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

Page 73 text:

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

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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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Lines, designs, Creative minds . . That’s Art The first impression I recall of Caddo Magnet High was a tour I made during Arts’ Fest. I wasrVt sure whether I wanted to come to Magnet, I had heard that the Art Department was special, and I wanted to pursue art more than anything ... but I was stili uncertain. Everywhere I strolled I saw evidence of the Art Department that had been so highly acclaimed. Calligraphy projects lined one corner. Students were selling prints of pen and ink drawings at one lot. Carefully displayed pastels and wa- tercolors of flowers and nature canvassed interior displays. Near the kiln, students fired pottery pieces, and nearby a group hovered over a button-making display. I saw propped against the wall, huge color- ful stitchery projects: an 18-foot Hunt’s ketchup bottle, a baby-grand piano, and a pepperoni pizza were my favorites. The more earthy macrame creations hung on the wall. Next I wondered onto a T-shirt silk-screening demonstration .. . everyone seemed to be having fun, and several stu¬ dents actually sold their works. I realized that the Art Department was more than classes and coursework. It was a spirit of enthusiasm and appreciation for self-expression. It seemed to be a depart- ment that allowed each student to develop his own talents and express his own style. The Magnet Art Department was everyth- ing and more than I had expected. I knew also that it would become my horne for the next four years. “Opportunity for self expression is a way to describe Magnefs Art department. With a wide variety of art forms to choose from, there is truly “something for every- one.” Students can seek individuality in Art I, Fibers, Advanced Drawing, Calligra¬ phy, and Pottery. Under the guidance of gifted teachers, Magnet students have excelled in their ar- tistic abilities and have been awarded scholarships to further their education and their particular talent. Senior Andrea Ford get the weaver fever in Mrs. Schlidts fibers class. In this class students leam the fundamental techniques of weaving. These students work eagerly on their art projects. Part of Art I centers on rendering on paper what is viewed by the eyes. 70 • Academics