Hicksville High School - Comet Yearbook (Hicksville, NY)

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the world of business . . The fast movement of fingers over a typewriter and the language of shorthand may confound a visitor to the business classrooms, and often a business stu- dent. Many academic students think this clatter is all that business studies involve. However, students at Hicksville High may apply for a variety of courses in four basic curricula—secretarial, bookkeeping, retail- ing, and clerical—all of which are geared to assure the student of all the skills needed in the business world. The secretarial training program is composed of such courses as shorthand, transcription, secretarial prac- tice, and is aimed at helping the student gain employ- ment as- a secretary in such fields as fashion, social work, or finance. The bookkeeping and office practice programs prepare the student for a clerical position as a bookkeeper, filist. or typist. A student interested in working as a shop clerk, buyer, or manager chooses the retailing courses. In fact, the only things that aren’t taught are the social aspects of the business world: how to ask for a raise, how to avoid spending all your pay in office collections, or how to survive office parties. The Business Department is hoping to expand with thw addition of new machines for teaching. But even now its curricula assure the student of the skills needed in a commercial career. EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURE OF TABULATION ... Mr. Brown conveys to Pete Orton the simplicity of the typewriter. Mr. Battista Spanish Interact Club Mrs. Belt Business Mr. Benyei Mr. Bevan Department Head English English Mrs. Bowler English NOT PICTURED Miss Aal Physical Education Mr. Abt Music Mr. Burckley Department Head Biology Mrs. Bonanno Biology Lab Mr. Brown Business Mr. Burrelli English Chess Club Mr. Buttice Music 21

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These educators led us through . . . Mr. Aaron Mr. Abt Mathematics Music Math Club Dr. Altobelli French Mr. Arnold Mr. Austin Mr. Avcdesian Mr. Bannon Choral Music Business Comet Shop Chemistry English artistic endeavors . . . COMING TO THE RESCUE . . . Miss Jonason attempts to save Elsa Green from the tribulations associated with the study of art. Hard work and a touch of genius are qualities found in every artist. Looking to the Art Department of Hicksville High, one can only gaze in bewilderment at the success in production of fine art work by the teadhers and students of this department. In spite of a lack of supplies, our gifted art staff was able to impart to tneir students their understanding of the workings of art. Whether blessed with an over abundance of supplies or not, the department steadfastly maintained its traditional goals—to help students interested in art to learn its history, its forms of expression and to pro- vide experience in several media. The courses offered range from those basic enough to kindle the novice’s interest, to the advanced courses provided for the career-minded student. Basic art teaches the long history of art and the development of styles while offering the student a chance to dabble in almost all media. Students then move on to fashion design, water color work, oil painting, design and illus- tration, interior decorating, and other interrelated courses. In these classes students have a chance to do concentrated work in a single medium, thus developing a specific skill around which to build a satisfying future career. There is an electric atmosphere present in the art rooms that is not found anywhere else in the building, created by the mingling of the broad cross-section of students found there, by the distinct aromas of oil paints, of turpentine, of clay, and by the excitement of invention. These rooms are like an artist’s garret, a place to lose oneself in the unique thrill of creativity. 20

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worlds of literature . . . Since English is the language spoken in the United States it is important for Americans to I have a thorough knowledge of it. That is why Hicksville High students must take four solid years of a course ambiguously titled “English.” But formal English is hardly taught at all (ex- cept in the ninth grade which dosen’t really count). Sophomores are assumed to have a thorough un- derstanding of English syntax, and the emphasis of the course shifts to literature and book report writing. Juniors take a whole year of American literature; seniors read English literature and conduct mock trials of the boys in Lord of the Flies. English isn’t as bad as it used to be. Almost all the textbooks are now paperbacks, which makes them easier to carry and easier to lose. [ Modem novels have been added to the curriculum so that students may have something to read | that isn’t completely foreign to them. Student participation in discussions that often have nothing to do with what the teacher has planned has become more important in classwork. In fact, just about the only part of the English courses that hasn’t changed is Shakespeare. English teachers are different too. Although they are committed to using the same old methods and materials, they are willing to admit that Dickens isn’t all good and comic books aren’t all bad. WHAT CAN WE SAY? . . . junior English without Mr. Szumigala just isn’t. Mrs. Caiola Home Economics Future Homemakers of America Mr. Crucilla Drama Speech National Thespian Society Mrs. Daley English Mr. Cohen Biology J.E.T.S. Mrs. Daly Health Service Squad Mrs. Corsun Spanish Mr. Danna English Mr. Criscolo Biology Mr. David English 22