Port Arthur High School - Sea Gull Yearbook (Port Arthur, TX)

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cmathemaiits ggepartmmt Someone has said that we do actually know anything unless we can put it down in numbers. This is a broad statement, it is true, but at the same time we do not know much of anything there is if we can not express it in numbers. Numbers, however, are only a small part of the work of the Mathematics Depart- ment, for we study many other things besides The freshmen have the four fundae mental operations, parenthesis, special rules for multiplication, factoring, fractions, and fractional equations, and when they get through with this, they are well prepared to study more algebra. e sophomores have simultaneous and simple equations, graphs, three unknowns, problems in two and three unknowns, inequalities, involution and evolution, theory of exponents, and radicals. When they are finished with those things, then they are ready to start such things as quadratic equations, simultaneous quadratics, graphs, ratio, proportion and variation, arithmetical progression, geometrical progression, bin- omial theorem, and logarithms. In plane geometry for the juniors and in solid geometry for the seniors, we study nearly all of WentwortheSmith's text books, and in advanced arithmetic and trigonom- etry we use the same manis book who wrote the algebra. All of these courses give us four affiliated units in Mathematics If at any time any person is fortunate enough to receive an A, then his name goes on the honor roll on the little bulletin board. This board generally has posted on it about eighteen per cent of the entire number taking mathematics. A school without mathematics would be about like a barber shop without a barber; that is, without anything to trim one down. After all, mathematics is a great truth easily Within the grasp of most as us, the foundation of the exact sciences, and is that thing on which all future development is based. Regardless of whether we pass or fail in mathematics, we are better citizens for having been ttexposed to it, for as someone has said, HI am a part of all that I have met. and what is more honest and truthful than mathematics? ggnme EEtmmmics Glowinueh DIETETICS.eThe work in the dietetics classes is in direct connection with cafe- teria work. Educational efforts are being made to acquaint the child With the pro blem of proper food and health habits. In order that the work may be carried on accurately each child keeps her nheight, weight, and age chart so that actual facts may be studied. Results have been compared, and the girls found that they gain by the use of the health charts. Through the diet course, health habits which bear directly upon good citizenship are formed, thus the course fulfills a two-fold purpose. The classes try to keep charts for small children to see how the experiment works with other persons. When the child grasps the aim and purpose of the course, she has given to herself a knowledge and working idea upon which she may build her future self as a good citizen with a strong mind and healthful body COOKING CLASSESeAlong with dietetics is always associated foods work. Food principles, health habits, and practical methcds are given the girls who are in food classes. Meal service is taught and special dinners with invited guests are prepared and served by the food classes The work is presented in such a way that the girls may do the work at home just as they do at school.

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N . aha ?latm Bepartment The Latin Department offers four years of work of vital importance to the pupil who wishes to understand his own language, train his mind for memory and accuraCy, and to appreciate the Worlds best literature The courses are Varied, but each has three ai effirst, study of word-fom ation and general grammatical principles, second, training in attention, accuracy and perseverance, and third, some knowledge of Roman life, history, and mythology Vhen pupils enter the Latin Department for the first time it is all so strange and different they become easily discouraged. Then they begin to realize that we Ameri- cans would have to be silent three fourths of the time if we could not use Roman ideas and words. After that, vocabulary grows rapidly and soon they are enjoying the life - u of Roman children and learning old legends of Rome with nJulia The time passes all too quickly, and early in the second year pupils enroll or find themselves drafted into Caesar's great army Here they come face-tmface with their ancestoi'Sethe French, the Belgians, Swiss, and the Britons. But alas, the hardships of war are terrible! However, those who have fought faithfully and won their battles, during those trying years in Gaul, enthusiastically return to Rome. The third year is spent in the city of Rome where all become interested in politi- cal questions. They hear Cieerois speeches in which he speaks fearlessly against the crimes of the age. Something is learned of Roman government, her courts, and her business life. A visit is made to the old Roman Forum, a place of beauty and interest with its paved streets, government buildings, and temples to the gods. As a reward for perserverance and achievement, in the fourth year, a Wonderful trip over the Mediterranean World of early times is offered. Virgil conducts the party, and as he tells the fascinating story of the Trojan War, Paris, Helen, Dido, and Aeneas become real people. At last there is a trip to the underworld with Sibyl as a guide. As a warning Virgil says, Facilis descensus Averno sed revocare gradum, hic labor est.H However, not one has ever been lost on this trip, for after four years in the Roman World all have learned HLabor ommia vincltf' ngmtigh Eepartmmt he Spanish Department has made rapid progress in the past three years, as is evident by the large number of pupils enlisted in the study of Spanish. In the past three years the number of pupils in the department has increased from about two hundred to five hundred pupils. The faculty of the department has increased from two teachers to five. It is the aim of the department to cultivate a desire for the best Spanish and to stress the practical and cultural importance to the individual. The department offers a three year ccurse, and the pupils who continue in the work for the full three years are able to converse ,nterestingly in Spanish. During the first two years much Stress is placed on syntax of grammar and on conversation with definite aim. The third year of Spanish is the most interesting and enjoyable year of study, for it is during the third year that the pupils study the literature of Spanish. The increasing ccmmerc'al relation between the United States and the Latin- J.merican countries has given much popularity to the study of Spanish. Mr Hoover, Secretary of mtei'ior of the United States, h , said that Spanish is of importance In tho Unted States second only to that of English and of commercial importance, second to no other language. This is perhaps the reason why Spanish has become so popular in the Port Arthur High Sehool. The organization of the two Spanish Clubs, uEl L. O. R. O. and La Tertuliaf has caused the work of the department to be much more interesting and practical than over before. The membership of these clubs is composed of those pupils who have a desire to learn more about Spanish and who are willing to devote extra time to the study of the language. Although no credit is given for the work by the clubs, there are approximately one hundred students enlisted in the work.