Hicksville High School - Comet Yearbook (Hicksville, NY)

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In his mind, any revolution has causes, effects, results, and often screaming mobs, violence, and invariably bloodshed. Armed with this practical knowledge about revolution, the student not only passes tests easily in high school, but in college, profits from his studies by applying history to his new' situation. Science traces natural history in the forms of physics, chemistry, and biology and gives the student a basic knowledge of natural phenomena. Practical experience is gained in the lab, dissecting lobsters, synthesizing contact explosives, and boiling water for heat studies. In the world of mathematics, Hicksville High students learn to use the strange symbols and numerical language of the subject. By the time students reach analytic geometry, or calculus, they can tackle the toughest of binomial surds. Foreign languages, usually designed to make the student more “cosmopolitan'’ and appreciate the cultures of other peoples sometimes ensnares him in the quicksand of grammatical conjugation and everpresent, omnipotent, idiomatic expressions. But through efforts of teachers, and with the help of constant drill and review, what seemed a Dante's Inferno of language was cooled into a cielito Undo If troubles persisted, C’est la vie. Art, drama, speech, and music are pleasant academic diversions which attempt to aid in the development of actors, orators, Picassos and musical virtuosos. Successful or not, there is at least the satisfied feeling of having tried. Marching up and down a rock-hard football field in below-zero weather with a tuba, may not be pleasant, but the defrosting feels good, later on. 24

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Yet, worried that history might not smile on him for confiscating the lands of the poor Indians, this Dutch farmer vowed, years later, to bequeath the land “for thepublick goode“ for education. Before he died, he marked the legendary spot with a boulder, inscribed in Latin, with the words. Semper Olet, his cherished family motto. Although he had no idea of the phrase's meaning, he thought it had a nice ring; and he hoped that it would one day provide inspiration for the founding of a center of learning. So, Hicksville High School endowed with a rich heritage, sets out to accomplish the task of education in academics, vocational, or the arts for college, business, and the outside world. Everyone, regardless of race, color, or creed is required to take English for his diploma, besides numerous electives. English is truly a many-faceted experience where the enterprising student learns, in the short span of a few years, most of the basic, and some of the finer points of topics related to the art of self-expression, with words written on paper, or spoken aloud. From the sciences of rhetoric, and grammar, the student is exposed to the intricacies of ancient and modern literature, from Sophocles to J. D. Salinger. The student is equipped to put modifiers in their place, rescue dangling participles, and begin to interpret, after discussion, a wide range of literature. Self-expression acquired in English courses is applied in discussion in other classes, especially History, which is offered in the World and American varieties. Half-year courses in government and economics are available to specializing seniors. In the study of history, more important than mere facts are the concepts evolved. All the minute details of the French Revolution of 1789 are unimportant compared with the broader concepts the student retains. I WE. don't HAVE. A TEACHER I Uk 0 DNT SHOW up. 23

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( U'C . Rumors fly about that wonderful course whose real name is supposedly so secret, it’s called Project Plan. Yes, students really have the choice to do homework or not in this independent study group. Recently they were found exploring the old sailing vessels at Mystic, Connecticut, having a great time. Hicksville High does, in fact, prepare students for something other than college, or a life visiting seaports. The vocational program at HHS readies students for careers in industry. Along with courses in the industrial arts, students take courses in math, English, science and history. The print shop boys practice their trade by printing school and district publications, a profitable setup for both the students and the district. Nearby the whirr of the lathe announces the carpentry shop, whose workers help out with construction work for school dances and productions. The beginning driver’s ed. student might be convinced that his car may be the next specimen for the auto shop. The boys do work on several vehicles, curing their ills and keeping the engine tuned. Hicksville would still be Indian cornfields if not for the application of skills taught in the architectural drafting course. Commerical building and home designing are emphasized. Yet the industrial arts are not the province of men only as evidenced by the beauty culture program, where 1,000 hours of practical work and theory are required for a license after a state exam. Experimental styles are reserved for mannequins and the braver faculty members. )