Merrillville High School - Merrillvue Yearbook (Merrillville, IN)

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EXPLORING THE PAST SHAPES OUR DESTINY Brushing up on current events, Rick Sorrels, Bill Braatz, and Nancy Stahler prepare for a government class discussion. The study of history provides an understanding of the wisdom and error of earlier peoples. Two elective courses offered at M.H.S. are world geog- raphy and world history while U.S. history and government-economics are requirements for grad- uation. World geography, a freshman elective course, deals with physical features of many countries, and it acquaints students with foreign customs. A soph- omore may choose world history as his elective. It covers events from not only the ancient civiliza- tions but also modern world of today. U.S. history is required in the junior year. From this course, students obtain a thorough knowledge of our nation’s development and growth. The only required subject for seniors is government and economics. Government promotes a better under- standing of Federal departments while economics prepares students for business contacts in every- day life. Through social studies courses students are pre- pared for high college standards. Mike Tubich discusses South America with fellow classmates, Kathy Catlow and Mike Kelley.

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Reports of Russia’s scientific advancement have caused a re-evaluation of our own educational system — more emphasis on math and science. Although one year of science and two years of math fulfill the requirements for gradua- tion, courses in chemistry, physics, advanced algebra, and solid geometry are offered to those who want to further their knowledge. Science and math are not limited strictly to “book learn- ing.” Practical applications are a part of classroom knowl- edge. Dissecting frogs and examining bacteria under microscopes in biology, or making sulfur in the chemistry lab are but a few of the many experiments we do each experiment giving us a clearer understanding of these vast fields. New equipment such as a binocular dissecting microscope and a micro projector have been purchased. This will aid in dissection and group experiments. These opportunities and many more are being provided to keep students up to date in the latest scientific fields. Senior students Bobbie Bishop, Jeff Brugos and Lee Klausman are advanced by trigonometry. Freshman biologists Nancy Kelley and Russ Stickles dissect a frog.

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Operating 10-key adding machines, Theresa Smederovac, Jeanette Minniti. and Linda Pad- gett are acquiring skill in one phase of the business machines course. BUSINESS STUDENTS ACHIEVE DISTINCTION A variety of courses are offered to prepare students for business vocations. As sophomores, business students are introduced to the many vocational opportunities in the business world through general business. Typing I and II and Shorthand I and II comprise the preparation for the secretarial field. This year several Typing II students reached speeds of 70 words or more per minute with no errors. Shorthand students also received distinction with 120 words per minute. Better utilization of dictation records was made pos- sible through the use of earphones. Calculators, adding machines, and mimeo- graphs are familiar machines to office practice and business machines classes. The task of of- fice practice students is to prepare copies of tests, programs, and charts for teachers. One semester course in business machines is alter- nated with a course in clerical practice. Bookkeeping students are able to apply their knowledge through the use of practice sets. Students are urged to continue their educa- tion before acquiring positions as business teachers, secretaries, auditors, and other pro- fessional positions.