West High School - Chieftain Yearbook (Torrance, CA)

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K.. -x- 4' Absorbed in her studies, sophomore Debbie Kawamura care- fully takes notes. With confidence, junior Laura Schlom smiles in delivering her speech in Spanish. Q. Yelling out the correct translation, sophomore Eric Hendrick- son helps his classmates Eric Chen and Kent Yamachi in Latin. A1 wwwtite, ww. gamma, Ku Datum FV! 2313 I Fill! IF! Pl Fl! IFE 37-F 99

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LINI ING 'ezefzt wozlda s a loud sigh is heard from the German students re- ceiving their tests, a frantic look clouds over a Spanish student about to make a speech two doors domm. Up on the second floor, the French students listen intently to the lecture on the difference between passe compose and imparfait. Next period Latin students mutilate the language as they conjugate verbs. ln every room, colorful decora- tions such as pihatas, foreign language Christmas cards, and posters portray the countries and cultures represented by the different languages. These are some of the scenes observed in our Foreign Language Department. Each language -- German, Latin, French, and Spanish - was offered in various levels start- ing from beginning to advanced. Although the number of students enrolled at West is declining each year, more and more students are taking foreign languages. i'This is due to the realization of the importance of communication, ex- plained department chairperson Joan Buck, i'Many univer- sities are now more into foreign languages. Despite the overall positive comments about the department, actions were not taken to support it financially. lt would be so nice if we could get video tapes and films in addition to books in order to expose students to more than one person speak- ing, says Buck, 'ibut generally, the communication skills have greatly improved over several years. With a student's point of view, junior Aimee Wang reflects on the advantages of taking a foreign language. You don't have to speak English all day, but seriously, foreign lan- guage is not only language but culture. Junior Cindy Sato summed it up with Foreign language creates a link be- tween us and a country that was foreign and distant. Copy and Layout by Masayo Omori Photos by Jim Tatosian, Li-Chen Lin Reviewing the complex passe simple, Joan Buck emphasizes certain irregular verbs. 9 Assisting senior Alina Slamar, George liopecky looks over the Ger- man text. 98 HBH!-ll-.ixl li'HXlI-.!li'iI-.I- ll, X sill' r X as xx WW X ss XF Nssm is X is ci - ' V fx' ,,,Q5Q, N,.a..., Ah,.MLzi13?: 3311? x. 1 i

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'-'fmaz fzzaamt' urrent events . current events ah, here we go, Black Monday. That was when the stock market crashed and burned, dropping our dollar to a major- ity low value. Wait! That happened in the 1950's too! That was how the depression set in on America. Wow! l guess history really does repeat itself. This solemn day and other such biggies written up in newspapers and magazines were some of the challenging affairs discussed in the social studies classes of this past year. The facts ofthe present , said history teacher Herb Richey, 'iare just as important as researching the past in the world ofhistory. This is where the teachers' originality of instructions come into play. Just as students aquired new knowledge, the social studies teachers gained new and improved ideas at workshops held throughout the year, each session lasting one to five days. Techniques varied and varied greatly. Most social studies teachers as- signed worksheets and lectured for students to take notes. Michael Palazzo assigned his students essay work which gave them good use of the text book. ln his economics class, Dan McC1ee had the seniors create their own busi- ness in which they chose a name, applied for loans with the banker of the class, and figured out costs for utilities, sup- plies, etc. Economics was the only history class that did not assign a term paper at the end of the semester. For this reason, many seniors took government first and finished the term paper in order to enjoy the rest of the year hastle and worry free. uThere is little room for change in the department, stated Richey, 'But a future goal of ours would be to have four years of social studies instead ofjust three. When asked how students would feel about such requirements, sophomore Amy Wilson responded, Having one more his- tory class would use up elective time and put on more pressure. Presently, however, no action has been taken by the department to put it's goal into effect. Considering the social studies requirements at West, this goal might be met by some very frustrated sophomores willing to oppose a fourth year ofhistory. Looking back, students and teachers alike felt the pressure and stress of the limited time in which they had to look at both the past and present in the world of history. Copy and Layout by Susan Pearson Photos by Tom Sherman g Shutfling down the steps of Building three, students rush to their next class. 47 Catching up on world events, senior Leah Bugge loses herself in the latest issue of Time Magazine. -Qsharing his knowledge, Terence McMurray lectures to his fourth period U.S. history class. 'Q Disturbed by the photographer, juniors Ken Faulkner, Kelly Jones, l-Hung Chiang, and Mike Juvet turn from their study group to have a look. 100 'E.lfllflFll, '5Tl,llflllE'E. - si X. 3 www. .Q-,. l