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

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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.

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PROFESSOR R. C. JENNINGS

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MRS. ETHEL DAVIES