BY ELEANOR TAYLOR CORRESPONDENT
After forty-four years in high school, "Miss Chris," as she is known to two generations of girls, has "graduated."
Retired might be more accurate for this Owings Mills resident, who has written finis to a career in local private schools.
Chris Cullison, a Franklin High School graduate and lifelong resi dent of the Reisterstown/Owings Mills/Glyndon area, for 28 years was a staff member at the former Han nah More Academy, Reisterstown.
In 1974, when that school merged with St.Timothy's School, Chris moved on to Stevenson, where she has remained for 16 years, until retirement.
Commented Chris: "I've enjoyed every minute of my years in high school.
"Both were fine schools with high standards. It has been a pleasure to have been associated with the students and teachers."
High esteem in which Cullison is held has been demonstrated a number of times.
The Hannah More Acadamy Alum nae Association honored her on the 40th anniversary of her career, with establishment of the Chris Cullison Scholarship, to be used at St. Timothy's School.
An inscribed silver tray also was presented to her.
This spring, after her retirement was announced, Chris was guest of honor at a surprise luncheon, at which St. Timothy's School faculty members, staff, friends and relatives were included.
Among those who commended Cullison for varied achievements and success were Galen Brewster, headmaster at St. Timothy's; Charles Lord, a former headmaster; John Bond, faculty member; and Bobbie Forbes, a former Hannah More faculty member, who spoke concerning Chris' years at Hannah More.
As a fun feature of the informal program, faculty members sang two original songs, which ·detailed the various facets of Chris' duties.
Highlight of the luncheon was the presentation of a letter, which informed Chris that a sum of money has been deposited with a travel agency, for her to take a trip of her choice.
The luncheon was held at the Roland Park home of Mr. and Mrs. William Griffith - the Woodlawn road Victorian residence which was seen in the recent film, "The Accidental Tourist."
These faculty accolades, however, were just the beginning of exciting recognition for "Miss Chris."
At a school assembly held during graduation week, the St. Tim's year book, "The Steward," was distributed.
But before this was done, Chris was presented the first yearbook which, to her suprise, has been dedicated to her by the senior class.
The inscription reads:
"To Miss Chris Cullison in appre ciation for all that you have done for St. Tim's, we dedicate the 1990 Steward to you. We love you."
On the following day at graduation, Galen Brewster, headmaster, presented Chris with a silver tray engraved, "HMA STS 1946-1990."
Brewster also commended Culli son for her outstanding contributions over the years to both schools.
Over the years at the two schools, Cullison's duties have been varied. At Hannah More, she was a physical education instructor, then later was administrative assistant to the headmaster. As such, she was in charge of the plant, did all the ordering of supplies and managed the school store.
At St. Timothy's, Chris had been director of social activities, day student coordinator and director of the school calendar.
Over the years, she has planned hundreds of weekend activities, ranging from theatre and shopping trips, sightseeing excursions to Washington, D.C., to major events such as eight-school mixers, at tended by 800 teenagers, at such locations as the 8 & 0 Museum and P.T. Flaggs.
Her recollections of students over the years is that the majority of them have their sights on college. For five days each week, study is their main occupation.
"I find that there always are serious students who are working to get the most out of their high school days, as they prepare for college."
Naturally, she added, there are changes with the times in some of the rules and regulations.
When Chris started at Hannah More, for example, students were forbidden to wear make-up. Now, she laughed, few do anyway, unless they are going out for some special occasion.
She has seen smoking, which always was regulated, now totally phased out. She added:
"High school girls, like everyone else, have become more health conscious. Updated health programs are worked into their science curriculum and we have frequent assembly speakers who discuss healthy living.
"This year's senior class is the last one that is permitted to smoke and then only outdoors.
"After they graduate, smoking will be prohibited."
Chris looks forward to a busy, relaxing retirement. An avid tennis player -a past winner of St. Tim's student-faculty tennis tourney and this year's runner-up - she plans to play lots of tennis, to volunteer at the Irvine Nature Center, to travel and to enjoy life with her family and friends.
Travel may even include visits to some of those thousands of students -a number of them second generation - who have been so warmly and ably assisted by "Miss Chris," during their high school days.
