VOL. IV, NO. 11

April 5, 1963

Home Ec Includes Modeling,
Child Care

Home economics today takes in more areas of study than most people realize. The field extends all the way from learning to care for children to modeling experience.

The sewing classes make clothes for the Red Cross during the second semester. Highlighting the year for many students in clothing is the annual fashion show which will be presented May 24. Linda Gyssler '64, Marilyn Michals '65, and Joy Miller '65, were recently chosen at a Simplicity fashion show to model at a meeting of the Chicago area teachers at the Sheridan hotel.

"Keeping in mind the needs of students, the department is now offering a new course, Clothing III, which gives students the opportunity to express themselves through their own creations," explained Mrs. Lucille Stiles, chairman of the department.

Typifying the practicality of the home economics courses is the family living class. Students taking this course are given the opportunity to conduct a nursery for 24 pre-school-age youngsters during the first two weeks in May.

From the past nurseries conducted, Mrs. Stiles feels that the students in the family living classes have a fine opportunity to learn valuable childcare techniques.

Field Trips Important

A trip to the Merchandise Mart in Chicago to study the furniture styles and electrical devices is usually conducted every year. Students are given opportunities to enter contests such as the Cherry pie baking contest, and to compete for the Betty Crocker award. Betty Riska '66, was the winner of the pie contest at West and went on to win other honors in a contest with 20 other schools. Patti Powers '63, was the recent winner in the food test.

Graduates Enter Field

High school home economics is primarily designed to prepare the students for better living. Many students, however, go on to college to major in this field so they may enter it as a profession.

Mrs. Stiles mentioned that quite a number of colleges are designed to offer excellent courses in home economics. Almost any of the land grant colleges have good facilities. Two outstanding colleges are the University of Illinois and Purdue. Making Purdue doubly attractive for the girls is the fact that the enrollment of the boys far outnumbers that of the girls.

Speakers Named

Speakers in the clothing classes this year were Mr. George Blanas, chairman of the art department; Miss Lois Wenger, educational stylist; and Mrs. Helen Haave, educational consultant. In home management were Mr. G. R. Wilson, from the First National Bank of Des Plaines; and Mr. Ralph Martin, realtor, Des Plaines. For the food classes were Miss Lois Gable, home economist; Miss Ruth Rasmussen, home economist; Mr. Patrick McKillen, Wearever Aluminum company; and Mr. A. B. Bellacera, representative of Cutco.

Speaking for the family living classes were Mr. Alfred Cochrane, college counselor; Mr. Gerald Concidine, diversified education and work experience program; Mr. John Brownlee, director northwest division Illinois employment service; Mr. Lori Frank, speech therapist; Mr. Ralph Caprio, counselor; Mr. Eric Edstrom, social studies teacher; Officer Herbert Volberding, juvenile officer; Officer Bernard Brown, Chicago Police department, narcotics division; Mr. Morgan Cashin, narcotics; Rabbi Lawrence Charney, Morton Grove; Father Farrigan, Des Plaines; Reverend Ernest Grant, Des Plaines; Reverend Gyomay Kuhose, Chicago; and Dr. Thaddeus Zelowski, Park Ridge.