Medina High School - Mirror Yearbook (Medina, NY)

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Weighing ln. What's up, Girls? The Boxing Tournament. FOREIGN LANGUAGES ln these days of worldly chaos, the Department of Foreign Languages is taking great strides toward the creation of an international friendship and social understanding among nations. By studying the customs and the ideals of the other fellow, each student gains a broader and less egotistical View of humanity. Interest in French is stimulated by a French Day held once a month Cdur- ing which time members of the second and third year French classes must converse only in Frenchl and by cor- respondence With French pupils learn- ing English. Visual eclucatic '1, viz., the use of slides, is employed in the several Latin classes. THE MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT Mathematics deals With precision aloneg there is no place in its ranks for anything less than the most exact- ing accuracy. Therein lie the sum and substance of mathematics-the family tree of civilization. Several courses are offered students by the Mathematics Department--elementary algebra, plane and solid geometry, intermediate alge- bra, and trigonometry. Carefully grad- ed problems in these subjects are sufficiently difficult to challenge the ability of the pupil, yet not too hard to cause discouragement. The great in- terest exhibited in mathematics has found expression in the Mathematics Club, which devotes itself to the study of the slide rule, engineering methods, and brain twistersf' THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT Health training and care are indis- pensable to the Welfare of the student. Each spring the Department of Health sponsors a check-up on the physical condition of the pupils besides provid- ing immunization clinics. Students are taught how best to avoid contagious diseases, how to remain at all times in the pink of physical health. Through the combined efforts of the National Youth Administration and the School Health Board, those students over six- teen years of age needing additional assistance in providing the expenses of a high school education have been given work. Gymnastics and athletic contests have fostered the spirit of sportsmanship, besides insuring strong, healthy bodies.

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THE SOCIAL SCIENCES Many and important are the aims to which the Social Science Department has pledged itself. ln the chaotic state of the world today, broad, unbiased judgment and a keen sense of per- spective are imperative qualities of every man, woman, and child. The department has tried to instill this sense within the individual pupil by an ex- haustive treatment of foreign lands, foreign ideals, customs, peculiarities, and heritage. By developing an inter- est and an understanding of world affairs, their causes and results, the student becomes an intelligent and prudent observer of everyday happen- ings. What is more-this type of con- structive education is a prolific breeder of pacifists. Intensive study of the Western Hemi- sphere also falls under the category of the Social Science Department. The student begins to comprehend the in- tricacies of government machinery, he becomes acquainted with great nation- al and international problems and more conversant with the duties which are his as a citizen of the United States. Thus he is better able to obtain a foot- hold in a complex world. Besides regular civics and history courses, there were offered to post-graduates this year two new subjectsfone in in- ternational relations, the other dealing with national problems. SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Science is the mirror of all civiliza- tion. To create an aptitude for exact thinking, close observation, keen per- ception, clear judgment, and logical analysis-in short, those mental pro- cesses for which men of science are justifiably famous-is the aim of the science department. Indeed, science, as taught in Medina High School, has proved so fascinating to many of the students that they have adopted it as their hobby. The courses offered teach the individual the conservation of our wild life, the means of developing im- munity to disease, the whys and where- fores of natural phenomena. Experi- ments are performed in well-equipped laboratories. Chemistry, physics, gen- eral science, and general biology are the subjects in which instruction is given. Wonder why it doesn't work? Interested Young Scientists. The world for our province!

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VOCATIONAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT Medina High School provides almost unlimited opportunities for education in vocational pursuits. The agricultural classes have sponsored several ex- hibits, viz., one at the Orleans County Pair and another, an apple exhibit, at the lndustrial Exposition held at the Medina Armory. Again, the agricultural sections participated in judging con- tests at the Syracuse State Fair and at the New York State College of Agri- culture of Cornell University. Parallel to the activities of the regular classes is an P. F. A. Club, in which students carry on constructive educational pur- suits. Nor has the commercial department been less instrumental in the develop- ment of a sound vocational training. Bookkeeping, stenography, typewriting, and commercial law courses teach precision and resourcefulness, intelli- gent and efficient business manage- ment. These courses contribute to a clear understanding of business terms, procedure, requirements, and adminis- tration. Especially important to the future welfare of the students has been the installation of a vocational guidance council headed by Mrs. Hinckley. This council proposes to advise and to guide but never to force the individual into a decision. Special programs, un- employment service, and the untang- ling of personal problems are but a few of the more direct benefits of the Council. A special feature of its work this spring has been vocational talks by experts to upper classmen during the Activities Period. THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS lndustrial training is apportioned among several different types of clas- ses in Medina High School. Printing students receive training in the elements of hand composition, stone work, press work, figuring and cutting stock, and binding, These classes print and fold over 930 copies of the M. H. S. News weekly. Programs, tickets, ath- letic schedules, report cards are print- ed, also, for other departments. ln addition to printing, the lndustrial Art program offers courses in wood-work ing, electricity, mechanical drawing, sheet metal work, and auto inechanics. As an illustration of the practicality of this department it may be said that the Woodworking classes alone repaired more than sixty articles of :school fur niture last semester, while the electrical class has helped in the Cori:-struction of scenery for many a school play Wanted: House-keepers. 'l'hey're just the type - Right? Future Mechanics