Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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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

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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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Q P a WHAT ' S THE USE OF LATIN? jATIN is the foundation of five different languages, Freueli, Spanisli, Italian, Portuguese, and Roumanian. If this founda- tion is taken away, the structure will fall. The Ancient form of Latin has grown and developed to form these languages. English is Modern Latin plus Anglo-Saxon. Latin is more nearly the tongue of universal language than any other tongue. Although students for the professions of law, medicine, and engineering need to understand it, yet it is helpful to every boy and girl who attempts to study it. Some people say that Latin is not practical. Why not as practical as Geometry or History I All these subjects are means of strengthening the mind. Latin throws light upon grammar and forms an excellent foundation for all grammatical study. Latin is also a great cultural subject. It is true that Ancient Latin is a thing of the past, but like history, if one may understand the ijresent one must have an insight into the past. The first year of Latin is spent in studying the forms and structure of words. This is a very important work, for if a good foundation is not made, the remaining Latin will not be successful. In the Second semester of this year ' s work, the girls are given an opportunity to take up the work in Domestic Art or Domestic Science while the boys may take Manual Training, Botany, or Agriculture. In the second year Caesar ' s Gaulic Wars are read. This gives some information about the Ancient Komans and their ways of fighting In the third year, all the students are anxious to begin Cicero ' s Orations because they are different and not quite so monotonous. The most enjoyable year of all is tlie last year. The story of the wanderings of Aeneas are read. They are interesting and not difficult to read. Rome students drop out of the class at the end of the third vear, tired of Latin, but thev miss more than they realize. RUTH A. CORNISH. O u COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT. Q a HE commercial dejjartment of the Valparaiso High School consists of three divisions. Phonography, Typewriting, and Bookkeeping. The system used for Phonography is that of Benn Pitman, an Englishman, who invented and published it in 1832. This system has stood the test of all the most difficult kinds of reporting — legal, legislative, journalistic, and commercial. It is always reliable in a storm. One who takes a thorough course in this will also require a considerable knowledge of English. Phonography is very helpful to all and with sufficient studv is easily mastered. r J Q