John Wesley North High School - Aurora Yearbook (Riverside, CA)

Page 205 text:

Courses Begin Future ' r ' he problem with today ' s A high school is that when you graduate, all you ' re prepared to become is a brain surgeon! ex- claimed driver education instruc- tor, Mr. John Sarina. With tighter requirements for graduation and college entrance, many students from Riverside high schools fo- cused their schedules around more math and science courses. Howev- er, North offered several programs which provided experience in var- ious practical careers, and the world of business. TYPING The typing classes were a popular choice among student ' s schedules. Students underwent rigorous as- signments and timed writings, us- ing electric typewriters. For some, typing was a way to bolster a good computer education. I took typing to be efficient with the computer, said JoAnn Mauro. Others found typing skills would benefit any fu- ture career. Knowing how to type is essential for me to become a vet- erinarian, commented Carrie Ha- gerty. ROP ROP, Regional Occupational Pro- gram, gave students and others outside of North the chance to par- ticipate in programs found within the community. Business comput- ers, photography, and graphic de- sign courses were taught at North. BUSINESS COMPUTERS Participants in the business com- puters program worked with every office application, from the data base to printing spread sheet, ex- plained ROP teacher Mrs. Maryella Flowers. Mrs. Flowers ' room was divided into cubicles, and stacked with 20 Apple 2e computers. For some participants, computer skills provided immediate employment. Some of my students found work as secretarial assistants for insur- ance firms, said Mrs. Flowers. PHOTOGRAPHY Mr. Jim Marshall introduced stu- dents to the technique of operating a 35-millimeter camera in photog- raphy. By the end of one semester, students were aware of what equip- ment to buy, and how to develop black and white film. Students could use their photographic skills to find a job in a camera shop or a developing studio, remarked Mr. Marshall. GRAPHIC DESIGN A unique ROP course was graphic design. Participants were able to design and produce their own printed materials, many of which were pamphlets and programs for North activities. I really enjoyed all the creativity in graphic de- sign, exclaimed junior Richard Cardenas. WORK EXPERIENCE North ' s Work Experience gave graduation credit to students 16 years or older who held a steady job. Mr. William Collopy, the coor- dinator, would grade students based on weekly assignments and from evaluations by the students ' employers. Work Experience pre- pared the students for the working world, and allowed them to make wiser career choices from their em- ployment experiences, said Mr. Collopy. Perhaps not all of the graduates from North entered society with the sole ability to become doctors or scientists. With the fundamental skills gained from these courses, students could leave North Know- ing they were better prepared for the life ahead of them. c 1 a s s e s career classes 201

Page 204 text:

, . Another worksheet? sighs Natalie Randolph Pondering a manuscript problem, Belinda in Work Experience. Participants labored once a James stares at the screen. Business letters and week on assignments regarding the workine reports were processed in office occupations. society. 200 academics

Page 206 text:

Language Offers New Challenge ' J love teaching, sai lid Car- men Benchoff referring to her AP Spanish class. I ' m ex- tremely proud of my students. For the first time, North intro- duced an AP class in the foreign language department, making it the only high school in the dis- trict to teach an AP language course. Taking AP is no easy task, stated Mrs. Benchoff. Students take a special test at the end of the year and therefore must have the ability to understand spoken and written language and be able to write an essay on any given topic. Benchoff stressed a wide range of vocabulary along with a working knowledge of grammar as minimum require- ments for her AP class. I really feel that I could speak with con- fidence if I had to, stated Lynne Westafer. Uma Rao said, We had to carry on simple conversa- tions and understand conven- tional phrases so that we would be able to survive in Spain. When asked about what she thought about the AP Spanish class, Benchoff stated, These people are terrific! More classes like these are needed to chal- lenge top students. ' v Clenching his fist for emphasis, Toni -Rossi stresses a point during his oral Spanish presentation. Oral presentations were coramon assignments in the lan- guage classes to ensure a better com- mand of the language. I 202 academics