Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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m DEPARTMENTS m HISTORY. ■jYRON has said, History with all her vohimes, hath but one page, and our able instructors of history in High School have planned the work so well and made it so interesting that the pupils are inspired with enthusiasm to learn more of this page than can be learned in the short High School course. Tlie history course as required consists of four terms ' work — two of Ancient History and one each of Mediaeval and Modern History. In the first term a study is made of the antique civilizations. Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Phoenica, Persia, India, China and Greece are care- fully studied. Not only the essential facts of their respective history are studied but also some time is given to their literature, religion, architecture, character and habits. The entire second term of the first year is given up to the study of Roman History. Rome is studied in its beginning, under the kings, as a republic, an empire and finally through its decline and fall. These two terms complete the study of Ancient History. The study of Mediaeval History is divided into two periods — the Dark Age covering the time between the fall of Rome and the opening of the eleventh century and the Age of Revival extending from the opening of the eleventh century to the discovery of America in 1492. The history of the various nations is traced through the Age of Revival when the slow but sure advancement of civilization is the marked char- acteristic. The Modern Age naturally divides itself into two periods — the Age of Reformation embracing the sixteenth century and the first half of the seventeenth and the Era of Political Revolution extending from the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 to the present time. The conflict between despotic and liberal prinei])les in religion and government, always resulting in a victory for the liberal, is the subject in general of Modern History. A great deal of time is spent on the French Revolution and its effect upon the World. Each pupil is, from time to time, given special topics to enlarge upon and report to the entire class and at least one day a week is devoted to current literature. Thus a pupil studying Ancient History O Q a u

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EDITORIAL STAFF Q a ORVAL MAINS VELMA DAGGETT WALTER LLOYD JAMES KELIHER MARTHA STONER, Historian EDITH WEEMS, Prophecy OWEN KENWORTHY, Alumni EDITH JONES, Jokes Editor-in-Chief Assistant Editor Business Manager - Assistant Manager MARY McCUE, Class Will JEANNETTE BARNES, Society GARRETT CONOVER, Athletics ROSEMARY LAWRENCE, ' I 7. Artist P U Q EDITORIAL. N PUESUANCE of the past custom of the Senior Classes of the High School of editing an annual, we, the Seniors of 1914, launch this publication upon tlie critical public. It has been our aim in selecting the pictures, recording- events, and in gathering material for this book, to use such material as would recall pleasant memories; promote a better feeling among our fellow students; tend to produce the right imderstanding between the faculty and the student body; and to lay things forth just as they are. Therefore, if some of our articles seem a little pessimistic, we beg our readers not to censure the authors as individuals Init the institution, and to arouse yourselves and work for the betterment of the existing conditions. We wish to thank all of those whose help has made this publication possible — especially Miss Mclntyre and Mr. Jessee, who, by their help- ful advice, have shown us through many difficulties — and we hope that this vear ' s edition will plav no little part in making a bigger and better V. H. S. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF. P P n ) G

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does not become dead to his own times and thoroughly acquainted with the old Egyi tian civilization. English History is also taught, and during the last year, our own American History is reviewed by grouping the important events of our nation with those of other nations, noting the connecting links and also the fact that history forever repeats itself. RUTH LOITDERBACK. O THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT. Q Q O HE English Department, one of the most complete and meth- odical departments in the school, is under the able direction of Miss Benney, Miss Young and Miss Beck. Miss Young and Miss Beck have charge of the first, second and third terms ' work. The fourth to eighth terms, inclusive, are entrusted to Miss Benney. One may say this is the most complete department because four years, or eight terms of satisfactory work, are required for graduation. The early work spent with the prose composition is beneficial because it prepares one to write a clear and unified composition, and to speak fluently. The V, VI, and VII terms are given over to the study of the History of English Literature. In English VIII a study is made of American Literature. Each i)upil is retjuested to read two books a term and give a written or oral report on the same. This is consid- ered a splendid idea because it acquaints the pupil with the author and witli the conditions of the times in past centuries. A feature which has been introduced within the last two years is that each pupil appear on u program given by the members of his class. Plays have recently been produced. This plan not only shows the patrons what is being accom- plished in the English work, but it causes the pupils to become able to speak with ease before the public and to acquire self-confidence. The call in the high school is for more public sjieaking than has yet been introduced. During the fourth year the Seniors are required to write orations on some subject of im|)ortance in the present age. Different members of the class are requested to give their orations at a contest. One is better qualified to do this work if he has many times been a participant in the programs thruout his high scliool course. Much credit should be given Miss Benney for her advice and training along this line of work. EDNA CURTISS. P P U