Assumption High School - Assumption Yearbook (Davenport, IA)

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Students Discover Another Math Use by Pat Swails Some students at Assumption are finding their arithmetic skill a blessing this year as they begin adding up their demerits. This newest in disciplinary action at AHS is the age-old Demerit System. Number of demerits varies with the of- fense. For instance, a lack of neatness in prepared work would net a student two demerits; while willful destruction or defacement of property earns 30. The number of demerits doubles with each entry of the same item by any teacher. Any student with 10 or more demerits must have a conference with his or her homeroom teacher. Other penalties will be administered in the process of accumulating demerits; ex- tracurricular activities after 20 demer- its will be curtailed. Any student with 30 or more demerits will be taken before the Disciplinary Board with the recommendation of sus- pension. The second semester will mark a new start for offenders. Students with 1-10 demerits start anew; those with 11-20 Science Accelerates Increased emphasis on science and freshman accelerated math courses highlight this year’s schedule changes at Assumption, according to AHS reg- istrars, Father John Boyle and Sister Mary Helen Regine, BVM. Physical science, in previous years a senior course, has been moved to fresh- man level to replace general science. Father Boyle explained that this cre- ates a balanced four year science cycle extending through biology and chemis- try in sophomore and junior years re- spectively, and climaxing with physics in senior year. An accelerated math course, modern math, is being taught in one section of boys’ freshman algebra, and one sec- tion of girls’ freshman algebra, and a section of girls’ advanced algebra. In addition to regular textbook study, these classes will use a separate text- book on modern math, explains Sister Mary Laurent, CHM, and Sister Mary Cecil, BVM, boys’ and girls’ math teachers respectively. “Ideas from the modern math text- book, such as set theory and inequali- ties, will be introduced in other math- matics classes and corollated with the work they already have ’ states Sister Laurent. Periods one, two, six and seven have been lengthened to 55 minutes, ninth period having been dropped. Father Boyle states that this “provides longer periods for lab courses and eliminates the need for seven sessions a week.” Other changes this year include the addition of a psychology course for sen- ior boys and elimination of a shop course. begin with five; and the 21-29 class re- tain only 15. At Alleman, a demerit system was established at the founding of the school. Instead of two demerits for a minor offense, they receive five. How- ever, Alleman students are allowed 100 demerits before they are suspended. A typical comment on the system was given by Mary Maher ’61, who said “Naturally, as a student, my first impression of the Demerit System was unfavorable. However, I can see it is meant to help us in all phases of school life.” The boys had no comment. Now Hear This by Karen Sanders The day was April 25, 1960. Most say it was beautiful weather; but there are some who claim it was spoiled by a late afternoon shower. The student body of Assumption High School, with the exception of the seniors, filed into the auditorium to nominate officers of the Student Government Association. Being the last candidate to speak, (ten others had preceeded him) Mike Ceurvorst presented his platform. He had only one opponent, Donald Per- ry. Since there were no major dif- ferences in their policies, the election depended on who the students consid- ered most capable. They chose Mike. He was elected, partially on the basis of his past experience as presi- dent of his class for two years, as vice- president of the Honor Society, and as secretary-treasurer of the YCS. Now, nearly six months later, the students expect results from their leader — they want him to do just that, lead. The offices he has held were indicative of his power of leadership. Joan Ruge ’61, recalls the main point of Mike’s platform: “a better and more united school to be accomplished through better use of the homerooms and committees. The aim is to have the body of committees composed of non-student council members, so as to create more enthusiasm among stu- dents.” Mike claimed that school spir- it would be heightened if committee names were published. Another point that last year’s jour- nalists will remember is that Mike considered it important for Assump- tion to be more active in the Quad City Student Congress, and perhaps even give initiative for expanding it. Fred Hawley ’62, says that “The speech given by Michael Ceurvorst is now much more important thart when he gave it during his campaign last spring. Now, it is up to him to show that he really is ready, willing, and able to serve as our leader.” CAUGHT ... an alert KB photogra- pher snaps Pat Swails ’61, at her lock- er between classes. With her skirt rolled and sporting tennis shoes, Pat is fast approaching a conference with her advisor. Need A Gown? Buying a Homecoming dress will present no problem for Mary Trainor '62 . . . unless her dress doesn’t come back in time. The dress Mary made for Homecom- ing has been sent to the regional Sing- er Sewing contest in Milwaukee. Mary won a Singer sewing kit in the district contest. The dress is now in competi- tion with 36 other regional entries. If Mary comes out on top this time, she will receive $500 and a trip to New York for herself and her family to the national Singer contest. It took 20 lessons, two and a half hours each, for Mary to complete the dress, which is made of royal blue embroidered satin. Full-skirted, the dress sports a scoop neckline and a criss-cross sash. Buttoning on a diag- onal, the jacget of a plain royal blue satin has a V-necg with a large pointed collar. Requiescant Mrs. Valeria Kraus (Mother of Fr. Gerald Kraus) Mr. James Murphy (Father of Mike (’63) and Pat (’64) Murphy) 10

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But He Really Likes Assumptions Spirit In December I had to give a speech in English about Vienna. Not until the end of May did I receive the letter which told me that I was chosen. Then a time of great preparation began for me, and altogether took me longer than I will stay here. But I am glad that I did; this will not be a wasted year. In this year I will try to live and to learn with my class as well as I can. Certainly I will have a lot of difficulties, but I hope to overcome these difficulties with the will power I have learned during my whole education. This year is my only opportunity, during perhaps my whole life, to live in an American society with people of the same age. In English grammar I hope I will not have great difficulties because I have already known it for six years. Literature will be a little harder for me, especi- ally modern American literature. Shakespeare and other older English writers we read in Vienna, and I am a little used to it, but I want to also learn this kind of literature. I am very glad to have the op- portunity to learn in this country. A great difficulty will be to stop thinking in German and to start thinking in English. But after I have done this, everything . . . grammar, literature, writing and speaking . . . will be much easier for me. Latin class is very difficult because I have to translate from the Latin to the German and then into the English. I translated half this book from Latin to German last year. The students in my classes are all nice to me; they helped me in the beginning to find the different rooms. Mike Ceurvorst and Buster Hobein took me to my first football game and tried to explain to me the rules. Mike brought me also to the YCS which I wanted to join. So far I’ve met few girls. Pinging Cheerin 3

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YCSers, Sodalists Convene For Study and Frolic by Greg Cusack Politics, International Life, Leisure Time. Elections, United Nations, Dating. These were some of the topics dealt with at the YCS Regional Study Week held at St. Ambrose College this sum- mer. Aug. 8-11, 361 people associat- ed with YCS gathered in Davenport to give the movement a thorough go- ing-over. The first such venture in this area, planned by the Davenport Federation officers in co-operation with Daven- port leaders, drew people from six states. Pre-study day attendance esti- mates were broken when over 110 non- registered YCSers arrived. Iowa, Illi- nois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and even Arizona, contributed 271 stu- dents, 18 lay people, and 72 religious. His Excellency, Ralph L. Hayes, Bi- shop of Davenport, welcomed the as- sembly and expressed his fervent wish that they continue the good work. Setting the pace for the Study Week, Father James Anderson, past YCS Na- tional Chaplain, in his keynote ad- dress, asked the young Catholics pre- sent to make their existence felt in today’s world. Citing the alarming lack of Christian thinking in the modern world, he pointed out that it was their job to make Christ known. Starting Tuesday, however, the stu- dents got to work. Delegates had a choice of 10 workshops, although each student was able to attend only five. Workshops on Race, Liturgy, Scripture, and Politics were favorites, while the Beginner’s Workshops instructed new members in the basic techniques of YCS. In the workshop on Race, Mr. Char- les Toney, a local negro prominent in the field of race relations, discuwed not only the present deplorable conditions, but also pointed out the very complex background to this problem. Assisting Mr. Toney were Sister Mary Labre, CSC, and Mike Humphreys, a Burling- ton YCSer. Mr. and Mrs. Robert McGeever, a Davenport CFM couple, discussed the field of Leisure Time. Emphasizing the fact that “leisure is necessary for man to see life and the world as a whole and through this viewing to fulfill himself,” the McGeevers led live- ly discussions from the floor. Arietta Hartman, a YCS moderator well-acquainted with the aspects of In- ternational Life, led a workshop on that subject. “The purpose of a Cath- olic,” she said, “should be to develop not only an international consciousness, but also an international conscience based on Christian values. This can be done only through a dedication to Christ, universal love for all men, and an apostolic readiness.” During the afternoon and evening two hour-recreation periods were pro- vided, during which the students could swim, play tennis and baseball. Per- haps one of the biggest attractions was the dance every night following the last activities for the day. Father Ar- thur Perry from Assumption was in charge of recreation. Each day began with Prime, the morning prayer of the Church, and ended with Compline, the evening prayer. Every morning at 11:45 the Mass was offered, and on the last day the Bishop celebrated the Holy Sacrifice. The final night, led by Assumption’s Jim Miller ’61, students came through with a truly memorable variety show, which left “everybody happy.” by Roseann Laake “Six days you’ll never forget!” is not only the slogan of the Summer School of Catholic Action but also the spontan- eous response of Assumption’s dele- gates. Four Assumption sodalists, Roseann Laake ’61, Mary Stasia Stafford ’61, Tracy Plum ’62, and Jane Molyneaux '62, attended the week-long event this year at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chi- cago. The SSCA is a national sodality con- vention sponsored as a leadership school by The Queen’s Work along with the National Federation of Sodal- ities of Our Lady. The Summer School attempts to teach the-what, the why, and the how of full Catholic living, insisting on close imitation of Christ through Mary. The conference schooled the dele- gates in such topics as Communism, Spirit of Sodalities, Marriage, Segre- gation, Catholic Action, and Parliamen- tary Law. Jane Molyneaux feels that “through the SSCA, I’ve realized what a dras- tic responsiblity is left on the should- ers of Catholic youth of today to keep our faith alive and active despite the threats of Communism.” Tracy Plum enjoyed the conference on “The Relations of America” be- cause “I received a better understand- ing of the different religions; I feel that I can help non-Catholics better if I understand what they believe.” A talent show, dances, boat rides, and sightseeing tours were sponsored by the SSCA for the delegates. Tickets for Ben-Hur were also available for the group. Shopping excursions took up spare time, as did vists to art museums, the Prudential Building, and other points of interest within walking distance of the hotel. Assumption’s delegates claimed that they “walked about 600 miles a day.” All four delegates ad- mit they didn’t walk that far but “it sure seemed like it at the time.” Mary Stafford aptly sums up the week, “Six days you’ll never forget, and six nights of sleep you never got.” Cusack Presides Expansion is the number one policy of YCS’s newly elected chief execu- tive, Greg Cusack ’61. Greg was chos- en national president at National Study Week held last August at St. Joseph’s, Collegeville, Ind. Initiating an advisory board of 12 YCSers from all over the country and the Bahama Islands was among the first official acts of the new pres- ident. The board will help Greg co- ordinate the national YCS movement. JANE MOLYNEAUX ’62, relates her experiences at the SSCA to Jim Miller, Dave Cratty and Mary Stafford, all ’61. The four are comparing notes on the YCS Study Week and the Summer School of Catholic Action. 11