Evening star., 1941-11-09

Star Stan Photo.
ness or some other cause might be
helped to maintain themselves
abreast Of their classmates.
Ten years later, Mrs. Holton and
Miss Charlotte Hugh Arms, who was
her fellow Sunday school teacher in
the Unitarian Church where Mrs.
Holton subsequently became men,
Der of its Board of Trustees. joined
forces and founded the Holton- Arms
School. Mrs. Holton constantly re-
fers to this beloved partner of hers
as the most brilliant and effective
teacher Of English I have ever
known in the course of my own long
school career"
working earnestly and effectively
together until Miss Arms long in
validiSm and subsequent death, they
laid the foundations upon which
todays successful private educa-
tional enterprise for girls with its
more than 5000 alumnae was built.
Girls Use Her Home.
From the schools beginning Mrs.
Holton has been both its president
and it's homemaker Until her hus-
bands death in 1929, she spent her
summer vacations chiefly in travel
abroad with him. From their jour-
neyings they brought back rich
treasures of Old World art and cul-
ture, which were incorporated into
the schools background and fur
nishings. Professionals declare Mrs.
Holton's skill and taste in interior
decorating is so outstanding that
she might have made a distin-
guished career in this field as well.
Her own home at 1903 Phelps place
not only has unusual distinctiveness
in its spaciousness and harmony Of
color in its decoration and furnish
ings, but is as we'll a Sunday evening
mecca for the girls Of the schools
boarding department. Before its
hospitable hearthstone they gather
for memorable buffet suppers, sings
and chats with Mrs. Holton and
other members Of the faculty. The
girls are also permitted to use it for
class teas and other functions. Upon
its third floor is an alumnae suite
always avilable for visiting alumna
or two. Miss Frederick Hopper,
Mrs. Holton's niece, who Is also
slated to be her eventual successor
in the schools management, shares
this home with her.
Only a matter Of the gravest
emergency is ever permitted to in
terfere with Mrs. Holton's unvarying
10 am. appointment with the
schools cook. Together they plan
the excellent and well-balanced
meals for which this school has be-
come famous. Every noOntime, 300
pupils sit down to hot, nourishing
luncheon prepared on the schools S
premises under Mrs. Holton's i'm
mediate direction.
Her educational philosophy is
broadly humanitarian, based upon
her background of half century in
dealing with girls. She Is proud OF
the schools record that nine-tenths
of its high school students 60 to col
lege and that it is the recipient Of
seven scholarships from as many
leading women's colleges and uni
versities.
Teaches Business Practices.
Just as strongly, however, is she
convinced that all girls are not COL
lege material. and that many are
not ready until after two years in
a junior college to encounter the
greater freedom Of decision neces-
sary in the average four-year college
away from their homes.
In her opinion the greatest care
is necessary in high school edu-
cation not to dwarf the fine in
itiatives and talents that might per-
haps be developed into a bit of
genius If it were not sometimes
necessary to corrfine them to the
rigid mold or pressure often made
essential in preparing individuals to
meet the present system of college
board examinations. In this con-
nection she also feels there is grave
danger of fostering unfortunate in
feriority complexes which may con-
tinue with the girls throughout their
entire lives.
Procedures in good business prac-
tice are now 50 much a matter OF
necessity in every day life it is he1
belief that quite as . matter OF
course they should be an integra
part Of the pre-high and high school,
years in the education of girls AZ
we'll as Of boys.
The schools post graduate courses
in home-making, budgeting, nutri-
ton and cooking are meeting an ap-
parent need for debutantes an6
prospective brides.
Asked TO sum up the most i'm.
portant task of the high school,
teacher as she sees it and the
hardest, Mrs Holton said: "Tc
avoid laying down rules, but rather
50 to develop a sense of values that
your pupils in their after lives may
be able to make wise decisions from
the background of their own rea-
soning and judgment"
The Washington committee fol
the celebration Of the 40th ami.
versary Of the school consists Of it.
president, Mrs. w. Thacher Wins.
low; the vice president, Mrs. William
Bradley Willard. and secretary, Mrs
Charles Sturtevant, with Miss c
Butts as executive secretary ant
Mrs. Elbridgs DsMbEow - eiaaTmaa
: q rs pubAcaN