J. E. BERRYHILL Registrar Aman of varied teaching exper ience, he accumulaled 20 yeal> of se!Vice at the Academy. He has taught physical education, coached basketball and RIVed as principal. He divided this year between serving as counselor and registrar and teaching Bible, American history and driver's education. Pflit J/'UI/: What teacher influenced JOUr life the most? Berry'hill: It was probably a fellow by the name of Roach. He was principal when I was in Ihe seventh through elevenlh grades. He had gone to school at North Texas State, and he said, •Anybody can dig a ditch. It doesn't take intelligence to dig a ditch'" He was probably the most influential person in the lives of the boys and the girls as well. I would like to see our students do what they want to do, and not just accept digging a ditch. Petit Jeal/ : What was your first teaching job? Berry'hill: The first job I had was here at Harding Academy. I taught boys' P.E. and coached basketball. I was already married then and was about 27. Petit Jean: Have you been here since then? Berryhill: No, I taught at Central High School in Florence, Alabama and George Peabody College, coaching football , basketball, and swimming. Later I went into the se!Vice and became an instructor in V-l3. Then I volunteered for rehabilitation se!Vice, working in hospitals. PERRY S. MASON. MA. LLD Superintendent Superintendent for the past 27 years, Mason continued to emphasize the Academy's tradition of spiritual development and academic excellence. While performing his administrative tasks, Mason actively involved himself in civic affairs and lectured extensively on democracy and Americanism. He was elected the 1973-74 State Commander of the American Legion. Petit Jeall: When did you enter education? Masoll: When I first graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1934, I began teaching history and coaching football in Haskell, Texas. Petit Jeall: What is the most rewarding experience you have had in your teaching career? Masoll: Probably seeing young people learn about the history of their country and watching them grow and develop in the classroom. When) was a teacher here, we had some young people who enjoyed American history and I still enjoy teaching it. Petit Jeall: Do you believe a small school has an advantage over a large school? Masoll: In many ways it does. The large schools probably have an advantage in the curriculum, but young people have an advantage in smaller schools - they know each other and their teachers. They also know how to get around on the campus better than at big schools. BILL DILES. MA Principal Early mornings often found the principal hard at work in an attempt to get ahead of his busy schedule . Diles not only fulfilled his position as administrator, which he has held for seven years, but also taught typing and served as sponsor of the Future Business Leaders of America. Despite his varied, demanding activities, he always took time to counsel with those who needed his advice and encouragement. Petit Jeall: What did you dream of being as you were growing up? Diles: Everything but a teacher. Oh, I think the first thing I ever thought of was running a store, primarily to have as much candy to eat as I wanted. My brother and I played together and we dreamed of one day being partners, with one driving a grocery truck and the other having a grocery store. Petit Jeall: Do you believe our faculty-student relationship is what it shou ld be? Diles: It's not ideal. I suspect it's considerably better than some schools, but ) would like it to be a situation where there are good feelings between students and teachers all the time, and that doesn't exist. I don't believe that a teacher should have the relationship of a buddy with the students, but it ought to be a genuine friendship. I think there is a difference between being a buddy and a genuine friend. ADMINISTRATION / 291
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