West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School - Gleam Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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'T'+-I-E CEILE-QFYI IQSS W ,yt ,, W, SIsrIaR M. AUATIIA josiivn SIsTIaR M. Aramis THE LATIN DEPARTMENT ' 1 SISTER M. FELICE SISTER M. CQNSTANCI2 SISTER M. CQNSOLATA N West Catholic, the Sisters of Mercy and Latin are almost synonyms, for it is they who open to the students the doors of classical learning. In the first year, the fun- damentals of Latin grammar are drilled: at the same time, a large proportion of the vocahulary is acquired. Czesar's Commentaries on the Gallic Wzirs is assigned to second year pupils for reading. The third year hrings Cicero, Rome's iinest prose writer. Then the culmination of three years' study is attained when the students reach the Vergil Classic. By their extensive preparation, they are equipped to appreciate fully the wonderful poetry of this lvenevolent enchanter of mediaeval legends. To supplement the regular Latin schedule, the Sisters of Mercy organized a Latin Cluh this year for the purpose of weaving a stronger classical hackground in the girls' minds 'md refinitiating them into the mysteries of mytholf ogy. However, music, the constellations, and dramatics have not heen neglected. The cluh has presented many interesting plays, including Pyramus and Thishef' The judgment of Paris, A Roman Christmas, and Latin Grammar, Eager to learn, the enthusiastic memhers adopted this slogan, Crescat Scientiaf' ELSIE J. G.-XLLAGHER, '35. Sixteen

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r'+-I-E GLE-Clrn 1935 XVe may live without fricnclsg we may live without boolqsg F O O D S But civilized man Carmot live without cooks. D E P A R T M E N T OWEN MEREn1ri-i. HE Foods Department, under the supervision of the Sisters, Servants of the lmmaculate Heart of Mary, is a well-developed feature of West Catholics curriculum. A long, white, well-kept room, fully equipped with everything necessary for the development of the culinary art, prof vides a suitahle hackground for the endeavors of West Catholie's youthful dietitians. But baking, frying, hroiling, and candyfmaking comprise only half of the activities of the students of Home Economics. The study of halanced diets, the relative value of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and vita' mins, is an attempt to inculcate in the student a keener understanding of the scientific relations of foods. Plan' ning the menu for a luncheon and playing hostess provide variety. This involves another phase of Home Economics, one unconsciously associated with cookery tahle service-the study of which is facilitated hy the large, completely fur' nished living and dining rooms, which adjoin the cooking department. MARY MCCABE, '35, Fifteen Sc:iicNTiric: CooxieRY AND Piiairiacriv A Pvoi Nrian Sifavioii

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-r-4-i-E ecenm 19335 HE Sisters of Mercy do not, however, confine their acuvities solely to the teaching of Latin. In their hands also is the Guidance Program for the entire student body. The purpose of this work is to adjust the student to her social environment by training in selffcontrol, courtesy, and cooperation. It also presents to the student the various vocational fields, striving to enable each girl to understand her capabilities and shortcomings and to avoid the placing of round pegs in square holes. During the past year this work was exemplified in two plays, In Life's Gift Shop and High Ways. At the head of this work is a Sister known as Student-Counsellor, who is always accessible to a student in any dilliculty and who strives by individual attention to prevent malfadjustments to the school environ- ment. In addition to this, the Sisters of Mercy are in charge of the Apostolic Unit of Catholic Action, and have the general direction of all Catholic Action activity in the school. ELSIE J. GALLAGHER, '35. GUIDANCE LATIN GRAMMAR SPEAKS Seventeen