File:Teacher 1996 - Ed Sell.jpg

Summary

This photo of Ed Sell from the 1996 BHS yearbook. The photo on the right is not Ed as Santa (I could not find any in my collection of yearbooks) but for many years he did put on a white beard and wore a bright red Santa suit to play jolly old St. Nick for the nursery school kids at the high school. In the Social Studies Department our nickname for Ed was "Mr. History" as he was the "go-to" guy whenever a question came up about American history or for that matter World history as well. We used to kid him that he knew history so well was because he was actually there at the time. Those who sat in his classroom will remember that on the front wall was his collection of presidential portraits. On the outside wall with windows was his collection of college hats that former students of his brought back to him each year. He loved his presidential portraits, but he truly cherished the hats from former students. One year, Alan Lescalleet, Jack Mehl, and I decided to have some fun with Ed. We placed a wiffle ball pitching machine that Jack and Alan used for inside baseball practice in my room at the door which connected Ed and my rooms. I then went to the hallway door of Ed's room, knocked and motioned for Ed to come to the door. As soon as he started, Alan and Jack opened the other door and started cranking the machine. Wiffle balls went flying through the air, aimed at the Presidents of course, while students went flying to avoid being hit. Ed of course was first shocked but he took it all in good humor. When we get together every so often we all still chuckle about that day and remark that now in education Alan, Jack, and I would probably get our asses fired. Another name that fits Ed so well is "Mr. Integrity" and in this capacity his students benefited from having him as a role model. Before Charlestown got a casino, occasionally Ed, Alan, Jack and I would go over and bet on the horses. One night when I was driving along Jefferson Pike near Catoctin Creek to drop off Ed (he was living in an apartment in Jefferson) and there was a full moon. I turned off my car's headlights telling everyone that I loved a moonlight drive. Alan and Jack were laughing but Ed was quite perturbed demanding that I turn my lights back on. I resisted as long as possible but since I didn't want Ed to have a stroke I finally did as he asked. After that incident Ed would never travel in a car I was driving unless it was daylight out. Another name that fits Ed so well is "Mr. Integrity." All of his students benefited from having him as a role model, and as excellent teacher ;=)!

Courtesy of Jon Evans