Doctor W. H. Yarbrough

Doctor W. H. Yarbrough, known as "Doc" to all his students, was the first principal when West End High School  opened in 1937. Previously he had been the principal at Peabody Demonstration School. He had announced his intention to retire at the end of the 1953-54 school year and his final senior class was determined to make the year a memorable one. Certainly the athletic achievements outlined in the following pages constitute a large part of those memories, but they are only a part of a year many of us will never forget.

For many students a school principal is a remote figure seen from a distance or in unpleasant disciplinary situations. Doc always taught a Freshman Algebra class and many students encountered him first as their teacher. He was a visible presence at school functions and in the halls, although he did often seem distracted, if not absent-minded. His ability to forget names or confuse them was legendary (he once introduced Rabbi Silverman as "Father Silverman"). As his final year began it was difficult to imagine a West High without him.  

Following his retirement Doc entered politics and served the West End area on the Nashville City Council. His qualities of common sense and wry humor served him well in that arena just as it had all of his years as an educator.   

Powered by Anything Email