Beloit Catholic High School - Arista Yearbook (Beloit, WI)

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December, 1963 Page 3 Father Pierick Finds 1°n■ IR vi,w, Satisfaction In Work Library Restocks Science Shelves BCHS principal, Father Bernard E. Pierick, has two pet annoyances: leaky roofs and locks that won't lock. His biggest problem, he says, is keeping the school buildings and grounds in good con- ditions. Father does not, however, look upon his position merely as that of a reluctant main- tenance man with an office. It is his work as priest, teacher and counselor that he finds most enjoyable and satisfying. Father Pierick was bom Sept. 8, 1923 in Highland, Wis. His mother, Mary McCarthy Pierick and his father, the late Dr. Herman B. Pierick, a dentist and farmer, were both natives of Highland. Father attended St. Anthony grade school from 1928 to 1936 and graduated from High- land high school in 1940. In 1944, he received a degree of Bachelor of Arts from Laras College. He completed his study for the priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Mary- land and was ordained May 31, 1947 at St. Raphael Ca- thedral, Madison. After his First Solemn Mass at St. Philip Church ir. Highland, he was assigned as assistant to Msgr. Joseph E. Hanz at St. Jude parish, Beloit. Father Pierick was as- sociated with Beloit Catholic high school from its beginning in 1953. He not only taught several religion classes, but was also responsible for es- tablishing the first choral groups. On June 1, 1955, Bishop William P. O'Connor appointed him superintendent of the school. In September, 1959, he was named principal and the office of superintendent was discontinued. Illness took him away from hie duties at the school in Dec., 1959. Father Thomas Mas si on of St. Thomas parish FATHER PIERICK became acting principal until Father Pierick's return in July, 1960. Father enjoys most the aspects of his work which bring him into direct associa- tion with the students and parents. Perhaps that is why he knows the name of each student and why he so will- ingly arranges time for con- ferences. If administrative duties did not take most of his time. Father says somewhat wistfully, he would like more opportunity to teach and counsel. He is able to do this to some extent by working closely with the faculty, of whom he is very proud, and by discussing the projects and activities of their departments. Father’s greatest interest is to encourage spiritual maturity in the students through Sodality and YCS. His philosophy shows this: The world of tomorrow needs the spiritual leadership that only our present growing generation can give. Every boy and girl in our school will some day be in very great need of the principles and strengths developed during his high school years. by Roberta Laughlin Following the Christmas vacation, the Science shelves of BCHS’ library will contain a completely new section of books. Concentration on the science department this year, stems from the fact that shel- ves in this section have been somewhat bare and that most of those few books are outdated. New additions are expected to be a source of both help and enjoyment to science students and fans. Some of the new books to look for about the first of the year are: Molecules Today and Tomorrow by Margaret O. Hyde. What's New in Science by Fred Reinfeld. A Field Guide to the Birds by Roger Tory Peterson. The Thirteen Steps to the Atom by Charles Noel Martin. Seadragon by Commander George P. Steele, U.S.N. Push and Pull, The Story of Energy by Paul E. Blackwood The Cell by Carl P. Swan- son. Living Birds of the World by E. Thomas Gijliard. Living Mammals of the World by Ivan T. Sanderson. Soph To Represent County in Oratory Sophomore Raymond Cipra has earned the right to repre- cent BCHS and Rock county at an area oratorical contest on water and soil conservation. Selected according to a 100-point system, Ray received first place in the county at the high school level. The com- petition took place at the county courthouse, Janesville, Wednesday evening, Nov. 20. Roy and Carol Gannon, who took second place in the county, had been chosen to represent BCHS through com- petition within the biology classes. Runners-up in this preliminary contest were Gina Agostinelli and Joanne Milatzo. Coaching Ray and Carol for their talks were Father Len- ahan, speech instructor and Sister M. Ronalda, biology instructor. Mr. William B. Styles of Post Publishers, Inc., engages in conversation with parents of Press club members at the club's annual Parent's Night, Wednesday, Dec. k. Mr. Styles told members and their parents of the many career opportunities in the journalism field.

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Page 2 JFK Stood For Our Time In the course of a minute’s time, the course of history of our nation and even of the world has been altered. In the course of a minute, one twisted mind snuffed out the life of a man who stood for freedom, progress, and peace. In the course of a minute, American citizens stood, united in sorrow, over the death of President John F. Kennedy. It was a disheartened America on November 22 that viewed the death of our 35th president. It isn't the first assassination in America’s history - there were Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley. But it was different this time. John Kennedy was a part of us. One does not have to share similar views to know and admire him. He stood for the twentieth century - he introduced a new look into our country. This man, 43 at the time of inauguration, caught the nation's imagination, and his style was reflected by the nation. Fifty mile hikes became a national fad and touch football was popularized. The Kennedy clan in its en- tirety became “news”; everything they did was of interest to the nation. But beneath this glamor and publicity there lay tension - confrontation with the Russians that might have ended in nuclear war, a civil rights crisis, and unem- ployment. The responsibilities of government rested heav- ily upon his shoulders. His goals were high, and his courage and determination brought him close to realizing them. And, now, he is no more. He has given his life in the service of America. Former Vice President Richard M. Nixon said, “The greatest tribute we can pay to his mem- ory is in our daily lives to do everything we can to reduce the forces of hatred which drive men to such terrible deeds.” If this could be done, if any good could come from this, his sacrifice would not be in vain. The shock of his death will wear off, but its stark reality is still there, and we must grasp the immensity of the offense and try to better the condition that caused it. I think John F. Kennedy has told us in his own words and by his own example what he wants. “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Maureen Griffin Students and faculty extend sympathy and prayers to the family of DAVID GREGUS ’63 who lost his life in a car accident November 23 A Reward-For This? Bob rushed up to Jerry’s desk to coax Jerry into giving him the History Assignment. Jerry didn’t want to be con- sidered square” so he gave Bob the paper. He thought, “Just this once won’t make that much difference.” But things didn’t turn out that way. After Bob knew he could copy Jerry’s homework, he continued to ask him for it. It got to a point where Bob didn't do any of his homework. Finally semester exams came. Bob had planned on cramming for the test the night before, but he had forgotten about the basketball game he had to play that night. Bob didn't know anything. He pleaded with Jerry to write down the answers and pass them back to him. Everything was going fine until class ended. Bob and Jerry were asked to stay after class. There was no way to get out of it now! They had been caught. Both students were given F for the test paper and dismissed from the room. On the way out Bob commented, “I sure learned my lesson!” But had he? Bob's reason for not copying anymore was that he didn’t want another F. Isn’t there a better reason than that? We were created and put on earth to make the best of ourselves and to love God. Can we do this by cheating? Perhaps there is a good deal of cheating going on in our school which will never be detected. Yet we ought to be mature enough to realize that we ourselves will suffer for cheating, not anyone else. We might go through our whole lives without getting caught cheating in school, in business or in our employment. So what? On Judgement Day - do we expect a reward for that? Elizabeth Chamon ARISTA Beloit Catholic High School Beloit, Wisconsin Editor.......... Assistant Editor . News Editor . . . Feature Editor . . Sports Editor . . . Art Editor...... Photography . . . Layout Editor . . Advertising .... Circulation .... Business Managers . . Maureen Griffin Elizabeth Chamon ... Sue Choudoir ....................Kathy Basmagy .....................Michael Hahn .................M«ry Lou Chamon .....................Steve Ullrich ..............Pauline Van Kampen .....................Diane Haffey •........Lynn Bernstein, Pat Ryan . . . John Aeschlimann, James Boho pnnp iny$m iur

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Page 4 Algebra 1 Classes Using Modern Math Approach by Maureen Griffin “Hey, Sis! Will you help me with my algebra?” “Sure - hey wait a minute - this is different from what I learned!” This happens frequently when a freshman student of algebra 1 asks an older brother or sister for help. The reason? A “modem mathematics” pro- gram has been introduced at BCHS. Mr. Mauel, teacher of the algebra I classes in which the system has been introduced, thinks that it is definitely better for the students, and not merely a “bag of tricks”, a term now often applied to tra- ditional math. Next year the entire mathematics department will be using the new approach. Modern math, says Mr. Mauel, uses the same subject matter as traditional math but it employs a different approach. This approach includes studying the number system and the properties of our num- bers extensively; whereas, the old math studies only certain formulas and rules which are then applied to problems. Mr. Mauel says that this is the basic difference between modem and traditional math. By comparing the decimal system to other systems, such as the clock system, the pro- perties of numbers are better seen and better understood. The positive, negative, imagin- ary, and real numbers are studied separately and then in relation to the entire system. The use of a set, i.e., a col- lection of objects, is not a new idea, but is basic to the new method and is given a new emphasis. Also, he added, a new emphasis is placed on the why in math — why the formulas and rules used are true. It is found that in our number system there are certain properties of numbers, for example, dis- tributive and commutative qualities. These properties are applied to the formulas and rules, supplying the answer to why certain manipulations are correct. Students are able to understand better not only the solutions but how the solutions were reached. Be- cause of this, more reasoning is involved and resembles geometry with its statements and proofs. This method isn’t any easier, but it gives a more complete math background. Practical examples and proofs are employed. For in- stance, the drawing of water in and out of a water tank in a specified amount of time, helps illustrate the rules for signs in multiplication. As in geometry, beginning with a base of assumptions, students build up new information. From this they proceed to prove the truth of the new information. Some lesser changes in- clude small changes in tech- nological terms. Subtraction becomes “the opposite of ; and, an equation where there is an unknown becomes an “open sentence.” Much research has been done lately to update the pre- sent textbooks. New topics will be introduced to keep up with the advancing world of science. Thus, it is necessary for teachers of this program to take special courses. Alumnotes by Pat Spano and Kathy Murphy Phil Amend '59 is doing post-graduate work at Purdue. He will graduate in August and then plans to work out East. Mary Higgins '61 who is in nurses training at St. Mary's in Madison is the president of the Sodality. Lance Hanish '61 who is attending the University of Wisconsin, is the president of the Naval R. O. T. C. JACK ANASTASI, (right) SC President, bids farewell to Mr. McGraw who is retiring after 9 years of service to BCHS. Just before this Jack had presented “Mac” with a gilt from the students. Mac” Retires After 9 Years Service After nine years of service to Beloit Catholic high school, Mr. Earl McGraw has retired from his position as school maintenance man. Because of poor health, “Mac” considered retirement several months earlier, but finally decided that he would not terminate his duties until the end of November. A few days before he left he re- marked, “I hate to leave BCHS but knowing I leave it in good hands makes me happy.” At that time he also re- called the fire at BCHS when one of the boilers blew up. On a lighter side he wondered how many shoes he has worn out hiking the long corridors. “Mac” commented that he had enjoyed all his years at BCHS. He had found the stu- dents as a whole “pretty good.” His plan for the present is rest. When his health has improved, he will try to find another job. Students Observe County Government Student groups from Rock County high schools observed the complex mechanisms of a modem county government Tuesday, November 12, when they toured the Janesville court house. County Government Day, designed to give high school students a more complete understanding of American government, was sponsored by the American Legion, including Post No. 48, which sponsored the Beloit groups. Thomas Heyerdahl '62 has achieved the rank of Petty Officer 2nd class in the Great Lakes Naval Training center. Joanne Kenny '60 who is attending the College of St. Francis in Joliet, 111., has recently been named to 'Who's Who Among Students in Ameri- can Universities and Col- leges'. After discussion in the offices of the county Trea- surer, headed by Mr. Lawrence Schmidley, and that of the Register of Deeds, Mr. Emmet Murphy, the groups sat in on a special budget meeting of the County Board where they witnessed county ‘ government in action. Returning to the Circuit Courtroom after lunch, the groups met with Mr. Russell Hegge, Rock County Sheriff; Mr. Sam Loizzo, Assistant District Attorney; and judges Sverre Roang and Arthur L. Luebke. BCHS students attending. County Government Day in Janesville, the county seat, were seniors Mary Jo Kutter and David Thibeau; juniors Diane Haffey and John Mc- Laughlin; sophomores Gina Agostinelli and James Wright. They were accompanied by Sister M. Gregory.