Withrow High School - Withrow Annual Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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COMMERCIAL EDUCATION HE Commercial Department of Witli- row is one of the busiest departments of the school. Although it has only four years in which to prepare students for their future work, its task is always thoroughly hnished. In those four years the student is prepared in all types of commercial work so that he is able to take advantage of any op- portunity which may come his way. In the bookkeeping part of the Commer- cial Department the different methods of keeping books are studied. Thus the com- mercial student is familiar with and can keep books for any type of business. In his nrst year the student is given a general knowledge of bookkeeping. I-Ie learns the rules and applies them by working on a simple set of books. junior accounting, which is in the course for the junior year, is another study of bookkeeping. This is a study of the funda- mentals of Cost Accounting, where all types of accounts are analyzed. junior Business Training also comes under the general heading of bookkeeping. This subject deals with the different kinds of commercial papers, how to write them, how to use them, and why they are in use. This subject and Commercial Arithmetic together make one year's work. Commercial Arith- metic quickens the students common use of arithmetic by showing him many short cuts to the answer. The student in the bookkeeping depart- ment is also made familiar with the various kinds of bookkeeping machinery. The Stenographic section of the Commer- cial Department includes all work which a stenographer must know. The students are carefully drilled until their hands can move rapidly across the stenography pad. Short- hand is begun in the second year of the com- mercial course, and is continued throughout the last three years. Typing is studied for four years. Other subjects which aid greatly with secretarial work are: filing, penmanship, office training, store service, and business correspondence. These subjects are invalu- able to one who wishes to progress in the business world. Commercial law gives the student a glimpse of the many legal entanglements which grow out of a small mistake on a commercial paper. It teaches him how to avoid these unnecessary mixups. The pupil is also taught how to make contracts, notes, drafts, etc. Students in the Commercial Department have three opportunities to work in the main office of Witlirow, once during their junior year, and twice during the senior year. This opportunity enables them to practice the work they will do in a business office. They have an opportunity to operate the switch-board, meet with visitors, and type letters for the school. After completing the work of the Com- mercial Department in Witlirow, a student may continue the work in college. For one who has completed the work in this depart- ment and who has not shirked, there are un- limited opportunities after graduation. A commercial course starts the young man or young, woman on the right road to success. MARGARET B. TAYLOR.

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THE SCIENCES W 44 O bring about a definite conclusive understanding of the prime funda- mentals of the natural sciences. This state- ment might well be taken as the goal toward which the scientific department at Witlirow is continually striving. This group of sub- jects which includes chemistry, physics, mathematics, botany, zoology, physiology and general science has, with the exception of English, a larger number of students pur- suing it than any other in the curriculum. It covers completely the ever-broadening field of scientific knowledge and presents suf- ficient well-rounded fundamentals to give an excellent start in any scientific field. At Wfithrow this department is fortunate enough to be the proud possessor of some of the finest equipment. The chemistry divi- sion has three lecture rooms and three com- pletely equipped laboratories. The general science classes possess three modern combi- nation laboratory and lecture rooms, while the other groups possess equally ample and excellent equipment. Add to this fine equip- ment the fact that the work is directed by, and under the careful supervision of, skilled and competent instructors and it is no won- der that some fine scientific workers have gone from Withrow. From the time a student takes his first freshman science lesson until his senior year, his knowledge of science work is piling up and accumulating, whether he takes just two courses necessary for graduation or covers the field completely. In the mathematics group four years of real mechanical background for any science are offered. This includes three phases of algebra, plane a n d s o l i d geometry, and trigonometry. In addition to being a com- plete course in itself, this group presents a real means of attacking the problems .- . ml'-'l '2+'9: which arrive in WHKWU later scientific work, particularly physics and chemistry. In addition to mathematics there are three other options, general science, bot- any, and zoology. If he chooses general science, he is providing an excellent background for his junior and senior physics and chemistry. If he chooses botany or zoology he provides a means for an easier course in his sophomore physiology. Turning from the first two years it can be seen that the sciences of the last two, chemistry and physics, go hand in hand. Either can be studied independent of the other, but both interlock in numerous ways. Thus it is obvious that the scientific de- partment is like a huge chain in which each link fits perfectly into its mate. Yet it is an unusual chain in that it permits the removal of any one link without injury to the parts of the whole. Such a chain is well nigh perfect and just such a chain is the scientific department which provides, through careful selection, a thorough fundamental scientific background which is being stressed at pres- ent as a real asset in both cultural and com- mercial education. BOB BUTLER.

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION HYSICAL EDUCATION at Witlirow has as its purpose, both in the boys' and girls' departments, the advancement and building of a more sturdy and finished body. Witlm this view in mind the instructors have, with the excellent facilities available, planned a most helpful and thoroughly en- joyable program of work. In both gyms two periods of work each week are required of every student. In both groups this work is given in the nature of competitive and corrective exercise. This work is divided into two periods. In the first two years the gym work is almost entirely instructive. During this period the student learns how to acquire grace and ease both on the Hoor and apparatus. The last two years are spent in the acquisition of pro- ficiency in the many sports in which the stu- dent may participate. In addition to its ob- vious value to the student, this work has often been helpful to the department, for many a real athlete has been discovered in this manner. One period of swimming each week is also required of boys, and the plan and result of the work in the natatorium is almost the same as that in the gym classes. Swimming after school, under competent instruction, has been one of the more popular of extra- curricular activities in the past few years. Before taking any physical education work physical examinations are given, and special help is offered to those who need it. In the girls' gym additional interest is created by competition in such group games as hockey, basketball, track, swimming, volley-ball, and kickball. In this work native ability is polished up, and the competition teaches the girls the essence of good sports- manship and fair play. Probably the greatest drawing card of the girls' gym is the Girls' Athletic Association. This group encourages girls to shoulder re- sponsibility so that they may become capable and efficient leaders. It also offers the op- portunity for a girl to win her all-round W, the acme of athletic achievement for girls at Witlmrow. The chief outside interest of the boys' de- partment is the sponsoring of the school teams which compete against other high schools of the city and state in well-planned and well-organized schedules. Deserving members of these teams are awarded a NW in their respective sport. This is a most cherished honor. In addition to the regular gym classes and interscholastic teams, the boys' gym sponsors intramural athletics. This type of work offers opportunities to boys who, because of weight or other handicaps, are unable to gain a position on the squad. Remarkable team and group spirit has grown up in this type of game, and suitable rewards to the winners has added zest to the competition. So it may be seen that at Wfithrow the physical education work is not narrowed to any small group or groups, but is far reach- ing and comprehensive in its scope. This obviously should be the purpose of the physical education work in any school. NANCY GORDON. BOB BUTLER.