1948

1948

by Rufus McClure

It’s easy to find accolades to bestow upon this much admired and accomplished gentleman.

Colonel Ball joins the administration as Executive Head of school under Major Hooker.

He was also chairman of the History Department, and everyone who ever sat through Colonel Ball’s American History class can testify that he was an outstanding and demanding taskmaster.

Most responding alumni recall him with great admiration. He brought with him his wife Madelyn, who became principal of the Lower School, then grades six, seven and eight.

Captain Lloyd M. Bergen—teacher, coach, and guidance—makes his debut. He brought with him his wife Adelaide.

Both [Bergan & Ball] are remembered with love and affection.

Lionel King will be remembered for his culinary perfection as he assumes responsibility for food services.

Harvey Wood begins his Bolles career as a physics teacher, and Captain Dorey taught cadets typing when typing was considered for sissies.

Mrs. Ball, wife of Colonel Ball, takes over the Lower School.

Although some of these ladies were teachers, they are represented here primarily as faculty wives.

Since Bolles was more boarding school than day school--over two hundred boarders--most teachers were necessarily young single men who were required to live in the dorm and supervise these rambunctious teenage boys.

Hence, there were fewer wives than male teachers.

We would not reach gender parity on the faculty until we admitted girls in the seventies.

Major Ralph Andrews has to be regarded at the top of the pantheon.

A beloved English teacher, he was the first active teacher ever to receive the dedication.

Virtually every responding alum commented with great admiration on this faculty icon.

Obviously the alumni are growing in both numbers and influence.

Of interest: Walter Haile commanded the drill team for the halftime show at the first Gator Bowl game.

John Sanderford was class president.

Robert Wernikoff was class valedictorian .

Anyone looking at these scores today must surely be shocked.

Imagine a winning score of 22!

Skip Benolken, mentioned previously, is another of those who were destined to ascend into the pantheon from the day he first enrolled.

He remains to this day one of our most devoted and productive alumni.

This autograph page from his yearbook testifies to his affection from his classmates.

Among these names are many others who have made their mark and who remain indelibly attached.

That’s Mrs. Ball, lower school principal, seated front and center.