Lydia T. Metz: The Class of 1943 dedicated their yearbook to Miss Metz as follows: "To Miss Metz, our friend as well as our competent advisor, we, the Class of 1943, dedicate this yearbook. We hope that she will accept this token of our appreciation of her kindness, guidance, and understanding throughout our high school career. May we follow the paths of honor, justice, liberty, and fraternity in which she has tried to guide us."
Perhaps the class of 1943 understood deeply when Ms. Metz said, "I am afraid of heights, but when I read books I can climb mountains."
Ms. Metz taught in Sidney from 1929 (the year the Pleasant and Liberty Street High School opened) unti1 1973 - 43 years! What an impact, and no wonder so many students from different generations remember her with such reverence. She had a degree in business from the Syracuse Central City Business Institute, had both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Syracuse University and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's primary academic honor society for college and University students. She was a member of the New York State Board of Regents for English, the Tri-Town Business and Professional Women's Group, the Monday Club, and later the NYS Retired Teachers Association.
A superlative English teacher and long-time advisor to successive Senior Classes, she dedicated her life to books, education and her students and was a guide, mentor, teacher and inspiration to many. The SCS honor society for seniors is called the Lydia T. Metz Honor Society, a testimony to her impact upon young scholars.