South High School - Sohian Yearbook (West Mifflin, PA)

Page 29 text:

Home Economics and Industrial Arts Courses Are Varied. There have been some changes made in the Home Economics Department this year. The smells are the same - tantalizing - and so are the sounds - the whirring of the constantly used sewing machines. However, it one were to wander by or into rooms 209 and 211, he might be surprised by the presence of the young men of South High. In the past, the Home Ec. Department was the domain of girls only, but this year, the course of study has been expanded to meet the needs of both girls and boys. To the existing pro- gram of cooking and sewing instruction have been added courses in family living, food services and inte- rior decoration. Thus the Home Ec. Department is the key to useful and practical knowledge for all. Even in the most secluded part of the school, the shop, South High is buzzing with activity. Besides de- veloping practical skills, the shop boys help out around the school in any manner possible. The boys are instructed in the correct use of various power tools and other mechanisms in the wood and metal shops. Basic mechanical drawing is also included in the curri- culum tor those who enioy creating from their own ideas. MRS. SARAH SMITH Above: Mrs. Smith conducts a sewing class. MR. THEODORE GLADYS Below: Mr. Gladys gives a valuable lesson in the wood shop. MR. PHILIP SHUSHNAR

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Fine Arts Cultivate Talents and Appreciation. MRS. WALESKA BRUCE MR. CHARLES BOSLEY MR. KENNETH GOULD ,M-. MR. HENRY SOKOLOWSKI R411 Mr. Sokolowski conducts band practice in the music room. A glance into a showcase or ata bulletin board would be impressionable to a visitor at South. A further excursion into the Art room would provide a re- warding experience for any individual. Students complete projects in leather, clay, rugs, iewelry, water color, oil, pastels, sculpture, and stitchery. And to promote the enthusiasm found there, is a very capable art teacher, Mrs. Wales- ka Bruce. Throughout her years of experience, she has acquired much knowl- edge which she passes on to her able students. However, the characteristic stressed most in her classes is originality. All students are encouraged to express themselves in whatever media they prefer, and their accomplishments can be witnessed all over the school. This year's music department showed more enthusiasm than ever before. From the small pep band in the morning before a game, to the musical comedy Li'l Abner, to the l lO member combined West Mifflin Area Band, the coop- eration put forth by all concerned made every endeavor a complete success. Mr. Gould, in his first year as director of the Senior High Chorus, was readily welcomed by many of his former students. Aside from the musical play, choral concerts, and hootenanny group, the vocal department had time to arrange a brand new fight song for the victorious Spartans. The head, of the music department in West Mifflin, Mr. Sokolowski, with the assistance of Mr. Forsyth, very capably directed the marching band in its most outstanding season. Mr. Bosley, also in his first year at South, has ably devel- oped the South High Orchestra.

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Phys. Ed. And Health Coordinate Mental And Physical Well-Being. L lat . MISS PAT HECKEL MR. NED MERVOS ln keeping with the late President Kennedy's plan for physical fitness, South High School requires that all students participate in two physical education classes a week. Thus, an active and all inclusive Physical Education Program is employed. Miss Heckel, the girls' gym instructor, teaches her students the basic rudiments of field hockey, soccer, basketball, marching, baseball, gymnastics, and vol- leyball, as well as the exercises suited to the needs of the individual. A more active and strenuous class is taught by Mr. Mervos, the boys' gym teacher. ln his classes, the boys are worked hard, and their stamina and strength are tested atleast once a month when they are given physical fitness tests. The boys concentrate on football, basketball and wrestling. in the first se- mester, and volleyball, softball, and gymnastics in the spring semester. All students at South are required to take gym, even those who have physical handicaps are able to participate in a limited program. Thus, the physical education program involves the physical development of all students. In the pictures above and at the right, Miss Heckel and Mr. Mervos supervise various activities in their physical education classes.