Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

Page 18 text:

MISS MABEL BENNEY A SENIOR ' S VIEW OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT. ES, said the tlioughtful Senior, a few days before gradu- ation, I consider that my four years ' work in the English Department has done me perhaps more good than any other. ' ' I think you are right, ' ' observed the out-of-town guest. English is one of the most practical, and at the same time, interesting subjects in the high school course. I was greatly enter- tained in your English VIII last week. You have an original class. Do you think so? laughed the Senior. The class of 1915 has always been a trial and tribulation to Miss Benney ever since we wrote with trembling fingers our first business letter for the stern inspection of the ' powers that l)e. ' The first two years we were drilled in the art of prose composi- tion and during that time we entertained everyone with our interesting l)roductions. We studied Irving, Scott, Shakespeare, and George Eliot with ecpial enthusiasm and, with the boldness of youtli, even dared to criticize. To the delight of certain lovers of history English V, VI, and VII found us deep in the History of English Literature and in our last term we turned to the study of American Literature. Miss Ben- ney gave us up as hopeless when she discovered that we failed to appre- ciate the humor in Burke ' s Conciliation. You had book reviews of course? inquired the guest. Oh, yes, ' ' answered the Senior. ' ' Two book reviews are required each term. An interesting feature in that connection was taken up 12

Page 17 text:

taught that they must do a day ' s work in a day ' s time. They soon learn tliat good ])rodu ' tions are vahiable and only such are marketable. The course in Mathematics is an important factor in helping them to obtain and meet all of these recjuirements. The instructors in this department are Mr. Jessee, Mr. Finkle, Mr. Lentz, and Mrs. B. F. Williams. Mr. Skinkle taught mathematics up to the time of his death and was considered one of the best mathemati- cians in secondary school work. The efificiency of the instruction in mathematics is shown by the ease with which the students continue their work in other institutions. IRENE MARTENS. 11

Page 19 text:

this term in our English VIII. Each member of the class selected some good magazine and reported on it each month. Do you have a course in public speaking? asked the guest. No, we don ' t, answered the Senior, But a few steps have been taken in that direction. Every member of the High School is required to make one public appearance a year. The class of 1915 has greatly distinguished itself in this work. Some members of the class prefer to remain in the background by taking minor ])arts and are content with one api earance a year, but there are others who would })erform every Friday if given the opportunity. These irrepressible ones, how- ever, are held firmly in hand by Miss Benney and cause no serious dis- turbance. We have a number of born orators who acquitted them- selves nobly at our Oratorical Contest in February. There goes two of those ' irrei)ressible ' ones now, observed the guest, looking out of the window. Let ' s join them, cried the Senior, I believe they are going to the picture show. The two girls laughingly departed and the conversation was ended. GAIL FEHKMAN. 13