Liberty High School - Lion Yearbook (Brentwood, CA)

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I2 THE HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL OUCO. The number of secondary schools has since 1880, we can safely state, increased to eight times that number, in city and county alike, and today there are thousands of boys and girls enjoying the benefits of a high school education, who, if they had lived even nine years ago. could not have gone beyond the grammar sf-hool. These facts show better than argument that these schools are meet- ing the wants of the people. and the people want the schools. At the present time a boy may go to a secondary school for three prin- cipal reasons. He may go to prepare for college: or he may go for more schooling or a general preparation for life: or he may go for special technical or business training. The original purpose of the American secondary school was to prepare those who were planning to become clergymen for college. Later provi- sion was made for those intending to enter other professions, and within the last few years courses have been arranged to prepare for other voca- tions. Some of the most efficient men of the present generation are gradu- ates of the manual training schools and institutes of technology. The commercial course is the next and latest development of the high school idea, and has been growing gradually in favor with all concerned. Until recently education for business life was to be had only at private in- stitutions. and consisted of six months' course in mere essentials. Such preparation has been proved by experience to be too short, and in- acleqnateg but as part of the secondary school system, a great change for the better has taken place and is tak- ing place. At a conference held at Berkeley last March between the school men and the school committee of the Uni- versity of California. the subject of commercial education in the high school was discussed at length and a resolution unanimously adopted rec- ommending that the three commercial branches, bookkeeping, stenography. and typewriting be accredited by the University. The results of this will be many and important, not only lengthening. enriching. and strength- ening the commercial course of study in the high school, but also the open- ing up of a road to the University for any who may desire at once the most complete preparation for a business calling in particular and a splendid one for life in general. SCIENCE DEPARTMENT. Although our equipment for lab- oratory work has not been the best. yet the physics and chemistry classes have been able to accomplish a great deal in the science department. About three hours a week is spent by each class in performing experiments pre- scribed in the text book. The chemistry students have learned to prepare many of the com- mon salts by the action of the differ- ent chemicals on each other. The un- pleasant odor of the gases seemed only to add interest to the work. The powers of observation have been stimulated by the colored liquids and precipitates and by the explosion of the gases. Rv the use of instruments made by Prof. Russell and some new appar- atus the physics class has studied mechanics, properties of liquids and ao'i s and also has experimented with heat. light, magnetism, and electricity. ln this way tl1ey have learned for themselves the application of scien- titie laws and the relation between physical forces and their effects.

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THE HIGH SCHOOL ANNFAI, ll The fountain bubbled forth again. The scene on the scroll changed from that of a brilliantly lighted home to that of a well furnished room over- looking the Rhine. Fwo ladies were seated in the room, one reclining on a couch, the other sitting at a window reading aloud in a clear sweet voice. So that I new that Annie, the pride of her class, was touring Europe as a traveling companion. For a moment all was silent and the scroll was a blank then the foun- tain trembled slightly and these words appeared on the scroll: Miss Hattie Russell, the famous story writer, has returned from Europe. where for the last few months she has enjoyed the acquaintance of the European poten- tatesf' The goddess disappeared and for a while l feared that she would not return. Suddenly the water trembled again, and once more the goddess appeared with her scroll. As l sat waiting another scene came to view. lt was that of an office of a noted lawyer and seated at the typewriter performing faithfully and graciously the tasks set before her was Bertha Sanders. The scene changed rapidly to that of a parlor decorated with beautiful flowers, and to the strains of the softly played wedding march, Effie Chadwick. leaning on the arm of her father, marched to the groom await- ing her under a bell of roses and ferns. Once again the goddess waved her golden wand and the picture repre- sented showed Fern Cummings dressed in a nurse's garb, leaning over a wounded soldier in the hospital and trying in her sweet way to alleviate his pain and suffering. The goddess stood waiting Ah but there is another, l said. a boy. For a moment she seemed discon- certed then a silence fell over the place and at the agitation of the scroll another scene appeared upon the scrool. This time it was the Assembly Hall crowded with its members who were listening very at- tentively to a speaker. This speaker was eloquently defending a bill in railroad legislation which he had in- troduced. On account of the char- acteristics and appearances which had been his in his high school days, I recognized Roy Heck. Yes, Roy had become prominent in the State Legis- lature. Suddenly there was a roaring sound and the fountain that had played so peacefully became greatly agitated. VVith a farewell and an expressed wish that I had not been disappointed. my beautiful goddess vanished as mysteriously as 'she had appeared and all was quiet. f . -.3.. 4 THE HIGH SCHOOL AND THE COMMERCIAL COURSE. The average graduate of the gram- mar school has little more than the elements of knowledffe and is yet of little use to himself or to the com- munity. as shown by his small earning power. His proper place, therefore, is in the high school. or its equiva- lent. The secondary school in the United States is of comparative ,recent growth, though dating as far back as the founding of the Boston Latin School of 1635, for in 1850 there were but eleven schools in which a two or four years' course was given. But the number has since rapidly in- creased to 900 in 1980. and in 1900 to

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JOSHE, '. All of the items within these col- umns are written with the best in- tentions. lf a josh comes your way and hits, take it good uatured- ly, profit by it. and think of your neighbor who needs none. Experiment in Physics-Take some Mg S O and cautiously observe re- sults. VVrite the reaction. Heard in History-Luther burned the papal bull. . Pupil-He ought to be arrested for cruelty to animals. Etc. is a sign used to make believe you know more than you do. Marvin.-Nickel is found in the United States and in Missouri. Banty.-Rich, give nie a word that means the same as satished. Rich.-Contented. Banty.-No, that wou't do. Now. I'm satisfied that my girl is going with another fellow. but l'm not con- tented. NVhy does Earle Shafer play the races? He is playing for a Good win. Teacher.-What is meant by feats of strength? R. B.-He had strong feet, I guess -must have been an athlete. There was a young lady named Ann Who had a nice home in the sand, But to Oakley she'd go, The cause we all know VVas simply to see a young man. Earle-Ray, have you heard the latest? R.HNo, what is it? E.-Miss Pearl Grove will soon be able to kiss her own Foot There was a young man named Swift To whom Latin came as a gift. After school he would stay .Xnd to Alma would say Come. wonyt you give me a lift? Question.-XVl1y did Effie C. blush when called on in Physics? Ans.-Because she had to define Ray --an impossibility to her. film E