Sturgis High School - Sturgensian Yearbook (Sturgis, MI)

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Mr. Peck-VVho wants a pencil? Miss Collins-Joe, tell Ann what places to locate. Mr. Maner-Come on, boys, let's tour Europe. TOOLS FOR DEMOCRACY QCont'dj As we reviewed American history in Mr. lNIaner's classes and lVIr. Peck's classes, the tools of democracy were placed in our hands. lVe delved deeper into causes and effects and tried to understand and appreciate the history of our country. We realized how much we had forgotten about our country and fore- fathers. During this year, the American Observery' was our key to modern times. We tackled the civic problems of adult- hood in Mr.'Peckys government classes. Here, we took the Constitution apart to see what makes it work and Wrote a thesis on its evolu- tion. So that our generation might realize the dreams and aims of our forefathers we dis- cussed the privileges and responsibilities of the American citizen. Here again, the American Observer kept us up-to-date in regard to cur- rent, local, national, and world news. Our economics classes, also taught by Mr. Peck, led us through five units: Clj Intro- duction to field of Economics, C25 Con- sumption, C31 Production C45 Exchange, and Q51 Distribution, acquainting us with social and economic conditions under which we live. Through these courses our boys and girls are taught to be better citizens of tomorrow.

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FUTURE FINANCIERS In commercial classes we meant business, both liter- ally and figuratively. lX'Irs. Haack and l'xIr. DeHaven innoculated us with all the phases of the business world. The commercial classes begin in the 10th year. Bookkeeping I starts the business training, since this is the background needed for other work. Bookkeeping II is offered to those who expect to specialize in this field. Shorthand I and Typing I are offered in the llth year. Shorthand, at first, was just hieroglyphics, but soon each little Wave and dot had a meaning we all understood. We juniors soon learned that one can get a thrill out of learning the complicated mechanism of a typewriter. In the Senior year, Typing I1 and Shorthand II are offered. The fact that 170 pupils are enrolled in the commercial courses gives one an idea of the ever growing popularity of this course. If office work is the choice of the student, he will have every opportunity to prepare himself for his job. TOOLS FOR DEMOCRACY Using text books as magic carpets and maps to show the Way, we flew across the long lapse of time in our history classes. ln Junior High, lVIiss Collins and lNIr. Finlay told us the story of America--of the pioneers in America-the Civil VVar-and the building of America. ln lXIr. llIaner's Ivorld History Classes. we joined both common people and kings and learned about not only the glories of the ancient world, but also the mistakes. that we might profit from them. VVe studied the history of early mang civilization in ancient Egypt, lXIesopotamia, Greece and Romeg feudalismg modern empires, and the modern world. School In Session mem 1-Girls in Mrs. Vera Haack's shorthand class are all ready for dictation. 2-Mr. Cecil Dellaven is ready to give the go sign. 3-Mr. Finlay with that certain gleam in his eye. 4-Mr. Bob Finlay: Now, hoys and girls, who do you think will be our next president?

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THIS QLIIIINS ARIC IN THIS KITCHEN Next in our exploration of the classerooms we come to those rooms on the first floor which are the sanctuary of the Home-Ife strides , Here we learned that instead of the same old routine of just cooking and sewing, the course has grown to he one which includes nutritiong planning, preparing and serving mealsg preservation and storing foodg huying. using, and caring for all types of household equipmentg art of entertainingg study of text- iles 3 care and operation of the sewing machineg construction of elothesg clothing budget and personal groomingg home furnishingg money management prohlemsg child care and home nursing. You say this sounds like an old cut and dried course you wouldn't be interested in? Don't tell me you haven't turned green with envy at some of the darling, 'lnew-look outfits that have emerged from those doorsl They are the special products of the Home-Ee II girls. Their project is to remodel and add to their wardrobes which is something we all would like to do if we were only capable. 'lihese girls are also given a unit of ,Ill class hours of child care and home nursing which is supervised hy a registered nurse. IVe've always heard that 'fthe way to a man's heart is through his stomach . If there is any truth in this old adage the Home Fc. I girls will discover it. 'lihey are spending most of their time learning about foods and how to prepare them. They are the originators of those wonderful baked foods we get a rare glimpse of once in a while at the baked-goods sales after school. In Home-Ifc III class we found the girls pondering over the age-old question Hafter high school, what ? They were planning ear- eers for themselves, with homemaking and family life predominating for most of them. IVe felt assu1'ed as we left this department that here is a group of girls who are leav- ing high school well equipped to take their place in that world for which the majority of girls do prepare themselves-home making. School In Session