Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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MISS MABEL E. YOUNG COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT. HE Commercial Department of the Valparaiso High School consists of three divisions, Phonography, Typewriting, and Bookkeeping. The system used for Phonography is that of Benn Pit- man, an p]ngiishman, who inA ented and published it in 1837. This work consists of the practice of business forms, general office work and practical work of all kinds. Part of the time is also taken up with reading printed iihonography and taking dictation. One may also acquire a good knowledge of English in taking this subject. Phonog- raphy is very helpful and may be easily mastered with sufficient study. The Touch system is the method used in Typewriting. This sys- tem is very important because it enables one to write much faster, keeping his eyes on his notes. The two important factors in Type- writing are accuracy first, and then speed. Typewriting includes the copying of legal forms, letters, envelope addressing, and tabulating work. Dictation is given personally to each pupil. The students are taught the mechanical parts of the machine, which is essential to every stenogra|)her. Typewriting is very practical and is growing more in demand every day. The system used for Bookkeeping is that which was arranged by Professor C. W. Benton. This course is less extensive than the others, but it gives to the student the knowledge of accounting, the practice of keeping a systematic record of business transactions, and the state of business in which they occur. Miss Young is a very capable and interesting teacher and is com- petent to have charge of this department as she has had extensive business experience. CARRIE TURNER. 20

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former years, although the appearance of the room has been much changed by a new coat of paint and the erasure of former students ' names from the walls. The class was composed of Juniors and Seniors and the work required covered two terms. Bi-ownlee ' s First Princii)les and his accompanying manual have been used as texts. Each member in both Physics and Chemistry who expects to receive a credit for a year ' s work, is now prei)aring a thesis on some subject in which he is interested. Some of the subjects chosen are: The Gas Engine, The Conquest of the Air, Our City Water Supply, Chemistry and Medicine, Fertilizers, and The Recent Achieve- ments of Physics. Much to the disap})ointment of the instructor, who is fully pre- pared for that work. Agriculture was not taught this year, because a class of the required number could not be obtained. In the second term of Botany, however, the subjects of Forestry, Crops, and Crop Industries have been taken up and with the aid of the laboratory, which they have had this year for the first, considerable very interesting and i rofitable work in Botany, as well as Zoology, has been carried on. In the labora- tory of the first term of Botany, Payne ' s Experimental Botany has been used, from which each student has been required to write up fifty experi- ments. In Botany II each pujiil has made a collection of thirty differ- ent leaves, and has obtained a photograph of some forest problem, and a diseased specimen in orchard work. In Zoology a collection of twenty different insects was required. The Zoology department has about two hundred ])repared si)ecimens of different animals, many of which were studied during the term ' s work. A large acjuarium in which different zoological specimens were cared for has added much to the already interesting work. An important part of the course in all the science work has been the numerous excursions to the outside world of Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Among the places visited are the Wireless room at Dodge ' s Institute of Telegraphy, the gas factory, ] fr. E. S. Miller ' s bee farm, sand pits, and the old mill at Sager ' s Lake. At the time this article is written the members and teachers of the department are look- ing forward to a day of exhibition and visiting, on which everything connected with the work will be open for the inspection of friends of the school, in i artieular, and of Science, in general. We can truly say that the never failing, energ( tic, and enduring courage of our teachers has aroused and stimulated the faint and spas- modic interest of the ordinary High School pupil in the Science depart- ment and transformed it into one of genuine enthusiasm of which Val- paraiso may well be proud. CHESTER FAY. 19

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MK. IRA L. SPEAK MANUAL TRAINING. ATIONS are growing ' ; States are growing; Cities are grow- ing; Vali)araiso High School is growing and with it the ATanual Training Department — now recognized as one of the best equipi)ed, for its size, in tlie State. When established in 1!)08 by the Alumni there were two benches. Now there are eighteen with complete tool equii)ment besides two speed lathes and one power driven grindstone. A new motor driven circular saw, which has proved a great convenience in repairing old and constructing new school furniture, was added this year. Tender the guidance of Mr. Ira Si)ear this department is rapidly rising to a foremost i)lace among the leading ones of the High School and demanding that the student be educated for service. At present, although manual training is no longer a required sub- ject, there are thirty high school boys working on different pieces of furniture. The night classes were continued this year and in addi- tion there are classes on Saturday mornings. Mechanical Drawing is also taught; the first year ' s work consisting of })roblems in i)rojections, development, isometrics, and plates of lettering; in the second term the student is given a choice between Machine Drawing and Architec- tural Drafting. Some of the work done by the boys this year needs special men- tion; such as canoe building, several cedar chests and a large number of tables and chairs of varying styles. The old wooden floor which has been doubled in size since 1912 is this year being replaced by one af cement. The work is being done by the bovs of the department and constitutes the most ]n-actical problem of the whole term ' s work. C HESTER FAY. 21