West Allis High School - Wamago Yearbook (West Allis, WI)

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FRED R. BUSH LILLIAN LAWSON AUDRA rniLLirs MAUD DIXSMORE English Department THE English course of the high school is divided into three general headings. These are language, literature, and special activities. These three divisions are .so related that the aim of the English department is to organize the entire six years course to the end that it may be one united whole. The language division has to do with the cor- rect scientific structure and use of English ; litera- ture is the idealistic channel in which one b: ' - comes influenced by the thoughts and actions of thinkers; and in division three, special activities, comes the opportunity for the development of personal abilities. The language course takes in the junior h gh .school. At the end of 9A the student is prepared for an advanced course in the oral and written use of his own language. The language work is perfected in the remaining three years. . L RTHA NEPRUD A. K. PIERCE ELIZABETH .McDONALl) ALLEN BlSin 20

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HELEN MOSS ALICE iL SOX FLORENCE LIGHT Art Department ABO ' or girl must be prepared to meet life as he finds it when he has finished his edu- cation. Education must inculcate in him ideals and habits which will make him a worthy citizen. Art brings out the better part of a person. The art that is the beaut of living is an apprecia- tion and broader knowledge of art itself. Art exerts a beneficial eflfect on our physical, mental, and spiritual life by stimulating high ideals, and encouraging a more beautiful living. It is for the majority and not the minority of people, and it should enter all phases of our life. The work in design trains one to give a tan- gible and definite expression to an idea. It gives practice in ordinary arrangement, which carries over into habits and methods of correct li ing. Commercial design trains for neatness, accur- acy, concentration, originality, directness, and hu- man knowledge of emotions. The unit of art appreciation develops observa- tion, appreciation, memory, and desire to learn, knowledge of industrial processes and a more sympathetic appreciation of mankind. Our art department is adapting itself to meet the needs of the students. Our curriculum is rich in material and offers a variety of courses and activities in art. The following courses are offered with art his- tory and art appreciation parallel to all courses. Course I. Fine and Applied Arts — 5 semes- ters. Course II. Commercial Art — I- semesters. Course III. Craft — 4 semesters. Course IV. Costume Design — 2 semesters. Course v. House Planning and Furnishing — 2 semesters. Course ' I. Stage Craft — 1 semester. Art is an elective subject in the senior high school and students are required to devote two periods a day to it to receive a full credit. The Art classes are open to all students. Ex- ceptional talent is not required, only a desire and willingness to learn. Aside from regular class work the students participate in other work such as posters for school activities, stage settings, decorations for school events, and illustrations for the IFamago. The art department is helping the art stu- dents to become skilled in the technical side and is forming a background for better living. 19

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VIRGINIA WHEELER JUIIX E. NVE -MRS. IDA DOERFER Literature is taken up in the junior high school and the first semester of the senior high school, while the first two years of the senior high school are al;o devoted to special activities relating to general language and literature. During lOA the emphasis is placed on an ap- preciation of newspaper and magazine work. The latter half of lOA is devoted to biography and essay. In 11 B the special fields are poetry, the novel, and the short story. 11 A is the period of drill on systematic and scientific research into problems that present themselves, debate and formal discussion. This is a period devoted to how to study. The twelfth ear is the climax of the course. The general theme is the literature of England and America paralleled by the political, social. and cultural histories of the English sp: aking race. There is a public speaking program calling for training and activity in the subject one da each week during the senior high school. junior High students recei e librar - instruc- tion one week in each semester. 1 he English department is one of the most efficient departments for its field of study is a aried one and interesting. Since English is a college requirement, and also a high school requirement, all pupils are actively engaged in the work. A most interesting part of the English work is the public speaking period once a week, con- ducted by Mr. John E. Nye. This training is one of exceptional worthiness, for it gives to the inipil a lesson on self ex pression. This training leads also to a dramatic part of forensic work. Journalism is also a well liked field, for it brings the pupils in close connection with the newspaper and e er day happenings. From this work pupils learn how papers are edited and how news is gathered, and the working of a news- paper ofiice and print shop. Trips are also taken to large ne spaper firms. 21