West High School - Chieftain Yearbook (Torrance, CA)

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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

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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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