Western High School - Westerner Yearbook (Washington, DC)

Page 13 text:

SPEAKING of the schools of Virginia in l82l, Thomas efferson said, Let us keep our eyes steadily on the whole system. This philosophy of an educa- tional system is just as sound for NVestern today, as it was for the Commonwealth of Virginia one-hun- dred and thirty-one years ago. So, in the development of a well-rouncled in- dividual, let us keep our eyes steadily on the whole system. In so doing, we must examine many facets in our educational program: the adequacy of the physical plant, the quality of the instruction, the breadth of the curriculum, and the opportunity provided for the development of good citizenship. The many extra-curricular activities in the school program are built upon the broad principle that the school is a laboratory for citizenship in the preparation of a student for membership in a democracy. In a well integrated program, the cur- ricular and the extra-curricular activities are mu- tually complementary so that there is a reciprocal relationship between the program and the product. The success with which XfVestern achieves these MR- ROBERT 5- A-ANDERSON objectives rests with its graduates in the challenge 45S'5f f P WPal democracy poses for promoting a world citizen- ship worthy of its heritage. ROBERT ,ANDERSON As ANOTHER school year comes to a close, our thoughts will inevitably turn to the events of this year, and we welcome the record, in pictures and in words, which the X'VEST1iRN1iR provides for us. For each YVestern group such a retrospect will recall individual experiences, memories of happy occasions and of some perhaps less happy, which are their own unique heritage. There is the first school dance, and others which followedg the football games and cadet drillsg the friendships formed and good times shared, the accomplishments and even the failures. All these and more were indelibly written in the hearts of each VVestern studentg but in the years to come the record in the X'VEsTERNER will make them. come alive again, the men and women of tomorrow review the activities of the school year l95l-1952. For you who are students at YVestern High School, the YVESTERNER, in years to come, will lead you back to these happy student days when the YVestern-Roosevelt basketball game was a thrilling experience, or when the judges' decision on the Competitive Drill Field held everyone spell- bound for what seemed an interminably long time. It may recall for you classroom experiences and the wide range of opportunities offered to you there. It may remind you that it was at Wlestern you learned to show good sportsmanship in the face of victory or defeat, and received the guidance and encouragement which helped you build fine char- acters in your mature years. As the Editors of this volume have so well expresed it in the Foreward, it may remind you of the acomplishments and the experiences, small and large, which will always be a part of you. As you enjoy the Present, perhaps you could more surely guarantee an even greater enjoyment in the Future, if you would strive to make all of Today's activities something to be proud to look back upon Tomorrow. IRENE RICE MISS IRIQNE RICE, flssislzull Princijml

Page 12 text:

TO THE GRADUATES OF 1952 YOUR X'VESTIiRNER staff has asked me to write a few paragraphs on the topic, How Vtfestern Contributes to the Making of the Mfell- Rounded Individual, which is, I understand, the general theme of the 1952 edition. This, it seems to me, should not be very dif- ficult. Let us start by look- ing at the school's basic educational philosophy. You have studied, I am sure, about The Human- ities and how, during the Renaissance,theI-Iumanists revived the ancient learn- - l ings, embellished them, 1 preserved them, and passed I them down to modern H V Q V V A tilncgi chu. Colleges accept- NAlHANIl'.L A. IlAlNOHSlxY, PTlII!'1f1Ill ed them, included them in their curriculums, and de- manded from the preparatory school graduates a basic knowledge of the fundamentals so that they could make an easy transition from the lower school to the university level. About this time, between hfty and seventy-five years ago, the standard, four-year, secondary school course was developed. lt contained the study of onc's native tongue, foreign languages, science, history, and mathematics. XVestern accepted this philosophy upon its founding sixty-two years ago, and through the long years of its illustrious history, has held to the premise that the doctrine is sound and that it contributes to the well-rounded individual. Through the intervening years, however, the school has added many possible electives-art, music, mechanical drawing, speech, military train- ing, physical education, home nursing, printing, sewing, and cooking. Despite this moderniza- tion, Western has always emphasized strongly its academic training and recommended only a judicious mixture of the newer subjects. ' Regardless of how short such a write-up must necessarily be, it cannot be complete without some mention of extra-curricular activities. No conscientious and ambitious student should be without some training in the democratic self-government that is given in these eminently worth- while, school-sponsored organizations. To overlook this field offerings is to be like a prospector who fails to Hnd the nuggets about him because he is always looking beyond the hills, or at the far horizon, for the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yes, the well-rounded indi- vidual will have some experience in the various student clubs where a trained Faculty Adviser is always ready to help, counsel, and direct the thinking of the group. This, the school's doctrine and philosophy, we believe is sound. About thirty-five per cent of you will enter some kind of gainful employment immediately after graduation. Approxi- mately sixty-Hve per cent will enroll in colleges or other institutions of higher learning. That you are well-grounded in the fundamentals of learning, and well-rounded as individuals, will be attested by your success. Fortuitous events also will help. But wherever you go, the Spirit of YN'estern will follow you, will be proud of you, will welcome you back. Hitch your wagon to the Stars! Some one has said, 'Alt is better to experience high failure than low successf, Do not, there- fore, ....... lose 1116 good you of! nziglif win, By fearing lo nflcfnptf Sincerely yours, NAT'HANlEL A. Daxowskv

Page 14 text:

FCLTY Mrs. Agnes T. Beckwith Mrs. Marine Bissonette Mr. Russell B. Coover Mrs. Olive S. Daniel Miss Margaret Dorsey Miss Katherine Harrington Englirh Home Eccirzonilti Matlaenmlici Secretary Englirb Malbemalicr J Tins YICAR XVestern's Faculty, both the old and new members, have contributed imineasurably to the development ol' the well-rounded XVestern student. The student body has been aware of their everpresent inlluence both in the classroom and in outside activities. i Never let it be said that XVestern's teachers are not right up to date in their courses. Mr. Struble, science teacher, has exemplified this fact. In order that he might be well versed on the latest developments in his field, he spent last summer attending Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology on a science lellowship. ln the Cadet Corps, the new military instructor, Lieutenant Hayes, has seen military service since lflfll. He spent two years in France, Belgium, and Germany. This year, Lt. Hayes succeeded in almost doubling the corps enrollment, which had been dropping steadily in recent years. A number ol' new courses were added this yearg among them is a records class, ably taught by Miss Nell Bass, and driver's training, under the direction of Mr. Milton Sarris, a new member ol ol' our laculty, who has played a great part in impressing upon our students the importance ol sale driving. Dr. Maud lNIcl'herson, who retired last June. wrote us that she was enjoying the summer visiting missions, art colonies, and colleges in the XVest. She returned to Waslringtcmii during the lirst semester and visited X'Vestern at Christmas. 4 xl 'X l fr- i its . 4. 17A f - f , Q-X, an c . Lt. Robert T. Hayes Miss Muriel N. Hoover Mrs, Cecelia N. Jewell Miss Margaret jordan Mr. Harold H. Kirk Miss Elizabeth J. Law Military Science Social Slfidier Social Srndier Librarian Printing Home Economic! .cci . . 5 iytett q 2 'fe' f,,.t V 3 - A ' tx if L ift ' 'l f iv Q 'iil ' i'. 1 Mr. H. F. Lehr Miss Marion Magruder Miss Margaret Metzeroth Mr. Clifton R. Moore Miss Maria Neuffer Mr. Harmon Nicoclemus Pbyxitrzl Edncalion Connrelor Social Sllrdief Pbyrirul Education , En 11,7 Mffyig 10 Tflwww