Lawrence High School - Lawrencian Yearbook (Cedarhurst, NY)

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answer your queries about DRAMATIC ART. “In Public Speaking,” she said, “we try to bring out tlie ‘shy violet' and have him develop a belief in himself. The student masters speech problems so that he may feel at ease at all times. The aim of the Drama as a study is to give full expression to one’s deepest self, and to achieve an appreciation of human desires and struggles.” As a freshman, FOREIGN LANGUAGES were somewhat of a novelty to you. In Lawrence High School we are fortunate in having a group of Foreign Language teachers who are well prepared to acquaint the students with the history and culture of the various countries as well as to help them acquire a speaking knowledge of the different languages. “Why should I study Spanish or French?” you wanted to know. Mr. MacDonald, head of this Department answered readily. “The training in foreign languages is of especial value because it gives an excellent cultural background in general. It has a direct effect upon our English vocabulary ami can he used to advantage in some of our classes. It gives us a basis for a better understanding of other nations which will he necessary after the War. Certainly in the present war the need for men and women who possess special training in foreign languages has been clearly demonstrated.” The sound of typewriters clicking merrily away caught your ear, and when you glanced into the room, you saw members of the BUSINESS DEPARTMENT at work. By means of appropriate curricula this division trains the student for office employment which follows immediately upon the completion of the high school course Adequate instruction is offered in shorthand, typing, hookkeeping, and business law. From Mrs. Jack, who heads this department, you learned that graduates are assured of success in the business world. The shortage of office workers brought about by the war has resulted in the employment of high school students for part time work after school hours. This year the department received a letter from the Peninsula National Bank of Cedarhurst which stated that it has been their policy to employ local people, especially graduates of Lawrence High School who were found to be well trained and efficient. LANGUAGE DEFT.: Mabel Leavitt, Sadie Posner. Bt SINESS DEPT.: Ernest Hirsch, Mrs. Katherine Cecil C. MacDonald, Ruth Abrams, Doris Benson. Jack. Kathryn Koerber. 11

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Lyman Davison Mrs. Emma Horn Do you remember when you were just a little and somewhat bewildered freshman? Lawrence High School seemed so huge, and you were so small. There was that kind school marshal who took pity on you and decided to help you out. From the GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT you received a program card and were introduced to Mr. Davison, head of the department, and to his genial assistant, Mrs. Horn. To make things clearer, Mr. Davison took you aside and explained his work. “The Guidance Department aims to point out to students the many mediums of education and their inter-dependence in our modern society, so that the student may reach his full development with tlie opportunities at hand. We try to show him the importance not only of the mastery of subject matter, but also of the acquisition of proper health anil study habits, and of the ability to think logically and to select and use assembled material.” Mrs. Horn added at this time, “In addition to assisting with the educational planning of the students, we hope to stimulate the growth of group or community consciousness, to develop self-reliance, courtesy, sportsmanship, initiative, and a pleasing personality in every individual who should, in reality, secure these attributes for himself. Having a little more confidence in yourself, you went willingly with the marshal to meet the other faculty members of LawreiioL Knowing the importance of the LIBRARY to all students, his next step was to take you there. Miss Ice, our librarian, told you that we have about seven thousand hooks which include fiction and non-fiction. The names of such magazines as “Life”, “Fortune”, “The Atlantic Monthly”, and many others caught your eye. As a source of reading for pleasure and research, our library is indeed adequate. From the library you made your way to the ART DEPARTMENT where Mrs. Palmer explained that here stress was placed on the de velopment of individual talent through th. perspective and design courses offered. Man; of the bulletin board displays and posters sect in the village and in school as well as the ar work of the Law'rencian are contributed by this department. Our MUSIC DEPARTMENT headed by hand and orchestra director Mr. Beloof and choral leader Miss Carver needed no intro duction to you. The classical concerts as W'ell as the popular music sponsored by thest groups are renowned. The Mixed Chorus am the Acapella Choir in addition to the Mush Appreciation and Voice-training Classes offei an excellent musical background. M iss Ellsworth was only too happy to ARTS. Standing: Dorothy Carver. Ruth Ice, Grace W. Ellt vvorth. Seated: Elmer Beloof, Mrs. Anne Palmer.

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All students are required to take four years of English, the marshal informed you. Upon hearing that, you were most anxious to meet Mr. Davison, head of the ENGLISH DEPARTMENT. He briefly described the aims of his department by remarking, “The members of the faculty recognize that education is acquired through the medium of reading. It is, therefore, their aim that students learn to read with comprehension,, that they equip themselves with an adequate vocabulary to express themselves, and that they achieve an ability to write with clarity and simplicity.” Noting your interest, Mr. Davison continued, “Perhaps the most important aim is that students learn to enjov the reading of good books ami to regard them as old friends to he relied, upon in leisure t ine. ' From Miss Tefft, head of the SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT, you obtained a clearer idea of what vour studies w i r consist in the next four years. ENGLISH DEPT.. Standing: Mrs. Mildred Seaman. Nelle Kelley, Ellen Marie Jensen. Mildred Cleary. Seated: Mrs. Madeline Denton. Lyman Davison. Thomas Schwab. Mildred R. Davis. SOCIAL STUDIES DEPT.. Standing: Nicholas Farina, Walter Vanderbush, Edward Andrews, Sol Smith. Seated: Mrs. Mildred Beck. Dorothy Griffith, Elsie Tefft. Ethel Hobbs. She told you that the term social studies’ has replaced the term “history” because the scope of the department no longer is limited to historical facts alone. It is felt that in a democracy each individual should be afforded the opportunity to develop his innate capacities to the utmost as an intelligent, self-d irecting, ami contributing member of society This opportunity is provided through education. The Social Studies four-year program has been organized as the most direct approach. It offers the greatest opportunity for training children in those knowledges, skills, attitudes, and resulting behavior which are desirable for worthwhile living in a democratic society. In order that all the children of all the people shall have this training, the social studies courses have been compulsory in our high school. Miss Wood, head of the MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT told you it is possible to take four years of work in this field. Algebra would he your beginning subject and then on to Intermediate and Advanced Algebra, Plane and Solid Geometry, and Trigonometry- 12