Reading Memorial High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Reading, MA)

Page 15 text:

Seated: Elizabeth A. Dag- digian, Richard B. Ham, Helen M. Hart. Standing: Joseph Nisco, Arthur L. Spencer, chairman, Alex¬ ander Boch. FOREIGN LANGUAGE Reading Memorial High School’s extensive for¬ eign language program offers students the opportunity for studying as many as four years of Latin or French and three years of Spanish. The pupils who take these courses find that the rewards of being able to understand a new language are well worth the necessary work. Al¬ though the rules of grammar and pronunciation some¬ times seem monotonous and wearisome, students soon realize that a basic knowledge of such elementaries as conjugations, declensi ons, and vocabularies must be acquired before an interesting discussion of the litera¬ ture of a foreign country can begin. Through the study of this literature, students are able to learn much about the culture and philosophy of the people of the world, and they are able to discover the similarities of thought of all mankind despite the language barriers which sepa¬ rate individuals. The French three-four class with Mr. Ham works on translation. 11

Page 14 text:

Faculty Seated: Clarissa B. Abbott, Ruth A. White, Jeannette T. Bell, Jane K. Cutcliffe, chairman; Ruth Conti. Standing: Elizabeth A. Dagdigian, Wendell W. Hodgkins, Leonard F. D ' Orlando, Harold E. Bond, Sally Stembridge. THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Each year the competent, hardworking English Department must teach a new group of freshmen how to use its native language effectively. The ever-increas¬ ing importance of high school English is met by a com¬ prehensive four-year program of grammar, literature, and composition. Freshmen and sophomores spend much time on grammar although they do read The Mer¬ chant of Venice, Julius Caesar, and The House of Seven Gables. Juniors advance to a broader study of literature, including Tale of Two Cities, Macbeth, and various essays which give the student a basis for his own writ¬ ing. Seniors find themselves overwhelmed wdth com¬ positions, outside reading, and a study of English litera¬ ture including Hamlet. This challenge is met, however, through the diligence of both students and teachers, and the resulting proficiency in English, which makes the graduating students ready for either college or business, proves that the time and effort is not wasted. Senior English students begin to understand Mrs. Cutcliffe’s rendi¬ tion of Hamlet. 10

Page 16 text:

Seated: Gale M. Webber, James M. Aldrich, chairman; Edwina M. Donohoe. Standing: Robert H. Dunbar, Willis E. Anderson. HISTORY DEPARTMENT With each hour of the day, there are more prob¬ lems facing the world and the United States govern¬ ment. At Reading Memorial High School, students are offered various history courses which are pat¬ terned to prepare them for our changing world. Geography and American government are considered in Civics; the earliest achievements and the progress of civilization, in Ancient History; the expansion and development of our country, in United States His¬ tory; and social problems and basic economics, in Problems of Democracy. These courses are designed to prepare pupils to accept responsibilities and to be¬ come conscientious citizens. They enable students to pioneer their way into the future with a new concept of the opportunities which await them. 12 Seniors in Mr. Webber’s History class are caught off guard.