Thornton Township High School - Thorntonite Yearbook (Harvey, IL)

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As students look ahead to the struggle, a struggle to maintain democracy, they realize that it takes more than air, naval, or military strength. The lights of education, religion, music, and art must forever burn in our nation. The Board of Education of Thornton, with its wise leadership and constant vigilance, is a vital factor in keeping these lights burning. If it were not for five capable and understanding men, Thornton could not have attained the position it holds today. Mr. G. H. Gibson, President of the Board, was president of the Chicago Steel Car Company before retirement. His undaunting service of thirty-three years to the school is truly one of the factors that make Thornton what it is. Mr. A. H. McDougall, consulting adviser in the Chicago office of Manning, Mawell, and Moore, New York engineering firm, has a record of thirty-two years of service to Thornton in its Board of Education. Mr. Walter Haines, Thornton Township Collector, Mr. Frank P. Cowing, Homewood attorney-at-law, and Mr. Edwin R. Waterman, farmer and banker of South Holland, are sharing with the others the many responsibilities of the Board. Employing faculty members and determining their salaries, determin- ing policies, budgets, and expenditures of the school are the principal duties of the Board. The Board meets the third Friday of each month to discuss the various problems of the school. Mr. Burton Evans, Mr. A. F. Waldschmidt, and Mr. Clarence W. Waaso, assist the members in carrying out their duties. Mr. Evans and Mr. Waaso, secretary and attorney of the Board, respectively, are elected by the group ; Mr. Wald- schmidt, school treasurer, is elected by the three trustees of Thornton Township. The members of the Board of Education are elected by ballot by the voters of the township to a term of three years. Voluntarily and without remuneration these men give their time to make Thornton the school it is today. Page «

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Ill PLACE! LIGHTS! Page 7

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William E. McVey, B.S., A.M., Ph.D. Ohio University, University of Chicago. Superintendent of Thorn- ton Township High School and Junior College. Je-U £ a»% 7 Let ' s talk it over, a simple statement accom- panied by a kind smile, but to an eager group of young people, much more has been conveyed, assur- ance of understanding, co-operation, and wise judg- ment, for Dr. McVey has just spoken. Dr. William Estus McVey, superintendent of Thornton Township High School, is the experienced director who, through twenty-six years of war and peace, has directed the drama of life enacted in the halls and classrooms of Thornton. Just as the success or failure of a great production depends on its director, so does Thornton ' s progress reflect the wisdom and vision of her producer. Dur- ing this past year the play entitled, Thornton, 1944-45, has been beset by many difficulties, but Dr. McVey has aided the faculty and student body in resolving these war-borne problems with charac- teristic foresight. A friendly smile, an extra word, a sympathetic ear — what immeasurable good they can do a bewildered junior, a harassed newcomer. The fact that Dr. Mc- Vey is not only Dr. William E. McVey, Superintend- ent, to this school, but also a kindly friend and adviser, is one reason that all its members are his admirers. A rock — that vital something to hang onto that students forced by the war into a suddenly hastened growing up can look to — is the man in charge of that theater called Thornton. Dr. McVey is many things to many people; a sophomore might say, in highest tribute, He ' s a good Joe ; a faculty member, Our superintendent, a leader of men ; and the ghosts that linger in the halls and whisper in the elm leaves might breathe, Simply Thornton. Page »