Loretto Academy - Laurel Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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newwords Life is like a borrowed book: when the time comes to return it, we aren't usually ready. Jackie Craney, '65 I was watching everybody go to school and to work. All the kids looked anxious, but the adults looked dull. The kids didn't want to go to school any more than the adults wanted to go to work, but there was a difference. That must be youth. Kathy Mitchell, '64 The scent of fallen leaves drifts cross golden meadows (Under slanting skies these best of fragrances turn to russet red and moon gold.) The neighbor boy comes to rake, and his cocker bounces through piles of maples, oaks, cottonwods and the air is full of dogs and leaves. and fawn-colored meadow grass bends and sways under mellow winds For summer has gone, and autumn has drifted over the hilltop», bringing with it charcoal skies and rain that comes down in blowing sheets of water. Country-lanes, once emerald green, are now smudging water colors splashed on the horizon and browning leaves are scuffed in the sun-warmed dust by a little boy's still-bare feet. And the barren trees cast long shadows on their lost leaves as days grow shorter and nights longer. Carol Stipetich, '64 When days are bronze and you are autumn 1 love the most if but your hand is warm in mine and rusty ribbons rustle with my feet as late I dance, the sun yet gold, and time is now, for you are near, and 1 I but clutch your hand to warm my breast. , . .. V then oranging skies (but half the glow) turn dark and chill winds blow unheeded and 1 but reach to grasp your hand . . . (alone) 1 fear Barbara Junior, '64 A little girl’s laugh crinkles. Andy Kuzila. '65 Now it cometh to pass in the year of our Lord that a decree goeth forth that calleth for all the daughters of Loretto to journey forth into the desert ways and findeth themselves sons of Rockhurst and De La Salle to taketh to the annual November celebration. And the daughters of Loretto spreadeth over the city and landeth like a horde of locusts, leaving in freedom not one son of Rockhurst or De La Salle to be found in the whole country. And it cameth to pass that the night of the celebration approacheth; and the daughters of Loretto madeth them- selves exceedingly fair to the eyes. And the sons of the far-off schools were well pleased. Patty Hiller. '64 Fall 1963 15

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 Who is better able to know ond under- stand his neighbor's behavior than the Christian, who understands himself? Sister Gabriel, S.L., psychology teacher at Loretto Heights, opened the doy's speeches and discussions to help the teen- agers present discover the meaning of a better world. because it is, I can really appreciate the things 1 have now, he explained. Continuing, Mr. Smith pointed out that political leaders speak of the community's 'Negro prob- lem, ’ while the problem is not a Negro problem or a prob- lem of the Negro community, but rather an American Problem’ which concerns all of us. Many look upon the Negro as an ailing dog, dying of starvation. They will toss him a bone because they do not like to see an animal suffering.” . . . we are our brother's keeper, and we must search our hearts and souls to answer this question Do I love my brother as 1 love myself?’ Now is the time. The problem is ours. Let's not make it our children's.” From Mr. Lionel Aguilar, a member of Sacred Heart parish, we learned of the vicious cycle plaguing Latin American education in Kansas City: parents cannot put their children through school without money; but without education, the children cannot hope to make money. High school dropouts were over 509£ in one section of the city, yet intelligence tests prove that many could make it in col- lege if they had the incentive to go and the money to go.' For a people brought in as cheap labor and made to face restrictive measures almost as harsh as those facing the Negro now, economic stability is about a generation later than for the average American. As a solution, Mr. Aguilar suggested help in educating the Mcxican-American youth now in school, that in the future they might obtain eco- nomic and social security for their families.” Mr. Sidney Lawrence, Director of Jewish Community Re- lations Bureau, recounted the horrors his people faced throughout the past two thousand years. He pointed up social bans against Jews that are still prevalent in the K. C. area: gentlemen’s agreements” to keep Jews out of certain residential areas; restrictions from country clubs, such as the Kansas City Club, which are important to both busi- ness and social interests. With a brisk enthusiasm, he delved into the why of prejudice and what effects it can have on members of a minority group. Prejudice springs from a varied number of causes, Mr. Lawrence said, fre- quently from a lack of acceptance of self on the part of the one who is prejudiced. And this prejudice can do more 14 damage to the personality growth of the people being persecuted than one can imagine. If the Negroes arc crude, if Jews are stingy, if we say Mexicans are stupid—this is what we have done to them. We have made them anti- social by our condemnation of them. After this unconscious re-echoing of Sister Gabriel's talk on self-concept and the reaction of others, Mr. Vezeau opened discussion to the floor. Questions, wonderings, per- sonal experiences and opinions flew thick and fast. Mr. Vezeau, from lack of time, had to close discussion: Go back to school and work out these ideas. We must first change ourselves and our attitudes toward minority groups.” Still enthused by the ideas and arguments presented at the panel, the students went to meditation groups again, or lingered and listened to Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Aguilar and Mr. Smith. The second meditation tied in beautifully with the plea for justice made by the panel speakers. Christ came to disturb us,” the leader read, He wants to take away our rocking chair and slippers and give us a restless concern for the less privileged.” The day ended with Mass in Loretto’s chapel. With the altar facing the congregation and an Offertory procession symbolic of the participation of the entire Church in the mystical Sacrifice of the Mass, the day ended on a progres- sive note as it had begun. The ideas presented at the day at Loretto are typical of the times around us. It’s a time of rethinkings and revolu- tions. New horizons are opened to us in the fipld of ecu- menism: social justice is heard of everywhere—in summit conferences, city halls, church basements. We look out and see a world which has the power to destroy itself,” Sister Gabriel had said. She, and the panel speakers, and the im- passioned writers of today all try to bring the public to a new awarenes, to a challenge that wre work a bit harder, give a little more, to lead to a better world. Under the guidance of a student leader, students and teachers like those obove read, pondered, and discussed topics of Love ond understanding ond Duties to the universal Mystical Body. In the Better World meditation program, the thoughts of the individual are expressed ond used for the benefit of the whole group.

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New Student Council members mode their pledge ond received their council pins ot the first ossembly of the Student Govern- ment Association. The Student Government Association is on innovation involving faculty ond students. It is governed by the Student Council under the rules of the new constitution. PE RSPECTi v Freshmen ond seniors got to know each other at the big sister- little sister get-together September 4. The juniors and sopho- mores followed through with freshman orientotion parties of their own Here big sisters Janice Schmeltz and Parrfela Moten employ teamwork in the activities with their little sisters Rose- mary Schmeltz and Paula Moten. The Blue-monti added a professional touch to the Hootenony September 21. Musicol contributions were also mode by six other groups ond soloists. The Hootenony more than fulfilled its purpose of raising money for the new Student Handbook 16