West High School - Cat Log Yearbook (Bremerton, WA)

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Larry Hall and Claudia Hegdahl examine an experimental animal used in the Science Department. West's Science Department offers a wide choice of courses- including general science biology, botany, Zoology, chemistry, and physics General science is offered to Those who do not plan to go on To college and are interested in studying about a variety of scientific topics. Botany, The study of plants, zoology, The study of animals, and biology, which deals with both of These subiects, are given for Those who are interested in learning about The origin development, structure, and functions of plants and animals. To teach the functions and characteristics of physical things, such as light and sound, is the primary purpose of physics. The chemical composition of substances is taught in chemistry classes. This includes studying elements and their atomic structures. Both physics and chem istry offer ample opportunity for students to practice what They learn from books by frequent laboratory experiments. This program has a two-fold purpose First, college-bound students can benefit a great deal from- adequate high school preparation Secondly, students who do not plan to contin ue their formal education beyond high school graduation can profit greatly by gaining a bet- fer understanding of themselves and The world 'n which they live. All of these Things, we feel will lead us to a better, happier, and fuller life SCIENCE AND LANGUAGES WIDEN OUR KNOWLEDGE In keeping with the national trend, West High students are becoming tremendously in- terested in foreign languages. Diplomat, inter- preter, international relations, all of these re- quire knowledge ofa foreign language. As our world grows smaller it is becoming important for people To be bilinual. The foreign language department has had two maior projects this year. These were the foreign language banquet and the Pan Ameri- can assembly. At the banquet foods were ser- ved from each country represented. Entertain- ment was provided by each club. The Pan American assembly in April was the highlight of Pan American Week. Featured at this assem- bly were four princesses from the language clubs and The queen from the Spanish club. Teaching methods are directed toward oral use of the language so that fluency in speech is acquired along with reading and writing. Language laboratories greatly increase the speak ing abilities of the language students. The language department was ioined this year by Dr. llsa Ziercke. She is an exchange teacher from Germany and has proved to be an asset to West High, 8 .if Dr. Ziercke, our exchange teacher, instructs her class In her native tongue, German.

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The Social Studies Department is one of the largest departments in West. Three years of social studies are required for graduation. Fresh- men take one semester of Washington State history and one semester of geography and civics. Juniors take United States history, while seniors have one semester of government and one sem- ester of world affairs. Also offered is social living. In each of the social studies courses, teachers try to give the students information about what is going on at the present time, and hovv history, science, and industry have contributed to our civ- ilization. In October, the second annual model United Nations Assembly was held. Bob Efird presided as Secretary General of the assembly. Juniors and seniors took part and debated three aues- tions of vvorld problems that were in front of the United Nations. On the second and third of April, a model Congress was held with students from both East and West participating. Terry Linkletter was el- ected by the Congress as Speaker of the House. The students wrote the bills that were introduced and formed the committees that passed them. On the floor, the bills were debated and voted upon. This model Congress proved to be a profit- able experience for those who participated. They learned the Mins and outs of passing bills and how the legislative branch of government really works. ln April, the model Congress stimulated students interest in our government. SOCIAL STUDIES AND MATH COURSES OUTSTANDING A Mathematics Department must provide the mathematical tools needed in everyday liv- ing. General and business mathematics are de- signed to achieve this goal. Second, it must provide a foundation for those who will be taking mathematics and science in college. Courses in algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, trigonometry, and math analysis are among those math courses offered. Well quali- fied teachers prepare these students for college and provide good, basic foundation for the' practical uses of mathematics. Again this year, West won the mathematics trohpy, which it has won five years in a row. Terry Linkletter, Duane Fickeisen, and Michael George were the winners of the annual math contest between East and West Polar co-orclinate graphing is one of the many in- teresting concepts taught in Mathematics Analysis. 7

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ART-CREATIVE ABILITY, Art developes a student's creative abilities. A well disciplined body has a well dis- ciplined mind. With this in mind the Physical Education Department tries to develop the body through physical fitness exercises and skills. Fourteen physical fitness tests are taken by the boys in P.E. The fifty yard dash, the mile run, the half mile run, sit-ups, and free exer- cises are included in these tests. Sophomores also take a standard first aid course the second and third quarters along with two quarters of P.E. Girls' first aid includes health, the stud of physical and emotional growth. The first nine weeks, sophomore girls are offered gymnastics, free exercise, and voll-ey ball. They have tennis, archery, and softball during the fourth quarter, Freshman girls take speed ball, table tennis, and stunts in addition to the sports and games taken by the soph- omores. The boys have various sports which in- clude: football, bombardment, basketball, soft- ball, track, and wrestling. AND P.E.-PHYSICAL Projects and assignments of the West High Art department this year have put emphasis on the relationship of art to everyday needs, with special attention given to making the student aware of the aesthetic possibilities of his surroundings. ln basic art, the main obiective is creativ- ity, but appreciation and experimentation are stressed, A student learns the balancing and mixing of colors, basic design and sketching. They also work with paper constructions-mo- biles, cut paper sculpture, and mask making. Other proiects are mural painting and wire sculpture. A course in oil painting, and three dimen- sions is offered to advanced students. They are able to display their talents and abilities in the field of art by placing their proiects in display cases in the main building. Procedures usecl at West attempt to stimu- late the imagination and mature the student mentally as well as aesthetically. Sophomore First-Aid classes learn how to save lives on Resuci-Ann. 9