Assumption High School - Assumption Yearbook (Davenport, IA)

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Staff States Strategies Knight Beacon Policies 1. The editorials of the Knight Beacon will cover concrete subjects and topics pertinent to student life. 2. Because the Knight Beacon is the newspaper of Assumption High School, all copy will be written by students. 3. The staff welcomes constructive criticism in the form of letters to the editors. Space permitting, we will publish all such signed letters. 4. The Knight Beacon will continue to follow the portfolio format, acting as both newspaper and yearbook. 5. The aim of the Knight Beacon is to fully repre- sent the students of Assumption in all phases of their academic, social, spiritual and athletic life. 6. The paper will continue to report topics covered by the Second Vatican Council. 7. As a theme for the year, the Knight Beacon will attempt to promote an awareness of the Christian outlook toward social problems. KNIGHT BEACON As a Real oh in the Night” teg The Knight Beacon is published eight times a year by students of Assumption high school. The yearly subscription rate is $1.50. Art---------..— Mary Anne Nix, Jill Schroeder, Matt McCarthy, Sue Mohler Advertising Bill Fischer Circulation---------------------------------------Jim Crossen, John State Editorials----------------------------------------Pat Carpenter, John Genzel Features............Jan Abbas, Phil Andrew, Tom Bribriesco, Barb Egger, Michele Morrison, Mike Townsend News Bob Ditmon, Pat Dray, Tom Figel, Suzie Fosselman, Barb Gnam, Mary McCarthy, Mike Schebler Pictures Colleen Dunn, Dave Ryder, Mike Wahlig Photography Ron Grutz, Dan Seward, Denny Shinners Sports Jim Riley, Jill Schroeder, John Stokes Advisor Fr. William F. Wiebler Printer Gordon Printing Co. Typist Rita Holzner Mike-rophone Council May Turn Us Around by Mike Townsend Ever get in on something special — like seeing a football game from the bench or watching a play from backstage? The first week of school 200 freshmen had a sim- ilar opportunity. At the opening-day-Mass, for lack of room, these freshmen sat on the stage “behind” the altar. Although this was done for practical reasons, it of- fered the freshmen a distinct vantage point. John Har- trick ’67 comments, “From where I was sitting the Mass was great! I could see every move the Bishop made, and it made me feel like I was really part of the Mass.” The practical reasons exist, but there are liturgical reasons also. In this way we would further the ideas of Pope Saint Pius X, on whose feast the opening Mass was celebrated. We would be participating more fully in the Mass facing the people. Bishop Hayes is presently attending the second ses- sion of the Vatican Council. At various times he will participate in Mass offered in such a wey. Perhaps the Council Fathers will advocate this practice more generally. The freshmen, therefore, have the advant- age of having been in a situation which, as seniors, they may find commonplace. In four years time we may all be “about face.” Student council Don't Let SC Reps Reign Despotism or democracy? Rulers or representatives? The Student Council will only be what the students make it. Pat Dray ’64, Student Government President, be- lieves, “If the aims and purposes of the student gov- ernment could be summarized in one word, that word would be service. We will be glad to present any reasonable student requests to the faculty.” This year several changes have been inaugurated to give students a chance to do more than nod their head at an already settled issue. Through use of the representatives’ new mail boxes, minutes are being distributed sooner. The Friday home room period after each meeting, will be devoted to their reading and discussion. Also, though few people have ever exercised the right, evening Student Council meetings are open. This year the Student Council would like to see an increase in class projects. “We feel class projects such as the seniors’ spaghetti supper pep up class unity. We would like to see other class projects initiated in all four classes,” com- mented Ann Hart, senior girls’ representative. Another area that has been investigated is ex- panding the Homecoming parade. “Student Council representatives are contacting school organizations in hopes that they will show more interest in the Homecoming parade by spon- soring a float to represent their group,” noted Mary Motto ’64, vice-president of the Student Government Association. These ideas are a good start. But they are only a start. Will there be more class projects? Will the students deflate as soon as the Homecoming float in- terferes with their 12 hour beauty rest? This is where Assumptionites show their colors. Are they red and white participation? Or gray indifference? PC 4

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Civil rights When The Knights Go Marching In “If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning . . . sang the Assump- tion Civil Rights marchers in the rally held in Davenport Aug. 23. Over 400 Catholics marched from St. Anthony’s Church to Leclaire Park to hear local Civil Rights leaders speak on the problems of the area. Among the Catholic marchers were about two dozen Assumption students. Some marched under the YCS banner while others marched with their respective parishes. ‘The rally was the greatest thing that ever happened to Davenport. It made us aware of the existing racial problems in the Quad-Cities,” voiced Denny Shinners ’65, one of the YCS marchers. Main speaker of the night, John Ho- ward Griffin, author of Black Like Me, compared the racial crisis of today with that of the racism of Nazi Ger- many. He also said that in the South the prejudice is open whereas in the North it is more subtle. Msgr. J. D. Conway, expressing the Catholic view- point, declared that racial injustice was immoral. (See editorial on page five.) In preparation for the march, YCS’ers Mike Wahlig, John Genzel, Pat Dray and Mike Schebler, all ’64, had met with Booker Cole of Rock Island and Carol Jackson of Davenport. From these meetings 12 white and Negro stu- dents were chosen for ushers at the rally. “It’s the hammer of justice, it’s the bell of freedom, it’s a song about love between the brothers and sisters all over this land,” sang the marchers as they returned home. Assumption grads invaded Washing- ton, D.C. At least they did for a few hours the day of Aug. 28. Fr. Marvin Mottet, Mr. Charles Toney, Carol Gross ’60, Lori Neufeld ’62 and Bill Gluba ’59, represented the Davenport Catholic Interracial Council in the March on Washington. “We drove a straight 17 hours to get there, but it was well worth it. Every- where you looked in Washington there were people. We hauled our banner out of the car and joined right in the march,” commented Lori. The Davenport delegation carried a banner reading “Catholic Interracial Council, Davenport, Iowa.” Attracted by the large sign, two radio station an- nouncers interviewed Father Mottet. “People thought we had a very large group because our sign was so large. As we walked along though, we were joined by others from Iowa,” Fr. Mot- tet noted. Carol Gross was impressed by the friendliness of the crowd. “We met people we had never seen before — still they weren’t strangers. Everyone was united.” Father Mottet believes the March ac- complished several things. “It gave peo- ple an emotional outlet and proved the Negro is responsible, intelligent and self- controlled.” Carol summed it up, “When people from all over the United States will unite in such a large movement, it should lift the morale of the Negro and the whole Civil Rights movement.” Boulder's Bare Have you seen that beautifully shaped boulder in front of the school? That’s what happened to the senior class of ’63 project money. But that really isn’t all there is to it. A six-feet-tall statue of Our Lady of Assumption will be placed there soon. It should have been here for the beginning of school, but the fine Sienna marble had a flaw, which was detected in Italy. The new date for shipment was Sept. 2 but the Catholic Supply Center which or- dered it has had no word of its ar- rival. Father Walter says that it’s on the high seas. The senior class had several choices of what to do with their money. For one thing the library needed books. Also, it was decided that the parking lot should be blacktopped. Many boys felt that a scoreboard should be ob- tained for the athletic field behind the school. All of these things were needed, but the final vote resulted in the sta- tue. Since the girls were united in their choice and feelings, and the boys were disunited, the girls’ decis- ion prevailed. ‘This year’s seniors should start thinking about their project and gift,” observed Don Shaw, senior class rep- resentative. Bishop Appeals “Place your new school year under the patronage of Pope St. Pius X. If you will do this, I know you’ll have a happy, successful and pleasant new school year.” This was the plea of Bishop Ralph L. Hayes, made to the student body of Assumption high. The Bishop of- ficially opened the school year with the celebration of Mass and a short ad- dress Sept. 3. “We owe many things to Pope Pius X,” His Excellency began. “He was responsible for the restoration of ear- ly and frequent communion. Partici- pation during Mass came about through the efforts of this saint He was also among the first to promote Catholic action groups.” The Bishop himself has a debt of gratitude toward Pius X, for, as he related, “I was ordained un- der him.” The primate of the Davenport Dio- cese described the great pontiff as, “an affable, pleasant man, and at the same time, a walking saint.” The connection between Pope St. Pius X and AHS? Sept. 3, the opening day of school, the day we dedicated our of the Mass, was Pius X’s feast day. “Dedicate yourselves to him,” was the Bishop’s plea, “and to his motto, ‘to re- store all things in Christ.” 3

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Tomorrow Too Late: We Need Leaders Now “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow” is a platitude that we are usually told at graduation. But graduation may be too late! If we become lead- ers now, we’ll be one step ahead of our parents, and one step closer to solving our common problems. Booker T. Cole, Jr., is a leader of today. The 19- year-old Negro is president of the NAACP youth council in Rock Island. The group consists of 69 Ne- gro and white teenagers dedicated to the cause of solv- ing our problems now, before the Quint Cities develop into another Birmingham. “We have a very militant group,” describes Booker. “It’s been active for over a year now and has ac- complished many things, “The first and most important stepping stone is employment,” expounded the young leader. “It is go- ing to be very important to us Negroes, for this simple reason: if we’re going to demand equality in housing, we must be in an equal economic class.” The youth group noticed a department store in the Negro ghetto at the west end of Rock Island. It had been in operation for 15 years, all its customers were Negro, and yet, the only Negro that had ever worked there was a janitor. All Negro applications of “official capacity,” that is jobs coming in contact with the CIVIL RIGHTS RALLY Davenport, Iowa Aug. 23, 1963 “I was hungry, and you gave me to eat . . . I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink ... I was a Negro, and you formed a discussion club for me.” Tom Cook, Friendship House, Chicago customers, had been refused. A meeting with the store manager produced a promise to hire a Negro clerk. After five months of inaction, the group sent an ultimatim, threatening an economic boycott. A Negro salesgirl was hired the next day. Their employment committee is taking surveys of all Negro seniors in high school. They have listed all 18-year-olds wanting jobs, type of work, and qualifi- cations. When the group does find job openings, it recommends qualified workers. The council is constantly sending applications to bus and cab companies and delivery services to try to break these “all white jobs.” All applicants are carefully screened before being sent. In other areas of discrimination, their chapter has also been successful. Just before the Senior Prom, six couples sought reservations at “The Oaks.” The reservations were taken and plans were set. However, when they were asked if this was an all white group and replied “no,” all reservations were suddenly filled. Booker confronted the proprietor with the situation. He denied any discrimination, but “couldn’t see, for such an occasion as this, why the couples wouldn’t go to some place like McDonald’s, for a sandwich.” The NAACP president persisted, and the reservations were accepted. The council’s activities aren’t all defensive. Booker tells of joking with Martin Luther King, Jr., in Chi- cago, and attending state conventions where he re- ceives firsthand reports on situations in Alabama or Mississippi. As a result of his participation in the YCS study week at St. Ambrose (he was a member of a panel on race), their group has been invited by several nuns and priests to speak in small towns as far away as Minnesota. Booker often asks himself, “Why do whites join our group?” An answer comes from a 16-year-old girl who recently joined. “My interest in your organization has increased since my start at Rock Island high school. It was the first integrated school I have at- tended. I feel a little closer to the race issue and realize the importance of immediate action. I no longer think of it as something that affects the Negro. Instead I think of it as a problem that affects me and everything I stand for.” A very good way to get on the inside of the prob- lem looking out is to read books by Negroes and about Negroes. These help us to understand and get the feelings of being a Negro. Booker recommends books by James Baldwin and John Howard Griffin as “excellent.” These will be available at the YCS bookstore. When little kids get into a fight, they forget about it the next day. When grown-ups start a fight, hate grows until it explodes. When this happens, the gov- ernment sends troops. If we as “little kids” become leaders and settle our disputes now, tomorrow we will have forgotten our “childhood fights.” That’s no plati- tude; that’s reality. jg 5