Lew Wallace High School - Quill and Blade Yearbook (Gary, IN)

Page 31 text:

Billboards announcing Gary’s anniversary are posted throughout the city. Gary’s newly constructed civic center. Genesis Center, is almost completed for community use. Honorary William H. Gray III and Mayor Richard Hatcher prepare to speak at the Black Mayors Conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Gary.

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‘City of the Century’ looks to future Gary, the “City of the Century” and the “City on the Move”, is cele¬ brating its 75th anniversary this year. In 1905, United States Steel corporation began to work on plans for constructing new mills and a new city. In March, 1906, the steel plants and the harbor were started. Gary, was named after Judge Elbert H. Gary, chairman of the board of directors of the United States Steel Corp. Richard G. Hatcher is serving his fourth term as mayor of Gary. Mayor Hatcher is president of the National Conference Of Black Mayors. The Conference held its seventh annual convention at the Downtown Sheraton Hotel, which was hosted by Mayor Hatcher. The topic of the conference was “Stimulating Local Growth Through Public and Private Spending” and President Reagan’s budget cuts were also discussed. Gary’s population, as reported by n u the United States Census Bureau dropped from 175,022 in 1970 to 151,953 in 1980, a 13.4% decline. Despite the decline, Gary remains to grow. Genesis Center, the new civic center, is being constructed. Mayor Hatcher is raising money to have a National Civil Rights Museur and a Hall of Fame built. The musei will be connected to the civic Center Gary is in the midst of revitaliz¬ ing its pride, “it’s more than a city, it’s an opportunity.” 26-‘City Of The Century’

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Are SAT scores really important? Thinking about going to college? If you are, you better start thinking about the SAT-the Scholastic Aptitude Test- because almost any college you apply to will want to see how you did on it. The test is divided into two parts, ver¬ bal and math. Possible scores range be¬ tween 200 and 800 for each test. It’s three hours long, with between two and three hundred multiple choice questions. And generations of students have looked on the SAT as the most feared, most important and most agonizing test of their lives. In the case of verbal, you’re trying to measure a variety of verbal skills: reading ability, voca¬ bulary, and the ability to deal with words in the language. In the mathematics section, you’re trying to develop the ability to solve problems that in some cases are similar to those the student has solved in class room exercises. We polled junior and senior students on whether they thought the test is necessary and why? Anitra Harris: “I feel it is not necessary because it does not really prove if you can handle college work or not. When preparing for the test you’re trying to cram in information for the test all at once. The day you actually take the test, your scared you won’t do well and you’re just upset emotionally. This all goes against your prefection of the test. I say let the colleges go on what you have done throughout your high school years. You can’t base four years on one test that lasted only a few hours.” Marion Rodgers: “If you plan to further your education the SAT is very neces¬ sary. It tests your vocabulary and your math abilities. I plan to go to college, so I felt it was profiting me if I took it. The math section was the section I had problems with. The verbal was easy if you have a good vocabulary background. The SAT is necessary and a good test.” How necessary is Competency II? Competency II is a test that prepares you in one or more of five fields: aca¬ d emics studies, business studies, tech¬ nical studies, practical arts, or the fine arts. Though it has not yet been endorsed by Superintendent Ernest Jones, counselors urge students to complete the Competency II program. According to Mr. Christ Christoff, principal, there is nothing official saying you have to pass Competency II. Students were asked if they felt that Competency II should be a condition you need to complete before graduating from high school? Lisa Manuel: “I think that all students should take this Competency II test, because it will show up what they lack in and what they do best. It takes a long time and experience to know just what and where you stand. I feel that most people who are interested in going to college or a trade school would not mind.” Veronica Bates: “No, I don’t think we should have to take Competency II because we alre ady have Competency I to pass, which includes a writing and math profi¬ ciency test. Along with the headaches of passing those we also have finals at mid-term and during the fourth period.” Eunice Miller: “I feel that Competency II should be a condition you need to complete before graduation, because it gives you the skill to get a job for those who feel college is not for them, or for those who feel even though they attend college they have that extra knowledge of a skill whether it’s typing, shorthand, or some kind of trade like woodshop or carpentry. I also believe it’s very important to pass for each and every indivi¬ dual, also. The students themselves should have to decide whether they should have to pass in order to graduate or not.” 28-Opinion Poll