High School of Commerce - Caduceus Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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Onchestra On the first floor, Caduceus Reporter first visited a room filled with neatly made beds. Here sat Mrs. Chesson, school nurse, whose human lie detector has proved a source of great awe. When interviewed in ref- erence to this skill, Mrs. Ches- son carefully laced her fingers, and explained, “I really have no positive way of knowing when a person tells a lie, but usually I can tell by his expres- sion.” As Caduceus Reporter left 111, she passed Miss Lewis, Mathematics teacher. Referring to her part in the towel ticket sales, Miss Lewis stated, “I have excellent aid from Senior help- ers!” Miss Lewis also has been chairman for the welfare ap- propriations, the principal of which originally was raised by clubs, friends of the school, and by Mr. Ellis. A strange sight for a high school was viewed around the corner from 111: a room filled with toys, wee tables, and small people. This is the famous model Day Nursery. Recently Miss Tourtellotte, chairman of the Home Man- agement Department, voiced the keen interest which all the Home Economics teachers feel for the Day Nursery. “Our Seniors have helped since its opening. They aid with the children’s morning snack; they go to the Nursery for observa- tion visits in connection with their Child Guidance unit; and they tell stories to small groups of children in the Nursery.” Looking through the nursery door was Miss Blake- man, teacher of English. “Although the nursery has been in Commerce for quite a while,” she volunteered, “I am not very familiar with its functions. However, I have had amus- ing experiences with the children. One day a child, seeing me seated at my desk after school had been dismissed, walked up to me and asked, ‘Do you sleep here all night?’ ” Beyond the Nursery rooms, in 115, was diminutive Miss White, the dressmaking teacher who oversees our Cap and Gown problems. When asked whether she thought the mod- ern wife of tomorrow could get along without some knowl- edge of sewing, Miss White reflected, “She would be better dressed and cut her clothing costs in half if she knew how to sew well. Many Commerce girls gain sufficient skill to make garments with a professional air.” Twelve doors down the long corridor from 115, Miss Colby voiced her opinion as to our home room system. With a gracious smile, she said, “I think the three-year home room plan gives the teacher a much greater opportunity to know the students in his class, and to guide them accordingly.” [ 14.) BABY STARS, HOME ECONOMIC FAVORITES Our Commerce Early Bird presides next door, in 123. Miss Parker also smiled as she replied, “Right now I don't have any extra-curricular activities, but I teach a salesman- ship class before school; so I don’t really have too much time.” In that busy Patrol Room, 126, two advisers were disecting Joke-loving Mr. Melville, teacher of Modern Problems I, and adviser of the Patrols, the Personal Economics course. queried, “What is the practical application of economics today? We find economics applied in every field of human endeavor. Behind the war expenditures, the usual peace time applications are going on just the same.” “T, too, think the study of Economics is practical and useful,” agreed Mr. Leslie Shipway, adviser to the Boys’ Athletic Association. “Through a knowledge of this subject, students are better able to understand money problems; thus they will be better prepared for the future.” Beyond the Patrol Room, opposite the front entrance, stood Miss Connie Commerce, the popular manikin. Mainly re- sponsible for her launching were three modest Directors, Misses Bell, White, and Scott. As Caduceus Reporter ap- proached, Miss Scott was gazing, unseeing, at the attractive manikin. When asked the subject of her thoughts, she an- swered instantly, “My First Aid classes! It is surprising that even though it is an unprepared subject, those girls work very hard.” They were interrupted by the sound of music from the Assembly Hall, near which they were standing. Through the glass doors could be seen the directors of our many assemblies. Miss Allen, speech adviser, arose. as Caduceus Reporter approached. “Oh, yes, speaking ability is an asset to any person!” she stressed. ‘“‘One girl, outstanding in the National Forensic League Contest, obtained a position which required a clear voice and good enunciation. In many other cases, experience in speaking has aided our pupils in finding positions.”

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SORE SD EM See Ao yt Bj biked rac AAR : Oa Wy Bisel ‘ 2g STAGE CREW REAR—Celia Jankowski, Mary Crowley, Muriel Kaye, Rose Biscotti. Kibbe, Ruth Parady. Now Caduceus Reporter questioned the last Assistant Ad- viser, Mrs. Williams, teacher of English. “Do I think there is any correlation between school and home interests? Oh yes! Take, for example, English. It influences the pupils’ choice of leisure reading by aiding them to distinguish be- tween suitable literature and that which has little worth. In the Music, Art, and Home Economic departments the students learn different skills for personal enjoyment.” Doubling back on her freshly-made tracks, Caduceus Re- porter took a short cut through the lunchroom, only to notice a busy group in the G. O. Room. Supervising these activi- ties was that wizard of mathematics, Mr. Walker, who was PRISE S SEGRy ONO TRE Bess FRONT—Muriel asked concerning the duties of the Commerce G. O. accounting classes. The ever-ready smile spread over his face as he replied, “Regu- lar duties of the G. O. accounting classes in- clude the collection of all dues, the recording of these collections on ledger cards, and the distribution of G. O. tickets after each game. The class also takes charge of the distribution of prom and banquet tickets. Another of their responsibilities is the verifying of voting lists ap and nomination blanks for class elections.” ON THE BEAM he, HE4 Also down here, near the boys’ entrance, “OUR ‘2 — was Miss Bell, 114, who was watching the : . photographing of a large placard that was at- TsY %. fe tracting much attention. Miss Bell is very proud of the Home Economics Theater pro- ject, which grew from Helen Langon’s inspira- ii - tion. She took pride in relating the comments from various people. ‘One boy,” she conclud- ed, “is especially interested in the Theater. Being too short, he hopes to gain information on how to grow taller.” It is the guidance in projects such as this one, as well as her excellent teaching, that caused us to regret having Miss Bell leave us last January. Caduceus Reporter proceeded along her merry way to the boys’ gym. His feet on his desk, and leaning back in his chair, likeable Mr. Boyd replied, “Yes, all the calisthenics and drills I give the boys in the gym. classes are a part of the Army and Navy Victory Program; they are actual exer- cises that are given in the armed forces.” After this final interview in the basement, Caduceus Re- porter enthusiastically sprinted ahead to seek new mystery and adventures on the first floor. G. O. AUTOGRAPH SEEKERS A crowd of G. O. Agents pay their dues, as Jacqueline McDonald, Isabel Gibson, Eleanor Reseigne, and Rena Bracci record sales on tabulating machines.

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COSTUMING DEPARTMENT A second in the group, Miss Madsen of 224, who has been responsible for several very instructive assemblies, an- swered, emphatically, when questioned concerning Civics. It is vital that the voters of tomorrow know how to be real “Civics is one of the necessary subjects taught today. voters.” The last of this group, petite Miss Madeline Maurer, gave evidence of her pleasing personality as she spoke. “Yes, I belong to the Speakers’ Bureau. Miss Allen and I coached the Education Week and War Chest Speakers. I find that correct and logical organization and interpretation are most dificult for amateur speakers.” Just then the music ceased and Caduceus Reporter hurried forward to greet Doctor Viggiano. When asked whether he preferred the vocal or instrumental coaching, he explained, “T find enjoyment in all music, regardless of its category. Per- haps there’s a comparison between myself and the old country doctor who ‘treated all ills.” I teach all phases of music.” After this brief discussion, Doctor Viggiano nodded toward Miss Hunt of the Typewriting Department, who has “The Glee Club is coming along very nicely,” she replied when asked about assisted him this year with the Glee Club. her new duties. She then answered a question asked by many people. “The pupil who has some musical ability makes a better typist. instrument, he has learned to control his fingers.” If he has practiced on some type of musical Emerging from the Assembly Hall, Caduceus Reporter found her own adviser admiring the editors clustered around the Caduceus Bulletin Board. The Caduceus Staff often has wondered whether Miss Rankin prefers the yearbook ad- visership to any other extra-curricular activity. When ques- tioned, a grin of amusement encircled her face, “I'd not change; Caduceus stimulates my imagination, and brings me into closer contact with boys and girls.” [15] Just then appeared the Ca- duceus Senior Photograph Ad- viser. “Why am I always hap- py?” Mr. chuckled. “Tt’s just your luck that you've Clancey never seen me very angry. Across the hall in 104, three women conferred. Miss Flynn willingly explained her coun- seling service. “Counseling helps to make the pupil under- stand his own problems.” Gracious Miss Lynch, with that ever-present twinkle in her eye, said of her freshman coun- ciling, “A councilor has nothing to do with the discipline of stu- dents. We just aid them in choosing studies, and in straight- ening out problems.” Miss Jenks, who also was in 104, discussed the January Seniors as their class adviser. “I became better acquainted with students in my committees than with those in my classes. I wasn’t a teacher to them.” Trembling with excitement, Caduceus Reporter fled to 105 to transcribe her notes before completing the tour. A MODEL ACTRESS