South Side High School - Totem Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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Orators Polish Speech Talents, Strive To Attain Eloquence . . . and in ten seconds, your class portrait, Jim Cress states as he brings to a close his speech demonstrating how to operate a camera. Whether addressing an individual or a large audience, the speaker seeks to attain the beauty and grace of eloquence, an art which all men might learn, though so few do. With this in mind, the Speech Department centered its course around the correct form of introduction, the principles of good speech, the history of drama, and the methods of parliamentary procedure. The first semester was devoted to analysis and inter- pretation of dramatic, poetic, and humorous readings; while the second entailed more work in original oratory. Correlating his text work with impromptu speeches, the stu- dent informed, entertained, persuaded, and stimulated his audi- ence. Besides this extemporaneous work, disc jockey programs and demonstration speeches enabled the student to exhibit his broadcasting and acting talents to a group. Since distractions are almost always present in actual speech- making, the student was also given this type of experience in a heckling speech, during which he attempted to answer in a clever way the badgering of his classmates. Competitive experi- ence was also gained in giving an original declamation for the Voice of Democracy speech contest. True, only a few came close to atta ining eloquence; however, each gained some degree of confidence and poise, both of which are essential in his everyday life, whether applying for a job or campaigning for a political position. Hidden from the rest of the class by a portable blackboard, Ruth Sprunger develops skill by broadcasting her disc jockey program. 27

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Advent Of New Machines Depicts Changing Business World Filing proves to be all in a day's work for Susie Weidelman and Nancy Liby as they make preparations for careers as stenographers. Ever-changing is the wheel of business. Therefore, throughout the forty-one years of its existence, the business course has been revised continually to conform to these changes. This year saw the addition of several new and experimental IBM selectric typewriters, their primary feature being a stable carriage. No longer was the student haunted by the fear of jam- ming the typewriter keys; consequently, after practice, he was able to increase his speed in typing. To teach the student the initial process of setting up shop, business law this year introduced the student to the steps that must be taken to obtain a store license. Similarly, the student in business organization and management was asked such ques- tions as What type of business union should be formed? and Where should the business be located? Meanwhile, the merchandising and marketing student pon- dered over problems of purchasing and selling manufactured goods amid the hustle and bustle of a typical Dollar Day. To train office workers, the clerical program then presented the After-Dollar-Day duties of filing and tabulating. In addi- tion, the student practiced shorthand techniques. Besides this work, nation-wide spelling and mathematics tests were conducted. The student that made perfect scores received a certificate which would later aid him in securing employment in the business world or a scholarship to college. Thus, by this program, including not only text study but also drill work and actual business contacts, the student was better prepared for such careers as business executives, stenographers, clerks, secretaries, and business consultants. Nancy Brubaker, Patricia Reid, Alice Habegger, and Karen Ann Walker practice with the modern dictaphone, duplicator, and electric calcu- lator. Because these business machines contribute to the efficiency of office workers, those who possess skill in their use are in great demand.

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Science Department Unveils John Stewart and Billie Burgo delve into the mystery of natural laws and motion while performing a physics pendulum experiment. Striving to make a precise drawing of a Paramecium, biologist Brian Yelland observes the organism through a high-powered microsco pe. As man strives to transcend his own world and grasp the mys- teries of the planets and galaxies, the demand for scientists in industry, and particularly in research, increases each year. To aid in meeting this demand, the Science Department utilized the demonstration-laboratory-recitation-lecture method of instruction in directing its five science courses. Mysteries of reproduction, digestion, and genetics unfolded for the student in the biological sciences. Thus revealed, these processes served as part of the basis for the classification of plants and animals into their respective families. Through the medium of such textbook aids as maps, charts, and film strips, the student in the physical geography course was able to visualize the basic principles of several sciences in rela- tion to one another and to everyday life. Having studied the composition and functions of the cell by means of the textbook, the botany student used the microscope to bring to life the drawings of the leaf and onion skin. Meanwhile, the theories of force, electricity, and magnetism were employed by the physics student in his study of machines. Here he also learned the intricacies of the slide rule. Chemistry continued with the same concept presented in phys- ics— -The Law of Conservation of Matter and Energy. Having en- tered a new sphere of acids, bases, and salts, the student was first confronted with the valence table. After mastering this table, he then proceeded to write formulas and balance reactions. By struggling with whites and yellows for an entire year, the chemistry student — as well as those enrolled in the other sci- ence courses — -acquired the sound foundation necessary for ad- vanced work in his chosen vocation. 28