West High School - EOS Yearbook (Aurora, IL)

Page 22 text:

CAFETERIA SERVICE, MECIIANICAI, DRAVVING, AND COMMERCIAL ART CONTRIBUTE TO VOCATIONAL TRAINING SO YOU WANT A JOB In the past we have thought of getting an education and earning a living as two separate activities, hut they should not he very different from each other. lVhile a hoy or girl is acquiring an education, he should he doing things that are closely related to the things he will have to do when he is earning a living. The sooner a student hegins to do something, the sooner he hecomes master of the environment in which he lives. livery hoy and girl should learn to do something well enough to earn a sufficient living. Very often students with good academic records and a keen interest in activities outside of school find themselves nonplussed as to just what line of work to pursue after graduation. As a result of vocational studies, however, confidence in one's ability, self respect, pride in accomplishment, and an opportunity to find the one line of xvorlc we wish to develop is opened to us. Here at VVest High four vocational courses are offered-huilding trades, cafeteria service, commercial art, and vocational printing. Prohahly the most popular of all of these courses is huilding trades. lXIr. Koyl is the instructor of machine, mechan- ical, and architectural drafting. hlr. Tilly instructs welding, electrical work, wood

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VVORRING IN THE SUPPLY STORE, TYPING, AND ACCOUNTING ARE A PART UF THIS CURRICULUM Upon entering the third year of the commercial course, work begins in earnest. Now that the rudiments of the course have been mastered, the refining and polishing of each accomplishment is begun. It is with a feeling of real confidence that the student begins this stage of his development. At the junior level, one-half year of business English, taught by Nliss Lane: shorthand, taught by lylr. Peterson: and typing, taught by lVIiss Fruin, constitute the necessary requirements. The electives- accounting, salesmanship, and law, instructed by hdr. Peterson and lVIr. Laflin- are ofTered as optional credits. A peek into the typing or shorthand room reveals classes of intensely interested students, each conscientiously filling every moment to the fullest. During their senior year, the advanced students receive firsthand experience in putting into practice their acquired business knowledge and skill. The office practice class, under the expert supervision of lVIr. Laflin, is the final step in the progress of the commercial students, familiarizing them with office routine and etiquette. Also included in this year's work is advanced shorthand instructed by lVliss Thompson. High school is one of the most reliable sources of commercial training. Perhaps most necessary of all attributes is a wide variety of business experience. Accordingly, many commercial students, aside from their required work, assume various miscellaneous duties around school. Most important of these is management of the book store under the supervision of lVIr. Peterson. This is the short cut to success-the rocky road perhaps-but always leading up to a definite goal.

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VI UDENTS AT VVEST HIGH LEARN PRINTING, NVELDINU, AND BUILDING TRADES AS VOC XTIONS work, and forging. All of these subjects are taught with the aid of the latest type of equipment for the work. Constructive toy printing presses create an early desire for further knowledge along that line. The printing course at VVest High offers an opportunity to further this desire and is most successfully taught by lWr. Gee. The proof of the pudding is the Red and Blue, printed by this class in a professional manner. The cafeteria course, instructed by llfliss Suino, has increased in popularity each succeeding year. Cafeteria and lunch room service and management are taught. That their theories and principles are tested and successfully put into practice is proved by the efficient management and delicious food served in the cafeteria. Here the class prepares and serves food to approximately 275 students daily. YVest Aurora was the first high school in Illinois to offer such an extensive course in this subject. Commercial art offers a field of almost unlimited scope. It is not necessary for one to be a Rembrandt to qualify for this course. A natural desire plus a fairly good talent is sufficient for Miss Sauer to produce a graduate ready to command his place in the commercial art field. To the boys and girls not academically inclined the vocational course above becomes a land of promise and attainment. VVork accomplished by the heart and hand is the solution to the problems of failures in life. To do with a will is to do well.