Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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Johnny is able to read because of curriculum in English Dept. Improved “Why can’t Johnny read?” has been a familiar phrase as- sociated with public schools, half-witted star athletes, and negligent teachers. The 32 Johns enrolled at Valparaiso High School this year COULD read; not to mention the 22 Jennifers. In fact, the English Depart- ment took steps to make sure that any VHS “Johnny” would always be able to read. Ac- cording to English techer Katherine Clark, the English requirement for the class of 1985 was raised to four years rather than three. Although the English De- partment made most changes two years ago, Mrs. Clark ad- ded. “We’re always in a state of remodification.” Aside from the new requirement, teachers were strict with spelling and grammatical errors, and more the classes are labeled “col- lege preparatory.” When nine-week classes were combined into semester- long courses during the 1982- 83 school year, the depart- ment wanted to strengthen its entire curriculum. Now that it has seen the results, Mrs. Clark said, “There is satisfac- tion felt by not having the pro- gram weakened by semester courses.” Some of the classes were improved by the readjustment. Students taking Term Paper, which had previously been a nine-week course, profited when it was expanded into a semester course. Bible Litera- ture and Human Dignity were dropped from the regular course of study. Since then, however, a class resembling a combination of these two enti- tled “Images of Humanitiy” was added to the curriculum. Another change was made when classes were split into three phases rather than four. Phase I was declared “hon- ors” and was for students described as having a high interest and superior skill in English. Phase II classes were considered college preparatory. Students whose skills and interest in English was average or a lit- tle below were advised to take Phase III classes. The English Department hoped to add even more new classes to its course of study in the future in order to continually improve the quality and quantity of its curriculum. — Linda Wiencken DURING A SOCIAL COMMENT symphony in Speech. Ms. Alice Noble directs Mike Buzinski. Don- na Chaney. Gregg Kendrick and Jennifer Martin on their topics. 28 Fundamentals

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STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR physical education brought stu- dents to Mr. Virgil Sweet’s volleyball class where sophomore Vic Baron, juniors James Butter. Martin Able and senior Glenn Carlos go up for a spike as sophomore Chad Fortune and senior Erich Nightingale watch. IN HONORS MYTHOLOGY taught by Mrs. Judith Lebryk. junior Greg Borth aids senior Andy Albers in finding the correct reading assignment from The Myth of the Fa which discusses the story of Adam and Eve and its use in western literature. Academics Division 27

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IN HONORS CLASSES like Mytho- logy. open discussions are held such as this one between junior Missy War- heit. senior Spring Ryding. and junior Kara Kovalick. PAINTING SETS FOR the fall musical “Once Upon A Mattress” is a job for Dramatic Arts students Angela Jack- son, Matt Keammerer and Cindy Shupe. SENIOR JED MITCHENER points out an important fact to juniors Laura Tes- ta and Lynette Kennedy in their hon- ors Mythology class. AS HE PANTOMIMES a mirror during an exercise in Dramatic Arts. Jim Po- larek hangs above a sink portrayed by Dave Wodrich and mimics Dan Tay- lor’s moves. SINCE 9-WEEK CLASSES JOINED to make semester courses, students such as Jenny Broadhurst now take combined classes, including Nuts and Bolts Practice in Composition. Fundamentals 29