John A. Carter

John A. Carter, The Sentinel, 1959

The 1958 edition of The Maroon and Gray is dedicated to Principal John A. Carter (1896-1959). The senior class appreciated his "deep devotion to the ideals of truth and education." Carter, from Philadelphia and a graduate of Syracuse University, served as Atkins High School's first principal in 1931 until his passing. He was known for being a disciplinarian and for his philosophy that "education should prepare" students to "live a healthy, useful life." James E. Gist, class of 1958, said Carter "did things to prepare us for the life ahead," emphasizing that students be on time for school and prepared to learn, respecting their teachers. Brenda Sloan, class of 1961, remembers Carter being a stickler for timeliness: "Lord knows you had to be on time because he would put you in detention."

Video: James E. Gist, Atkins class of 1958, discusses the impact of his principal John A. Carter.