Walton High School - Periwinkle Yearbook (Bronx, NY)

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I am noi a Teacher: only a fellow-Traw eler of whom you asked The way. I pointed ahead-ahead of myself as well as of you. Shaw

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ln MemoPiom To us vvho knevv the daily inspiration of serving under Miss Conlon's stimu- lating supervision, the memory of our relationships vvith her vvill always be both a blessing and a challenge to realize our best selves as teachers and as pupilsf Miss Conlon's professional progress bespoke the brilliance of her gifted mind and her constant devotion to duty as dictated by a vvarm andi sympathetic heart. ln her eight years as a classroom teacher, our principal generously expended the same energy and enthusiasm that contributed toward her increasing success as an edu- cator. Each lesson in nature study or the history of our land elicited from her that keen response and insight that vve recall so vividly and cherish as a standard for our ovvn vvork. These gifts rightfully found vvider fields of expression in Miss Conlon's work of organizing. When she found that children had to miss school to care for baby brothers and sisters vvhile their mothers vvorked, she organized the Abbey Day Nursery, where children of pre-school age are still cared for all day. Children of school age vvhose mothers have to vvork are also made vvelcome, to play in the yard? -or in the neat, attractive rooms that have been provided through Miss Conlon's continued interest and efficient help. Desiring to share her love of the beautiful in a vvay that vvould, give pleasure and vvorthy leisure activity to boys and girls, Miss 'Conlon established the vvork of school gardens in the Bronx. During the World War, the founder of our school vvas an indefatigable vvorker in the task of registration. As a pioneer in junior-senior high school administration, Miss Conlon, because of her genius for organization and her progressive outlook, met each nevv problem triumphantly, Walton l-ligh School, to which she gave unstintingly of her strength and her love, vvill alvvays be a memorial to her courage, enduring faith, and con- stancy of purpose. Miss Conlon envisioned Walton in the terms of the needs of each girl, a large number of vvhom she knevv personally. No pupil vvho served on the Board of Cov- ernors can ever be grateful enough for the privilege of contact with her principal's scintillating mind and friendly spirit, Miss Conlonis ideal of Walton scholarship in- cluded not only pride in the girls vvho vvon places on the l-lonor Roll, 'but in each member of the Blue Banner League vvho had striven sincerely for self-improvement. Miss Conlo-n embodied and inspired the highest professional ideals-an ethical code that gave and expected the best. When any project was undertaken, our prin- cipal vvas the one vvho gave it impetus and dynamic significance. ln her vvas in- corporated the truth that the greatest leadership connotes not only ther greatest effi- ciency, but also the willingness to do the hardest vvork and bear the heaviest responsibility. Our greatest tribute vvill be found in our gratitude for the rich spiritual heri- tage vvith which the founder of Walton has endovved it and in keeping alive the tra- ditions' of unselfish service, thorough scholarship, and nobility of character which her life and vvork so beautifully expressed. . EMll.Y HANSON OBEAR

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Throughout our tour years at Walton, vve have had, vve must admit, a rather grand and glorious time. And, oddly enough, vve have taken it duite tor granted. Seldom, it ever, has the realization come that one ot the principal reasons tor our vvell-being is the congenial and sympa- thetic attitude existing betvveen the the taculty and student bodies. l-lere vve have placed our tinger on the pulse ot the schools lite-stream. At the head ot the taculty statt, vve met lvliss lvlary A. Conlon an able, tair-minded leader, vvhose intluence vvill continue to pervade Walton and to dominate the spirit ot tuture classes. l-ler insight and perspicacity in her school activities and her unceasing ettorts tor our vveltare, proved her vvorthy ot the respect and admiration ot everyone vvho lqnevv her, Walton vvill miss her. Gur loss vvas more deeply telt because ot the triendly atmosphere vvhich exists in Walton betvveen the taculty and the student body. Our teachers, alvvays vvilling to be ot assistance as tar as they are able, give not only ot their technical lfnovvledge, but ot their abilities as advisers and triends as vvell. Conducting our classes, they have exhibited a dex- terity in directing us and a patience and vvisdom in counseling us that vve perceive only now in retrospect and tor vvhich vve are truly grate- tul. Theirs has been a dual taslc-that ot vvorking and ot playing vvith us. They have done both vvell, Notwithstanding the rigorous demands ot their pedagogic duties, the teachers ot Walton have alvvays found time to make the student lite as pleasant as possible, ln extra-curricular activities, vve have discov- ered that they are limitless in their capacities tor ingenious inno- vations, and vve have tound, too, that they are possessed ot understand- ing, sympathy, vvit, and a sense ot humor vvhich, with all our vagaries, vve have tound ditticult to exhaust. As supervisors ot our clubs, their encouragement and energy have provided the impetus that has made our atter-school activities so delightful, Language clubs, science clubs, cratt clubs, history clubs, clubs ot every sort and concerned vvith every interest-all have that splendid spirit ot good tun and cooperation that is the essential basis ot our school lite, ln the success ot our school pertormances, too, is convincing evidence ot the advantage ot this mutual teeling betvveen pupil and teacher. The very tlavor ot these entertainments, the results ot the concurrent ettort ot instructor and pertormer, is an amiable intormality that detracts not in the least trom their ettectiveness. Convergent interests ot taculty and students at Walton have pro- duced a sense ot good-vvill and common vveltare that vvill, in all proba- bility, remain vvith its possessors tor a long vvhile, The vvarm glovv that is telt by the mind in the presence ot congenial and kindred spirits is a lasting glovv, and even vvhen it fades, it leaves an ineradicable im- pression vvhose intluence is profound.