Shaker Heights High School - Gristmill Yearbook (Shaker Heights, OH)

Page 13 text:

Individuality Reduces Crowd Complex Although Shaker was indeed larger this year, it did not lose the personal touc h for which students and teachers are grateful. The sea of humanity was not so important as were the individuals whom it comprised. Each person had tastes and abilities which distinguished him from his fellow students and created a sense of separate identity. And so, the effect of being crowded was considerably diminished. In fact, the extra people at Shaker actually stimulated school spirit with their own ideas and personalities. Furthermore, the opportunities for each person to do what he wanted to do were increased by the additional subjects and activities that were by-products of expansion. The fore- most curriculum change was the addition of honors English and honors history courses, which took their places next to the increasingly popular accelerated math program. Science courses were almost over-subscribed before Sputnik started the national science panic. This intellectual ferment was helped by the fact that classes remained small and teachers often stayed late after school to give further instruction. Th e result of this classroom spirit, for which Shaker is renowned, is that approximately 90 per cent of our students attend col- lege. In other aspects of school life, the club program was aug- mented and the athletic activity was more intense than ever. In every instance there were people taking advantage of the particular opportunities for study, creativity, and relaxation which best suited them as individuals. The personal touch . . . Mr. Hendrickson helps Jane Papurt solve redox equations. Informal singing is enjoyed by Pete Brown, Carolyn Blake, Tammy Rosenthal, Bob Lansell, and Julie Simon. Opportunity for creativity . . . peeping over the par- tition at Shakerite sports editor Dave Nagusky.

Page 12 text:

Pardon this interruption, Shakerites . . . Roger Skolnik radios afternoon announcements. Dick Bell considers the Social Room a cozy place to relax with a fire going. Intense athletic activity . . . Mel Cohen relaxes while Buck Ellsworth does some serious conditioning. Ninety per cent attend college . . . Mr. Morris introduces Andy Schwartz and Bill Oviatt to a Williams College representative.

Page 14 text:

Miss Hollister ' s stapler gets a good workout from behind-the- scenes workers like Nancy Carter. Kathy Brunner and Babs Slatcher find that putting away choir robes is a tedious job that must be done. Cooperation Is Basic to Shaker Success Polly Ham and Mike Hays take advantage of Honor Study Hall library privileges. Perhaps the most significant development of the 1957-58 year was a result of the two previously mentioned elements: a large student body and a greater than ever emphasis on in- dividuality. This development was the cooperation which made school enjoyable rather than just endurable. Cooper- ation is a vital factor to human relationships. When we an- alyze it, we see that it is responsible not only for our peace of mind, but also for most of our accomplishments. Fortunately, this year cooperation existed at Shaker in abundance; it could be found everywhere: athletic teams that employed team spirit in competition, cheerleaders who sparked Shaker ' s enthusiasm, dramatic and musical groups that strove to put forth their very best work, committees and councils which accomplished everything from revamping the Honor Study Hall program to cleaning up after school dances, and all sorts of people who contributed their time and talents to every activity under the Shaker sun. Responsibility was dished out in big doses to the many who were willing to ac- cept it. In general, every person worked with every other person to overcome any handicaps imposed by our increased size and to make this school year the best possible. Here, then, are the results and, more important, the people responsible for the results — faces in the crowd. 10