St Marys High School - Lance Yearbook (Medford, OR)

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JENE4 7 '-'ii 'QLD' C 'QUBJFIHFSXI' 61 .l k'ii9f vi 'M tai: 2 . me '95 3 if SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT The social science department consists of classes in American history for the eighth and eleventh grades, ancient history, medieval and modern history, civics and eco- nomics. Next year World history will probably be added. The subject is enliven by: history films, showing various historical episodesg annual trips for the ancient history class to the classical centerg and for the civics and economics classes to their respective fields of interestg for example, the yearly trip to the jail by the civics classes. The teachers in the department are: Miss Eva Jones, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Kelley, and Miss Mabee. . .?-4-...,- SCIENCE DEPARTMENT The Science department was organized as a part of the high school in the fall of 1921. The room now called 102 was partially equipped for use as a science room, where general science, chemistry, and physics were taught each alternate year until 1926. Since that time both chemistry and physics have been offered each year. The year following the erection of the Torrance Elementary School, the rooms now occupied by the art department were fitted up for the science classes. The chem- istry tables were moved into Miss Chase's present art room and the physics apparatus into Miss Sumerwell's. A recitation room was made from the old library, which was then between the physics and chemistry laboratories. Later this room was con- verted into a stock room. Biology was added as a part of the science curriculum in 1922. Miss Millerd taught biology from 1924 to 1926, when Mr. Merrill was brought from Manual Arts High School to organize the agriculture classes. He was given biologv, which he still continues to teach. In 1929 and 1930 about 40 enrolled in the two classes. The interest in scientific work has increased from year to year as the high school has grown until the service of four men are required to handle the classes. Mr. Wright took. some of the general science in 1928, and Mr. Wacldingham, physics and general science in 1929. After the repeated changes in the location and facilities for science classes, the science department is glad to be in its own building, which was built especially for this subject. They are proud of their building and its modern equipment, which is the equal of any other in all the high schools of Los Angeles. It was opened to visitors on Open House Day. It is hoped that the boys and girls of Torrance High School will avail them- selves of the splendid opportunities afforded for the study of science. 7,77 5 ...., MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT All seventh and eighth grade pupils are required to take junior high school mathe- matics, which includes advanced work in arithmetic and prepares the student for alge- bra and geometry. No further work in mathematics is required for graduation, but if the student is preparing for college, he must take the necessary courses to meet the college entrance requirements, which differ in different universities. For those not wanting to take algebra and geometry, an excellent course in general mathematics is given in the ninth grade. T161

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, ,eg Q . isagaags THE LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT LATIN Ad astra per aspera,', to the stars through difficulties, might be written as the brief and complete story of Latin in Torrance High. And we do not claim to have reached the stars even now, though our aims and hopes are high. The study of Latin was begun five years ago as a sort of extra-curricular activity for three ambitious students during the noon period. From that -small beginning a department has grown, more and more joined the ranks, enlisted, even in Czesaris legions, and fought his wars. Now there are three or four classes every semester, averaging from twelve to fifteen students. Very few plan to take more than two years of the subject. The aim, therefore, is to give as wide an acquaintance as time permits with the language, customs, daily life, background, and history of Rome, a working knowledge of derivatives, and greater understanding of English grammar and language. SPANISH An experiment in direct method is being carried on this year in B9 Spanish. No book has been used. The method is entirely conversational. The results have been seen in increased vocabularies and greater facility in the use of the language. The teachers are, Mrs. Morse, Mrs. Boynton and Mr. Wright. ENGLISH DEPARTMENT The English Department this year has given each student an opportunity to determine his reading ability for himself. By taking the Stanford Reading Test, he has been able to decide to what degree he has mastered reading as a tool. Stanley Creighton had the distinction of passing the paragraph meaning test with a perfect score and of making the highest score in the school. Perfect scores on the vocabulary test were made by Earl Tavan, who placed second in the school, and Phyllis Knorr, Victor Kaspar, Margery Roelofs, Vincent Lawton, Regis Miller, and Wendel Leather- man. High scores were made in the classes as follows: A7, Margaret Condon, Charles Applin, Betty Adams, B8, Rachel Huddleston, Eugene Stegelmeyerg A8, Edith Stevens, jean Solomon, La Vern Jones, B9, Jean Tolson, Francis Carnahan, De Loss Neal, A9, Vincent Lawton, Wendel Leatherman, Edna Laving BIO, Marguerite Lincoln, A10, Margery Roelofs, Van Bartechkog Bll, Bert Merrill, Virginia Brown, John Mock 3 Al l, Howard Totten, Jean Smith, Irene Wilhelmg Seniors, Stanley Creighton, Earl Tavan, Charles Faulkner, Josephine See. Perhaps many T. H. S. students will be surprised to know that there are more boys than girls who won honors in reading. A pupil's mastery in writing is not readily measured, but the English Department is striving to arouse in each student a desire to write correctly. The English teachers are all prominent in extra-curricular activities, Miss Burnham being senior Class teacher, sponso-r for the Torch, and editor of a new magazine of original student verse called the Stylus, Mrs. Engel, the coach for school plays and public speaking, Mrs. Kelly, responsible for the T. N. T., Mrs. Morse, sponsor for the Latin Clubg Miss Mills, sponsor for the Scholarship Society, and Miss Kunkel and Mrs. Morse, both travelers to distant shores. IISJ

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'- G Qlfilgffjg-243555 4 4:14513 yxnnganyl.-wil ra-taxa' aww 25245, F' 1. 72 A Ve I' W . f ' T.. 2? P. 223:20 459 Q- f 6 9 1 v .sw 'saFsl!AN5El, - Q 'f f a Q Q .-4 Miss Mabee teaches junior high mathematicsg Miss Millerd, geometry and junior high mathematics. Mr. Waddingham is an instructor of general mathematics, trigonometry, and solid geometry. lVIrs. Granger has junior high mathematics and algebra. M +.-.M HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT The home economics department is fortunate this year in having spacious new rooms and a great deal of new equipment. A number of courses in foods, clothing, and nutrition are offered, all constucted to train the pupil in the various phases of home-making and in the art of living. Those completing the nutrition course are given the Red Cross Nutrition Certifi- cate, while the Junior Red Cross Certificate is given to the junior high school pupils who have finished the year's work. lklany of the garments made by the clothing classes are dispiayed in the hall exhibit case, as well as other exhibits of interest which have been arranged and shown by a student committee that has this in charge. During the semester a two-act comedy, Starting Something, was given by the department girls. The Modes in Manners Club is now being organized and sponsored by the department. The instructors areg Miss Coller and Miss Sherer. M. THE ART DEPARTMENT The Art department of Torrance provides classes for both junior and senior high school students. In the junior department the work is required of students in the seventh and the eighth grades, whereas in the senior the work is elective, except in the art appre- ciation classes. The courses conducted in the Junior High School consist of drawing and design, and art needlework. In the Senior High School the courses given are drawing and design, stage art, arts and crafts, and art appreciation. The department now occupies two recently completed rooms on the second floor of the main building. Miss Chase and Miss Sumerwell teach art. . Tai- , MUSIC DEPARTMENT Exclusive' of the special organizations, such as the high school glee clubs and orchestra, 'the music department of Torrance High School provides adequate 'oppor- tunities for music education. For pupils of junior high school age, elements of nota- tion, music memory and appreciation work, part singing, and music reading are re- quired in the seventh grade. This year very creditable work has been done by the Junior High School Girls' Glee, which boasts a considerable number of competent student directors and accompanists. E171