Clairton High School - Clairtonian Yearbook (Clairton, PA)

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art, music give 5 ecial training to the talented ln accord with the educational theory that students of exceptional ability should be encour- aged, modern high school curricula include courses to interest those with special talents. At present the CHS list of such courses in- cludes ones only in music and art. There are ad- ministration plans and teacher dreams for others in the future. Students who excel in writing, speaking, and acting still have to be content with only regular English classes where treatment of these extras is necessarily limited. To give these students opportunity for self- expression equal to that of the musicians and artists, CHS should plan to add to its curriculum courses in speech, dramatics, iournalism, and magazine and radio writing. Music and art students learn techniques and develop a sense of appreciation for what is good. The school as a whole profits from their study, because the music groups produce enjoy- able programs, and the art classes are called upon often to make posters, programs, and decorations. At the top left are art supervisor Miss Cora Pitcairn and music supervisor Miss Jennie Mae Botdcrf, At the right are Mr. Rutilio Rotili and his assistant, Mr. Robert Testa, directors of instrumental music. Below, in order are Paul Weber, Jim Crbell, Robert Garner, and George Johnson, talented enough to be sent to the district band festival, the Girls' Chorus in u serious practice session with Miss Botdorf, Miss Pitcairn and an art class at work on the senior play program covers. 69

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g m, swimming, health balance stud program A mind full of facts is worth much more if it belongs to a body healthy enough to make good use of it. A sluggish, tired body supplies no energy to put a fact-filled mind to work. Mid-century school authorities realize that in order to hand over to the world at the end of twelve years well adiusted citizens, they have to make provisions for our physical as well as our mental training. The set-up they have devised has health classes teaching the theory while gym and swimming classes provide the practice. This department, we feel, more than most others, has the opportunity to eliminate artificial learning situations and get closer to actual living. ln health class we deal with facts about our- selves, and ourselves are always more interesting than an ancient battle or an algebra equation. Gym and swimming give every one of us a chance to lose awkwardness and acquire grace. At the beginning of the century this chance be- longed only to the privileged who could take their private dancing and riding lessons or swim in their private pools. We all like to have fun, and playing volley- ball, basketball, and waterpolo are fun. Besides, playing games with rules that must be obeyed has a certain civilizing effect. lt should carry over some to how we play at the game of living after we leave school. The physical education faculty picture shows left to right, Miss Laura Belle Hess, Mr, John Snizik, Mr. John Karrs, Mr. Edward Porter, and Miss Barbara Ceryak. Proceeding down the page: Boys in health class enjoy a respiratory system special report while the girls take notes about the skin. A volleyball gets trapped in the curtains, flutter-kicking swimmers prepare to shove oft, four speedsters lead off the relays.

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rv- if vocational depart boys for ma ki ng -.E tg, wr' H M32 Mgt Of all the influences affecting life for good or bad in what remains of the twentieth century, that of the home will be most powerful. CHS trains its girls to make happy homes through the work of the Vocational Department. Girls enrolled in the Vocational Course form a small unit, but a happy, intimate one. Teachers note that this year the spirit of cooperation has been particularly fine. One reason for this has been the en- thusiasm and new interest aroused in both students and teachers by their join- ing a national organization known as the Future Homemakers of America. The local group is known as The Modern Miss Chapter. Representatives attend regular ses- sions of the District Council in Pittsburgh. They have served as hostesses and have helped provide refreshments for these meetings. Each girl has a personal interest because she as a member must work to earn degrees which the national group awards for certain accomplishments. To earn money to buy their degree pins, the girls have held several bake sales. ln their regular classes the girls cover units of work in foods, clothing, nu- trition, consumer buying, home nursing, child care, interior decorating, and home arts and crafts. A short two-year course in home- making, open to college prep and com- mercial girls, covers the same subiect matter in condensed form. ln the top picture are homemaking teachers Miss Olga Coleman, Miss Patricia LeDonne, and Miss Sara Seitz. Next in order, vocational girls mix up a batch of cookies, prep and commercial girls' sewing class work on their blouses, Laura Byers, Rita Herring, Gloria Simun, Peggy Leonard, and Jean Pascoe relax for a moment in the bedroom of the departmenfs apart- ment which has also a kitchen, dining room, and laundry. 70