Woodrow Wilson High School - President Yearbook (Portsmouth, VA)

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;4«td Mr. Robert L. Sweeney Principal

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In addition to the untiring efforts of J. Leon Codd, Wilson’s first principal, we cannot overlook the contributions of many other people, chief among these being that of former Superin- tendent of Schools Harry A. Hunt. Working along with Mr. Hunt were the following members of the 1917 Portsmouth School Board; F. T. Briggs, President; R. S. Marshall, W. F. Robertson, Harry Cuthriell, B. L. Shepherd, W. R. McGehee, S. E. Long, E. R. Brinkly, Albert Lassiter, John F. Wilson, clerk; H. L. Hudgins, treasurer. Mr. Robert L. Sweeney, first assistant principal of Woodrow Wilson, and present principal, continues enriching the lives of many. Through his guidance, patience, and understanding it is obvious that many Wilson students have been affected. Wilson ' s second assistant principal, Mr. Alfred J. Mapp, Senior, has risen to higher ranks as present Superintendent of Portsmouth Public Schools. When Mr. Mapp was elevated to the position of Superintendent, Mr. Robert W. Allen became assistant principal. As the school grew, so did the administration, and when the need for two assistant principals arose, Mr. Thomas W. Gray was appointed. The management of the office can be attributed to Miss Ann Calvert, Mrs. Lemuel Mayo, nee Christine Foot, and Mrs. Margaret Clayton, in that order. Miss Anna S. Johnston, Wilson ' s first English department head, and Miss Hilda Devilbiss are two of the most outstanding English faculty members. Miss Devilbiss was also the first dean of girls. Her expert knowledge and helpful advice have successfully guided many girls. The history department has traveled the long road to the present under the capable leader- ship of the late Miss Zadie Smith, and Miss Katherine Timberlake. Both have done their utmost to make our history department the best. Praise should be accredited to Miss Mildred James, one of the most prominent mathematics department heads, for her unselfish efforts to better the mathematics department. Though Miss James is no longer teaching here at Wilson, her memory will always remain. In recalling past faces we cannot overlook Miss Mary B. Brittingham, past head of the foreign language department, and Latin teacher, and Miss Martha Porter, to whom the Home Economics department owes much. Professor Arthur Lancaster developed fully the musical program at Wilson, and we must certainly agree that his continuing contributions are worthy of note. Mr. Paul Brown, our first band director, can well be proud of the fine musicians he has trained. Wilson’s cafeteria has been under the management of its first supervisor. Miss Nanny Butt, until her death in 1954, and her loss has been keenly felt by all who came within the scope of her personality. The effectiveness and well-rounded program in the commercial department may be credited to the originator of office praaice, Mr. E. D. Heyler. This program started in 1952, and has greatly aided students participating in the commercial course. The physical fitness of our students is the result of a well balanced and stimulating physical education program. This department was for a number of years under the direction of Mr. Lester E. Kibler, and has come a long way in promoting physical fitness. Our past and present champion- ship teams are proof of this. Mr. Ernest Wild, our beloved Coach,” and Athletic Director, has done much in making our school tops. He originated the practice of Homecoming” in 1948, and the combination of his hard work and excellent ideas have made every Homecoming” very successful. Drivers’ Training was also started by Mr. Wild in 1948. His patience with driving students has proven very helpful. Two of rhe school’s most important rooms cannot be overlooked; they are the Infirmary, which was added in 1946 under the leadership of Mrs. Jean Mayo, and the vast source of knowledge in our library can be accredited to Miss Mary B. Ames, our librarian. Two of the most educational and useful courses we have in our school are Distributive Education, which was started in 1938, and Diversified Occupations, which begun in 1937 under the supervision of Mr. Arthur S. Owens. These courses are very helpful to those engaged in this part-time work plan. Wilson has been first in many things, one of them being the Athletic Association, which was one of the first in Virginia. We were also one of the first schools along the East Coast to have filmed a movie written and produced by students including sound. This came about by the excellent audio-visual education under the instruction of Mr. L. C. Padden. He has done much to instruCT boys in this work. Woodrow Wilson High School has come a long way since its beginning in 1917. With modern methods of teaching, our school in 1953 began to emphasize counseling by adding rooms for this, with various teachers acting as counselors. iln giving praise to those who contributed to making our school successful, we should mention George T. McLean who has really supported our athletic program. Another contributor is Norman Hamilton, owner of the Portsmouth Star, who has promoted editorially all the activities of the school. Many prominent men and women in Portsmouth are past graduates of Woodrow Wilson High School, including local ministers, lawyers, doctors, and businessmen. Much of their success goes back to the wise guidance and knowledge they received from all the wonderful principals and faculty members of Woodrow Wilson High School.

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Seated: Mrs. Clara Porter, clerk; Mrs. W. B. Spong, Mrs. C. L. Crowder, Mrs. C. C. Wright. Standing: Mr. Harry Harcnm, Mr. C. Bradford Russell, Mr. A. J. Mapp, Mr. Joseph Tusing, Mr. Harold Tiffany. (Absent from picture: Mr. M. E. Goldman, Mr. M. H. Rapport).