West Springfield High School - Terrier Yearbook (West Springfield, MA)

Page 22 text:

Fostering Creative Talent The capable hands of Mrs. Edith Rice, art instructor, have inspired many of her students with new ideas and tech- niques of art. The students of art learn the background of many great masters, as well as the philosophy of art and how to apply it to their own work. Mrs. Rice has also helped to develop the talents of her students with lessons in drawing, lettering, painting, and sculp- turing. Here the creative hands of Mrs. Rice show Deanne Suzor some points on the formation of the sculpture they are admiring. I8 Mr. Donald Ab-be, as director of the band, has brought many honors and much acclaim to our high school. Now that band is a regularly scheduled class, there is time for the members to de- velop their skills and prepare a more difficult and varied program. This pro- ficiency is shown in the annual Pops Concert as well as in the interesting half-time appearances at fall footb-all games. Miss Ruth Phelps, choral director, has devoted much of heir time preparing for the concerts which are presented by the mixed chorus and the Maolrigal. Aside 'fiom directing our high school groups, she is the musical director for our entire school system, therefore, she spends much of her time helping the students in other schools with their musical education. Here, Miss Phelps gives Marilyn Andrews, choral accom- uanist, some tips on playing for one of many concerts during the year,

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Developing Physical Fitness The Boys' Physical Education program provides the chance for students to build Themselves physically, as well as to devel- op a competitive spirit. In physical edu- cation, individual instruction is offered in gymnastics and wrestling, as well as team efforts in soccer, basketball, and volley- ball. Participation in these activities has been found very beneficial to the stu- dents. At the right Mr. William Jones and Mr. Kenneth Kindig help Tom Flach, as he attempts a new stunt on the rings. No, the desks are not missing: this is iust the way the girls take their physical education exams. The girls sprawl in varied po- sitions on the floor, while Miss Harding, Mrs. Venick, and Prisilla Blew, a member of the Leaders' Club, officiate. Under the supervision of Mr. Kenneth Kindig, our boys make a gallant attempt to meet the standards of the Marine Physical Fitness Tests. Although the tests themselves are strenuous, each boy will agree that the after-effects are much worse. Girls' Physical Education. classes play an important part in the physical fitness and grooming of each girl. The rnodern equipment enables every girl at West Springfield High School to exercise and keep fit. Sports such as volleyball, bas- ketball, soccer, and field hockey, along with many others played in class, help each girl to develop good sportsmanship asgwell as good co-ordination. Miss Lorraine Harding, left, and Mrs. Harriet Vinick, right, acquaint Miss Elizabeth Holey with the girls' basketball schedule. As of January, Miss Holey joined the teaching staff, replacing Mrs. Vinick.

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Serving in a Variety of Ways A special feature of our school is its library of some 6,000 volumes, especially designed to fit the needs of young people of today. Our school librarian, Miss Alice Burkhardt, is familiar to all students at West Springfield High School. Miss Burkhardt's primary aim is to acquaint the students with the fa- cilities offered by the library so that they may be able to do research more easily. Two student librarians, Robert Green and Nancy Haskins, are shown learning the fundamentals of how a li- brary is organized and operated. A fully accredited driver education pro- gram is available as an elective to qualified students at West Springfield High School. Principles of good driving, road safety, and road courtesy are taught as well as actual behind-the- wheel driver training. Mr. James Erick- son, driver education teacher, is iustly proud of the record of those who have received their licenses under his direc- tion, and of his contribution to the safe- ty of the community. Here, Mr. Erickson prepares to go out on the road with Linda Webb at the wheel of the driver education car. Our school is fortunate to have the full time services of a nurse, Miss Ger- trude Bradley, who is always available and willing to help students in need of medical attention. Under her guid- ance, sight and hearing tests are given, physical examinations are conducted, and special services such as TB tests and polio vaccine programs are of- 'erecl to students. me-ne 'RL