Assumption High School - Assumption Yearbook (Davenport, IA)

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KNIGHT BEACON At Henom in the Night' The Knight Beacon is published eight times a year by students of Assumption high school. The yearly subscription rate is |1J0 I. Since the Knight Beacon is a student publication all material will be student written. II. The successful portfolio format will continue this year to serve the students as both a yearbook and a high school paper, using informative feat- ures and picture coverage. III. The staff will cover all facets of school life as well as broaden their scope to include the Cath- olic student’s role in the world today. IV. The editorials will develop a fair and complete view of school issues, stressing the new spirit of unity. V. Editors will welcome material submitted by non staff members, with publication subject to edi- torial approval. VI. Acting as a “beacon in the night” the Knight Beacon will spotlight school spirit in the knowl- edge that the student body will cooperate in all fields of school endeavor: academic, spiritual, social, and athletic. VII. The staff will engage in a competition with the staff of Pius XI Journal, Milwaukee, Wis., to publicize the Ecumenical Council. by Mike Townsend Let’s take a Roman vacation! Why not? All of us can be in Rome by October 11. Don’t pack a suitcase or make any reservations, for, unfortunately, we won’t be going in a true physical sense, but we will be present through our Bishop at the Second Vatican Council. However far we might feel from the colosseums, villas and pizzas, we should take an active part in this upcoming council. In fact, we are the council in that we are members of the Church and, as mem- bers, will be affected by it. But what can we do as students? Our Bishop asks that we stay informed hy keeping track of radio, TV and press coverage and that we pray often for the success of the council. These suggestions can be our “passports” to true participation in the upcoming council in Rome. A rivederci! Council Summons Assumption to Rome Get an invite? To the Ecumenical Council that is. No? Well, since Bishop Hayes will act as our repre- sentative, you needn’t feel that your Church has slighted you. Moreover, in his talk to us Sept. 5, he outlined something very definite the student body can do to make this the year of the Ecumenical Council. (See news story for details.) Taking steps to comply with His Excellency’s sug- gestions, the Knight Beacon has challenged the Pius XI Journal of Milwaukee, Wis., to a trial based on how well each has presented the theme of the Ecu- menical Council throughout this year. Since it is a mirror, the Knight Beacon will reflect the efforts you and your fellow students put forth. Consequently the pressroom is open for suggestions and ideas that you students might have concerning your involvement in the Ecumenical Council. Although the administration has planned no spe- cial assemblies other than the trial, our principal, Father Walter, has expressed “hope and trust that it (the Council) will be discussed in religion and history classes.” To help in these class discussions and give the students background, the Knight Beacon will carry various informative articles — such as the Msgr. Con- way interview in this issue — with the hope that stu- dents will strike out on their own to learn more about the council. Another valuable source of information for the stu- dent is our Catholic Messenger. The outlines of topics considered by the Central Preparatory Committee of the council that have appeared in recent issues con- firm what Bishop Hayes meant when he said that the Messenger was “in the forefront” with articles con- cerning the Council. Since there will undoubtedly be religion book re- ports again this year, students might read books con- cerning past or present councils on which they could report to the class. If teachers will submit such re- ports to us, we will consider their publication. Even if our Bishop had never mentioned the Coun- cil, we as Catholics should show interest in its pro- ceedings, for the decisions handed down will affect us all as lay Catholics. Just as the Council of Trent (1545-1563) provided the Catholics of its day with a practical tool to deal with current evils, the present council will attempt to better define the role of the layman and his standing in the Church. While one of the main accomplishments of the Council of Trent was the establishment of the seminary system, per- haps this council will authorize parts of our opening day Mass to be recited in English or for the Confirma- tion age to be lowered. Whatever the decisions will be, we can assure our- selves that through them the Church is striving to solve the problems posed by our ever-changing world. And though we have not individually been invited to the proceedings, our Bishop has invited us to make this “the year of the Ecumenical Council.” PD 4

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AHS Band Sees Bishop Off with Bang At noon on Sept. 22, a prominent person from Davenport boarded a ship called the Leonardo Da Vinci in New York City and is this minute on his way to aid in making history. The important traveler is Bishop Ralph L. Hayes. He left Davenport by train Sunday. Sept. 16, for Pittsburgh where he made a short visit and then traveled on to New York to prepare to sail for Rome. When asked who would accompany him to Rome, he laughingly replied, “I will be in the best of company. I’m going alone.” Once aboard the ship he will be with other bishops from all parts of the country. In Rome he will stay in the Grand Hotel, which is very near St. Peter’s Basilica, for the dur- ation of the council. Opening Mass As the Bishop remarked at the open- ing Mass of the school year, ‘‘This will be a marvelous spectacle of church un- ity.” Prelates will be attending from all corners of the world. With all the nations of the world represented, the language barrier could be a problem. Bishop Hayes considers that this has been overcome since ‘‘speeches will be translated into five languages so that those attending may listen either in La- tin or in one of the other languages. I’m not certain that earphones, such as those used in the U.N., will be avail- able.” How does this council affect stu- dents? As this will probably be the only ecumenical council in their life- time, it will be an excellent opportunity to witness the Church making history. Pope John said, ‘There will be no new doctrines or sensational formulas pro- In Caf Juniors Gambol “Down Memory Lane” is the theme of the Junior Dance, which will be held Wednesday. Sept. 26, from 8 to 11 pm in the AHS cafeteria. Last year as sophomores, the class of '64 spon- sored “Moon River,” the final dance of the year. A meeting of the class officers, held Sept. 12, determined the following committees and committee heads under the leadership of co-chairmen Ann Hart and Dave Votroubek: Decorations — Mary Motto and Barb Egger; Ad- mission — Pat Dray; Refreshments — Mike Morrison; Publicity and Lights — Pat Thompson; Finance — Mike Townsend and Reynel Dohse; and Chaperones — Kathy Barrett. Admission to the dance will be 50c Proceeds will be placed in the treas- ury of the class of '64 for future use on class projects, such as the Christmas Formal. duced.” Many of the decisions reached, however, will directly affect them and will influence their daily lives. Council Agenda Some of the topics on the agenda set up by the Central Preparatory Committee, which has been preparing this calendar for years, include: re- forms in Canon Law; revision of the in- dex of forbidden books; more explicit laws on the rights and duties of lay- men; better presentation of means by which laymen can become “leaven throughout society;” and greater free- dom regarding the liturgy and the ver- nacular. What can students do to help? At the opening Mass Bishop Hayes outlined Five out of 202 last year’s graduates have answered calls to a religious vo- cation. These statistics w’ill challenge Sr. Mary John, OSF, Peoria, 111., in Oc- tober as she addresses the girls’ division on the subject of religious vocations. Fr. John Morton, CSSR, director of vocations for Redemptorists, will speak to the boys’ division Oct. 5. Jeanette Schonhoff was the first of three girls from the class of '62 to enter religious life this year. She be- came a postulant in the Order of Saint Francis at Milwaukee, Wis., July 31. four things they should especially do- First, read and be informed of what is taking place. There are numerous pamphlets published on the council, plus stories in secular as well as relig- ious newspapers and magazines. An especially good source for Assumption students is The Catholic Messenger. Second, study about the council and take part in class discussions so that they can explain it to other people. Third, pray for the success of the coun- cil and the guidance of those attend- ing. Lastly, pray for their Bishop. “There is one thing I want you all to remember,” he stressed, “this is not a vacation. We will be there to work, and work very, very hard.” Barb Bergthold entered the same com- munity Sept. 1. The third girl, Jane Molyneaux, finished a three day re- treat before undertaking a college ed- ucation for the teaching life of a BVM. Jane entered the convent at Mount Carmel in Dubuque Sept. 1. Two ’62 grads — Pat Friemel and Pat Foley — will be joined by Tom Buechle '60 and Dick Willers ’58 (St. Ambrose Academy) at St. Ambrose Seminary this fall. Mike Rochow, also ’59, will study at Glen Ellen, 111., to become a Maryknoll missionary. THE YEAR Q(UjUT Us7lLc xJ Home comi G-AME £ DAVCe OCT. 2. - 13 riRST QUARTER EXAMS OCT. 2 5 Statistics Challenge Speaker 3

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Seniors 'Tilt-em Totem' At Assumption “Why are they being so good to us?” students, especially seniors, are asking. What’s behind the new feeling of cooperation between faculty and students? The most powerful force is Assumption’s new ad- ministration composed of Fr. Robert Walter, principal, and vice principals Sr. Mary Ann Esther, BVM, and Fr. Charles Mann. Seniors this year will be big wheels both on cam- pus, as the elder statesmen of the school, and off campus, since they alone have the privilege of leaving school if they have eighth period study hall. Father Walter explains, “We think that seniors should have some privileges,” but warns seniors against abuse, in- dicating privileges can be withdrawn. The gym shoes you see the majority of students wearing are not the sign of a rebellious student body breaking Guidepost law, but rather an indication of the administration’s consideration. And perhaps the most dramatic example of the new feeling at AHS was exhibited at the opening Mass last Wednesday, when seniors, using the new Student Council Mass books, led the student body in congregational sing- ing. What better way to ally the high and mighty seniors and their even higher administrators? But why all this cooperation among students and faculty? The administration’s purpose is best illustrat- ed by Father Walter. “We hope to increase and build up one spirit of unity,” the heights of which students at Assumption have not enjoyed since the 1961 state basketball tournament. However, a school must be united in all forms of school life: spiritual, academic, and social, as well as athletic. Sr. Mary Ann Esther expects that the idea of a unified school will make for “easier discipline and smoother running of the school.” This is one reason why the dreaded demerit system has been temporarily dropped from the girls’ division. But the girls won’t get away with murder, since Father Walter emphasized that any faculty member has authority over any stu- dent in any division. With all these new rules and privileges — partic- ularly for the seniors — this year’s class could serve as a high school ecumenical council, revolutionizing Assumption’s spirit. Who knows? If we cooperate this year, Assumption students may still be wearing gym shoes in 2062!! djj Consequences Thugs Mug Knight At Night “DAVENPORTER ATTACKED BY UNKNOWN BOY,” headlined a Morning Democrat article. “Joe Nahra . . . told police he was beaten early Thursday by an unidentified youth who approached him as he was walking on West Central Park Avenue. This incident nearly put Joe Nahra ’63 out of As- sumption. When other students heard about it, they remarked, “Why would anyone want to do that?” The youths in the above incident had a car and wanted some fun. But such juvenile antics — although sup- posedly humorous — should be termed “stealing, drunken driving, and assault and battery.” Following the “chicken code” is preferred over choosing what is right. Teenagers can follow, but they can also lead in good as well as in evil. Al- though conforming isn’t always wrong, it’s usually the easiest choice. The teenagers who accosted Joe were in a car by themselves. Would they have been involved if they were not together? Would they have done it if they had considered the consequences? Driving a machine weighing 2000 pounds and worth several thousand dollars down Third Street at 70 mph isn’t the action of a person accepting adult responsi- bility. Hitting an unsuspecting and innocent boy isn’t either. Most high schoolers and teenagers don’t realize that when this so-called fun involves them with the police, they affect themselves, their parents, schooling and most often their future. For example, if a youth was convicted of a felony in which he acted before he thought, he would be unable to become a lawyer and would have difficulty entering the Armed Forces or a professional field. On the recommendation of leniency by Joe’s father, the judge postponed sentence for 30 days. The boy who hit Joe and the youth who drove the car face these alternatives: the judge might possibly sentence them to the juvenile reform school in Eldora, or put them on parole. Although Joe was hit in the face only once, he suffered a partially severed nerve, a chipped tooth, and a possible cracked face bone. There are doctor and dentist bills, and an x-ray fee. These bills must be met too. 5