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School opens 101st year with Centennial Convocation
Aug 22, 2005 9:50 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
To kick off Darlington’s 101st school year and to continue in the celebration of the year 2005, the School held an Opening Centennial Convocation Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 8:30 a.m. in the A.J. Huffman ’67 Memorial Athletic Center.
“A dynamic school promotes energetic, enthusiastic and engaged students. Everything I’ve seen so far shows that’s exactly who we are,” said Headmaster Tom Whitworth as he introduced himself to guests and thanked the community for welcoming him and his wife, Margo, to Rome.
With faculty members dressed in academic regalia, Convocation had a formal program featuring the history and ringing of the School Bell, recognition of national flags of countries from which Darlington has students in the 2005-06 year and a Centennial Address by Betty Wright Ledbetter.
The daughter of Elizabeth Ramey Wright and Dr. Ernest Linwood Wright, who served as Darlington’s headmaster from 1920 to 1954 and president from 1954 to 1963, Ledbetter grew up on the Darlington campus. She spoke of her fond memories and what the School means to her.
“I always felt lucky to have so many brothers . I am thankful for the many relationships I’ve formed at this place,” said Ledbetter, who was never officially enrolled at Darlington because it was an all-boys school when she was growing up. “I remember shooting marbles with the boys … climbing every tree I could find. This place was where I had my first crush, my first kiss, my first dance.”
Also during the ceremony, a portrait of Darlington’s founding headmaster, Dr. James Ross McCain, was dedicated to the School. Twenty-two members of McCain’s family, including his daughter Louise Boyce, as well as the portrait artist, Suzanne Royal (’77) were in attendance. A special reception for the McCain family and other special guests followed the Convocation.
“Twenty-five days from today – Sept. 11 – marks the 100th anniversary of the day that James Ross McCain opened Darlington School and taught its first class. Today, as we welcome Tom Whitworth as our new headmaster – what more appropriate time could there be to remember and honor our first headmaster,” said Sam Moss (’63), dean of college guidance, who dedicated the portrait and spoke of meeting James Ross McCain once as a senior at Darlington. “I have always had a keen interest in history, and for a Darlingtonian of my generation, meeting Dr. McCain was a bit like meeting George Washington – Dr. McCain truly was the father of this school … We are indeed honored that these members of Dr. McCain’s family are able to be here as we honor him.”
Darlington will continue the centennial theme throughout the remainder of 2005, hosting special events such as Darlington Day at the Rome Braves Aug. 21, Centennial Alumni Weekend Oct. 7-9 and “Winds of the Season,” a free centennial community concert, Dec. 6 at The Forum.
“A dynamic school promotes energetic, enthusiastic and engaged students. Everything I’ve seen so far shows that’s exactly who we are,” said Headmaster Tom Whitworth as he introduced himself to guests and thanked the community for welcoming him and his wife, Margo, to Rome.
With faculty members dressed in academic regalia, Convocation had a formal program featuring the history and ringing of the School Bell, recognition of national flags of countries from which Darlington has students in the 2005-06 year and a Centennial Address by Betty Wright Ledbetter.
The daughter of Elizabeth Ramey Wright and Dr. Ernest Linwood Wright, who served as Darlington’s headmaster from 1920 to 1954 and president from 1954 to 1963, Ledbetter grew up on the Darlington campus. She spoke of her fond memories and what the School means to her.
“I always felt lucky to have so many brothers . I am thankful for the many relationships I’ve formed at this place,” said Ledbetter, who was never officially enrolled at Darlington because it was an all-boys school when she was growing up. “I remember shooting marbles with the boys … climbing every tree I could find. This place was where I had my first crush, my first kiss, my first dance.”
Also during the ceremony, a portrait of Darlington’s founding headmaster, Dr. James Ross McCain, was dedicated to the School. Twenty-two members of McCain’s family, including his daughter Louise Boyce, as well as the portrait artist, Suzanne Royal (’77) were in attendance. A special reception for the McCain family and other special guests followed the Convocation.
“Twenty-five days from today – Sept. 11 – marks the 100th anniversary of the day that James Ross McCain opened Darlington School and taught its first class. Today, as we welcome Tom Whitworth as our new headmaster – what more appropriate time could there be to remember and honor our first headmaster,” said Sam Moss (’63), dean of college guidance, who dedicated the portrait and spoke of meeting James Ross McCain once as a senior at Darlington. “I have always had a keen interest in history, and for a Darlingtonian of my generation, meeting Dr. McCain was a bit like meeting George Washington – Dr. McCain truly was the father of this school … We are indeed honored that these members of Dr. McCain’s family are able to be here as we honor him.”
Darlington will continue the centennial theme throughout the remainder of 2005, hosting special events such as Darlington Day at the Rome Braves Aug. 21, Centennial Alumni Weekend Oct. 7-9 and “Winds of the Season,” a free centennial community concert, Dec. 6 at The Forum.
