Caddo Magnet High School - Odyssey Yearbook (Shreveport, LA)

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The foreign connection . . . Magnefs language department In today’s world of increased foreign re- lations, more and more colleges are requir- ing incoming students to be acquainted with a language other than English. This wave may just now be reaching the nation, but the quest for a different mode of com- munication is already a tradition at Mag net. The Language Department is a vital component of the Magnet curriculum and it includes much more than grammar and vocabulary. Not only do students learn conversation but they learn culture, histo- ry, and geography as well. The language teachers aspire for their students to acquire a working knowledge of the foreign culture rather than just a scholarly survey of the language. This, however, may seem a formidable task for the student. Why then do so many stu¬ dents pursue foreign language classes? Not only are they popular, but they at- tract a remarkably large number of stu¬ dents who enthusiastically return for ad- vanced courses. Frequently, students even elect two or three different languages. Ju¬ nior Jennifer Tseng said, “Its not like the teachers are just stuffing you with informa- tion that you really don’t care to know. They really want you to learn.” This ac- counts for the immense popularity of the International Studies Program. This pro- gram offers World Economics and World History all taught in a comprehensive cul- tural package. Other students feel as though the suc- cess of the foreign language department is created by the teachers. Junior Kathleen DeSoto said, “They are always so orga- nized and everything is planned to a tee. On top of that, they are admirably consis¬ tant and understanding.” This sense of compassion is explained by Amy Schild, junior, who said, ‘They’re really special. They can laugh at you, and you can laugh at them. With this kind of caring instruction, the language becomes not a dead page of the textbook, but a live tool of communication. Junior Heather Burch put it best when she said, “Every one stays awake and listens to every word. We dont sleep. We can’t, because if we did, we would miss some- thing.” Indeed, the question asked by Mag¬ net students is not do you take a foreign language, but which language do you take? The Golden Rule for understanding a foreign language is concentration on what you hear. Freshman Pam Lord learns this lesson early. Conversation is the best way to learn because of its impromptu nature. Sophomore Becky Bodenheimer practices this art with junior Michelle Clark. 68 • Academics

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Debugging a program by analyzing the computer printout, sophomore David Moore and Shane Nichol- son enlist the aid of Mr. Sellers. Computers enable students like senior John Green to explore Creative dimensions. It is a logical attraction to Computers can be a frustration unless caring teach ers add their special brand of encouragement. Com¬ puter teacher Peggy Cloud works with this student to produce an A-quality program. Computers Computers are the instrument of the fu¬ ture and computer courses have become increasingly more popular at Magnet. With technilogical aspect in mind, these stu¬ dents leave Magnet more prepared for their careers in the business world. The computer classes, taught by Mrs. Cloud and Mr. Sellers, make many intellec- tual demands on students. This requires not only an interest in computers but also a knowledge of the computer languages. Shane Nicholson, sophomore, says, “I guess I just like to think and when I get into it, I just ean t leave it.” A logical mind is needed in addition to the ability to know how to make a program work. ‘1 like being in control. There is something to say about creating a program and then seeing the results,” replies Janet Jansen, senior, who is a second year com¬ puter Science student. Magnet has been very fortunate to have at its disposal an extensive computer lab. In the future, that type of set-up will no longer be a privilege but rather a necessity. That is when these students will truly ap- preciate their computer experience. Computer Science International Studies • 67

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Why not just go for the gusto and learn Russian from Mme. Males. Seniors Larry Marino and Susan Mat- thews and junior Jennifer Tseng are a few of the brave that have. It is obvious that Ms. Morisette does not mind giving a little extra help to anyone who is interested. Faux pas are seldom made by Susie Matthews. who feels at home with several foreign languages. One Magnet student who has much to smile about, Susie truly has esprit de corps and a joie de vivre. accent on Susan Matthews was one senior who found that the Magnet language depart- ment was not foreign to her. Rarely can a school boast of a student who is fluent in two foreign languages, but Magnet could call Susie its resident linguist. Not only did Susie master the four years of French offered, but she also found time to trek to LSCIS during her busy school day so that she could take even more French! A two-year student of the Russian lan¬ guage, Susie learned the customs, culture, colloquialisms, and culinary arts of the So- viets during her classroom participation under the tutelage of Mme. Collette Males. Many people have found that mastering English is difficult, but obviously Susie has excellence a flair for the languages. Not one to allow Russian and French to get the best of her, Magnet s translator also pursued the study of German for a year. Susie has been a participant in the Inter¬ national Study Program, a winner in state and national exams, and the recipient of a scholarship for summer study in Quebec and Belgium for two years. Through aca demic competition, Susie has won a round- trip airline ticket to Europe for the summer of 1986. As Mme. Males has said, “Susie has dis- covered that foreign language is a pass key to the gateway of the world.” That trans- lates into success. Cest si bon, Susie! Language Department • 6