Main Avenue High School - El Sombrero Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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 F©EK0(§C3 D TPOGO BQBD3SH V ° JvtlSS P WEST |vt ISS MORQAN MISS BBUNET sPAmosra 1»irs.Carvajal |vi iss Canales Mrs. rtwox MISS MCHOIAOW Twenty-three

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 Foreign Language SPANISH DEPARTMENT At the head of the Spanish is Mrs. Carvajal. There are four teachers under her capable direction. At present there are six hundred and five pupils taking Spanish. Since Spanish is an elective course, it is easily seen that the need of Spanish is recognized by the pupils of Main High. Spanish should be a popular subject in San Antonio. Think of the Spanish traditions and the Spanish history with which it is associated. How often the Spanish language is heard in its streets and on its plazas. What golden opportunities are offered in this city, a center of Mexican trade, to those who know both Spanish and English. Considering the Spanish enrollment of this city, it is only surprising that every student doesn’t take advantage of the opportunity to learn this beautiful, as well as useful, language, a language spoken in more countries than any other language in the world; the language of Cervantes. A four year course is offered in this subject. By the time the course is completed a student should be able to read easily any Spanish that is not too idiomatic or difficult, to write with creditable ease and to make his wants known in any Spanish speaking country. In addition to the regular work, Spanish clubs offer an opportunity to the students to converse, to sing, to play games and to read interesting Spanish stories together. LATIN DEPARTMENT The renewed interest in the study of Latin, apparent throughout the country, is manifest in the present large enrollment in the I atin Department of the Main Avenue High School. Aside from its cultural worth. I atin has a place in the curriculum because of its practical value. By its greatest worth is in its effect upon our English language. When we consider that sixty percent of the words in the English language are derived from Latin we may readily understand the necessity of keeping alive the study of Latin. One of the most important reasons, therefore, why the study of Latin should be pursued is the bearing of that study upon the students command of his own mother tongue. Now there are over two hundred pupils enrolled in the Latin Department of this institution. Main is indeed fortunate in having two of the very best Latin instructors in the country. Miss Pearl West, the head of the Department, and Miss Gladys Morgan. FRENCH DEPARTMENT The late war has had an important effect on the use of French language in America; it has caused the introduction of a French Department in most of the High Schools. In our own we have an efficient and capable Department, managed by Miss Brunet. Our French Department, which will soon be affiliated with the Texas University, has classes in as high as their fifth semester now, and hopes to offer yet higher classes next year. The purpose of the Department is to give the pupils at least a reading knowledge of French. Some of the better pupils will also speak and understand it. All should be able to understand what phrases they may run across in their reading. French has always been the language of diplomacy and of polite society. Since the war it has become much more important and is now one of the most common languages in use. Twenty-two

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 The Science Department |lIE Biology Department has under its jurisdiction the following subjects; Botany, Physiology, Home nursing. Hygiene, Zoology and Agriculture. The Department as a whole stands for better living, deeper thinking, and a fuller understanding of one’s relationship with the universe. As a science it develops logical thinking, accurate observation, a.spirit of investigation and love of truth for truths sake. From the instructors point of view, the class room is the stepping stone to a greater future—a future not measured in dollars and cents but one that bears the marks of true success so well expressed by the following lines of Mrs. A. T. Stanley: “He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche, has accomplished his task; who left the world better than he found it; whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of the earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given the best he had; whose life was an inspiration, whose memory is a benediction.” The ideals of the Physiology department are thoroughly expressed in the following Health Letter No. 1 of the Life Extension Institute. “Personal Ilygine thoroughly carried out means restoring the noble ideals of the ancient Greeks for bodily health, efficiency, strength, endurance, symetry and beauty. It enormously increases our capacity to work to be happy, and to be useful. The ideals which, all should seek is that pride of physicial fitness which makes us anxious to render a good account of what ever is entrusted to our care, whether it be human body or business. Every sane person should realize that an obligation rests upon the occupant of the human body to keep it sound, clean, and efficient, to keep it a social asset, not a liability.” The Physics, Chemistry and General Science of our Science Department are represented by Mr. Pfeiffer, Mr. May, Mr. Moore and Miss Adams. Indeed we are living in an age of Science. The world war has presented economic problems that must be solved and can be sloved only by the aid of research in the modern science laboratories. Boys and girls alike realize the possibilities of future fields in electrical and chemical engineering. Indeed the past fifty years have seen our environment and conveniences of life transformed by the applications of the electrical experimentation to a degree undreamed of by even the most optomistic; yet the next fifty years will see even a greater transformation when the chemical engineer brings forth his secrets of the chemical laboratories. Indeed our science department even strives to teach that a correct understanding of Nature and Nature’s processes are absolutely essential to correct and complete living. Twenty-Jour