WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. September 14, 2004: The 2004 Inductees into the White Plains High School Hall of Fame were announced Monday evening by WPHS Principal Ivan Toper.

WPHS PRINCIPAL IVAN TOPER INTRODUCING THE 2004 INDUCTEES TO THE HALL OF FAME Photo by WPCNR News

Honored as those graduates who have achieved significant success in their chosen careers and who have contributed to the betterment of society, the 2004 inductees are James J. Jordan, Class of '48, an award-winning advertising copywriter; Thelma Washington, Class of '55, White Plains Church Street School elementary teacher; Dr. Andrew Arnold, Class of '70, a world-recognized leader in endocrinology and cancer research; and the world renowned concert pianist, William Wolfram, Class of '73.

Arnold, Wolfram and Washington (Mr. Jordan is deceased), will be honored at the Hall of Fame Day ceremonies at White Plains High School November 9, when they will spend time with high school students and staff. The Induction Ceremony will take place in the new Media Center, followed by a reception, and is open to the public.

Jordan, of the WPHS Class of 1948,  Mr. Toper said, created such legendary slogans as "Us Tarreyton Smokers Would Rather Fight than Switch," and "Delta is ready when you are." Toper noted that Mr. Jordan rose to head the signature Madison Avenue advertising agency of the 1950s and and 60s, Batton, Barton, Durstine & Osborne, and founded his own advertising agency, Jordan, Case & McGrath & Taylor.

Thelma Washington, Class of 1955, and taught at Church Street School. He described her as an active leader in a wide range of community organizations, including the Winbrook Study Center and the Carver Center Tutorial Program.

Dr. Andrew Arnold, Class of 1970 is Chief of the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Toper said Arnold isolated the PRAD 1 cancer cell, and by so-doing revealed the rate at which cancer cells divide.

William Wolfram of the Class of 1973 was hailed by Mr. Toper as a highly-acclaimed and award-winning recitalist, chamber musician and concert piano soloist, who performs for audiences worldwide.

The quartet join 38 other outstanding graduates in the WPHS Hall of Fame, whose photographs hang in the main rotunda of White Plains High School.  The new inductees were selected by a committee of representatives of civic and school groups from nominations submitted by the public.  The Hall of Fame Steering Committee is co-chaired by Amy Geiger and WPHS Principal Ivan Toper.

The Hall of Fame was created by Ms. Geiger in 1995. This is the ninth year of inductions, since it was established in 1996. There are now 42 members from among the 25,000 gradustes from White Plains High School in its 107-year history.