2002

March 25, 2002
Wyandotte Distinguished Graduate
Inductees

Davenport, Jean (Netcher) York - 1940
Romatowski, Jenny A. - 1946


Jean (Netcher) York Davenport - Class of 1940
 

Jean York Davenport distinguished herself as an internationally renowned educator, author, researcher, lecturer, and educational consultant.

Jean credits the writing, debating, and leadership skills she obtained at Roosevelt High School for her success in the field of education. Jean York was a major contributor to curriculum development in Elementary Reading, Language Arts, and Science instruction. She was a pioneer in the field of team teaching as a method of assisting teachers to meet the divergent needs of students.

Jean earned her B.A. from Kalamazoo College, an M.A. from Wayne State University, and Ph.D. in Elementary Education and Psychology from the University of Indiana at Bloomington.

Her career started in the Southgate Schools where she served as a teacher and as a principal from 1951 to 1960. From 1967 to 1973 Jean served as a Professor of Education and as a Research Associate at the University of Texas at Austin.

From 1973 to 1977 she served as Chairman and Professor of Education at the University of Cincinnati.

Jean York Davenport completed her teaching career at the University of Texas in San Antonio from 1977 to 1988 where she was Director of Certification and Placement and Professor of Education.

In her 37 years as an educator, Jean served in leadership positions in numerous state and national educational organizations, and with the American Red Cross and United Foundations. Professor Jean Davenport served as a consultant to school districts throughout the U.S. and in schools in Yugoslavia, England, and China. Her over 160 publications are utilized in over 30 countries. Her writing, seminars and lectures were used to train teachers, members of the Teachers Corps, Peace Corps, and the military.

Jean and her husband, Fred P. Davenport, are enjoying their retirement years in Boerne, Texas, outside of San Antonio (Printable Version).
 

Jenny A. Romatowski - Class of 1946

 

The opportunities available in the community of Wyandotte and at Theodore Roosevelt High School helped pave the way for 1946 graduate Jenny Romatowski's unique career path. For nine years following high school (1946-1954) Jenny played baseball for the Kalamazoo Lassies in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was later the subject of the popular movie, "A League of Their Own." Multi-talented, Jenny Romatowski played three different positions - catcher, third base, and outfield.

After the League folded in 1954, Romatowski played for a U.S. Field Hockey Association team in 1958, '64, '65, and '66. She also edited the Field Hockey Rules and Guidebook and was Vice-President of the U.S. Field Hockey Association for four years.

Her athletic career did not go unnoticed. A member of five Halls of Fame, Jenny is one of only two women to have been inducted into the Wyandotte Sports Hall of Fame. She has also been honored with membership in the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York; the Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame; the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame; and the Eastern Michigan University Hall of Fame.

Romatowski credits her hometown, Wyandotte, with giving her the basis for her athletic career. She recalls the many sports opportunities for young women as well as young men. She speed skated for the Wyandotte Recreation Department team and played softball in city leagues from the time she was 12 years old, including the Class A Wyandotte Chemicals.

At Roosevelt she participated in the Girls Athletic Association, serving as president her senior year. She also worked in the photography lab and on the stage crew during high school.

Romatowski's baseball career paid her way through college at Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and a teaching certificate. She earned a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Michigan. Her teaching career spanned thirty years, two in Detroit and 28 at Lincoln Junior High School in the Warren Van Dyke District. Romatowski also taught at Macomb Junior College. Now retired, Ms. Romatowski resides in Florida (Printable Version).