Who Is Walter Hines Page?
He was an American editor, journalist, and diplomat, and a direct descendent of Robert Page, who came to the US from England in the 17th century. He was born in Cary, became a partner in Doubleday, Page and Company, and founded the magazine The World’s Work.
He was appointed by Woodrow Wilson to serve as US ambassador to Great Britain before and during World War I. Page believed that a free and open education was fundamental to democracy, and that nothing – class, economic means, race, religion – should be a barrier to education. Page High School is proud to have lived up to this belief in its first 50 years!
Susan Tysinger
Our First Principle
Luther Medlin : The first Principal of PAGE
The wife of Page High School’s first principal looks back with laughter and fondness at her husband’s appointment to Walter Hines Page High School. In an interview with her at her Friendly Avenue apartment, Mrs. Medlin agreed to discuss Page, her husband, and the years he was principal at the newly built school. Looking much younger than her 95 years, Mrs. Luther Medlin, who now resides at Friends Homes West in Greensboro, gives us a glimpse into the man who guided Page through its first nine years.
“Those were exciting and happy years for Luke, as he worked night and day to make that school run as smoothly as possible,” said Helen Medlin as she waxed sentimental over those times. “He loved those kids and had the highest hopes for every single one of them.”
She then broke into laughter while remembering a recurring request. “He garnered so much respect from the students that he sometimes received some strange requests. I can remember there was a parent who would call our home at least once each month, generally on a Sunday night around 10 PM, asking to speak to Mr. Medlin. The voice on the other end of the line would ask Luke to administer punishment to his son first thing Monday morning! Well, Luke would tell him he could not do that, as the problem was not at school. But the father would insist on it, saying ‘He respects you, Mr. Medlin, and punishment coming from you would be much more effective than coming from me!’”
In addition to his duties with students and teachers, Luke Medlin was able to avoid manual labor in the home. Her eyes glistening, the principal’s widow began, “It was the summer after he was appointed to Page that I told him we needed to paint the porch. He agreed, so I went and bought the paint, the brushes, and the rollers. Every time I would get him ready to help me paint, the phone would ring, and it was the secretary at Page High School. Off he’d go, claiming that he needed to be up there for an important meeting. I later accused him of having the school call him, just so he could run up there to avoid painting! To make a long story short, I ended up painting, not just the porch, but the entire outside of that house!
Page High School got the best of him, and I got the rest of him!” Mrs. Medlin not only wishes the best to all of those students who attended Page while her husband was at the helm, but to all Page graduates and friends who continue to bring great things to the school. A long-time educator, Helen Medlin was also a principal in the Greensboro City School System for many years.
John Graham, Page Parent - written November, 2007
Our First Student Body President
Ron Jordan: First Student Body President
The First Student Body President
It was my honor and privilege fifty years ago to serve as the first student body president of Page High School. My older brother Jim was the president of the student body at then Greensboro High School a few years before.
The most prominent memory of my time at Page was of Principal Luther Medlin bringing everyone together, stressing the importance of creating the organizations and programs necessary to achieve accreditation in the first year. It was his goal, and he made it our goal. Under his leadership—and with the dedication of the teachers, administrative staff, and the students—the goal was achieved.
Luther Medlin set high standards for Page from the beginning, and we have all benefited. It was a privilege to have known him while at Page and for many years after. My wife was Helen Medlin’s secretary for a few years at Claxton Elementary, and we maintained friendship with Dr. Medlin until his passing a few years ago and with Helen Medlin now.
Page was a new beginning, particularly for the Senior Class of 1959. We were a small group who had left GHS and for THE FIRST STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT the most part had all known each other and been in school together since first grade. For the short time that we were at Page, I surmised that we all enjoyed the warmth and participation afforded by a smaller school.
May 31 of this year [2008] I retired after 36 years of selling textiles to the furniture industry. My wife Carol and I have moved to coastal North Carolina to ponder the sound of the surf, play golf, and devote ourselves to our two-yearold grandson. My brother and I spend much time on the phone and internet solving the major problems of mankind such as oil independence, transportation, agriculture, and soil and water conservation. We have them all solved, but no one is asking, so we will continue to enjoy the challenge.
Good luck to all of you, and continue your travels with the wind at your back.
Ronald A. (Ron) Jordan, Class of 1959