Assumption High School - Assumption Yearbook (Davenport, IA)

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Are Elections Monopoly or Free-for-All? Eight student council officers were elected to rep- resent the class of ’63 in their freshman year. Three have persevered in student political life for four years; these are girls. How does one account for this? Could it be differing methods of election? In the boys’ division, a freshman student council hopeful must first designate a particular office he Keds Kapture Kids Did you spend three to five dollars for conformity? About half the senior class did. A Knight Beacon survey disclosed that 55 of the senior boys and 64 of the senior girls recently bought tennis shoes, which until recently had been outlawed. What do these fig- ures show — merely a desire for inexpensive shoes or a need among students for wearing what the “crowd” does? Perhaps the reason students place so much emphasis on conformity is because they align it with popularity. However, such students are letting a large chunk of their life slip away from them. When they fashion their activities to include “what everybody’s doing” they are permitting the “group” to dictate not only what they do but possibly how they think. It’s not that group activities aren’t good; what we’re aiming at is a rebirth of creative thinking — students striking out on their own, doing something different merely for the sake of doing it. Taking a walk, coining a new nickname, thinking up some unique decorations for the next dance or writing a hit song about a lost love are a few suggestions. How will this creative thinking help students? First, by doing things he normally never would have thought of, the student may hit upon something he really en- joys. Maybe he is capable of writing a hit song; he’ll never know until he tries. Secondly, since this creative thinking is an ex- pression of self, it will help the student realize just who he is and what he associates himself with. More- over, the student will look upon himself with more distinction than a coded number on an IBM card. Putting this into practice, Knight Beacon staff mem- bers have had an opportunity to try their creative powers on this issue. By special arrangement with Gordon Printing Co., the staff have pulled “production proofs” for this issue. Heretofore this work has been done by professionals. This issue should indicate whether the idea was a good one or not. Finally, and probably most important, the experi- ence of thinking for himself, rather than having some- one do his thinking for him, will instill in the stu- dent the courage to do the right thing even when “everybody else” is headed in the wrong direction. So, students, give it a little thought the next time you tie those tennis shoes. wishes to hold. Secondly, the candidate must secure a nomination petition for an office from the vice- principal. The petition must be signed by twenty of his classmates. Repetition of signatures for each office is not allowed. The voting consists of choosing one boy for each office. All freshman girls desiring to run for student coun- cil are asked to submit their names in their home- rooms. A few weeks before election day, each home- room eliminates until three candidates remain. No one contends for president, vice-president, secretary, or treasurer. When the voting takes place, each girl in- dicates her first four choices. The four girls receiving the most votes are “student council representatives.” In examining these methods, two main points should be considered. First, in the present method of election employed by the boys’ division, there is a great tend- ency to find a dominant number of able candidates running for the same office. Since only one can be elected, the remaining lose their opportunity to de- velop their leadership qualities via the student coun- cil. This unbalance also tends to weaken the other representative offices. Second, the method employed by the girls’ division emphasizes homeroom representa- tion, which is important to the goals of the Student Government Association. However, an objective look at the student council representatives of the class of ’63 also reveals this fact: although the boys elected more candidates during the four years, they tended to stabilize after freshman year. For example, as sophomores, the boys elected three new’ officers. Two endured for the remaining three years as active student council members. Perhaps this indicates 1) that freshman boys do not select leaders who will last or 2) that such lead- ers do not run in freshman year. The question the Student Council should ask it- self is this: “Do the disadvantages of the differing systems outweigh the advantages?” AM PD 25

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Bishop Guards Flock During a Sunday Mass in late September, Assump- tionites heard their Davenport pastors read a letter of the bishop requesting that each parish begin a novena to pray for the bishop at the Ecumenical Coun- cil. On this occasion the bishop spoke to his flock through his pastors. This is the student’s main contact with the bishop. Last winter Joe Nahra ’63 visited Bishop Ralph L., Hayes with two ’62 graduates — Pat Nemmers and Don Miller — who interviewed the bishop. Joe was Knight Beacon photographer. Summarizing this ex- perience, Joe states, “I was astounded at the bishop’s frank and jolly spirit and the touch of fatherly af- fection as he displayed the Christmas decorations in his living room. Aside from this personal contact, the only opportunty I have to hear the wishes of my bishop is either through The Catholic Messenger or my pastor who acts as the guardian of his people and his representative.” Ask an average student about the bishop and he replies that the bishop is the head of a large organ- ization, who works in a large office each day, or lives in a towering house with large rooms. This has been the effect of secularism in the world. However, stu- dents in the apostolate are usually aware of the re- lationship of the bishop and pastor to them. Bruce Borne ’63 says, “I don’t have any direct re- lationship with the bishop, that is knowing him per- •sonally, but he is the head of the diocese. He is like a middle man — the link between the Holy See and the laity — who must delegate his authority to the pastors. The pastors are our guiding light.” Senior Don Chenoweth adds, “The bishop co-or- dinates all the priests in the diocese to achieve a goal. Although he is a very busy person, he is still a priest and is approachable by the average person. The pas- tor is our appointed spiritual director; he is like a doctor for our soul.” The pastors have a direct and more personal re- lationship to the layman than the bishop. The pastor is responsible to the bishop for his parishioners. Fr. Kenneth C. Martin, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Church, comments on the role of the pastors: “St. Paul explains our role very well: ‘A priest must be all things to all men.’ The pastor must be interested in the laymen’s problems, material and spiritual — all aspects of their lives. The bishop is to the diocese as the pastor is to his parochial flock. The duty of the laity is to help the church financially and spiritually: to take active participation in all activities pertaining to the parish. Students, as laymen, have duties to their Church; as Father Martin says: “To take active participation.” Assumptionites have taken interest in their parishes. Now we wait for them to carry out the expected reforms and renewals of the Ecumenical Council. KNIGHT BEACON IfW ” Ai a Hftiion in the Sight” « I»» ' The Knight Beacon is published eight times a year by students of Assumption high school. The yearly subscription rate is $1 50 Mike-rophone Church Soups Up New Cor by Mike Townsend The 1963 model of the Catholic Church is coming out soon! Sounds strange, but right now the Ecumenical Coun- cil in Rome is preparing the new model. Though it is the first in 100 years, there will be no radical changes, but just an overall streamlining. Several new innovations will be evident; for in- stance, the liturgy, the “engine” of the Church, may be modernized, and our bishops, the “sparkplugs” may be stepped up to a much greater power. The Church will also get a new “paint job.” In other words, the external appearance will be im- proved in order to appeal to non-Catholic customers. Finally, a revitalized set of “tires” (that’s us, the laity) will enable the Church to be carried through- out the superhighways and dirt roads of the world. These changes and other refinements will result in a rejuvenated Mystical Body which will overcome to- day’s modern “traffic” problems. How about it, hotrodders? 24

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Freshmen Line Up for Council unices Thursday, Nov. 8, the freshman class will elect its student council officers. The following eight candidates are representative of the 12 girls and 8 boys seeking office. (See accompany- ing editorial.) Cathy Froeschle considers the stu- dent council “an opportunity to meet more students, share ideas, make plans, and help to acquire the feeling of unity so important in a successful class.” While attending Holy Family grade school, Cathy was a cheerlead- er, Red Cross representative, and a winner in the PAVLA essay contest. She is presently a member of the As- sumption GRA. Another past Holy Family cheerlead- er, Terry Reinart, is also contending for a student council office. She is in GRA and the Freshman Mixed Chorus. If elected, Terry promises to strive for “better relationships between the stu- dents and faculty.” Bringing every member of her class to “active participation in all areas of school life” is the goal of Mary Lou Joyce, a third nominee. Now active in GRA and chorus, Mary Lou was part of a swimming team during her grade school days at St. Vincent’s. Pat Riley, member of the chorus and previous cheerleader for Our “Sister I’ll take a pack of paper” ‘Typing paper, please” “Give me four pencils” No longer will these familiar phrases be heard at the bookstore after Sr. M. St. Catherine’s departure. Automation will replace Sister’s smile and cheerful words. Instead all one does is put a quarter in the slot of the vending machines. These are set up in the cafeteria and in the “A” and “D” wings to avoid con- gestion at the bookstore. It will be open only before school, after, and one per- iod during the day. Sister can’t quite get over the idea of being replaced by a machine. Forty eight years of her life have been spent running a bookstore. During this time she was head librarian at Immaculate Conception Academy. She boasts of having had the first catalogued library there. When ICA was closed, Sister estab- lished the Assumption bookstore. She chuckles that at first it was nothing more than a bare room with a desk. Today she proudly escorts visitors through her modern bookstore, which includes 128 different texts. Ten thou- sand dollars worth of books are handled annually by Sister. Due to her unique system of bookkeeping, she has never suffered a financial loss. FRESHIES LINE UP . . . Cathy Froeschle, Gary Peterson, Mary Joyce, Pat Flynn, Pat Riley, Pat Stolmeier, Theresa Reinart and Giles Crider, freshman class candidates, show off their togetherness ideas. In October Sister returned to her beloved Chicago via the Golden State Rocket. Sister holds a Rock Island R.R. pass, the gift of the railroad in apprecia- tion of her patronage. Formerly Sister personally escorted the boarders from ICA in their many trips to Chicago. She will long be re- membered and loved by the many port- ers, waiters and conductors who served her. Although she will no longer manage a bookstore, she will keep busy in her own private office as treasurer of the Immaculate Conception Province. Her residence will be the new Holy Name Cathedral convent. Sister will appreci- ate hearing from her many friends, she said. Tears come into Sister’s eyes as she recalls the alumnae reception held for her Sunday, Oct. 7, in the cafeteria. Many of the ladies were former ICA girls whom she recognized on sight. The present became the past for a few hours. Forty eight years of memories long stored within her came to life ... the waxing of the golden stairs, the Christ- mas Candle lighting service, the mission carnival, the May crowning. Sister has already put 50 golden beads on her rosary in the service of God. Five of these will represent Assumption for her. Lady of Lourdes states, “We want to be proud of Assumption and we want Assumption to be proud of us.” Pat wants to remind her classmates of her campaign slogan, “You’re Really Right with Riley!” Lloyd Peterson, aspiring freshman class president, hopes, if elected, to be an observing student of govern- ment and to do every thing in his ability to improve the freshman class. In grade school Lloyd was nominated mayor for a day in Davenport, was active in scouts, has experienced giv- ing ten minute speeches to the Parent Teachers Association and was in the Quint Cities Science Fair. Lloyd held a high average in grade school and hopes to become a lawyer. Giles Crider, who is trying for the vice-presidency, hopes to study the way the student council process works and promises to fulfill all tasks given to him. Giles was vice-president of his class at Sacred Heart grade school. He is at present a member of the Young Christian Students and is on the foot- ball team. He also plans to golf and to wrestle. To make new friends and learn about democratic methods of govern- ment are two of the objectives of Pat Flynn, candidate for secretary of the freshman class. Pat was president of his class at Sudlow junior high school, where he earned a “B” average. Pat is on the AAU swimming team and plans to participate in basketball and golf. As for future plans, Pat hopes to become an engineer. Vying for the office of treasurer of the freshman class is Pat Stolmeier, who hopes to be an active member of the class and build interest in fresh- man activities. A member of the foot- ball team, Pat contends to go out for track and wrestling also. He is in YCS. It now remains for the 292 mem- bers' of the freshman class to deter- mine which of these, if any, will rep- resent them in the Student Council. In Chicago Delegate Plans Trip Robert Schwarz ’63 has been named as Assumption’s delegate to the 1962 Ntional Youth Conference on the At- om, Nov. 8-10. The meetings discus- sions and workshops will be held in the Sheraton-Chicago Hotel, Chicago, Illinois. Some of the discussion topics Bob ex- pressed interest in are ‘The Atom in Medicine” and ‘The Atom in Our World and Universe.” “I think the con- ference will not only be interesting but also a challenge. I hope it won’t be over my head,” he remarked. Automation Replaces Personality 26