SJ365: Commending St. Christophers School on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 365
Commending St. Christopher?s School on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, January 17, 2011
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 18, 2011
 

WHEREAS, in 2011, St. Christopher?s School, a college preparatory school located in Richmond, celebrates 100 years of providing young men with a superior education and experience in preparation for higher education and success in life and work; and

WHEREAS, St. Christopher?s School, originally known as the Chamberlayne Country School, Inc., opened its doors on September 26, 1911, with 16 boys in three forms under the visionary leadership of Headmaster Dr. Churchill Gibson Chamberlayne; and

WHEREAS, De Witt Hankins, in his historical work entitled The First Fifty Years, describes the early and formative years of St. Christopher?s School, including a description of its first location at 3311 (now 3211) Grove Avenue; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Chamberlayne and his wife initially resided in a large white frame house that had an ample yard behind it to serve as a playground while the end of the property boasted a red brick building that served as the school building for the boys; and

WHEREAS, by 1914, Chamberlayne Country School, Inc., had grown substantially, necessitating a move to its current-day location on St. Christopher?s Road near Patterson Avenue and Three Chopt Road in Westhampton; and

WHEREAS, in 1920, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia acquired the Chamberlayne Country School, Inc.; Dr. Chamberlayne continued as headmaster while the institution became known as St. Christopher?s School; and

WHEREAS, as the number of students at St. Christopher?s School grew, so did its many programs and traditions that help form the character and common experience that unites the young men in a lasting brotherhood; and

WHEREAS, a core component of the St. Christopher?s School experience is its honor system, designed to build the character and integrity of its students by encouraging students to practice honorable behavior at all times; and

WHEREAS, St. Christopher?s School began its student newspaper, The Pine Needle, in 1916; organized the Jackson and Lee Literary Societies to provide students with a forum for speaking and debating; and held its first play, The Mousetrap, at the Jefferson Hotel; and

WHEREAS, St. Christopher?s School, recognizing the value of athletics in promoting teamwork and building physical strength and discipline, began to build teams for various sports and entered competitive play, emerging in 1922?1923 with winning seasons in three sports; and

WHEREAS, in the 1930s, St. Christopher?s School received international recognition for its outstanding program when two of its alumni, Patrick Gibson and John Williams, became Rhodes Scholars; and

WHEREAS, over the years, as the young men of St. Christopher?s School graduated and grew into men of influence in society, their commitment to their alma mater would prove to be invaluable to the success and prosperity of the school; and

WHEREAS, on April 2, 1939, the St. Christopher?s School faculty, staff, and students as well as the larger community mourned the loss of its influential first headmaster, Dr. Chamberlayne, whose inspired leadership formed the foundations of the school that have carried it through its first century; and

WHEREAS, over the years, St. Christopher?s School has continued to be superbly led by several headmasters, including Dr. John Page Williams, Robert Wilder Bugg, Warren P. Elmer, George J. McVey, and Charles M. Stillwell; and

WHEREAS, throughout its century of existence, one of the strengths of St. Christopher?s School has been its faculty, a vital and constant source of guidance, knowledge, and inspiration to its students; and

WHEREAS, for 100 years, St. Christopher?s School has produced men of integrity, honor, and intelligence who have made substantial contributions to their communities and professional fields; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend St. Christopher?s School on the occasion of its centennial anniversary for providing an exemplary educational experience to its students; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charles M. Stillwell, Headmaster of St. Christopher?s School, as an expression of the General Assembly?s congratulations and respect for the school?s dedication to its students and best wishes for a bright and successful future.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 365
Offered January 12, 2011
Commending St. Christopher?s School on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.

Patrons-- McEachin, Obenshain, Stosch and Watkins; Delegates: Janis, Loupassi, Massie and Peace

WHEREAS, in 2011, St. Christopher?s School, a college preparatory school located in Richmond, celebrates 100 years of providing young men with a superior education and experience in preparation for higher education and success in life and work; and

WHEREAS, St. Christopher?s School, originally known as the Chamberlayne Country School Inc., opened its doors on September 26, 1911, with 16 boys in three forms under the visionary leadership of Headmaster Dr. Churchill Gibson Chamberlayne; and

WHEREAS, De Witt Hankins, in his historical work entitled The First Fifty Years, describes the early and formative years of St. Christopher?s School, including a description of its first location at 3311 (now 3211) Grove Avenue; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Chamberlayne and his wife initially resided in a large white frame house that had an ample yard behind it to serve as a playground while the end of the property boasted a red brick building that served as the school building for the boys; and

WHEREAS, by 1914, Chamberlayne Country School Inc. had grown substantially, necessitating a move to its current-day location on St. Christopher?s Road near Patterson Avenue and Three Chopt Road in Westhampton; and

WHEREAS, in 1920, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia acquired the Chamberlayne Country School Inc.; Dr. Chamberlayne continued as headmaster while the institution became known as St. Christopher?s School; and

WHEREAS, as the number of students at St. Christopher?s School grew, so did its many programs and traditions that help form the character and common experience that unites the young men in a lasting brotherhood; and

WHEREAS, a core component of the St. Christopher?s School experience is its honor system, designed to build the character and integrity of its students by encouraging students to practice honorable behavior at all times; and

WHEREAS, St. Christopher?s School began its student newspaper, The Pine Needle, in 1916; organized the Jackson and Lee Literary Societies to provide students with a forum for speaking and debating; and held its first play, The Mousetrap, at the Jefferson Hotel; and

WHEREAS, St. Christopher?s School, recognizing the value of athletics in promoting teamwork and building physical strength and discipline, began to build teams for various sports and entered competitive play, emerging in 1922 - 1923 with winning seasons in three sports; and

WHEREAS, in the 1930s, St. Christopher?s School received international recognition for its outstanding program when two of its alumni, Patrick Gibson and John Williams, became Rhodes Scholars; and

WHEREAS, over the years, as the young men of St. Christopher?s School graduated and grew into men of influence in society, their commitment to their alma mater would prove to be invaluable to the success and prosperity of the school; and

WHEREAS, on April 2, 1939, the St. Christopher?s School faculty, staff, and students as well as the larger community mourned the loss of its influential first headmaster, Dr. Chamberlayne, whose inspired leadership formed the foundations of the school that have carried it through its first century; and

WHEREAS, over the years, St. Christopher?s School has continued to be superbly led by several headmasters, including Dr. John Page Williams, Robert Wilder Bugg, Warren P. Elmer, George J. McVey, and Charles M. Stillwell; and

WHEREAS, throughout its century of existence, one of the strengths of St. Christopher?s School has been its faculty, a vital and constant source of guidance, knowledge, and inspiration to its students; and

WHEREAS, for 100 years, St. Christopher?s School has produced men of integrity, honor, and intelligence who have made substantial contributions to their communities and professional fields; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend St. Christopher?s School on the occasion of its centennial anniversary for providing an exemplary educational experience to its students; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Charles M. Stillwell, Headmaster of St. Christopher?s School, as an expression of the General Assembly?s congratulations and respect for the school?s dedication to its students and best wishes for a bright and successful future.