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

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No Fair Peeking! “Fingers on the keys, everyone. Now, begin, a; sl dk fj gh space a; sl ... ”’ All members of Classical’s typing classes are familiar with this greeting which they receive each time they enter room 118. The first thing students are taught by both Miss Dorothy Porter and Miss Velma Jordan is how to type these keys without looking at their hands. Commenting on her initial year as a typing teacher after many years as a home economice instructor, Miss Jordan says, “I like the variety of teaching two different types of courses. Home ec is still fun, but typing makes things more interesting.” When Miss Porter was asked why she hadn't remained a secretary (a job she admits was easier) she confessed, “I like the challenge of teaching best.” Why have a typing course at all at a college preparatory high school? Miss Porter, a Classical teacher for many years, explained it best by saying, ‘This course is a personal typing course. It is designed to help students get ready for college term papers, and it teaches how to set them up. It is not intended to be used as a springboard for a career which requires extensive typing skills. It certainly is as advantage to go to college with the ability to type. In fact, other students might be forced to pay good money to have their papers typed for them.” With the economy the way it is, the typing teachers’ traditional greeting is a good one to respond to. Mr. Euclid Lague — language Mr. Robert Stevens — math Mr. James Walsh — counselor Mrs. Jeanne Wessman — language FACULTY 25

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Mr. Arthur Barnes — English “When I was in high school, things were different than they are now, but people were the same. Students tend to mold themselves to the time they know and understand best, the present. “One the other hand the faculty must change with the times in order to meet the ever changing needs of the stu- dents. For some this adjustment is more difficult than it is for others.” Mrs. Barbara Bowen — social studies “No, not really. We students took our required subjects like English and U.S. History with grudging grace. We achieved at least one day of truancy each year, and we rowdily followed our school’s basketball team. The town was too poor to afford football.” Mr. John Christie — music “I find that the similarities between high school students of today and those of my own time far outnumber the differences.” Mrs. Nancy Duffy - language “When I was in high school, school spirit was prevalent everywhere. Clubs were crowded and active. Pep rallies were full of pep. There were always buses to away games filled with cheer- ing fans. Students supported their school all the time. It’s a shame all that has changed.” Mr. Armen Jermakian — mathematics “Ice cream parlours, soda fountains in drug stores, and excellent movies.” Miss Velma Jordan — home economics “My high school days were quite en- joyable for that time period. One per- son made a big impression in my life. My high school home economics teacher inspired me to the profession I now work in.” Mr. Euclid Lague — language “During my high school days, many students did not finish high school, not because they voluntarily dropped out, but because they had to go to work at sixteen to help support their families because of poor economic conditions. Those students who graduated from high school generally considered it a privilege to be able to get an education and did not consider it a distasteful ae as too many young people do to- ay.” Mr. Robert Smith — science “The double sessions, going to school from one p.m. to five p.m. for two years.” Mr. Robert Stevens — mathematics “When I look around the cities and towns, I see no more ice cream parlours where the young people congregated for a coke or a frappe. Also missing from the scene is the ‘hot-rodder’ with his homemade car.” Mr. James Walsh — counselor “I am especially impressed with the greater degree of maturity exhibited by What Do You Remember Most About Your High School Days? Mr. Arthur Barnes - English 24 Mr. John Christie — music Mrs. Nancy Duffy — language today’s high school students. The problems that confront them are much more troublesome and require greater maturity than when I attended high school.” Mrs. Jeanne Wessman - language “In at least two respects, Classical High School today bears little resemblance to the Classical of my high school days. “There were only three grades here in my time, and fewer than three hundred students in each class! The whole stu- dent body could meet in the audito- rium. This made for tremendous school spirit. ‘Moreover, at that time, every entering student was in the college preparatory course. While some dropped back into the general course by eleventh or twelfth grade, the majority of students graduated with a college preparatory diploma. This was truly a classical high school during my high school days.” Mr. Armen Jermakian — math

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A Time To Sing Quality singing groups have long been a tradition at Classical, and much of the credit for the vocal music program’s success belongs to Mr. Paul Robbins. For eight years this veteran music teacher has directed the girls’ and boys’ chorus as well as the choir and the madrigal singers. As if that were not enough, Mr. Robbins also teaches classes in music appreciation and American History which is his ‘second interest.” Mr. Robbins admits with pride that Classical not only has one of the best programs in the area, but also that the program includes 140 students, more than any other high school in the city. Ample proof of the talent in the vocal groups is that all twenty Classical students who auditioned for the Western Massachusetts District Chorus in 1975 were picked to perform. Many Classical singers have voiced their displeasure at the type of music sung. Mr. Robbins explains by saying, “Some students dislike the fact that we don’t sing popular music, but all these students are already familiar with popular music. The purpose of the choral groups is to broaden their knowledge and interest of different forms of music. That is the principal reasons why classical and folk music are used, while popular music is not.” Mr. Francis Baran — science Mrs. Ellen Barkhuff — science Mr. Robert Donovan — shop Mr. Robert Farr — science Mr. Francis Lamoreaux — science 26