Washington High School - Lens Yearbook (Portland, OR)

Page 16 text:

The only vice-principal Washington has ever had is Vere Windnagle, who graduated from Cornell University. He has loeen outstanding in the national field of track. He became vice-principal at Washington in 1925. The present principal is Stephen E. Smith. He graduated from Oregon State College and it was there that he received his master of arts degree. He taught two years at his alma mater and later served as principal for several Portland and Alameda Grade Schools. Mr. Smith is active in clubs, councils, and religious organizations. Through forty-two years of service to youth, Washington High School has turned out many men and women who have been important in shaping our destiny. Through the coming years may it serve even more than in the past.

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The History of Washington High Washington High School was started in four buildings in September of 1806. These buildings were the Buckman School, Park School on the East Side, the Atkinson School on the West Side and the Central School at the present site. Mr. Hugh Herdman, the first principal, rode from building to building on horseback since there were few automobiles, and the buildings were far apart. In Ianuary of 1907, the school was moved to the old building. lt was first called the East Side High School. Three high schools which are now let- ferson, Lincoln, and Washington drew names and the school became known as Washington High School. This was the first high school on the East Side. Mr. William Green, chemistry teacher, who passed away recently was the only remaining teacher of the original staff of seventeen teachers. ln 1907 the Lens began as a monthly magazine. The first clubs of Wash- ington were Euk and Phreno which were formed in the year 1907. The schoo1's official flower is the gaillardia and the colors are maroon and gold. On October 29, 1922 the original building was destroyed by a fire. The only two things which were saved were a few files and a trophy which had been taken home for cleaning. This trophy is now on display in the trophy case of the main building. Q Until the new Washington was built on the old site the students attended Lincoln High School between l and 5 o'clock. Hawthorne was a grammar school so could not be used. The second principal at Washington was Hugh I. Boyd of California. He was a graduate of Stanford University in 1900. He was head of the Physics dept. in Lincoln until 1910 when he became the principal of Albina Home- stead School. ln 1920 he was elected to become principal of Washington. There have been three deans of girls at Washington. The first was Mrs. Levinson, who was also the first dean of a Portland high school. Next came Miss Lamberson, and then the present dean, Miss Ohmert, who is a graduate of University of Nevada and has her master of arts degree from University of Oregon.

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Mr. Smith It is by no means a small task to supervise a large body of students as Well as to be a friend and a personal counselor. In Mr. Smith we find all the qualities to fulfill such a position. To him the senior classes of '48 wish to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation for his genuine interest in numerous problems that have faced the classes throughout their stay at Washington. He has carefully and willingly taken into con- sideration the viewpoints of the students and has helped solve their problems to the satisfaction of all.