Chelsea High School - Beacon Yearbook (Chelsea, MA)

Page 25 text:

Commercial Field Shorthand offers the bright young lady the opportunity of learning a speedy system of communication, after a thorough study of theory, speed and accuracy are devel¬ oped, along with vocabulary, under the capable directions of Miss Hope. Of course, shorthand is practically use¬ less without its Siamese twin, the mechan¬ ical monster, known as the typewriter. The aspirant typist drills asclf space; lkj space for what seems an eternity. Finally, she begins to transcribe her hieroglyphics into what takes the semblance of business let¬ ters. Office Practice is a subject planned to blend all commercial subjects into a basic course. Here the girls get a chance to de¬ velop office technique while practicing on actual office machine. Special attention is given to vocabulary and efficiency by Mrs. Malone. After three years of training the graduate steps forward, commercial diploma in hand, ready to face the meanest looking type¬ writer or ledger any of her worthy prede¬ cessors ever had to cope with. Mr. White — Is that an ink eraser I see? Miss Sharood — Neatness counts. Mrs. Malone — Requirements for a white-collar girl.

Page 24 text:

Progress in the It was not until after 1008. when we were well established in the building on Crescent Avenue that the idea of a girl having a place in the business world was even considered. 1 hrough the years, the commercial course has been so highly developed that a com¬ mercial diploma, which was first given to graduates in June. 1915, is all that is neces- sar to become a stenographer and general “Miss Fix-It around the office. One of the earliest teachers of bookkeeping and other commercial subjects was Miss Berry, a Chelsea girl. It was formerly the assumption that all pupils studying commercial subjects were going to enter the business world. Now three groups ol students in the commercial classes are considered; those who wish to enter the business world and require a knowledge of commercial work for any posi¬ tion they may take, those who intend to study in advance business colleges and wish training preparatory to this course, and those who simply, through one’s daily de¬ pendence on business, wish to acquire an understanding of business. At the start of her sophomore year the prospective secretary is introduced to Book¬ keeping by means of debit and credit. In bookkeeping 2 and 3 Miss Bennett teaches us advance entries, income expense and dis¬ count. Miss Harris — Take a letter, Miss Jones. Miss Bennett — Above all, accuracy. Miss Hope — Write as I dictate.

Page 26 text:

The Mysterious Problems Noises may go, and odors may come; i he studies and anxiety of this year are done. 1 he battles ol science we have partiallv won. Hut the problems of life have merely begun. 1 hrough the ages, students throughout the four corners of the earth have studied in countless languages the seemingly in¬ surmountable problems of the noble sciences, physics, chemistry, and biology. We ot the Class ot 1947, much to our surprise and dismay, have failed to solve many (4 the complex puzzles of Mother Nature just as students before us have, ever since a laboratory was erected in the Bellingham High School. At the beginning of what was to be a most eventful year the humble disciples of messieurs, Mr. Mockler and Mr. Cot¬ ter strolled confidently into the various labs with lofty ambitions floating gently through their minds. Reclining in their luxurious arm chairs a strange stench (or should we call it a pungent odor) wafted into their nostrils. Throughout the year, the Pasteurs of the future struggled bravely with the big three of chemistry, lab sheets, experiments, and lectures. Al¬ though we did not succeed in splitting the atom or discovering a new element, we have managed to amuse ourselves. Mr. Mockler — Who’s using ' that laughing ' gas? Mr. Pucko — What does this signify?