Salina High School - Trail Yearbook (Salina, KS)

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what thr ihigh Svrhnnl lla Ening. The work of the High School is done at the present time in six depart- ments-Languages, Mathematics, Science, History and Economics, Commer- cial Branches, and Manual Training. It is the purpose of this article to give a brief hint or two of the value of each. Languages --In the department of languages the ancient languages are represented by Latin and the modern languages by English and German. The study of Latin gives the pupil a training in careful, accurate and painstak- ing work which he finds nowhere else, and which is so essential to prevent him from forming loose-jointed habits of thought and expression. Moreover, the youth finds in the study of Latin the very best kind of English training, for at every step of the way in the preparation or recitation of a lesson he is called upon to exercise nice distinction in the choice of words, to build good English sentences, and to search out the best English idioms. Incidentally, the student is getting a knowledge ol universal grammar and an introduction to the literature and the life of a glorious ancient civilizition, and, at the same time, is developing a language sense which is indispensable to one who aspires to become a scholar. The study of German affords more of the same sort of training found in the study of Latin, and, in addition, the student gets an acquaintance with one of the three greatest modern literatures and languages, and every mature student understands how indispensable a reading knowledge of German is to anyone who attempts to go very far in any special field of study. Passing next to the subject of English-all are agreed that English is the most important as well as the most practical subject taught in the high school. To learn to express one's ideas orally or in writing with a fair degree of ease, accuracy and elegance is universally desired among intelligent people. Along with this attainment comes a relish for the fine things of our literature. The study of rhetorical theory, frequent practice in the art of composition, and a critical and appreciative examination of selected classics, all contribute to this result. It has already been indicated how a study of foreign languages may help us in acquiring the power to use effectively our mother tongue. Mathematics-If there were no other reason than the necessity of algebra and geometry in the study of the physical sciences--physics, chemistry and astronomy-the place of mathematics in the high school program would be amply justified, but there are other weighty reasons. In no other subject ex- cept the foreign languages, can the student be held so rigorously to his work, and this is the most valuable experience the youth gets in the high school. There is here no opportunity to draw on one's general fund of knowledge or to offer an approximation to the truth, but the student must think and reason his way to an unquestioned conclusion. There is, too, a practical value in

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JOHN LOFTY, Principal

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algebra and geometry. They illuminate arithmetic for all, and are useful in every sort of craft where measurements are to be made, and to those boys who are to take up engineering courses they are absolutely necessary. History and Economics-It is impossible to understand clearly the pres- ent-day civilization without looking back into history and tracing its develop- ment from the beginning. To study history is to enrich our life with the expe- riences of all mankind through all the centuries. The study of history makes for the highest citizenship by acquainting us with the forms and functions of government and bringing us under the inspirational influence of the highest ideals. Nowhere is it so essential as in a free country like ours, where each individual has the opportunity to be a sovereign. The subjects of history are subjects of universal concern, and ignorance in this field always stamps one as illiterate. As for the other subject in this department, Economics, in these days of gigantic industrial enterprises and consequent new governmental and economic problems, its importance is growing rapidly. It is imperative that our high school graduates, who are to constitute the largest part of the intelli- gent class of our people, should understand the laws of the production and distribution of wealth. Commercial Branches-The branches offered are Commercial Arithmetic Bookkeeping, Commercial Law, and Commercial Geography. These branches have a minimum of cultural value, and are offered chiefly for the accommoda- tion of those who feel the need of making their high school course count as much as possible toward preparation for earning a livelihood in the counting room. Manual Training-This is a new subject that has quickly come into favor in all the best schools. Psyschology has taught educators that the use of the hands has an educative value, and it is now thought that all students should be required to do some manual training work, although it is of special value to the boy or girl of the non-literary type, a few of which there are in every high school. Science-The sciences are finding a larger place on our school programs than formerly, and with their rapid growth and increased importance they well deserve it. Man is in the midst of a physical environment, organic and inorganic, with which his exsitence is intimately related. The study of the physical sciences-Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy and Physiography-on the one side, and the biological sciences-Botany, Zoology and Physiology-on the other, leads him to appreciate the significance of that environment and discover his relation to it. He becomes aware in a very real sense that the physical world, including himself, is God's creation, and it is all very wonderful, indeed. Such an investigation of the natural world gives man a grip on the forces of nature which he turns to practical uses and at the same time goes far toward giving him a sane and sound philosophy of life. It will be seen that a graduate of our high school has made excursions into all the realms of knowledge, and has acquired the fundamental principles of each. The high school has opened up to him the whole realm of scholar- ship, and, if it has done its best for him, has placed his intellectual life on a sound basis and sent him out into the world a prince among men. JOHN LOFTY, Principal.