Strong Vincent High School - Spokesman Yearbook (Erie, PA)

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W I 0I 2lgI'l Olflglfled Latin, French, German and Italian are the languages offered to Vincent students. However, with the exception of Latin, they are open to upper classmen only, as our school follows the state recommendation that foreign languages be taught above the ninth grade. Under the guidance of Miss W. Wright, the Latin beginner masters nouns and verbs and studies Caesar. He may continue with advanced Latin: Cicero and Vergil, directed by Miss Mercer. Miss Bourguin and Miss Evans are willing and waiting to instruct all students who wish to com- prendre le francais. While Miss Kohout and Miss Galbo teach their classes appreciation of the great German and Italian masters. In addition to furnishing a background for the college preparatory students, the study of any language gives those who do not intend to con- tinue their education a means of increasing their English vocabulary. ur Wafiue ongue Gone is the old fashioned method of teaching English as Vincent undertakes the new. Formerly, the student was assigned so many pages in a book, he came to class, recited on it more or less verba- tum. Nothing further was expectedg if he was successful in reproducing the assigned lesson, he was given high grades. The new system gives a great variety of material to the student. Under each unit, there is an extensive selection making it possible for pupils of varying degrees of ability, ambition, and energy to find something which interests them and to explore as far into that field as desired. ln this way, the experiences of the new course of study are made comparable to life experiences. The teacher may keep a record of all of the work cf the pupil whether or not he has recited upon it. In this way she is able to judge the ac- complishments of each pupil. LETTERARIA In order to fully benefit when study- ing ltalian one must have a definite knowledge of Italy. At the left is shown an informal pose taken in an Italian class, while the class benefits from a map lesson. English deals not only with literature and grammar but one must also acquire practical knowledge. Here we see pupils in an English class learning the proper method of intro- ducing one another by actual demonstration. Twenty-eight

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llleef 6l,l'l6! QZJOLU A hush settled over the audience as the maestro raised his baton and another concert by the Strong Vincent Orchestra was under way. This well arranged program is the result of daily practice under the capable direction of Mr. Brown. Members of this organization not only develop their talent in music but they learn to love and appreciate fine music. Ten years ago when Strong Vincent was established, this organization was just a small part of the school and consisted of eighteen people, but since that time it has grown considerably and now it has forty-six people who are interested in this musical organization. lt has developed into one of the finest orchestras that any school could wish to have and the students of Strong Vincent are proud of this organization. During the past school year the orchestra rendered its services by many programs held in the school auditorium. They have presented selections at many of the following occasions: senior class plays, meetings of the Parent Teachers Association, and Commencement exercises. The orchestra also presented several programs during Education Week which was celebrated early in November. Bourne, Annually the orchestra holds a Spring and a Fall concert in cooperation with the band. These affairs are held in the school auditorium for the purpose of showing the results of the students' efforts to friends and parents. ln presenting these programs the orchestra was assisted by their faculty manager Mr. Dean. In addition to their class work the members of the orchestra enjoyed a social program which included a dance held during the Thanksgiving season, which was followed later by two roller skating parties. Full credit toward graduation is given for membership in this organization just as full credit is given for subjects in the academic field. This has not always been true. The orchestra started as an extra-curricular activity. In time they were given a period during school for practice, and half credit. Eventually, following the modern trend in education, full credit was granted for the very worthwhile accomplishments of the orchestra both in technical excellence and in the appreciation of music. 1: Rusterholtz, Ricart, Manning, Hoppe, Simon, H., Miller. Row 2: Waterman, lames. Row 3: Whitney, Kingsbury, L., Hodge, Simon, M., Kingsbury, M., lones, Schabacker, Beckman, Nathal, Sullivan, Hoornstra. Simer, Summersgill, Schneider, Richardson, Mack, Carideo, Gutentag, Kirkland, Perry, Way, Wagner, Connett, Row 5: Carnes, Nagle, Carter, Stoeber, McNeill, Clanton, Strand, Waller. Front, standing: Mr. Brown.

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NEWS CLASSWROW 1: Mr. Schenck, Garner. Row 2: Hartzell, Gustafson, D. Offner, Connelly, E. Offner, Schuster, Mr. Wick. Row 3: Markine, Moore, Burg, Moss, Fiero, Zurn, Mennini, Weingart, Marsters, Herbst. Mr. Wick helping Marsters and Markine correct a ccpy of the News. wwf - ewfi on fAe Worse While all the fascinating features of Strong Vincent along with its varied classes are being scanned, there is oneethe lournalism Class which refuses to be ignored. lt is here that is viewed the informal type of classroom that is becoming recognized as modern throughout the entire school system. ft is work, headaches, and more work every day without exception, for if they are not getting out one issue they are discussing, criticizing and making suggestions about the last one. This is an excellent example of an extra- curricular activity developing into regular class- work, for when Strong Vincent first came into being ten years ago the paper was strictly an after- school affair edited entirely on the time of a few students. For the first year circulation was straggly-a paper coming out now and then with Twenty-nine no seeming regularity. The second year Vincent had no paper at all, and it was not until Mr. Schenck took over the advisership that the paper was shaped into something really business-like and developed, by leaps and bounds, into a paper comparable to any and all, a paper which came out once a month. This Fall as an experiment, publication was prodded and the News began to be issued twice monthly with the once-weekly idea as a goal. After being with the News for seven and a half years, Mr. Schenck due to pressing duties as school treasurer gave his advisership over to Mr. Wick. Those of the staff who have been most responsible for the success of the News this past year are: Mary King, editor for one semester, and foe Markine, assistant editor under Frank Marsters.