Wilson Memorial High School - Hornets Nest Yearbook (Fishersville, VA)

Page 16 text:

PROFESSOR R. C. JENNINGS

Page 15 text:

School History W::.. glancing through an old annual of the Waynesboro High School, I was surprised to see a picture of a little 2x4 schoolhouse of unpainted, weather-beaten wood, with one chimney, about three windows, and heaven knows how many doors! Just imagine my embarrass- ment when I discovered that this one-hoss establishment was the high school building! I just wonder what Professor A. C. Kimler thought when he saw that building. He came here, you know, in 1909. At this time, however, both the grammar grades and high school classes were held in what is now the Jackson Primary School Building. This, at least was some improvement over the previous concoction! Some three hundred proud and happy pupils re- ceived their mental training by the combined efforts of eight over-worked teachers. As Waynesboro became prosperous, and grew larger and larger, with a decided increase in population, the good citizens began planning another school building. Thus it was that in 1912 work was begun on the present Jackson Grammar School building. There was some delay in work, however, for one of the men got it in his head that there should be a hall upstairs. As nobody else would agree with him, he stubbornly kept the others from working. Today, we can see that both sides won, for there are two halls! Had it not been for the foresight of our Professor Kimler, perhaps we would not have had this building. He had a hard fight for it, but, as usual, was the victor On account of ill health, Superintendent Kimler retired from the posi- tion of Superintendent, but continued teaching. Mr. D. P. Hurley succeeded Professor Kimler as Superintendent. Accordingly, Mr. Hurley was in charge of the school system from 1921 to 1927. Then Professor R. C. Jennings assumed the position, and seems to have been very successful. Today, we may find Professor Kimler at the court, with the title of Trial Justice A. C. Kimler. Now that we’ve got beer, I’m sure Mr. Kimler will not object to a friendly little toast in his honor. Every graduate of this ’33 class shall always carry a memory of Professor Kimler, and the respect he demands can know no end! And so, here’s to Professor A. C. Kimler, with all our hearts!

Page 17 text:

Mrs. Ethel H. Davies is another deserving pioneer of our school system. When she landed in this burg in 1914 (no doubt she wished she were back in the wild and wooly West!) there were four high school teachers and four departments. They were English, Science, Latin, and Math. Mrs. Davies, in charge of the Science Department, taught history to the open-mouthed stu- dents who had never been given such a slant on history. Only those who have been in her classes can know how much Mrs. Davies has helped the growth of the Science Departments. Here one can hardly say, “Such patience must be deserved,” for the students were certainly trying. Also, we must pay tribute to Mrs. Davies for her kindness in the directing of several very successful plays. Most of the proceeds from these plays were spent for science equipment. Hail, Mrs. Davies! The first laboratory supplies were bought in 1915, and can’t you just see the bright-eyed youngsters as they broke test-tubes and spilled acids! or as they cut off frog legs, and looked at lice with the microscope? Part of these supplies (not lice!) are still being used by science students. In 1915, twenty-four proud students graduated. My, my, my! Just twenty-four, and we have forty-four! About all the excitement during 1916-1917 was that furnished by the continual struggle between the Maury and Cary Societies, into which the entire school was divided. What a time they had trying to get the better of each other! In those good old days, every citizen of Waynesboro attended the debate and public speaking contests of these two brilliant groups. With shining eyes, and proud smil es, mothers and fathers would say, “My Annie is on the debate tonight. Yes, she’s a Maury! Oh, yes, Maury’s the only thing! Nothing can beat the Maury Club!” Then the Cary upholder would stride past the Maury enthusiast with a slightly up-turned nose and perhaps the tiniest hint of a snort. She knew that Cary was the thing! More and more teachers were added to the faculty, until in 1926 there were six teachers, and the next year, seven. This was a few years after the construction of the Wilson High building, in 1922. Wilson High School got one good deal, at least. That happened in 1927 when Mr. Jennings was installed. Of course, we were lucky in having had Professor Kimler and Mrs. Davies, but we must admit that we could never have done without Professor Jennings’ educational sagacity and good, sound common sense.