himself? You call it trickery? We call it sport. Not one of that famous class of 1958 was man enough to call the lines a fraud. All failed the test, but when the trick was an- nounced, Shakespeare was more a sport and less a grind. With Mr. Powel's retirement, Andover is losing a man whose quick mind and tongue 1n- jected spirit into English. A keen critic, a lively instructor, a fine friend, and as spontaneous a teacher as we've yet enjoyed talking with, Har- ford W. H. Powel leaves a remarkable reputa- tion behind. Grateful, refreshed students wish him well. K qi' A if Harford W. H. Powel, Ir. Ruth M. Whitehill Page 9 Where did befogged Seniors turn for assist- ance when Northeast Iowa Iunior College de- manded from SZ? To that unfailing source of answers, Miss Ruth M. Whitehill, secretary to the Dean of Students. From now on, a new face will greet and answer the questions of mystified Seniors. After twenty years at Andover, Miss Whitehill is re- tiring this year. Writing a description doing justice to Miss Whitehi1l's service to Andover, and especially to its worried Seniors, would be impossible. We can only echo the thanks that have been uttered innumerable times during her long Andover career. People like Miss Whitehill are welcome au- thorities for our often insignificent questions.