Fairport High School - Hourglass Yearbook (Fairport, NY)

Page 24 text:

0l ll l THE HOUR GLASS l ll l0 as well as an instructive subject that could be utilized far more than it is, to the enjoyment and profit of every one concerned. There is no one who can deny that a person's character is usually determined by the way he expresses himself. Refined, well-educated people speak in a refined manner. Common, vul- gar persons use the lower class vernacular . He commands every- one 's admiration who has a large vocabulary, and who can ex- press himself adequately and withouthesitation. English feeds the intellect, stimulates the imagination, strengthens the memory, and imparts a feeling of self-confidence in expression. -M ary Schoolmaster and Leah Pritchard Choosing a High School Course and a Life Vocation What course shall 1 take up in high school? Is there any- one of us who has not been either confronted by this problem personally or approached by some younger person who is un- decided about choosing his school course? To be able to answer this problem with any skill, whatsoever, a careful study of the question must be made. Basically, to choose a high school course is to choose a life career. Since this is the age of specializing, it does not, abso- lutely does not, pay to omit any portion of schooling which per- tains or may be brought to pertain to your career. For the person who has specialized there is no such thing as an over- crowded vocation. Of those persons, who have taken up a skilled trade or profession, figures prepared by H. C. Bentley in Career Planning show that one-half range from failures to medium successes, thirty percent meet with medium to ex- cellent success, nineteen percent froin excellent to exceptional success and only one percent have distinctive success. There- fore we can see that even in a profession we must comb-ine a won- derful amount of perseverance and hard work with the best education attainable. For those persons who do not follow a profession, no remarks may be made except that the greater share go to make up the multitude of the common laborers who suffer with adverse conditions and never attain success. If you have ever had reason to go through the H Help W'anted columns in the daily papers you have probably wondered about such statements as may be inexperienced but must have high Page Eighteen

Page 23 text:

Ol li l THE HOUR GLASS i ll lO ness, because they are usually so interested in putting over their argument that they are unaware of class presence. Other classes offer chances for a form of debating where a difference of opinion may arise. These opportunities are com- paratively few, but are enough to attract our attention if we are alert. Every child wants, at some time or other, to do something of which his parent does not approve. Unconsciously he will state fact after fact why he should do this thing, and his parent will do his best to explain why the child should not. Usually the parent is correct, but if the child can state his argument forcibly enough, he should get his way. It is often necessary to obtain some privileges from a teacher which he does not wish to grant. If the pupil can put over a strong enough argument in his favor, he may obtain what he wishes from said teacher. This is usually termed an argument, but it is really a form of debating. In the world in general there is much debating. For instance, the lawyer is one of the clearest examples. He goes before the jury and if he can stress his point just a little stronger than his opponent, he will win the case. The bargain hunters are de- baters though perhaps they do not realize it. Also the salesman, the clerk, the doctor, and many, many others use a form of de- bating every day, though they are often entirely unconscious of the fact. Besides being a help for the English work, debating is very advantageous to us. It teaches us to see someone else's opinion. All of us are inclined to be narrow minded on certain subjects. But if another person's opinion is stated and backed up by good reasons, we are very liable to change our minds. Often, too, one remembers a subject which has been debated upon: In classes, and in everyday life, if something is discussed in detail and then a conclusion is drawn, we are apt to remember that conclusion. I really think that debating could be used much more than it is now. Though I may be entirely wrong, I think that all English courses could be more interesting if they had more debates. Then too, there are a good many womens' clubs today. Some have a definite purpose. Others just drift along with some small excuse for existing, or else they play cards. How much more they could learn, if at every meeting they held a lively debate on some current topic. Therefore, it seems to me that debating is a very interesting Page .Seventeen

Page 25 text:

Ol lI ! THE HOUR GLASS l lI l0 school education. This is easily explained. N o firm wishes to employ a young man who is unable to apply himself. It is not in the knowledge which we gain from a high school course, but in the fact that we have learned to think that is the important factor to the firm. Place yourself in the position of the firm. How would you choose? Between a person who has a grammar school education and perhaps a few years of hard work, and another, who is just out of high school and has learned to think and reason for himself and is loaded with original ideas which cannot but help the firm in some manner. The high school graduate has a decided advantage. Then, do not consider lightly the value of a high school education. Since it is now evident that a high school education is most necessary, let us turn our thoughts to the exact course which should be taken. Courses in high school should allow for varying plans on the part of the inmates. If each school offered the same course there would be no cause to specialize in high school. Various diplomas and awards are made for different courses and are comparatively easy to obtain. Those persons who are undecided as to what profession they wish to pursue should choose a college entrance course in high school. A diploma in this line furnishes a well-rounded course of study and qualifies the student for entrance to many colleges. At least, it prepares him so he can take entrance examinations. This diploma requires the passing of an approved four-year high school course and examinations in English four years, Latin or French three years, Geometry and Intermediate Algebra and History or Physics or Chemistry. This course is probably the most difficult and the most valuable offered in any school. It combines with a practical foundation, the best fundamentals of education available in public schools. If, perhaps, you have chosen business administration or book- keeping or some such profession, the course you desire is the commercial course. This consists of an approved four year course which includes Business English, Commercial Law, Type- writing and either Bookkeeping or Shorthand and also History, Science, Mathematics. As for applicability, this course is the most useful in the life of a business man for what one will not find typewriting or such knowledge useful? For those who wish to specialize in some subject for later Page Nineteen