Elmira Free Academy - Torch / Sagoyawatha Yearbook (Elmira, NY)

Page 15 text:

TORCH Mrs. Mary B. Cady, A.B. Margaret Collins Vera M. Range Frederick I. Leverich, AB. Rena Rockwell. A.M. Anna C. Maclnerney Kathleen B. Miller, Ph.R. Esther A. McGowan, A.B. Helen Schermerhorn Mary C. Mitchell, Secretary HISTORY AND COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENTS This staff of teachers is responsible for the excellent rating' given to Academy history students. Their subjects include ancient, modern, and American history. A thorough study of these subjects is most essential to every high school student. The department has tried several interesting experiments to make the subjects more appealing. ln ancient history classes, the pupils make soap models , 7 of the prominent figures and noted architecture of famous times. This proves interesting as well as educational. On Armistice Day, the history group was in charge of a pa- triotic assembly, memorable for its speeches and recitations. The Commercial Department offers two years work, at the com- letion of which students desiring to continue transfer to the South- ? . . . .ff . . side. The subjects given include economic geography, commercial arithmetic, textiles, advertising, salesmanship, and business writing. Few schools offer textiles and advertising. On account of the great demand for business writing, Mr. Thaddeus Emblen, director of I I - W n n u s writing ln the Elmlra school system, 1s personally conductlng a class in enmanshi . In Januar . a new course. Hlntroduction to Rusi- , i P P , . Y . nessf, was added. This subject gives a general background for the whole commercial course. REM' HOCKWEU' History Dept. I932 15

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TORCH Mrs. Mary H. Steward, BS. Mrs. Celia N. Stott, AB. Harriet l. Wixon, A.B. Mrs. Margaret Guinane, AB. Helen E. Bowen. AB. Ruby S. Hopkins, AB. Mary D. Condon, B.S. Helen M. Hibbard, BS. MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT The Mathematics Department has held to a rather conservative course this past year. There have been few changes in its curriculum. However, simple trigonometry, dealing with the measurement of right triangles, has been taught in solid geometry and algebra classes. The object of this is to spread trigonometry, so that students not studying it may know something of its functions. There is no contemplation of abolishing the regular class in trigo- nometry. The major alteration in mathematics has been in the first year course. Starting in January, 1932, Freshmen students have been able to take a year of ulntroduetion to Business in place of ele- mentary algebra. This teaches the rudiments of business, and is designed to prepare students for later business courses. During the past few years the mathematics department has undergone a gradual modification in the form of its examination questions. These have tended to become less complicated and me- chanical, demanding deeper thought and reasoning. ln this manner the mathematics department has kept up with the times in methods of teaching. HELEN M. HIBBARD Head of Dept. l932 111

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TORCH Harriet N. Kellogg, A.B. Julia V. Brooks, A.B. lsobel K. Mark, A.M. Anna M. McMahon, AB. Elizabeth Tashjian, AB. Gertrude Epstein, AB. Urs. Clara Munson, AB. Lena B. Logan, A.B. M. Beatrice Espey, A.B. FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENTS For many years Latin has been part of the school curriculum in spite of the tendency to do away with classical languages. The rise in the number of Vergil students this year has been conspicuous. In November, an essembly was staged by the department. A Latin A song, a pageant, several recitations, and a Vergil play carried the day. French, too, becomes increasingly pop- ular at the Academy. Second and third year conversational classes have been inaugurated this year. This department, not to be outdone by the Latin, made itself responsible for an assembly, in which the students showed their proficiency in the language and literature by songs, a minuet, and an amusing French comedy. A comparatively new and much demanded A ' subject here is German. Students intending HARRIET N. KELLOGG to go into scientific work Hnd German almost EUZABETH TASHHAN French Dem- essential. Three years of it are now being Latin Dept, given. i932 16