Zeeland High School - Stepping Stone Yearbook (Zeeland, MI)

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THE STEPPING STONE I 9 3 2 who take Home Economics I study canning, breakfasts, and later in the year they make a study of their own rooms and construct some simple garments. Home Economics II, which is offered to both Juniors and Seniors, is primarily in- tended for girls planning to go away to work or to college after graduation from high school. This course is divided into the following units: housing, health, foods, clothing and finances. It aims to give the girl a general knowledge of choosing and furnishing the roomg economy of dress, care of clothing, color and design for the individual, and quality and construction of materials, probable expenditures in college she expects to attendg the care we should give ourselves in health as well as sicknessg and a study of the proper standards for selecting well balanced meals at restaurants as well as prepar- ing and serving them. INDUSTRIAL ARTS Industrial Arts, a Freshman study, is a very worthwhile and practical subject which enables the students to learn the mechanics, processes and materials that go to make up many of the articles of the home. Through study and practice they are better able to earn a living by physical labor and to judge the quality and value of many of their purchases. Most of the time is spent in handling the tools correctly, selecting proper materials, fitting them together in the strongest and neatest way, and giving the finished product a beautiful but lasting finish. Some theory or book work is done to ind reasons and procedures. Films of various industrial plants are shown each year to make available knowledge that is not only difficult to get from books, but very costly. Visits are made to various factories in the city. such as the print shop, clock, furniture and casket fac- tories. AGRICULTURE COURSE A four-year course in agriculture is offered to the students. In the first year, biology is taught, which is a combination of botany and zoology, forming a founda- tion for the other agricultural subjects. A science credit is given to each boy and girl who takes this course. i Agriculture II includes a study of farm crops and horticulture, in which the general principles in crops, garden and orchard problems are considered. In this course, the student also develops some skill in judging grains, fruits and vegetables. During the fourth year the time is devoted to the study of soils, its management, and economic standpoint of agriculture. The agricultural department sponsors an annual fair and each year the boys go on a judging trip to Michigan State College. All the boys doing project work may join the agricultural club, Future Farmers of America, which aims to develop the social and business life of the student in connection with their department. One-third of a credit is given for a project. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Education is not confined to book learning in Zeeland High School, for we believe one has not a liberal education without training in social life. As a means to develop this social life, clubs have been organized, among which are the Girl Reserves, Girl Scouts, Future Farmers of America, Athletic Sisters, and the National Honor Society. One morning each week, the extra-curricular hour is devoted to these club meetings. Through Mr. Kleis, many girls as well as boys have availed themselves of the privi- lege of taking golfing lessons. Several of the boys have organized a golf team. Interest has been shown this year in forensics, which tends to develop the student both socially and intellectually. In fulfilling this work it is the aim of the school to have every student take part in one of these activities. Page Twenty-four

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THE STEPPING STONE I 9 3 2 To understand many things in the course, the student begins with the properties of mass, size, and state, and properties of a substance according to gaseous, liquid or solid state. Through experiment, the laws for applying these properties to advantage are verified. In mechanics one is taught to find and calculate the work and advantages and efii- ciency of the five simple machines from which all other machines are made. The theories and facts about sound, light and electricity are discussed thoroughly. Experiments and projects that border on sheer magic are performed, and heat is also made to do its tricks. Great things may yet be accomplished in radio, television, the electric eye, exploration of the heavens with telescopes, converting sunlight into im- mediate use and harnessing the energy of the atom. SPEECH DEPARTMENT Speech is one of the practical subjects which are taught in high school. The aim is to train the students to feel free when speaking before an audience. This is accom- plished by means of a study of posture, enunciation, diction and speech structure. The only way to become a good speaker is by practice. For this reason, most of the work is practical rather than technical. Every phase of speech is studied-impromptus, poetry, oratory, Bible-reading, sonnets, prose, extempos, and talks. A speech club has been formed which meets every two weeks during a regular class period. At these meetings, programs are presented by members of the club. COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT The members of this department are taught the fundamentals of business demands and are impressed with the importance and necessity of the power of adaptability to the many business needs of the times. Business is taught with two objectives in mind: first, the vocational, to prepare one for a business position, second, the social, to give the student a knowledge of such business information as he may need to be a successful member of a social group. Business Training is taught to Freshmen in the first semester. It gives them a gen- eral idea of the various phases of business activity as they will meet it in everyday life. Studying this course will help them decide whether or not they wish to enter into busi- ness work. Occupations follows during the second semester. The purpose of this study is to give the student a resume of various occupations. Bookkeeping may be taken in the Sophomore year and is made practical by keeping books for a fictitious employer. It shows the purpose of keeping records and gives the student an idea of the work accomplished in an office. In keeping books neatly, accu- rately and with good judgment, one understands the value of having all business infor- mation systematically recorded. The student becomes aware of the importance of hand- ling his own affairs in a business-like manner, neatly and correctly. Typewriting has become a tool subject for many positions and is essential in most professions and business work. Our school offers it to both juniors and Seniors. Empha- sis is placed on accuracy, which is the foundation of speed. Attention is paid to posi- tion, correct fingering, arrangement of copy and use of all parts of the machine. The students going to college find that it is of great help to them. Although there was no demand for Business English and Commercial Law this year, it is a part of our curriculum. In law the aim is to teach simple business rules regard- ing business affairs and to give precautionary measures that the student may be more careful in handling his own business affairs later in life. In Business English, stress is laid on letter writing, including arrangement and contentg business vocabulary, spell- ing, and a brief review of grammatical principles. HOME ECONOMICS The aim of home economics is not merely to teach cooking and sewing, but to give the girls a general knowledge of home management and dressmaking. The course is divided into units, thus allowing a variety of work. Freshman girls Page Twenty-three

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The old must give way to the new. To make way for the new settlernent the tall, graceful pines and huge oaks were unrnercifully felled. What should he done with them? These valuahle trees, rolled on a great pile and touched hy fire, were soon consumed. Even so the flame of time passes each class on, 'mak- ing way for the new. C L A S S E S