If I had to choose one faculty member who had the greatest influence in my years at D-E, it would have to be Martha Robinson. She is the one who got me involved in the drama department in my junior year, and that is where I really came alive as a student there. It opened me up to a whole new world socially, and I blossomed there. And the strange thing is, I couldn’t tell you how or why she reached out to me. The only thing I had ever really done of note was to win the Latin Award in Form I (Grade 7), and I played on the JV Soccer team. Big whoop. For the most part, I was a smallish, wise-ass kid who got beat up in the hallways and probably deserved it. So how did Mrs. Robinson pick me out and nudge me into drama? Did someone recommend me? Did she notice me in the cafeteria or Leggett Field or someplace else? We’ll never know this side of Glory. But she found me, and encouraged me. And getting to express myself on stage, and to be accepted by a new group of students, well, it started the process of becoming who I am now. And I will forever be in debt to Martha Robinson for how she invested in me. That is the strength of Dwight-Englewood, the quality of the faculty and the dedication they display for their students. When I think back on ESB/D-E, my heroes are Rob Carson, Charlie Lender, Malcolm Duffy, Glenn Degener, Joe Erwin, and Martha Robinson. God bless dear Martha.
Patricia (Pat) Russell Dwight ’61
I am what has been called a “Lifer”, having started at Dwight at 3-1/2 years old in Pre-primary, (Mrs. van Wyk was our teacher) as did several other graduating classmates of mine. We went all the way through our elementary, middle, and high school years together at...
