MRS. BLANCHE O. EDGAR

Sacramento County

Biographies

MRS. BLANCHE O. EDGAR

MRS. BLANCHE O. EDGAR.--An experienced, energetic and very progressive woman in the California school world, whose successful work in directing the development of the life of many is steadily contributing toward educational advancement in this favored part of the Golden State, is Mrs. Blanche O. Edgar, the popular principal of the Standard School for Private Secretaries, a high-class, conservative and practical private institution doing thorough work and getting excellent results, at 2200 J Street, in the capital city. The object of the school is to embody those elements which may be applied to the actual performance of services demanded in the commercial world - a school whose aim and standard is best expressed in the words "practical efficiency." The results attained through the system of individual, progressive teaching mapped out in this school have been particularly gratifying. It is the schools purpose to see that each student finds that place in life wherein he or she can accomplish the greatest good and gain the greatest happiness. No student is permitted to plod hopelessly along in an attempt to attain the impossible. The capacity of each individual is studied, and measured by the Vocational Guidance Department, and a plan for development is carefully arranged; for this reason the school has no failures. This study of the individual has been especially helpful in the successful placement of the United States War Veterans' trainers who have been developed in this school.

The Standard School aims to set forth the important fact that secretarial work is particularly attractive, not only from the viewpoint of salary, but on account of the greatly increased opportunities for further advancement. It develops executive ability, brings one in contact with big men and women of the professions and of business, makes it possible for them to become altruistically interested in the employee, and offers splendid chances for the study of effective administration, and for the substantial rewards for faithful performance of duty. Years ago, a Canadian shorthand reporter became the private secretary to the owner of the most important carpet manufactory in the United States, one of the greatest industries on the banks of the Hudson; and when the wealthy mill-owner died, the secretary's dependable labors were recognized in a legacy of $100,000 in his will. However, Dr. Frank Crane says: "To know shorthand is better than having your rich uncle leave you ten thousand dollars, for it is a treasure that 'neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor thieves break through nor steal."

The Standard School makes a specialty of finishing the education of students who have started in any school where they have been unable properly to complete their business education; but the school does something far more; it's interest does not cease the moment a student is granted a diploma, nor when he or she has been located in a first position. It is the wish of Mrs. Edgar and her able corps of finely trained assistants, to see that each pupil really advances; and it is the special pleasure of the faculty, regardless of financial considerations, to assist former students to attain to still more lucrative engagements. How far the school maintains this ideal interest in those formerly associated with it may be gathered from its offer that whenever a graduate is out of a situation, he or she may attend the school again for two weeks without cost, thus keeping up practice and really brushing up again if a wee bit rusty, while employment is being obtained.

Mrs. Blanche O. Edgar’s maiden name was Burger. She is the only daughter of Ambrose H. Burger and his wife Caroline Burger. The former was born in Pennsylvania, while the latter, who is still living in the city of Sacramento, is one of the very well-known pioneers of this section, and displayed unusual business ability as a breeder of registered dairy cattle and as a hop-grower. Mrs. Edgar was reared and educated in Sacramento County, being a graduate of the Sacramento High School and later a student at the University of California, where she pursued a special course of study. She had eight years' experience in real-estate and insurance work, before establishing the Standard School in March, 1916.

The Standard School, so efficiently conducted by Mrs. Edgar, offers courses by the latest and most approved methods in shorthand, bookkeeping, typewriting, bank or bookkeeping machines, calculating machines, penmanship, spelling, arithmetic, filing, business English, practical grammar, salesmanship, Spanish, and Dictaphone; while the schools accounting, calculator and office-assistant courses prove shortcuts to good salaries. Students are also given the opportunity to do practical commercial work, for which they are paid, after class hours; and this has been a God-send to some, enabling them to earn, in a dignified and agreeable manner, the necessary cost of tuition at the same time that they are receiving instruction and gaining speed. The motto of the Standard School is suggestive: "Promise is most given when the least is said"; for confidence is the product, not of promises, but of performance.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 534-539. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.