Hickory High School - Hickory Nut Yearbook (Hermitage, PA)

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Social Studies Group The social sciences are required cours- es for all students and include civics, world history, American history, and P.0.D. Basically, history is the study that records and explains past events in human progress while civics and P.O.D. acquaint students with the social, econ- omic, and political problems of life. By studying civics, freshmen gain a new appreciation of our American heri- tage and a new devotion to the ideals of citizenship which are the foundation of American democracy. Freshmen are taught one semester of Pennsylvania his- tory so that they may develop a finer appreciation for our state. Wlorld history is taught to present the development of Wlestern civilization in such a way as to provide the student with a background for an understanding of present day conditions. Required by sophomores, its course of study includes the beginnings of civilization, the Mid- dle Ages, and the modern world. By their study of American history, juniors acquire the realization of the greatness of our nation and become aware of the fact that the development of America is an ever-growing story. VVritten completely in an impartial manner, senior P.O.D. describes and dis- cusses political and govermnental ma- chinery while urging students to think clearly and to form their own opinions. MR. JACK GAUs, Sharon-Mercer Road, teaches seventh and eighth grade social science and coaches both junior varsity basketball and golf. At Hickory two years, he graduated from Slippery Rock with a B.S. degree in physical education. MR. Roismu' Moomz, 900 Hazen Road, Sharpsville, obtained his B.A. degree from Grove City College. ln his first year at Hickory, he taught P.O.D. and Amer- ican history, and was sophomore Hi-Y adviser. MR. CHARLL-is OUR, Grove City, teach- es world and American history, and was junior class adviser. He possesses a B.S. degree from Slippery Rock and a Mas- ters in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. He taught at Bellevue and Hempfield Township, before coming to Hickory this year. MR. XVILLIAM RITTER, Farrell, re- ceived his B.S. degree from Slippery Rock, a Masters in Education from the University of Pittsburgh, and presently is working on his doctorate. At Hickory nine years, he teaches civics and Amer- ican History. 21

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Science lnstruclors Realizing the value of science in train- ing the mind to think clearly and the practical importance of the information gained by its study, Hickory has greatly enlarged the scope of its science depart- ment in the last few years. Our facilities include a chemistry lab- oratory equipped with the necessary apparatus and chemicals and a biology laboratory equipped with microscopes and various exhibits which permit stu- dents to comprehend the wonders of sci- ence more readily. Beginning in the fourth grade and continuing through to the eighth grade, an elementary course in science is taught which deals with simple, basic facts about the universe, plants and animals, and energy. Freshman general science is a culmination of this information with more detail being stressed. Arranged in classes according to the needs, interests, and abilities of the indi- vidual student, sophomores are required to study biology which discusses all as- pects of the plant and animal kingdoms and their environments. As an elective, juniors and seniors may choose general, college preparatory, or advanced chemistry which deal with the different kinds of matter and their chem- ical behavior. 20 Physics, an elective for seniors, con- cerns the physical behavior of matter and energy. Miss MINNIE BEVLYN graduated with a B.S. degree from Slippery Rock, where she resides, and recently obtained her Masters in Education from the Univers- ity of Pittsburgh. At Hickory for twelve years, she teaches chemistry and is sci- ence club adviser. MR. GEORGE HOLLIBAUGH, Fredonia, has been teaching biology at Hickory for three years. He possesses a B.S. degree from Slippery Rock and a Masters in Science from Cornell University. MR. CHARLES SNYDER, Sharon-Mercer Road, football coach at Hickory for the past four years, teaches general science, and also coaches the junior high basket- ball team. Receiving his B.S. degree from Thiel College, he has done graduate work at Pennsylvania State College and taught at Farrell before coming to Hick- or . ilVIR. ROBERT WEBSTER, 823 Crowder Avenue, Sharon, obtained a B.S. degree from Slippery Rock and is doing grad- uate work at Penn State. He has been teaching junior high geography, includ- ing science, at Hickory for three years and formerly taught one year at Sugar- creek Township.

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Librarian The Library Department, supervised by Mr. Ronald Green, had an expansion this year of approximately four hundred books which are mostly for information and reference. Some of these books are as follows: Who's Who in America, Kanes Fam- ous First Facts, Haziltine's Holidays, Seats Stamp Album, Publications from the Department of Agriculture, Van Nostrand's Scientific Essay and Grove's Diet Music and Musicians. Also included are, Foster's Complete Hoyle, American Authors from 1600 to l900, British Authors of the Nin- teenth Century, Statesman Yearbook, 'AWorld Almanac, and Readers Guide and Periodical Literature. MR. RONALD GREEN, 1283 Ashton Road, Sharon, graduated from Clarion State Teachers College with a B.S. de- gree in Education. He is adviser of the Library Club and guidance director for the library. The main project of the library and its workers since last November has been to complete the card catalogue with Library of Congress and H. W. Wilson cards. These cards with italic headings have proven to be a great help in refer- ence work. Integration of projects in the class rooms with library facilities, is extremely important in modern Education. It is only with the library as an essential store- house of books, and materials can we hope to realize an ideal educational sit- uation. In conjunction with the reader guide in periodical literature, they have sub- scribed to thirty-three new magazines which are indexed in a reference med- ium. Eventually, these magazines which back-copies will be kept for five years, will prove to be an invaluable source of reference material. During the 1950 book week, the use of books and libraries was taught in junior and senior high grades. It was stressed on 22 the importance of finding books through the use of the Dewey Decimal system and card catalogues. It is known that with an increased sup- ply of books, materials and space, that the library will double and triple its ser- vice to students and teachers. Eventually, everyone in the school will come to real- ize that the library is the nucleus for an education both in the school and the community for an educational program. Time is a great healer and helper to the future. Even with the limited resources, the subjects of radio, coin and stamp collect- ing, costuming and letter writing are widely covered. The members of the newly organized library club have expressed their ideas toward enriching their high school courses and their own individual lives through the use of the library and its resources. Looking toward the future we would like to see an expanding fundamental library unit, with all the space and equip- ment to suit our expanding needs.