William Penn High School - Penn Yearbook (High Point, NC)

Page 20 text:

ifl ' ISl

Page 19 text:

LESS MEN OF VISION Two Negroes did much to influence the Quakers to establish here and then secured a site upon which the new school was to be constructed. These were Elder Daniel Brooks (father of Mesdames Sarah Davis and Lola Curtright) and George Gray. 0. E. Davis, H.P.N. and I. graduate and retired prin¬ cipal of Fairview Street School, recalls that Will Cole, drayman for Snow Lumber Company, placed him atop the first load of lumber destined for the new school. W. Elmer Meade assumed the position of first prin- ALFRED J. GRIFFIN Alfred J. Griffin became the first Negro principal at the suggestion of Booker T. Washington. In 1897 after three years of brilliant teaching, Mr. Griffin moved with his wife and children to High Point. During his tenure, he saw H.P.N. and 1. develop from a single wood structure housing classes, lodging, dining and all other facilities with 193 students served by 2 teachers to one of 6 buildings and 276 students. cipal of the school and he was followed by Frank Clarke, last white principal. An early graduate of H.P.N. and I. was Sheppard S. Whitted, retired principal of Leonard Street School. The first Negro girl graduate was Mrs. Eunice Bow¬ man Baldwin Guy. She later was an honor graduate of St. Augustine College and after a successful teaching experience in Charlotte came home to teach in the new William Penn High School from which she retired. EDWARD E. CURTRIGHT The first principal of William Penn High School, Edward E. Curtright, was summoned to a teaching positio n at H.P.N. and I. from Atlanta. When the Society of Friends donated that institu¬ tion to city, he was asked to be principal. Under his able guidance great progress was made and soon the school was regarded as one of the best in the South, eighth accredited A by the Southern Asso¬ ciation. 15

Page 21 text:

OUR PRINCIPAL The beginning of every school year at William Penn brings giggles and laughter, new faces, hectic scheduling, and the joys and frustrations of every student. The principal anticipates all of these feelings and he looks forward to the task of helping and encourag¬ ing each student to do his best. His duties of coordination of activities, attending conferences, disciplining students and making decisions keep him constantly on the go. Mr. Burford’s entire adult life has been centered around the education of young people. He is a graduate of Virginia Union University in Richmond and has received his master’s degree from the University of Michigan. He strives to instill in the students the importance of preparation for college and of meeting the challenges ahead. Since 1933, Mr. Burford has been principal of William Penn High School. He, too, feels a touch of sadness with the approaching end of our school but he recognizes that things change, and that often the change is for the better. Because of his tremendous effort and diligent work in urging us to complete our education, we pledge ourselves to surpass his greatest expectations and to steer our courses into unchartered realms. We of the senior class shall sorely miss his guidance and counseling. We who are underclassmen bemoan the fact that the classes of ’69 and ’70 will divide and go our separate ways, but the classes of ’68, ’69, and ’70 join in bidding you Godspeed. The Pennpoint Staff 17