Westmont Hilltop Senior High School - Phoenician Yearbook (Johnstown, PA)

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Record number of Seniors take the plunge into Physics Above left: ... The chemistry of wrestling is also interesting to Mr. Lantz. Left: Mr. Swedler's substitute Ms. Hughes proved to be competent and helpful. Above: Mrs. Pudliner ponders her response to a student's question. Physically speaking. this past year was a land- mark year for the Physics course. The class of 78 held the largest number of students enrolled in the physics course since Westy's beginning. There were 78 pupils who decided to delve in the enlight- ening and challenging subject. While some encoun- tered little difficulty with the class, others found it to be quite a challenge — but certainly a worth- while one in spite of the somewhat disappointing resultant grades. Everyone was issued two texts and a lab manual. The largest, and most detailed one. Project Physics has the tendency to seem like a bottomless pit to those possessing it. The second text, Essentials of Physics, is a review which has many problems at the end of each chapter. Finally, each student is armed with a Laboratory Physics book that enables everyone involved to maneuver through every investigation with ease (thanks to the welcome assistance of Mr. Kaufman). Although after this year Mr. Kaufman will be leaving, so to successive physics students, we the Physicists of 1978 wish you lots of luck, and we hope that you will be under the instruction of a teacher who will be as knowledgeable as Mr. Kaufman. Also, to those dissatisfied physics students — just look back over the year and think about the countless bits and pieces that you have learned and appreciate the opportunity for growth. 23

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Science: Theories, Investigations, and Formulas The Chemistry of it All At the beginning of the school year there is always a sizable num- ber of students proudly displaying a curious yellow book. This book — better known as the Chem I text — instills a sense of pride in its ren- ters. The pride may diminish after the first few months when the chem student becomes disillusioned with this completely new science. Now of course there are some who grasp the foundations quickly — gaining the instructor's support and also the slower student's envy. But this is no cause for alarm because the chem instructors are more than happy to explain unclear concepts. For “Non-scientific chemists” a non-lab course was developed which meets five periods a week as opposed to the six period lab classes. However, the labs can be helpful since they exemplify the concepts taught in class. The class of 1978 expressed such a large amount of interest in Chem II, that two classes were created. Above left: Mr. Kaufman gets a charge out of electricity. Above right: Mr. Swedler shares one of his many fish tales. Below: Every morning. Mr. Paone pledges to the god of biology.

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Health and Safety Courses provide a comic relief Above: First we have them run 10 miles ... explains Mr. Balogh. Right: “Mr. Matsko. do you think you can get those wrestlers to come talk to us? Below: I won t be taking shower numbers, but 1 will be checking footprints, says Mrs. Pudliner. Below right: 'You drove the drivers' training car into how many telephone poles???” inquires Mr. Burket. Gym, Health and Driver’s Education classes provoke much conversation among students since everyone encounters these courses. Sophomores talk of Safety Ed. Juniors talk of Driver's Ed and Seniors count the remaining gym classes. There’s always room for harm- less jokes about each other’s driving or car- diovascular exercises in Phys Ed. Who will ever forget the Medical Self-Help films — especially if the class is at lunchtime. These courses are not as intense as the major ones, but they still play a large part in our high school education.