East High spotlight: vol 30 no 13

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Vol. XXX, No. 13
DENVER, COLORADO, MAY 25, 1944
Price 15 Cents
A Tribute to Roscoe C. Hill...
... From the School He Loves
HE IS, FIRST OF ALL, DEMOCRATIC, THIS MAN ROSCOE C. HILL, who for twenty-four years as principal of East
High School (five of them at Old East) has directed the steps
of youth. To talk to him for only a few minutes is to recognize
a man who loves people, all people, who has for them a tolerance
and a vision beyond any ordinary scope.
Known to his intimates as "Roscoe," to his faculty endearingly as "The Chief," and to the Angels as Mr. Hill, friend and
counselor, he brings to all three relationships understanding,
dignity, respect, and equality.
Forty years as an educator in Colorado have made him alert
to educational problems and changes, practical in his outlook,
and courageous in his convictions. Impulsive by nature, his reactions come quickly, and usually they are right. A quick mind
and a penetrating glance enable him to see at once the core of
the problem. He hasn't time for superficiality, for veneer.
He is a modest man, this Roscoe C. Hill, who blushes like a
school boy when his achievements as an educational leader are
mentioned. "The other fellow" is his chief concern. For him he
wants whatever success and credit are possible, and to that end
he will exert all his energy and influence.
To him every human being is important, so important that
after forty years he can call by name any student who once was
under his tutelage. He doesn't forget. No, he doesn't forget
anything—except injuries or unkindnesses. The heart of Roscoe
C. Hill is too big to hold rancor, enmities, hates.
Indiana born, reared and educated, he looks upon his humble
beginning as an Indiana farm boy with pride and affection for a
country that allowed him the rich opportunity "of pulling himself up by his own bootstraps." He asks no favors and extends
favors with profligate enthusiasm. "The other fellow" has never
given him a chance to take a good look at Roscoe C. Hill.
He has a son, Max, and a daughter, Louise, over whom he
glows with justifiable pride and affection; and a wife, Edith,
whose memory he cherishes. "He doesn't forget," this Roscoe
C. Hill. Oh, yes, there are three fine grandchildren about whom
he'll talk any time.
East High is his special interest; the Angels his first consideration. For them there must be opportunities for excellent
scholarship, wholesome fun, worthy service, and fine friendships.
For these, he sets the example.
Denver knows him as a cheerful, interested, capable, and respected citizen, an able educational leader, and a friend to all.
"To love life you must have life." Roscoe C. Hill loves life,
and in return life has given him its best rewards—work that he
loves, a family he cherishes, and friends he counts by the legion.
As a tribute to this man who symbolizes the spirit of East
High School, scores of his former pupils have tried to express in
writing what he has meant and done for them.
One letter states, "Perhaps this is a good time to thank you
i for the many kindnesses you showed me when I was one of your
| boys and to thank you for the hundreds—yes, thousands—of
j others who were just your crazy high school kids not so long ago.
! People all too seldom express their appreciation in so many words,
! but deep down inside, it's there, Mr. Hill."
Another adds, "The hearts of all 'Angels' are filled with
I thanks for your guidance and help. No matter what the difficulty
! may have been, the young man or woman who left your office did
I so with clearer thoughts and helpful ideas. As for me, I can never
fully express my gratitude for your aid."
The class of '44, with all others, wishes to thank sincerely
this man, Roscoe C. Hill, who has been a source of inspiration to
us, a friend, companion and a true "Angel."
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