Perry Meridian High School - Passages Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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While Vic Coe ' 86, Scott Gary ' 86, and Troy Martin ' 86 wait for their directions, the instructor prepares to grade them on their 20-minute driving test. With key in hand, Vic Coe ' 86 waits for his Instructor to begin another test in driving. Students learn from films In drivers ' education. 140 DRIVERS EDUCATION

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semester course. During the four semesters, students got 1500 hours of training. This enabled them to become Ucensed beauticians right out of high school. Jennifer Weist ' 84, who was one of the cosmotology students said, I really like being able to take cosmotology. It taught me things about my career that I would otherwise have had to wait until after high school to learn. It saves money too. Horticulture and building trades were two other courses offered. Hor- ticulture taught students many things about landscaping. Building trades gave students on-the-job training by having the students build a three bedroom house. Not only did they learn about building the house but about electrical wiring and plumbing as well. Auto body and auto mechanics were two automobile-related courses offered. The auto body course taught students about repairing and refinishing as weU as framework and detailing on the automobile. Auto mechanics taught students about ser- vice trades of the automotive in- dustry. Small engine mechanics, which taught students how to repair small engines, was offered. Commercial foods helped students prepare for employment in food ser- vice occupations. Brett Richards ' 83, who was enrolled in commercial foods said that he wanted to manage a restaurant in a hotel or motel. I liked Central Nine because we got to cook for two hours at a time. We made good food. Some other courses offered at Central Nine were machine drafting, which taught students skills on becoming mechanical draftmen, machine trades which taught students how to use machines correctly, electronics, and welding. Mediced occupations, which gave students furthur education in the health field, was available. Awards were given to students in each department for being excel- lent in their area. Students at Perry Meridian recieved five of the eighteen plaques awarded to students from ten different schools. David Jackson ' 83, who won a plaque for building trades, said, I think Central Nine is a really good program. I won a 8250 scholar- ship through Central Nine . I plan to continue in the field after high school. Other winners of plaques were Shannon Bruce ' 83, for medical occupations, Jim Peterman ' 83 for welding, Eden Engleman ' 83 for hor- ticulture, and Jeff Manifold ' 83 for mechanical drafting. Mr. Robert Dunn, the assistant principal at Perry Meridian said, I think the advantage of students enrolling inCentralNine is that it gave them more schooling. Students who may not want to go to college have a better chance at becoming employed after taking a course at Central Nine With the many courses offered, students had a choice of career fields to study. C-9 helped students get jobs and win scholarships. A lot of students at other schools don ' t even get a chance to attend a school like Central Nine. I like it because it ' s helping me learn things about my career that I would otherwise have to go to college to learn, said Eden Engleman ' 83. Davita Lee ' 85 becomes familiar with a new acquaintance while learning about the hands. CENTRAL NINE 139 Bjaiggg ' aa y- ' . ' .: bS

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Faleoiis Drive To vard Ftitiire Drivers ' education was a very im- portant and educational course for m4ny of the students enrolled. The course taught students many things from defensive driving and safety to insuring and maintenance. There were many benefits in taking this course. Drivers ' education has much influence on the future of our roads and highways, so it was very good for students. Even if they can drive, they should take it, said Mr. Ber- tram, one of the drivers ' education instructors. To enroU in the course, students had to be at least fifteen years of age. After enrolling, students had to get a Learner ' s Permit, obtainable after taking an eye test at nearby license branches. Most of the students were sophomores although some fresh- men and upperclassmen enrolled. Mr. Bertram stated that the number of students enrolled during the school year was about the same as the year before, but the number of students enrolled during the summer had increased. The reason for the in- ' creased summer enrollment was that many of the student ' s schedules were filled up during the school year. While other driver education students sat inside studying driving techniques and skills, three students were taken outside during each period to practice the rules of the road. Shawna Chaplin ' 85 said, I liked drivers ' ed. because it gave me a chance to get out of a classroom. Many specialized tests were given to students enrolled in drivers ' educa- tion. Written tests from chapters in the books as well as driving tests were taken. Drivers were tested first in the parking lot, then on country roads, and finally on interstate highways. They took us onto the in- terstate about four or five driving days after drivers ' ed. started, said Vicki Henson ' 85. I felt confident that I could drive on the interstate at any time. Near the end of the semester, students were required to take a 20 minute driving test. After taking the test, they were required to list all of the mistakes they had dur- ing the trip and what their major strengths and weaknesses were while driving. Students learned much about social driving, defensive driving, and safety. Besides learning how to drive, students learned about the make of cars and how to buy them. Mainten- ance, repairing, and the parts of a car were other important things the students learned. Drivers ' education benefits students in many ways. Students seemed to have much more con- fidence in themselves after com- pleting the course. Insurance rates were reduced for students passing the course. The majority of the students were glad that they enrolled in the course because passing it enabled them to skip the driving part of the test when they went to get their licenses. I am anxious to get my license, said Barry Bowers ' 85. It wiU allow me more freedom to do the things I enjoy. DRIVERS EDUCATION 141