Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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.

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 28 text:

MUSIC DEPARTMENT. N THE first semester of this school year the High School was actually the possessor of a Harmony Class. This class, in which there were four members, followed the course of study eiven here in brief outline. Introductory work Keys and their relationship Intervals (a) Dissonant (b) Consonant Various Measure Forms Major Scales Minor Scales (a) Three forms 1 Histoi ' ic 2 Melodic .3 Harmonic Triads and Inversions (a) Major (b) Minor (d) Augmented Dominant 7th and other 7th chords Cadences (a) Plagal (b) Authentic (c) Complete (d) Complete Extended (e) Deceptive Composing of simple melodies Harmonization of melodies Analysis of Songs Modulation Diminished leading tone 7th chord and its sixteen resolutions Ear training (c) Diminished On Tuesday and Thursday mornings, part of last and part of this term, a short period of singing was held in the Assembly Room for the High School in general. (If you want to know whether this cheered us for our classes, ask Professor Jessee and hear what he thinks about it). At the oratorical contest, a girls ' chorus composed of Senior girls sang at the beginning of the program and also at the close of the ora- tions. At present there is a Senior Chorus undergoing preparation for singing at their commencement exercises in May. A High School Orchestra was organized about the first of March of (his year with a membership of nine under the leadership of Miss Archer. The organization progressed rapidly and gave pleasing con- certs on various occasions. We hope that the enthusiasm for music in our High School will grow and become the factor of strength which it deserves. PEARL LA FORCE. Q o