E J Cooper High School - Talons Yearbook (New Hope, MN)

Page 16 text:

o ne student of 1973 is different. He’s an individual, basically non-conforming and generally indifferent to rules, customs, and traditions. He protests wars, national policies and women’s rights. He is a sucker for fads, fetishes, and fashions. And as much as he would like to ignore it, he is basically the same as every other student who has passed through our hallowed halls. We are individuals, but who doesn’t wear blue jeans and hair over their ears? Have we done anything about our defiance to some traditions other than ignore them? We are against wars and other injustices, but have we done any more than those before us? 12

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6 ut clubs and organizations still exist in a different form, cliques. Once again stepping away from the school as the supreme organizer, students of common specific interests band together on their own. These groups may be made up of homeroom friends, the debate team, band members, classmates, Jesus People, jocks, freaks, anyone. Their reasons are as diverse as their composition. They get together to watch films, do volunteer work, campaign, watch TV, go to games or just knock around. Purposes as individual as they themselves. n

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j .s time moves and people change, customs and traditions must change with them. We must not be bound by antiquated rituals if they conflict with more important matters. Customs and traditions are the backbones of some organizations. But when they lose their meaning and merely become a ritual to set calenders by, their very existence should be questioned. Before rejecting any idea, examine it carefully for its worth. If it has existed for any length of time, it must have meant something. But if after this it is found to be meaningless, we cannot live in the past by mourning what is gone; rather welcome something as new and unique as the group that initiates it. It is not important what is gone, but what is now here. 13