Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

Page 26 text:

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

Page 25 text:

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

Page 27 text:

Q (J The touch system is the method used in Typewriting and it is con- sidered tlie best system along that liue, because it enables one to write much faster, keeping his eyes upon his notes while transcribing them upon the macliine. The students are also taught the mechanical i)arts of the machine, knowledge which is essential to every stenographer. Accuracy first and then speed are the two important aims of Type- writing. It includes the copying of legal forms, letters, envelope addressing, and tabulating work. Dictation is given personally to each pu])il until he is able to write from forty to sixty words a minute. Typewriting is the most practical study in the whole tield of educa- tion and is growing more in demand every day. The course in Bookkeeping is perhaps less extensive than the others, but is such as to give the student a knowledge of accounting besides the ability to keep a systematic record of business transactions, and the state of business in which they occur. Recently the course in Bookkee]5ing arranged by Professor C. W. Benton, has been adopted by the High School. Miss Mabel Young who is at the head of this department is very efficient and has endeared herself to the imiiils under her, by her kindly interest in each. GARLAND WINDLE. THE SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT. Q P |1NP] of the most interesting and most practical courses of study taught in the High School is the scientific course. More improvement has been made in this department within the last year than in any other department of the High School and as a result more interest has been shown than heretofore. Botany is taught the first year. Zoology the second. Chemistry the third, and Physics the fourth. Agriculture may be substituted for any of these subjects the second term of each year if desired, hence teaching a four years ' course in Agriculture. Physical Geography is now taught in the fourth year instead of the first. The boys in the scientific course are no longer compelled to take Manual Training and the girls are not compelled to take Domestic Art or Domestic Science, but any student, even in the Latin course, wishing to take this work may do so. Two periods are given to this work and full credit is given at the end of the term. The girls are interested in Manual Training and the boys as well as the girls are learning how to cook. Household Chemistry is taught in connection with Domestic Science. The interest shown and the good work done in these subjects are largely due to Miss Mendenhall, Mr. Blue and Mr. Stout, the science teachers, who are alwavs interested and readv to help. ALMA TCLCH.