“Now Henrietta, sit still while we go through these
choices. I know you’re excited and so am
I, but we must get down to business here.
Let’s see, the Course of Studies list they sent from Notre Dame Academy
presents so many considerations. First
we must decide which program you’ll get into: the Scientific, or General, or Commercial Program. Your father thinks you should go into the
Commercial, but I like the idea of the Scientific. It’s college preparatory, you know, and wouldn’t
it be wonderful if you would go to college.
You always talk about being a teacher, although your father would like
for you to work your way into his business.
Your brother disappointed him by choosing the military. But you, Henrietta, would be the first girl
in the family on either side to go to college.
Let’s just examine what the four year requirements are for the
Scientific Program and talk your father into it bye and bye.
“First year: Religion, English, Mathematics, Latin (good for
nursing), Physical Training, and an elective of History, Science or Music. You’re good in arithmetic, so the Mathematics
shouldn’t give you any problem.
Second year: the same four required: English, etc. and the
electives have language choices along with History, Biology (that would be good
for nursing, too), and Music. Too bad
you can take only one elective.
Third year: The required now include Chemistry instead of
Mathematics, and you can choose three electives! The languages are Latin moved from the
required, Spanish, French, German, Mathematics, History, and Music. They certainly feel strongly about those last
three. I guess they hope all the girls
will get Music at some point.
Fourth year: Oh my, Physics, dear. They require Physics along with American History,
Civics, and Physical Training. They seem
to be determined to keep you in shape.
Let’s see: the electives include Advanced Chemistry along with the
languages and Music. You may take three
electives, but imagine taking two sciences at the same time. Yes, I suppose you will want the
Chemistry. But, dear, Advanced
along with Physics? Well I’m sure you
can, Henrietta, but you’ll have to work hard.
“Now to convince your father that this will be the best way
for you to go. He was so impressed when
your cousin Lydia took the Commercial Program and then got a good job at the
Big Four Rail Road office over on Central Ave. and Pearl St. But we will work on him with all the good
arguments we can come up with, and Henrietta, we’ll pray to Mother Mary who will
certainly pull us through. How wonderful
to have a nurse in the family!”
Now Henrietta is fictional, but if you really want to know
what the graduates of the Scientific Program (and the rest of the high school)
really looked like, here they are. No
problem in seating their families at the ceremony.
