Bethesda Chevy Chase High School - Pine Tree Yearbook (Bethesda, MD)

Page 13 text:

 Teaming up to provide B-CC student» with convenient, informative, and accurate announcement'- were B, Foer, G. I .atom», and N. Understein. ... characteristic enthusiasm “We shall never negotiate out of fear and never fear to negotiate,” President Kennedy told the U. N. after Dag Ham- merskjold’s death. In broadcasting this speech, the PA staff had performed another service for a dependent school. English teachers were able to point out in Kennedy’s speech a living and ex- cellent example of parallel construction. History teachers could discuss the implications of the speech and compare the present crisis to crises that had gone before. Even foreign language classes were able to make use of the address by applying it to the countries they study. We were made particularly aware of the importance of the PA system during the time the county painters and elec- tricians were in the building. Almost daily we heard such announcements as, “Students should take special care in entering or leaving the doors to the breezeway; they have just been painted. We repeat, proceed with caution; the doors are wet!” Without the PA we would have been un- informed, unhappy, and covered with green paint. Our bank, too, proved indispensable. It was, as usual, the place of deposit for anything from shop fees to towel fees, from picture money to money for Tattler subscriptions. In addition to its monetary functions it served as the home of the lost and found, housing everything from lost wallets to stray mittens. Whether depositing or withdrawing, students hud the opportunity to familiarize themselves with banking procedure.

Page 12 text:

... required cooperation Initial Adjustment Anticipation marked our first few weeks of school. Class- room activity, homework, the routine of the school week were a novelty after the summer’s relaxation. With the new- ness came speculation and some careful thinking. We wondered what our teachers were like, what they would expect, and if we would be able to meet their demands. We examined our textbooks trying to discover what would follow in the ensuing months. We previewed the course of study and tried to predict how we would tackle each prob- lem. We eyed our classmates, wondering who would be our closest friends and who, our greatest competition. We looked forward to using the stadium, to trying out all the new equipment, to joining clubs, and to experiencing senior privileges or underclassmen delights. Enthusiasm reigned! Club meeting-rooms overflowed with people, assemblies drew great applause, and football games attracted crowds of spectators. “Instructive” blackboards, brusque teachers, and busy student guides could do little to allay the confusion apparent in this junior's face. 8

Page 14 text:

Available Resources Endless alphabetizing occupied the time of student assis- tants in the counseling offices. The constant disarray of col- lege catalogues, scholarship and occupation files, and var- ious educational booklets testified to the business and use- fulness of the browsing room and counseling services. It is to rooms 201 and 203, the headquarters of the guidance department, that we reported with our numerous questions and problems. In fact, two new counselors had to be added to the staff to cope with our growing student body and what seemed like an overwhelming number of complications. Seniors went to Miss Quayle and Mr. Norris for help in college guidance and application. “Where shall I apply, which school is most likely to accept me, when shall I take College Boards, and how can I meet the tremendous ex- penses?” were only a few of the barrage of questions ad- dressed to them by anxious parents and students. This year it seemed to seniors that their worries were multiplied many times. Competition for college admission reached a peak. With a great number of students applying to the same few schools, College Board scores, rank in class, and semester grades seemed especially important. Everyone was busy comparing his qualifications with those of his fel- low students and speculating upon his chances for acceptance at his various choices. With what envy we looked upon those lucky people who had been accepted on the early decision plan and had already formed definite plans for the future! Counseling newsletters, parent grade meetings, College Night and college conferences did much to guide all mem- bers of the school, regardless of class. They stressed the importance of deadlines and the urgency of accomplishing much in the present while preparing for what lay ahead. Armed with information and the support of our counselors, we could look forward to making necessary decisions with comparative ease. Thi year (he counseling offices were home to harried seniors, alert juniors, and confused sophomores. College catalogues, helpful books and brochures received the constant attention of stu- dent assistants in the brows- ing room.