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

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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

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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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The Orchestra Cheering them on! under the direction of Mr. Keeling Sisson. This class, which is open only to boys, features work of a mechanical nature, such as electricity, machine shop, and woodwork, and is divided into two parts. The first term is orientation, which places the boys in the work for which they are best suited, while in the last half the boys specialize in the type of work they have chosen. Courses in physical education are offered both boys and girls. In bad weather these are taught in the gymnasium, but when the weather is bright and warm enough, the classes are held in our athletic field. All sorts of calisthenics and exercises are given the students. They learn team work and have real fun playing volley ball, soft ball, taking track, playing basketball, and all kinds of games suitable for physical education classes. These classes are separate and distinct classes, and not connected with the regular athletic schedule. In athletics, we have football, basketball, track, and tennis for the boys, and hockey, basketball, soft ball, and tennis for the girls. Our teams compete with many city and state schools, and our boys with a few out-of-state opponents. John Marshall has had a cadet corps for many years. We are proud of our cadets. They always rate high in the Government inspection. There are six companies, and the band, headed by the staff. The commandant, Major Earl Brown, not only sees that the boys are well trained in military tactics, but in character as well. The cadet officers yearly take a trip to West Point to see a real military school. Many of our cadets have gone to Bruffey does a head stand {21}