Assumption High School - Assumption Yearbook (Davenport, IA)

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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

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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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Invites Students To Colleges Boosters Club Thursday evening, Oct. 17, at 7:15 Assumption high school will go to college. That is the atmosphere which will be created when 48 colleges, uni- versities, technical colleges, and nurses colleges will send representatives to Assumption’s annual College Night. The Boosters Club is sending invita- tions to all sophornores, juniors, sen- iors, and their parents. According to Father Mann, principal of the boys’ division, “College Night is very bene- ficial to sophomores and juniors. It offers them an opportunity to com- pare and judge the colleges before they have to make a decision as a senior.’’ This year several new features of the affair promise to make it an even more School spirit daze When? “The week of Oct. 7.” Where? “Assumption High School— Girls division.” Why? “To promote school spirit, school unity and enthusiasm among the girls and to make each student conscious of her obligation as a mem- ber of a homeroom, a class and a school.” What? “School Spirit Days, an an- nual tradition in its third year.” The above quotes were given by Sr. Mary Diana, BVM, Senior YCS moder- ator and director of “SS” Days. This year’s sponsors are the two Senior Girls YCS groups; they will be in complete charge of the project. profitable night for students and par- ents than in previous years. Of the 48 colleges and universities sending representatives, seven will participate for the first time. The new colleges are: John Carroll University, Mercy Hospital, Cardinal Stritch College, the College of St. Mary, the Bureau of Apprenticeship, Duchesne College, and Mary Mount College. The most noticeable improvement in the program for College Night will be that colleges such as Marycrest or St. Ambrose — colleges which receive the greatest number of graduating As- sumption seniors — will present their Working together they have already made various improvements which will add to the fun and purpose. The first day the project will be explained to each homeroom. For the next two days Senior YCSers will work with each room’s chosen leaders for given areas. An assembly at the end of the second day will climax th£ proj- ect; at this time torphies will be award- ed and winning songs and skits present- ed. Homeroom judging will be for the best bulletin boards and “SS” song, while classes will be judged on buttons or banners, “SS” project and skit. programs only at set times. This will enable the representative of the col- lege to present his program without interruption. In addition, students and their parents will know when to go to a classroom to hear a complete pro- gram. The programs will be coordinat- ed in order that a student and his parents may attend several. Mike Merits Too There are only 13,000 in the United States. There are only 230 in Iowa. Mike Townsend, Assumption high school, is one of these select few, for Mike has been named as a semi-final- ist in the National Merit Scholarship program. The senior will take another exam- ination which may make him a final- ist in the program. In the past, 97% of the finalists have received scholar- ships, either from the National Merit Scholarship program or from the in- dustry scholarship programs associat- ed with the program. Names of the finalists will be announced in April. On Sept. 25, Mike and four other seniors, taking Father Walter’s advice to visit the college of their choice, on a free day visited the University of Notre Dame. Accompanying him were John Hasenmiller, Jim Riley, Phil Andrew, and Pat Collins. Mrs. Claude Townsend, Mike’s moth- er, said, “We’re very happy . . . Late- ly Mike has been taking an interest in Notre Dame. He hopes to be a math major.” Girls Sponsor Spirited Projects 6