George Wythe High School - Chancellor Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

Page 70 text:

Mrs. Jane Williams B.S., Richmond Professional Institute JoAnne Fletcher (foreground) and Rosetta Cutright (right) with other students study diligently during the class section of VOT. Betty Ryan, while working as a messenger for Miss Sandra Williams at State-Planters Bank, gains experience which will later en- able her to obtain a full time position. Vocational Office Training VOT Furnishes Present Job Education for Pupils Business orient ed seniors had an opportunity to learn basic skills through the Vocational Office Train- ing program. Students took four required subjects in the morning including a class in the ''office labor- atory.'' The six work stations in the laboratory in- cluded instructions by typewriting and usage of du- plicating and adding machines. A unit on mental health helped them to improve and understand both themselves and student-employer relationships. Put- ting the knowledge they gained through in-school training into practice, they gained experience through half-day employment. VOT rendered dual benefits. It served numerous employers by providing them with a continual source of screened employees well-trained in the jobs they chose to undertake. More importantly, the class benefited the students by providing them with opportunity to take high school courses while pre- paring for future business careers.

Page 69 text:

Practical Nursing Daily Instruction Sparks Interest of Each Student Students were offered the advantage of a new course in practical nursing. Interested girls had the opportunity to assure themselves that nursing was their aspiration for the future. Textbooks taught fundamental knowledge—the structure and functions of the human body. Instruc- tors illustrated practical skills. Through observation of skilled nurses, students absorbed necessary tech- niques. Nursing pupils aimed to develop good vocational relationships. Through intense and thorough train- ing, they came to realize the importance of being able to think quickly, help patiently, and act skill- fully. They acquired characteristics necessary for the nursing profession—the ability to do the job, the desire to do it well. Through careful practice, con- centrated observation, and diligent study, they grew to understand that, though they would be expected to render hours of work and to sacrifice other activ- ities, they would achieve satisfaction. Connie Baldwin points to the bones of the human skeleton as she recites their names for approving Mrs. Hazel Grinnan. Mrs. Hazel Grinnan R.N., Instructor Diane White listens attentively as Mrs. Grinnan explains the importance of understanding human nature. 65

Page 71 text:

Virginia Mechanics Institute VMI Prepares Students Ernest C. Borendell For Industrial Vocations As a part of the Trade Preparatory Program, Vir- ginia Mechanics Institute provided interested juniors and seniors with the opportunity to gain practical knowledge as apprentice tradesmen. Choosing from three divisions—the mechanics shop, the electricity department, and the machine shop—students select- ed their areas of specialization. Pupils studying mechanics prepared themselves for future jobs in the automotive industry. By work- ing with such equipment as valve grinders, borers, armature winders, and distributor testers, they ac- quired and perfected applicable skills. They also practiced with motors which were donated by major automobile manufacturers. Students taking electron- ic courses progressed from the study of the circuit, the vacuum tube, and the radio to the advanced study of television electronics. Machine shop stu- dents learned manual creative arts. Together, the three VMI departments served stu- dents by providing them with the knowledge and experience to begin careers as tradesmen after high school graduation. Mr. Mason Daniel, VMI electronics instruc- tor, explains the fundamental application of the bs tester while Roy Brett, an ad- vanced electronics student, experiments. Kenneth Gray, Thomas Harrison and Roger Dixon gain occupational preparation making a machinist clamp with a metal lathe. 67