West Lafayette High School - Scarlet and Gray Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

Page 18 text:

The English Department Stimulates Interest Stella Lam demonstrates chopsticks, a familiar object to her, That certainly is a good cutline, remarks a student in jour- as diversified knowledge is helpful in speech class. nalism class. Freshman English students quickly learn that the spoken word is just as important as the written word. -14-

Page 17 text:

ACADEMICS Above anything else, a school can be strong only if the academics provide a firm foundation. The fac- ulty and academic structure of West Side are certain- ly of superior quality, and this eminence helps to pre- pare its students for the upcoming challenges of col- lege and life. Although many schools emphasize ath- letics and activities, academics take precedence at West Side. However, athletics and activities are ad- ded to the basic structure of academics to provide an equilibrium which leads to a better balanced student. Many of the challenges of school life are found in aca- demic classes: the philosophy of Socrates, advanced math courses, mechanical drawing, shop, and varied science courses. Basically, the program is constructed about the college-bound student. This academic pro- gram is the first vital step in leaidng the student to- ward meeting . . . 13-

Page 19 text:

In Dramatics, Speech, And Language Skills Janet Pickett shows a newspaper from the time of Silas Marner. It is no news to Tom Butz that until is a conjunction. The students' accumulation of knowledge of communication is the goal of our English depart- ment. Freshman English, the start of a four year requirement, was taught by Miss Sandra Johnson and Mr. Richard Trent. Students were taught the fundamentals of English the first semester. Great Expectations and Shakespeare were studied in the second semester course. Concentration was placed on themes during the sophomore and junior years by Mrs. Carolyn McClintock, Mrs. Elizabeth Leer, and Mr. Richard Trent. Mrs. Leer organized a new course teach- ing Plato as well as other philosophers to an ac- celerated group this year. Miss Ruth Sinks taught senior English lit- erature and composition. The seniors read all the way from Beowulf to modern English literature the first semester. More advanced forms of Eng- lish composition were presented the second se- mester. Although four years of English are required, students may also earn credit in journalism, speech, and dramatics. Mrs. Carolyn McClintock taught journalism, a favorite for those who like to write. Mrs. Mary Helen Kahn, the speech teacher, stressed research, organization, and out- lining as well as building the student's confidence. The importance of proper English is agreed upon by Miss Ruth Sinks, Miss Sandra Johnson. Mrs. Carolyn McClintock, Mr Rich ard Trent, Mrs. Elizabeth Leer, and Mrs. Mary Helen Kahn. 15-