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Mr. F. Charles Moesel  

January 27, 1959

Anacostia High School is, to my knowledge, the only public high school in the District of Columbia which has an Advanced Science Study Group. This is a group of about thirty-five students who are carefully chosen on the basis of their high I.Q., interest in science, and excellent grades. This group meets every Monday night for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, listening to lectures by various outstanding scientists. Three of our teachers take turns in meeting with this group, but the credit for organizing this unique project goes primarily to Mrs. Kilbourne. She, and the other two teacher working with this group are devoting their time over and above the call of duty with no other compensation than their appreciation.

If it were at all possible, I would like to cite other members of our staff, such as Mrs. Edwards, who did an outstanding piece of work on our local science fair last year. Two other teachers on our staff, Mr. Davenport and Mr. Hopkins, also are worthy of recognition and I certainly dislike seeing them left out of any special honor. However, taking everything into consideration, I must send in Mrs. Kilbourne's name as being exceedingly worthy of the distinction of being recognized by the Council of Engineering and Architectural Societies.

Yours sincerely,

Euguene E. Griffith, Principal

EEG:mmc

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March 29, 1966

Dr. Homer W. Curhart, Chairman
Education Committee
Chemical Society of Washington
Naval Research Laboratory
Washington, D. C.

Dear Dr. Curhart:

It is an honor for me to propose Elaine M. Kilbourne, chemistry teacher at Anacostia High School as a nominee for the James Bryant Conant Award. She is one of the most dedicated and skillful teachers I have ever met.

A measure of the esteem most of her many students have for her is perhaps summed up well in a dedicatory notation on the fly-leaf of a specialized text entitled High Temperature Inorganic Coatings by one of her former boys which simply reads "With thanks for giving me my interest in chemicals."

This is typical of a score or more of students who have left here and gone on to advanced studies in chemistry, physics, electronic, and nuclear research.

She still possesses the excitement and wonder of discovery which in communicated in her own special way. she sets most of her students on fire to do better than just adequate work on research problems.

Her keen sense of what it takes to be more than just an ordinary research person enables her to help those talented youngsters at crucial times.

Unfailingly cheerful and sympathetic by nature, she is able to demand respect for the certain disciplines needed to be a successful person. She extolls the dignity of hard work and is constantly showing the benefits which comes to those unafraid of the sometimes tedious aspects of certain reports and experiments.

She is most appreciated by the staff for her willingness to help in any school activity. She is perceptive to special needs and volunteers her services unselfishly. We have often taken advantage of this trait, but she rarely complains.

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