Classical High School - Blue and White Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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With the coming of our country’s 200th anniversary, we all have been looking back over our history, taking note of national developments. Changes have occurred in many areas, and Classical is not the exception. Not onty has the program become more diverse but the faculty who teaches it has changed as well. Teachers today have become more like directors of our education rather than the trainers of years past. They have not totally abandoned the old style of teaching, but have revised it into a more relaxed and personal experience. We think these changes have been beneficial to our education, and the faculty of Classical has helped us all greatly. Mr. Gerald Canter — counselor Mrs. Julia Bale — math — lias 10 Mr. Henry Brady — English Mrs. Mildred Cabana — counselor Mr. David Douglas — language

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Red, white, and blue may be our national colors, but green, silver, and gold have always been American favorites. From the time of the Revolutionary War, this country has always seemed to have on its mind a way to better its standard of living, a way to invent new machines to replace slightly used ones, a respect for ' wealth, and the urge to always be the best. These inherent goals are definitely part of our heritage, and they play an important part in the lives of Americans. High school, perhaps, is the time when students become aware of their heritage and get their first real taste of adulthood and financial responsibilities. Many of the students have jobs (some as cashiers and busboys here at Classical) or get allowances which they budget carefully in order to meet their academic and social expenses. There are also necessities, such as clothing and food, which take up a large chunk of any paycheck. It is not absolutely essential, however, to eat lunch and breakfast at a nearby restaurant instead of the ‘school or buy an outfit for every day of the week, but many people do find it an important part of high school life. Classical has its own unique package of expenses often called “the Six that Saves” but better known as S.T. As a holder of an S.T. card, one is entitled to discounts at sporting events, the prom and banquet, etc. There are also little extra expenses, such as a class ring, yearbook, class trips and hats, and class pictures. None of those are necessary, but the cost of college applications is a must for seniors. The bills add up when paying for college transcripts, boards, and visits to the schools. All things considered, it is amazing that students manage to make ends meet. FEATURES 9

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— principal Mr. Russell Peterson Mr. Russell Peterson — principal “Even through the pei ten years of social and moral turbulence in Amer- ica, our young people have continued to be challenged by their liberal arts studies since they realize that a thor- ough, sound education prepares them to meet future challenges. “Today's students are not in an ivory tower; they demand relevance in their studies and are aware of and respond to social issues more so than students | from the quieter past.” Mrs. Julia Bale — mathematics “For one thing the faculty has become younger. We used to have only mature teachers. The students used to be more serious in their approach to their stud- ies. They tried harder to get good grades.” Mrs. Jean Bogan — English “T don’t know that young people, as such, have changed, but their world certainly has. Remembering very clear- ly the difficulties of teen years, I have much sympathy for students today and, I might add, a great deal of admi- ration.” Mr. Henry Brady — English “T think the faculty and students have changed significantly in several ways. The Seri is much younger, probably better trained, and certainly more casu- al in relation to students. Students are less studious but more ‘alive’ and re- sponsive to ideas.” Mrs. Mildred Cabana — counselor “Today's students differ widely among themselves and from students of earli- er times. Classical recognizes these dif- ferences, and its educational program, vital and contemporary, responds to them. It is a timely educational ven- ture, flexible to the changing needs of the indivudual student and those of so- ciety in which the school plays a vigor- ous role.” Mr. Gerald Canter — counselor “Student concerns have changed in two significant ways in the few years I’ve been at Classical. In general, it would seem as if fewer students are commit- ted to a liberal arts education, with more students manifesting an interest in specialized undergraduate programs that are vocational in nature. In addi- tion, it is also apparent that the econo- my and Hsing college costs have made it necessary for greater percentages of students to attend state subsidized in- stitutions of higher learning.” Mr. David Douglas — language “ Unfortunately there has been an aca- demic decline. Faculty morale has de- clined.” Mr. Richard Guzowski — science “Having been associated with Classical for almost fifteen years as both a stu- dent and as a teacher, it disturbs me to see the direction in which we are head- ” ing. Mr. Paul Robbins — music “As one who has been around long enough, as a student and as a teacher, to compare several generations of high school students, | Pate that funda- mental abilities, ideals and aspirations do not change greatly over the years. “Each generation is made up in about the same proportions of those who, in varying degrees, direct their lives pur- SEER and of those to whom life merely happens. The ratio of ‘good ane to ‘bad guys’ remains substan- tially the same. “If today’s youth are different in any way, it has to do with seemingly more sophisticated social awareness involv- ing an intensive search for honest, reli- able human values. Many have found in music a close relationship with and a retlection of such values.” Mrs. Rubino — clerk “Students today are more involved in the curriculum, in the governing of the school.” Mr. Alexander Schmid — health “In recent years, I’ve noticed a decline in the amount of experiences students and faculty share with each other out- side of the classroom. “There is a definite lack of interaction between students and faculty. This can only widen the gap that has already been created by tradition and age. My hope for the future is to see aeuley and students taking more of an interest in each other.” Miss Barbara Weissbrod — mathemat- ics “With the passing years, my students have become more community orient- ed — they seem to be more willing to participate in service projects for the benefit of the community.” Mr. Harriet Widland — English “In the years I have been teaching I have noticed greater receptivity to stu- dents’ ideas and interests. This prob- ably leads to greater rapport between faculty and students.” Have You Noticed Any Significant Changes In Classical’s Students Or Faculty? science Mr. Paul Robbins — music Mrs. Rose Rubino — chief clerk Mr. Alexander Schmid — health Miss Barbara Weissbrod — math Mrs. Harriet Widland — English FACULTY 11