Fort Benton High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Fort Benton, MT)

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ACADEMIC EMPHASIS Academic emphasis this year was placed on laboratory periods. A labor- atory period is a class which accom- panies regular classes in which a stu- dent uses his resources to experiment and work on his own. Almost all of the five major departments--Commercial, Science, English, Social Studies, and Vocational Agriculture had a lab period set aside to accompany regular class- room work. The plan behind this system was to encourage the student's interest in experimentation, and to encourage the student's interest in developing his own ideas. Mr. Arlen Huntsman, the high school principal, presented many new ideas on school curriculum, and it was largely due to his efforts that the laboratory system was developed. Fort Benton's school system is on a 6-3-3 basis, meaning that the first six elementary grades are regarded as one unit, as are the next three grades, 7-9. The three high school grades are clas- sified the same way. Mr. Hugh Simmons is superintendent of the Fort Benton school system with his office at the jun- ior high school building, which includes grades 1-9. Mr. Arlen J. Huntsman is the high school principal, with his office at the senior high school building. The high school emphasizes primar- ily the idea of initiative. Students are encouraged to find answers for them- selves instead of asking teachers for the answers. Emphasis is also placed on the broadening of a student's mind. Here three chemistry students, Dan LaBelle, Ray Grande, and Don Kelley, work on a titration during their labor- atory period. All chemistry and math classes are taught by Mr. William Kindzerski. Classes offered which are taught by Mr. Kindzerski are Advanced Math I and II, geometry, chemistry, and physics. Each of these classes has an accompanying laboratory period for supplementary work. Also a part of the science department are the biology and physiology classes taught by Mr. Gene McKeever. Biology is a required course for sophomores, and physiology is an elective offered to juniors and seniors. These classes cover the physiological aspects of sciences, or in other words, explore the world of living things. Stu- dents must depend on their own initia- tive to receive full benefits of instruc- tion. 8

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Attitudes of the students varied from day to day, but one over-ail attitude was al- ways present: the teenage years present a time when life is at its best, so make the most out of them. Humor is always present, and spirits are always high, but underneath this attitude is a quest for knowledge and new ideas. As usual, Coach McKeever is enjoying himself immensely, this time while chaperoning a dance. Betty Hightower and Cheryll Fry are engaged in a typical Chemistry class uproar. The twirlers proudly carry the band banner during the Memorial Day Parade. 7 Mr. Huntsman gleefully checks papers.

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Mr. Gail Stensland, vocational agriculture teacher, here helps two students, Dale Ben- jamin and Ron McFarland with their projects. Vo-ag also depends on student initiative, for students are assigned a project and must com- plete it in a certain amount of time. Wood- working, auto mechanics, carpentry, and the fundamentals of agriculture and its application are the main courses of study. From the students enrolled in vocational agriculture comes the membership of the Future Farmers of America. Practical application is the main goal of the ag department. Fort Benton High School's English, French, and Social studies departments work closely together. Reading re- lated material and interpreting its association with a subject plays an important part in there classes. As shown in the picture, speaking was also required. Mr. Gay la Goller, Mr. Arlen Huntsman, and Mrs. Pat Long were English teachers. Mrs. Long also taught French I. Mr. Alan Goller and Mr. Ray Grande taught American govern- ment and American history. Fundamental knowledge in English and social studies is essential to help a student learn to express himself accurately and intelligently. Mr. John O. Jones is the commercial teacher at Fort Benton High School. His classes in- clude Typing I and II, Shorthand I, business law and consumer economics, bookkeeping. The main objectives of his classes are to give students useful commercial training which can be used in later life as a job skill. Labs accompany the Typing II class, where the student learns how to operate the office machines, such as the dictaphone, calculator, and other adding machines. Many of the stu- dents enrolled in these commercial classes enroll in commercial colleges for more ex- tensive training in their fields of interest. 9