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

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Art Department Inspires Creativity Whether it’s posters for a school event, whether it's Christmas decorations, or whether it's just painting for fun, the Commerce Art Department, directed by Miss Kuth J. Marsden. is always ready and able. Students in the Art Department can develop not only their creative ability, hut may also learn the fundamen- tals of commercial art. Situated in a spacious room on the third floor of the High School of Commerce, the Art Department has every facility to stimulate students to create: easels, water col- ors. oil paints, chalk. Imliu ink. and inspirational paint- ings from the past. Art cl » member diligently kcteh nt their work. Musicians Produce Dulcet Harmonies Three mu»icl n work t developing their «kill. One subject at Commerce that is fun as well as work is music. Under the direction of Mr. Walter I). Nicker- son, the John Philip Sousas. Louis Armstrongs. Lily Ponses, and Artur Kubinsteins of the future often receive their starts. Generous Commerce will even furnish in- struments. and free lessons for those who wish to learn. 22

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Science Students Learn Mysteries of Nature Biology, Physics, and Chemistry are among the offer- ings of the Commerce Science Department. Using the latest equipment, such as Geiger counters, anatomical models and the like, the scientists enjoy investigating the mysteries of life. Science is a field which is always fascinating to the alert student, because it offers something new and exciting every day. There is no thrill quite comparable to that of seeing a hydra or an amoeba under the microscope for the first time or getting a greater understanding of the mechanism of the body by dissecting a frog. Practical experimentation and observation are stressed in the Commerce Science Department by activities such as these. Students of Physics, for example, illustrate principles of levers and pulleys by rigging up an apparatus which enables a small girl to outpull four or five strong hoys; chemists learn how to synthetize sub- stances by putting them together in the test tube; Biology students have a model human being with which to work, a model which can be taken apart piece by piece to show the positions and appearance of all the organs of the body. When a student has taken the offerings of the Com- merce science department, he has an excellent basis not only for understanding the fundamentals of the physical world around us, but also for progressing to advanced work in all fields. This year for the first time in its history the Com- merce Science Department held a Fair, with more than 150 students displaying their skill. Hundreds of parents and friends attended the exhibit to marvel at the skill of Commerce students demonstrating their knowledge of insect life, health, transportation, atoms, and other facets of science. A »tm!ent drmonutrate the uw of radioactive inotope with a Gcijrcr Counter in learning about plant . 21

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Strong Muscles and Sports Skills Develop in Boys Gym ShnriwhootinK practice in Gym load» to aucccaa on the Junior Varsity Ixukettnall team. Students who have had the desire to shout at the top of their lungs can satisfy their wish in the Boys’ Gym- nasium. for there’s plenty to cheer about there. Whatever a lad’s sports interest is, he's sure to find it. In season, basketball, baseball, football, tennis and golf instruction are available. There’s a big wrestling contest every year, with some admirable grunt-and-groan tactics to be seen. Volley hall is a favorite during the winter season, while as spring comes on. groups of Commerce boys wend their way to a local swimming pool for some of the cool, wet stuff. Tumbling and gymnastics are also favorites and the lithe, acrobatic bodies of the more skillful participants can always he seen as they swing on the parallel bars or fly through the air in somersaults over rows of six and eight daring fellow tumblers. Commerce furnishes excellent equipment for all these, and the boys put it all to good use. under the direction of Physical Education Director Thomas Collins, who also is one of the teachers of Driver Education. 23