Hicksville High School - Comet Yearbook (Hicksville, NY)

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HOME ECONOMICS Whether harassed like the old woman who lived in a shoe, or inspired to live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man, every individual faces problems in establishing a satisfying manner of home and family living. Super-markets, pre-cooked foods, mass-produced clothing, pre-fabricated houses, and all other contributions of modern science and industry, have changed the mode of living, but the family in the home is still the basic unit of society. No one will discount the statement, The homemaker holds the most important position in our society. The girls of Hicksville High School are given the opportunity to grow in social poise, managerial ability, and competence in the skills of homemaking in the numerous activities of the homemaking department. These include cooking, sewing, handicrafts, se- lection, use and care of home furnishings, child care and participation in community affairs. Mildred Clark THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS PROGRAM Industrial Arts as a school subject is approximately seventy-five years old. Your father may remember taking a shop subject known as manual training, where every boy makes the same object, usually a tie rack or a foot stool. To a great extent the development of hand-tool skills was the only objective. Fortunately, we have progressed, so that today the teaching of skills is only a minor objective in the present day Industrial Arts Program. We have come to look upon industrial arts as more a study of industry and the effects of industry upon our society. We accomplish this by working with the same tools and materials used in industry. Every phase of our program is designed to attempt to bring out and stress desirable traits. Our students are graded not merely on the project they bring home, but more on the attitude they have toward their work, classmates, and teachers. It has been proven that more jobs are lost because people cannot get along with others than for all other reasons. With the informal atmosphere in our shops and the personal contact with the student, we have the opportunity to teach cooperation, good work habits and leadership. It can be said without contradiction that no other subject-matter area in our schools has more to offer in the way of preparing for living in a democratic society than that of Industrial Arts. William Ellsworth LANGUAGES It is said that one language makes a wall; two make a gate. Our country needs many gates in the wall to establish global peace, since a na- tion cannot live unto itself. Foreign frontiers are much nearer to us now in time. To understand and live with our world neighbors, to be equipped for world citizenship, a knowledge of languages is of the utmost importance. Languages open the gates to history, to the ideals, and to the culture of na- tions. To bring about understanding and friendship, languages become the most important tools. An internationally minded traveler must operate in the language of the country, while those at home must be able to interpret the modern life of a nation thru its publications, art, theater, radio and television programs. For those who earn their living, knowledge of languages presents great opportunities in the professions, in industry, and in commerce. To be well trained and efficient it is necessary to pursue diligently and intelli- gently the study of languages as early as possible. Ruby M. Burt. MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT Why should I study mathematics? What good will mathematics be to me? The answer is you do not have to study mathematics and you may live to be one hundred years of age without studying mathematics. However, if you intend to have clothing, transportation, a house to live in as well as good food, some one will have to study mathematics to provide those things for you. If you are interested in any type of engineering you need all the mathematics offered in high school. In the home you have the household budget, installment buying, taxes, interest and insurance. For citizenship, provides for the security of your home and family through all types of insurance and planning your contribution to various community organiza- tions. In the newspapers you find such words as unit, ratio, average, per- centage, proportion, dimension and many graphs. For everyday occupa- tions you must be able to make change, keep a simple account and solve common problems of communication, travel and transportation. Mr. Laucks

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BUSINESS The primary function of the Business Department is the development of good citizens able to secure a living and to live a full life. Our aim is to train our young people to face the problems that will confront them in the business and social world of tomorrow and to teach them the workings of the business world of today. We believe that the ideas that are going to be a part of the social order must take root today in our school and in the activities of our school As each individual reaches adulthood he should be able to do some worthwhile work and at the same time he must be a social asset. Not only should he work to earn a living but he should also be able to participate in- telligently in the solution of the many social problems that he will en- counter. Gladys Jenkin EDUCATION FOR CITIZENSHIP Education for citizenship has as its objective the training of students to understand the meaning of democracy, appreciate its values and heritage, and function effectively as citizens of the United States of America. Our program, Economic Citizenship, World History, American His- tory and Problems of American Life, is based on the philosophy of demo- cracy as set forth by our founding fathers in the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Its focal point is American History with World History as a background for understanding the United States in its historical perspective. The Ninth Grade is a tool subject area which em- phasizes civic responsibility and political, historical and economic geography. Our Citizenship Education program should provide the knowledge and understandings upon which sound civic decisions can be based and pro- vide for the skills needed to carry out such decisions. To these ends we dedicate ourselves. Miss Wetterauer ENGLISH In this Atomic Era, one's knowledge of English is of primary import- ance. At no time in history has it been so necessary for one to be able to speak and write well. The essay Of Studies by Francis Bacon states, Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man. The truth of this quotation is clearly shown for it might be said that a person's success in this world depends on his knowledge of the English language plus his specific training in a subject of his choice. It is our aim to aid the students of Hicksville High School to become proficient in the use of the English language, both written and spoken. Hence, they can assume their rightful place as leaders in our growing community. ® Viola A. Wood HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION A happy man is a healthy man. This is the premise on which the sub- °L !,eal.th and physical education are predicated as taught in Hicksville High SchooL The boys and girls learn the value of correct diet, and proper physical exercise in living a wholesome healthful life. The care of the body is given great stress. Diseases common to society are studied, and students learn to recognize and combat the danger signals that become obstacles to the human machine. A happy man is a well-adjusted member of society. In all of his activities—his occupation and extra-curricular duties—he reflects the char- acrerisncs of fair play, sportsmanship, and honest endeavor. The records of the boys and girls of Hicksville High School throughout the years in competitive sports are a testimonial to the fact that the above lessons have been learned successfully. Chester Jaworski

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SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Wc are living today in a rapidly moving age of impressive scientific advances. Our boys and girls often refer to these times as The Age of Science.” We can readily see how science has changed our Way of Life.” It has changed our homes, our methods of transportation, our means of com- munication, our recreational life, and without doubt our prospects of mak- ing a living. If we could look into the future I’m sure we could predict that science will continue to play an ever-increasing role in the lives of our citizens. We hope that the science curriculum in Hicksville High School will continue to contribute not only to the changes in the world, but also to the ability of our students to adjust to and become part of these same impend- ing changes. A. Albert Glass Hicksville High School is graced by one of the most charming and delightful ladies ever to enter these walls. Her name is Mrs. Florence Weber, Guidance Director for the Senior High School. The duties which this job entails are too numerous to be mentioned here. She is parent, friend, teacher as well as counselor to all of us. Each graduating class has many students who will embark upon a happy life and a career all due to her efforts. Mrs. Weber has had the lives and ca- reers of many in her years as director and she has always helped those who Called upon her with a smile and encouraging word of praise. Anyone who has gone to even one of Hicksville's plays or productions could not forget the fine work that was done on scenery, lights, staging, etc. The able director of this art work has been Mr. Donald Holmes, art director. His teaching has given many a fine appreciation for art and per- haps developed a formerly hidden talent in this field. All of us have driven in a car and often wished we knew how to drive one. Here at Hicksville we are all given that opportunity by Mr. Carl Wellon, instructor in driver education. He conducts his classes every day, and each year many fine new drivers take their place on the road all due to his efforts. One of the finest cultures we can develop is that of music appreciation. An appreciation for fine things should be developed in each and every one of us. Miss Harriet Spink, choral director, and Mr. Anthony Pollera, band director, are the two individuals in Hicksville High School who have in- spired many students by their diligent work and training programs in music appreciation. A world without books would be a total loss. Where else could one get so much enjoyment, pleasure, information, and education? We are lucky to have a library filled with fine books and a librarian worth her weight in gold. Her name is Miss Margaret Phelan; her job, taking care of the li- brary and our requests. Arlene Nolan