Today, as students at Willow Glen High School navigate a rapidly changing educational environment, it’s easy to forget how different the school was just a few decades ago. Graduates, Brent Erkel (‘88) and Kathren DeLucchi (‘90), reflect on their time at school, shedding light on the unique courses they took and the educational experiences that shaped their high school lives.
Over the years, our school has evolved with educational trends, but many alumni still remember the unique and practical electives that were once offered. Classes like Auto Shop and Home Economics were staples of the curriculum that provided students with important hands-on experiences that are no longer offered today. Mr. Erkel recalls the classes offered during his high school days, and he remembers taking applicative courses that offered real-world skills. “I took Auto Shop and Drafting, which were both fun and incredibly useful,” Mr. Erkel explains. Auto Shop taught car repair while the Drafting class introduced students to technical design. These classes were more than just electives for Mr. Erkel; they were unforgettable experiences that gave him abilities he still values today. He shares that these classes are no longer offered, and feels that this limits students’ educational possibilities.
Alumni and current teacher at Willow Glen, Mrs. DeLucchi, shares her experience as a high school student. She recalls, “My favorite classes were Home Economics and Autobody.” Mrs. DeLucchi expands on a memorable experience from her Home Economics class, explaining how they learned “how to make a French omelet.” She also touches on the Drivers Education course that was offered to students, and how it was extremely helpful to the families that couldn’t afford Drivers Ed. Like Mr. Erkel, she wishes the classes offered when she was a student were still offered in the course selection today.
There’s no doubt that students today would love the opportunity to tackle challenges like performing oil changes and tune-ups in an Auto Shop class or honing their cooking skills in a Home Economics class. These hands-on courses offer incredibly valuable real-world skills. While many of the course offerings have remained similar to those of the 90s, it’s interesting to reflect on how much our school has evolved over the years.
