Monacan High School - Legend Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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Center Of Attention. By helping one Spanish student, Mrs. Nancy Thomp- son draws the attention of the entire class. Another World. As Mr. Mike Ostroski teaches, students are exposed to new Cultures through the study of for- eign language. lermmeproneatigpmcseisssn “@ PAS CUA Sr Ls Citizens Of The World. By teaching and befriending Monacan students, these German exchange students prove themselves to be at home in a foreign land. 42 Foreign Languages

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Wide Range of Topics In The Classroom Making a school work takes the cooperation and help of many people. The ultimate goal of a smoothly run school is the education of the stu- dents. What goes on in the classroom is the most impor- tant aspect of school life. Each department then has the responsibility to have the best course of study for the stu- dents. The English department in- troduces students to the lit- erature of worlds past. Stu- dents venture into the works of Shakespeare, including Ro- meo and Juliet, and Mac- beth. They read poems, epics, novels, and short stories by authors who attempt to cap- ture their world or feelings into words so they will be pre- served for the future. Besides reading literature, students undertake their own writing. Short stories, sonnets, and the dreaded term papers are required by many teachers. Term Papers are also part of another department — So- cial Studies. Geography takes students to Africa, Asia, and Australia. Geography stu- dents explore mountains, riv- ers, and oceans, learning their locations and about the peo- ple who live there. World His- tory, American History, and European History offer stu- dents an insight to history around the world and here in the U.S. Another aspect of the Social Studies department is the Sociology and Law courses offered as electives. The English and the Social Studies try to accomodate the students at Monacan. Elec- tives such as law and sociolo- gy are offered by the social studies department, and the English department offers such electives as speech. Be- sides electives, students who excel in these subjects are also offered AP courses. Chal- lenging students minds and preparing them for college, AP English and European History prove most beneficial. The wide range of topics discussed leaves the student with a vast amount of knowl- edge. The well run English and Social Studies departments give their students the impor- tant knowledge of past and continuing arts and cultures. By teaching well the English and Social Studies depart- ments help make Monacan work. LE Y )) MWA Humoring Her Class. Unable to talk, Miss Pendergraft communicates with her classes by writing notes on the board. Undercover Speaker. As an F.B.I. agent, Mr. Sulbach talks to govern- ment classes about his job and his Picture Perfect. A picture often com- experiences. pletes an oral report, as Karen McCal- lister demonstrates during a Civil War project in American History. English and Social Studies 41

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Foreign Languages Will Work Academic achievement at Monacan is encouraged by the excellence of the various departments, which strive to- gether, though separated by subject matter, to make Mona- can work. Aiming toward mak- ing Monacan students ‘‘citi- zens of the world”’ is the for- eign language department, headed by Mrs. Ann K. Dris- coll. Through the study of French, German, Latin, or Spanish, students become the well-rounded people that Mon- acan desires. Academically, students are required to study at least two years of one language, al- though many choose to com- plete as many as five years and or undertake classes in more than one language. In 1984, the department honored Kathryn Settle and Lisa Bar- nard in French, Wendi Pohlig in German, Karen Woo in Latin, and Hunter Applewhite in Spanish, as having exempli- fied the qualities admired in a — Usirig the tapes so familiar to foreign language students, Mrs. Carol Thomas makes a point with her French class. students of foreign languages and cultures. In extra-curricular activities, each language offers a lan- guage club that enables stu- dents to broaden their knowl- edge of the people and cul- tures about which they are studying. Each year students and teachers alike enjoy For- eign Language Week, the For- eign Language Taster’s Sup- per, the Honors Seminars that are offered to advanced for- eign language students and For You the Chesterfield County Fine Arts Festival, in which lan- guage students have tradition- ally taken part. Without a doubt, the For- eign Language Department helps to make Monacan work. This is accomplished through encouragement of intensive study and availability of activi- ties outside the classroom which enhances knowledge and interest. Excellence in academics breeds excellence at Monacan. Foreign Languages 43