Muskegon Heights High School - Oaks Yearbook (Muskegon Heights, MI)

Page 9 text:

98 THE OAKS Back Tables, Left to Right: Shuttie, Kobierski, Mixer, Blanshine, Raulin, Dodds, Dawes, Loiifers, Miller, Mr. Rakestraw. instructor Middle Tables, Left to Right: Morningstar, Leatherman. Jozsa. Walicki, Batchelder, W. Johnson Front Tables, Left to Right: J. Finger. J. Anderson, M. Dendrino, Reelman, Turner PHYSICS Benjamin Franklin had a knack for it, too. Jack Mixer Physics, to begin with, is a study of the physical changes in matter. lt is comprised of several divisions of study: heat, light, sound, electricity, and mechanics. These live sections are intensely studied during the year under direction of Mr. R. L. Rake- straw. The method of instruction follows an accepted laboratory manual and text. The experiments performed run parallel to the work in the text, or- dinarily. lfVith the exception of several hours a week spent on laboratory work, the rest of the time is spent in the lecture and recitation room. By this method of having the students do the experiments themselves, they come in closer contact with the work and re- member it longer. The laboratory in our school re- mains the same size, but the amount of equipment is increased from year to year. The incoming classes always have the use of the equipment obtain- ed in previous years, plus a little more new equipment which Mr. Rakestraw managed to obtain during summer va- cation. The equipment used represents a substantial amount of money, and yet there are many pieces of apparatus which would improve the lab consider- ably. Anyone- who studies physics will Find at some time during the year something which will appeal to him. If it is practical training which he needs, to lit him in part for being an electrician or a mechanic or a chemist or a plumber, he will find what he wants here. If it is more advanced study which he desires, looking for- ward to a profession, he will Find the beginnings here. If it is simply skill and dexterity for household use, that, too, can be found in the physics course. Mr. Rakestraw has faith in his stu- dents, and as a result, they have faith in their work, whatever may be their goal.

Page 8 text:

THE OAKS 97 X l tu? First Row on Left, Left to Right: Cavanaugh. Cierlak, Cincush. Galant Second Row on Left, Left to Right: Garber. Hopkinson, Howell, H. Johnson Third Row on Left, Left to Right: Leisman tstandingl, Lloyd, Lundoen, Maynard Last Row Back on Left, Left to Right: B. Smith. Strand, Wood. Posvistak traising handl, Miss Macdonald, instructor First Row on Right, Left to Right: Ross, Schie. Schwass Second Row on Right, Loft to Right: McGregor. Phelps Levez-vous, mademoiselle. Commencez French has often been called the 'fmost beautiful of the languages, the language of romance. Derived from the Latin, French has been modeled and melloxved into a beautiful, living tongue, employed by a great Euro- pean people. It is these characteristics of the French language, and the fascination the study of a foreign language holds for a student, that has drawn many into the French course in our high school. Miss Kathleen Macdonald is the instructor. The study of French is fascinating because one realizes that it is a living language, employed by a great people, and the mastering of it will be an asset forever to him who acquires it. French acquaints a student more closely with the French people them- selves, and with France.. One learns about the beauty of France, with its century-old cathedrals, its ancient cit- FRENCH a lire. ies, its wonderful fertility, its magnifi- cent chateaux. And in learning this, the student grows to love France and the French people. All this makes French interesting and profitable. The study of French is divided into the study of grammar and vocabulary, reading and translation. Qf these, per- haps the reading and translation are the most enjoyable. A great deal of fun is had trying to roll a French r and to twist the mouth just so, to get the correct u sound. Then, too, the beaux and the belles flames can converse freely in the language of the French because it is the language of love and romance! French has many uses, practical and otherwise. Its cultural value is not to be denied. One may hear many stu- dents around the halls, passing on the query: Parlez-vous francais? And then the merry answer: Oni, oui, mon- sieur, followed by a happy chatter.

Page 10 text:

THE OAKS 99 There's something evil brewing. Centuries ago, during the Dark Ages, the science of chemistry began to develop under the guise of what was then called alchemy. Alchemy originated in Egypt, and the god Hermes Trismegistus is represented as being its father. Alchemy was proba- bly introduced into Europe by the Arabians. There were two schools of alchemists: those who studied the properties of chemicals for the purpose of duping their fellowmen through sorcery and magic: and those who sought knowledge for legitimate use. Both schools of alchemists believed in the transmutation of metals-that is, that all metals could be turned to gold by a philosophers stone, if that stone could only be found: a universal solvent: and the elixir of life- that is, some tluid which would dissolve gold and perpetuate life. From such dahbling in sorcery and magic grew the modern science of chemistry. To the inexperienced eye. much of chemistry would still seem CHEMISTRY Earl Schwass sorcery and magic. XYe little realize what an important part chemistry our everyday lives. lfnless studied chemistry he would plays in one has be surprised to learn that in seasoning his food with ordinary table salt he is using chemically processed Sodium formula NaCl, atomic weight, 58.52 and that by passing an Chloride, electric current through melted table salt the deadly poisonous gas, chlo- rine, is set free. All this sounds magical but to the student of chemis- try it is simple and logical. The chemistry student divides his time between the classroom and the laboratory both of which are under the instruction of Mr. R. L. Rake- straw, studying what he should in the classroom, and actually performing the experiment and tinding out for him- self in the laboratory. Back Tables, Left to Right: Phillips, Pedler thalf-hiddenj. F. Murray, R. Rakestraw, J. Finger, Mr. Rakestraw, instructor, Brunk, Currey: Artell Blanshine, Friese tboth facing back wallj Front Tables: Larsen, Waalkes, Diesel, Shuttie. J. Thomas, R. Johnson 5 7 1 4 . lllllll