Memories from Grade 8 science

To the editor:
 Mrs. Margaret Churchill, eighth-grade General Science teacher par excellence, knew how to involve her students. She had us vote on interesting and useful topics to study for the year, albeit chosen from a list she had prepared.
    She was a member of the Christian Scientist Church on the corner of Military and High Streets and I have since wished that she could have taught us a little about Christian Science, the system of prayer-based healing She did tell us that they had no minister, that members took turns leading the congregation. When Thelma, a classmate, and I later attended a church service as part of our tour of all churches in town, we hoped she might be the leader that day, but it was not her turn.
    Of the topics we chose, I remember only three. Social Graces included etiquette, applying lipstick, and how to eat a sandwich at a party or dance without smearing one's lipstick. When two girls sat up front to apply lipstick on each other, the boys could do something else if they preferred. They watched.
    Personal Appearance included combining appropriate colors in clothing and avoiding certain combinations. Thelma recalls,, "On the last day you had to wear something that was a no-no and the class determined what it was. I wore a green bow with a blue outfit." (I wore a pink blouse with a bright red skirt.)
    Identifying Airplanes interested everyone. It was the 1945-46 school year, just after World War II had ended. Gladys, a classmate, remembers taking a test to name all the airplanes we had studied. "I got all the planes right. Maybe I was the only one." (Maybe one of two?) The B-17, B-29, C-47, DC-3, P-40, and the P-51 would have been on the test.
    Any student lucky enough to spot a plane through the windows would quickly signal Mrs. Churchill, who would verify the plane's identity. One day Sonny and David ran to the window, saying, "Mrs. Churchill, it's a B-29!) As soon as she looked up, they chimed, "April Fool!" She was a good sport and laughed with us.
    Learning to recognize airplanes might seem to be of dubious worth in life, compared to etiquette and correct color combinations. But you would be surprised at how many times I have managed to impress someone who mentions a DC-3 by saying, "Wasn't that the same as a C-47?" Why, only yesterday a friend said that he had flown home from Korea in a DC-3. I had to say, "Oh, really? Wasn't that plane …" As always, I silently thanked Mrs. Churchill.
Byrna Porter Weir
Rochester, N.Y.