Divine Child High School - Clarion Yearbook (Dearborn, MI)

Page 19 text:

Imaginative Amateurs Display Talent, Technique English enthusiasts who feel the urge to express their individuality and creativity find an outlet in the varied courses of D.C.’s curriculum. Bright lights, cardboard sets, and forgotten lines are only a few of the problems that plague novice thespians in Theatre Arts. The gripping fear of a first appearance, however, is assuaged by an audience’s applause of approval. In Speech, while learning proper posture and pronunciation, some orators find the podium a lifesaver as it hides knocking knees, stills shaking hands, and keeps illusive index cards in place. Classes, such as Research Techniques and Shakespeare Seminar, further challenge more ambitious students. The first tests the patience of term paper writers who find that wading through volumes of encyclopedias and mountains of magazines can be valuable, although tiring, while the Seminar class emphasizes reading and interpretation. Creative Writing appeals to students who long to express their inner souls and feelings in print. They acquire the knack to use exact words and to combine them in an unique manner. Each course explores an exciting field of English and molds talented students into accomplished masters with promise of a successful future. 15

Page 21 text:

New English Classes Expand Opportunities Floating down the Mississippi, fighting at Homer’s side in the Trojan War, writing a composition on the raging sea, and raging because a vocabulary list never ends-these are just some of the experiences that enrich the lives of D.C. students. Change is the big word this year as courses shrink to semester length which afford Sophomores through Seniors the chance to dabble in many phases of the subject. Only Freshmen stick with tradition as they sample World Literature sidelined with Grammar in a full year course which stresses the basics. World Authors, a challenging course, separates the men from the boys, and leaves even the most studious out of breath. Two of the basic R’s, reading and writing, steer students to Speedreading, Individualized Reading, and Composition. The reading classes have eyes glued to the screen to catch a glimpse of words as they fly by, eliminating chapters with a wink. Composition makes you actually feel what you see and helps it come alive on paper. Courses not only emphasize English, but also enlarge the scope of sensitivity and interest in all the cultural arts as well. ABOVE FAR LEFT: Freshman Kathy O'Neil despairs. My mother warned me about tests like this. ABOVE LEFT: Junior boys ponder whether tis nobler'' to fake it through or admit the truth in English Authors class. ABOVE: Mrs. Strauch finds teaching English an unique experience. LEFT: In Speed Reading. Students, now in the fifth frame. wonder what the first frame said. 17