Murphy High School - Mohian Yearbook (Mobile, AL)

Page 22 text:

MATHEMATICS $ ' Murphy’s Mathematics Department offers one of the finest and most complete courses in the S'outh. The department is ably headed by Miss Anna Mary Selater. The usual mathematics require- ments for college entrance are two years. Arith- metic is not accepted. Our school offers a four year course, beginning with elementary algebra. This algebra is the basis of all higher mathematics and should be learned thoroughly. Plane geometry constitutes the second year course, forming the ground work for solid geometry in the last year. The third year course, is advanced algebra, neces- sary to trigonometry. Plane trigonometry and solid geometry are necessary to all college engi- neering courses. The last two years of mathematica are college courses. MUSIC The Music Department has been made one of the worthiest organizations in the school under the capable direction of Messrs. Claude Dahmer and L. L. Stookey. This department consists of the Girl’s Glee Club, Boy’s Glee Club, Freshmen Chorus, Orchestra, Band, Instrumental Music, and Applied Piano Music. Its purpose is not only to create a better understanding and appreciation of good music but to develop the pupils minds and learn to cooperate with their fellow students. The band and orchestra are always ready to do their part when music is needed at school plays, foot- ball games, assemblies, and holiday parades. Each year an operetta is usually produced which calls for the combined efforts of the entire Music Department. PHYSICAL EDUCATION y The Physical Education Department, started only a few years ago, has grown to be one of the finest, if not the finest in the South. Certainly, not many high schools can boast of three gymnasiums, a swimming pool, and an eight acre playground with a lighted football field. Courses are offered in physical education for the entire four years, being compulsory the first two years, and elective the last two. Freshmen are given a general course the first year to help them select some activity in which they are interested. At the end of the freshman year they are permitted to elect an activity which they wish to carry on through their sophomore year. M6J

Page 21 text:

HOME ECONOMICS One of the necessary departments of any high school is the Home Economic Department. This department of Murphy High School is ably directed by Miss Annie Louise Smith. Tn the foods course, students are not only taught the cooking of foods, but the arrangements of table silver, and the balancing of the diet. One interesting feature of the Home Economics Department is their style show, given as an assembly program, in which the girls of the clothing class model dresses, suits or pajamas that they have made. Other subjects offered in this department are Household Manage- ment, Homemaking and Child care; all very interest- ing. No girl will regret having taken any of these courses. INDUSTRIAL—FINE ARTS Cooking, shops and music courses make up the Industrial and Fine Art Department. It has at its head Mr. H. N. Hubbard. These courses usually are composed of projects and educational matter which interest the students. Consequently, they do their best in these subjects of tools, materials and products, which make up a coordinating per- sonnel. The teachers and instructors in this de- partment aid and cooperate with pupils, in as much as they believe the students are bettered if they learn by doing. Each year, this department puts forth numerous projects and programs, which takes them step by step toward making and com- posing the greater, most worthy projects of life. LANGUAGE Latin, French, and Spanish arc the courses offered in the Language Department. Four years of Latin, four of Spanish, and two of French are taught. The Latin Department is composed of three teachers, Misses Tait, Gay, and Duffee, the latter being the head of that department. Mrs. Fulcher, Miss Rubira, Miss Clark, and Miss Sprad- lin make up the Spanish Department over which Miss Spradlin rules. Mr. Venman is the French teacher. This year there are five classes of Fresh- man Latin, five of Sophomore, one Junior, and one Senior. Spanish is taught to ten Freshman classes, six Sophomore, two Junior, and one S'enior. There are two classes of first year French, and two of second year French. [151

Page 23 text:

SCIENCE Ctfe Miss Hazel Driver sponsors one of our most interesting departments, namely the Science De- partment, with its branches, the biology, chemistry, physics and general science courses. The subjects tend to teach the students to develop their minds scientifically, to make them appreciate the scientific world around them, and to think clearly on the problems of everyday life. Instructions are based on experiments, and various projects. Each pupil is privileged to carry their scientific inquiries to experimentation, and the instructor will aid him, whenever possible; to answer any questions to enable him in his method of thinking upon the subjects of man and his environments. He learns to distinguish all scientific and biological matters, which make up our world and universe. LIBRARY Murphy’» library offers students a haven of quiet refuge. Its well filled shelves offer a variety of reading matter ranging from technical refer- ence to simple fiction. The librarians realize the truth of the proverb, “Nothing Is Perfect,” but they endeavor to keep the library as nearly so as possible. Besides the actual volumes, the library is kept supplied with newspapers, magazines, and pamphlets which keep the readers informed on current world events. One section is devoted to vocational guidance which features information on the opportunities offered by the various occupa- tions, placing emphasis on those in and around Mobile. Murphy is to be commended for her ex- cellent library and efficient librarians directed by Miss Elizabeth Moffat. Cafeteria f Here at Murphy, we have one of the finest cafeterias in the South. Miss Hattie Gresham and Mrs. McIntyre are its capable managers. Through Miss Hattie’s efforts, Mobile public schools now have cafeterias. When Barton Academy was our only high school, Miss Gresham established a small lunch room there. When Murphy was built, a large cafeteria was included in its plans. Miss Hattie was placed at the head of this and has remained in that position ever since. S'nc has planned with Mrs. McIntyre, well-balanced meals every day for the teachers and students. The cafeteria is managed on a no-profit basis, and what small profit there may be is used to aid needy students. [17]