Winnifred Andrews Hubbell (US 1906) and Adelaide Obear Fill (US 1906)

Well over a century ago in 1901, Winnifred and Adelaide set the stage for tonight’s ceremony.

They weren’t intentionally doing so. After all, Principia was just three years old, they were only seventh graders, and neither of them was an athlete. Nevertheless, by helping to form Principia’s first athletic association, they laid the groundwork for the storied history of accomplishments filling today’s Hall of Fame.

Four years later, in 1905, Winnifred and Adelaide wrote what would become Principia’s much-loved fight song. Though only juniors in high school, they were already experienced collaborators. The year before they had written and composed the “Principia Hymn.”

After graduating in 1906, Winnifred worked at Principia in a variety of capacities for 45 years, teaching in the elementary grades, supervising the Lower School, serving as a housemother, and directing the College choir, to name only a few of her posts. An active alumna, she helped found the Alumni Association and served as the first editor of Principia Purpose, the alumni magazine. Having enrolled during the school’s first year, Winnifred was actively involved at Principia—first as a student and then as an employee—for more than 50 years.

Though Adelaide, Winnifred’s friend and collaborator, had a briefer association with Principia, she, too, loved her alma mater deeply. Following graduation, Adelaide helped edit the alumni newsletters that preceded the Purpose and worked for a short time at the school. Soon, however, marriage and motherhood demanded her undivided attention. Eventually, though, her domestic duties afforded her a new way to reconnect with Principia—as a parent. Her son and daughter, John and Margaret, both attended Principia.