John Marshall High School - Marshallite Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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games in French—which is a most exciting pastime. The commercial classes are divided into two courses, one leading to stenographic work, and the other to accountancy. Shorthand, typewriting, and bookkeeping are the subjects taught in this course. These classes are among the most popular at John Marshall, because the department has such a fine reputation, and this type of work is so much in demand. Business men are always coming or phoning to see if they can get boys or girls, after school, or pupils who come half day, to work. The commercial students are kept busy, having their regular classes in typing and shorthand, then the daily period for transcription. They know that practice is necessary, and are eager and anxious to use all their spare time to increase their speed or accuracy. The mathematics department offers to the students one year of plane geometry, two years of algebra, solid geometry and trigonometry. In connection with these is the Math Club which discusses navigation, solves difficult and tricky problems, and learns of the practical uses of math. In the past few years when enough stu- dents have applied for the course, a class in refresher math has been offered. Merely a concise review of the most important facts in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, with a slight amount of calculus added; this course is especially good for boys who are to be inducted into the armed forces shortly, but even some girls do enroll. One of the most important jobs of the art classes is to design and make the sets for the spring plays or operas. In addition to this, the classes study costume designing, commercial art, portraits, and other subjects. Making objects from clay and then baking them in the oven is a great pleasure to many of the art students. Some make pins and other jewelry, others small ornaments, etc., but since our oven is small, the objects to be baked must be small, too. The public speaking class helps to develop poise and assurance before an audience. The drama class presents plays and skits before assembly or classes. Each spring Coach takes it easy! Student Association

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must complete three years of English, one of American history, and democracy, which is a one-term class. The English classes deal alternately with grammar and literature. Three of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, Jutius Caesar, Jflachelth, and Hamlet, in addition to novels and poetry, are studied in this class. We study in American history the colonization and wars of our na- tion. The other history classes, which are not compul- sory, study about the civilizations of Near Eastern and European countries. Democracy, which was added to our curriculum this year, is the thorough study of the American's freedom and the citizen’s duties in return for these privileges. This class is unique in the fact that there is no one textbook, but the wnformation used is gathered from many sources. The subjects studied in this course are those that cannot be fully explained in history. Also included in this history department is a course in Modern Problems. Here the students delve into the everyday problems of business, finding out what training is necessary for various vocations, where and how such training may be procured, learning about many The Jlonacte at work Watch your fingers! Translating Cicero different occupations, in order that they may be better prepared to choose the ones they would like most. All sorts of topics are brought up in this class as is shown by This year the modern problems class studied as one project juvenile delinquency, and gave a- Parents and friends came and entered in, too, giving the adult point of view. its very name. public discussion on the subject. The language department offers us Latin, French, and Spanish. The Latin classes read the legends of ancient heroes and the works of the great Latin poets, while the students of French read some of the famous novels of France and, in addition to their regular work, they learn words which are frequently used since the beginning of The United States’ Good Neighbor Policy, South American countries, and literature, are studied by the Spanish classes. In addition to these classes there are two clubs, the Don Juan and Sans Souci, which stimulate interest in the languages. The Don Juan, or the war. Spanish Club, discusses news and our relations to Spanish-speaking countries, while Sans Souci, which is the French Club, presents skits, puppet shows, and plays {18 }

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Sixty-five degrees is too cool! Let’s eat! either a play or an opera is presented by the Senior class. This spring a play, The Fighting Littles, adapted from the book by Booth Tarkington, was given by Miss Mary L. Peple and the drama class. This class also studies the history of the theater in addition to their dramatic presentations. While only Seniors were allowed to take these classes formerly, high Juniors now have this privilege. Those persons who make exceptionally good grades in English 5x have an opportunity to take either journalism or creative writing instead of English 7x. The journalism students learn about news stories, ad writing, feature stories, headlines, and news- paper make-up. In the last half of their Senior year they become members of the staff of The Jlonocle and edit the paper. On the other hand, the creative writing class studies short stories, essays, poetry, and writes for our school magazine. The mem- bers of this class do not necessarily make The Record staff. A booklet, Highlights for Marshallites, is published each year for newcomers at John Marshall. It contains information concern- ing the classes, teachers, clubs, cadets and other facts of interest. The aim of all staff members is to make Quill and Scroll, an international honor society for high school journalists. In Diversified Occupational Training, which is taught by Miss Josephine Hyde, Seniors study the two required subjects and one period of salesmanship. Their afternoons are spent working in local stores, for which they are given credit at school. Similar to D. O. T. there is Diversified Occupational Work, Drama Class presents The Fighting Littles