An Alumna Celebrates Her Own 100 Years

Eleanor Egan Everett '26

When alumna Eleanor Egan Everett '26 was a Poly elementary grade student, milk cost about nine cents a quart and a teacher's annual salary at Poly averaged $2,000. A typical day at Poly began with chapel service led by the school's principal, Miss Grace Henley, and continued with a variety of classes such as geography, English, arithmetic, penmanship, music, art, and nature study.

Mrs. Everett now resides in Cleveland, Ohio and recently accepted a visit from Poly's Annual Fund Officer Jessica Berger (herself an Ohio native) as a thank you for decades of support to the school. With warmth and a great sense of humor, Mrs. Everett recalled some of her memories of Poly like playing tennis with friends, and she credited her appreciation for education to her favorite math teacher, Miss Ardis Schnebly, who "made learning fun."

Currently a dedicated philanthropist in the Cleveland area, Mrs. Everett is passionate about supporting the arts, music, gardens, and her grandchildren's private schools—because "it is what keeps Cleveland alive." And while separated by more than 2,000 miles and 85 years from her days on Poly's campus, Mrs. Everett still holds a very special place in her heart for the school that first shaped, motivated, and encouraged her to excel with a deep passion for life.

Mrs. Everett celebrated her 100th birthday this past April, not long after Poly marked its own centennial. After reconnecting tangibly with Poly through Berger's visit, Mrs. Everett went beyond her customary Annual Fund contribution, making a heartfelt gift to The Next 100 Years campaign. We honor her as the oldest donor to the campaign and celebrate the wonderful example she has set with loyal support of Poly's essential Annual Fund.