Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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Commerce MISS GRACEN MISS COCKING MR. BIDNER The commercial department of our high school offers subjects with both vocational and college preparatory objectives. In this department we offer bookkeeping, commercial arithmetic, commercial law, a beginning and advanced class in shorthand, and straight type. The two years of shorthand and typing include transcription practice. The main aims of this department are to prepare students for positions in nearby offices, and to give those who are planning further business training drill in the fundamentals of business. Business students, by learning the fundamentals in high school, shorten very materially their time at business college. Many college preparatory students select one or more of these courses, such as bookkeeping, straight type, or stenography, as they feel that such courses may prove useful in the future. Miss Gracen teaches bookkeeping and shorthand. She states that the commercial department has more calls for good office workers than it can supply. Miss Cocking, our teacher of typing, commercial law, and commercial arithmetic, requires that collegiate standards of speed and accuracy be met. A student cannot be recommended for an office position unless he has average or better grades and other desirable traits, such as cooperation, neat personal appearance, and a desirable personality. We know of no better course for a student to take if he aspires to a position in the commercial world or if he intends to take college commercial training.

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Science One of the two majors necessary to graduate may be obtained by taking three years of science, or one other science in addition to the two sciences which are required. It is suggested that those going to college take all four years offered. General science, taught by both Mr. Judd and Miss Piper, is a required subject for all freshmen. In this class they become acquainted with different sciences. Perhaps most important of all, they learn how to think and their power of reasoning is developed. They enlarge their vocabulary and learn how to express themselves more clearly. Some time is also devoted to safety first. Biology is a science taken by many sophomores, although it is not required. The animal and plant kingdoms are studied and power of observation developed. Dissections of animals help the understanding of animal development. Field trips are made in the fall and spring to study and recognize trees, shrubs and wild flowers of the local vicinity. Chemistry is a science offered to either juniors or seniors. All those who are planning to advance into the field of medicine or engineering should take this subject. Mr. Judd presents the course with a twofold purpose; college preparatory and practical knowledge. In physics an effort is made to give each student an understanding of the fundamental principles of heat, light, sound, and electricity. The subject thus becomes a basis for the explanation of everyday happenings such as friction and refrigeration. It is a senior subject.

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Agriculture Agriculture is a vocational subject giving boys who are interested in farming or related fields opportunities of an unlimited nature. In addition to class work, each boy applies the material he learns to one or more home supervised projects. First year agriculture students are enrolled in the Animal Husbandry course. Here they learn about the care of farm animals. Second year agriculture students study soils and crops—their structure and usage. In the junior and senior years we alternate Farm Management and Farm Mechanics. Boys must have had at least one agricultural course before they are allowed to take Farm Mechanics. They study farm shop enterprises, learn to construct simple buildings, and do other farm jobs. We stress the importance of construction for boys’ projects in this course. Farm Management takes up the study of records and better management of farming. Farm bookkeeping is studied as a part of the course. Each boy must carry one or more home supervised projects, which are diversified as much as possible. One third of the credit for the year’s work depends on this particular experience, and no credit is given until the project is completed. For outstanding work in projects one fourth credit, in addition to the regular Agriculture credit, is given. A boy can gain extra credit toward graduation in this manner. Boys can get the same type of competitive training as in other branches of school activities by entering their products in vocational and state fairs. Judging teams compete at the state contests each year, and letters are given to boys who are in the upper one fourth in these contests. Mr. Bidner, our instructor, believes that the boy who takes a full course in Agriculture should have a good background for any related farm undertaking.