North Mecklenburg High School - Viking Yearbook (Huntersville, NC)

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VVhen the student first comes to North in the sophomore class, he finds everything quite differ- ent from the junior high he formerly attended. He finds five buildings instead of the one in the smaller school. He finds the number of teachers with whom he is associated is much greater, and sometimes this becomes confusing. There are new people here - not just the ones he has attended school with for many years. Things are different! The students, however, soon find themselves a part of the school. They belong! Each one then settles down and tries to set for himself the goals he will try to reach. He begins to think. Why? What? Where? When ? And this is good. 6 Q in , y, Learning that he cannot accept everything he hears and reads, the student begins to sift facts and to reject those things he believes to be false. He learns to evaluate the thinking of others and his own thinking, also. This is not true of every student, for there are some who do not find themselves as early nor do they set for themselves any goal at all. However, he is encouraged to grow, and this he does. The way to an education is not a frivolous one, it must be taken with seriousness. One must aim for the im- possible and in reaching out for that goal will attain much more than he ever thought possible.

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Kay Ashley, Phil Black, Tommy Benfield, Bobby Beaver, and Dixie Cochrane formed a panel to discuss insects in biology North Seeks Schools are the strength of the nation. The devo- tion to schools is a measure of faith in education and with faith should go understanding. In the past three hundred years, education has been used to solve many big problems. Four major ones have been safeguarding our religious heritage, securing a stable democracy, training skill- ful workers, and leaming to live in a progressive society. Now, the fifth problem is how to live at peace in a world that seems determined there shall be no peace. These five problems, among others, still chal- lenge us. What are we doing about them? VVhat is North Mecklenburg doing to answer the chal- lenge? A North contributes in many ways to the develop- ment of the student. Strength of character, per- To Challenge sonality, and standards of good citizenship are greatly determined by what one learns and does in school. North tries to furnish experiences where- by the student will gain sufficient growth in all these things. Teachers know that knowledge of skills without character produces a person that may be a menace to society. Moral and spiritual development must go hand in hand with development of the intellect. School is just one of the influences, however, as the home, the family, the church, and the com- munity activities are powerful influences also. North, together with its community, its churches, and its other organizations, works toward the same goal: to help one make the most of himself and the opportunities he has to become a self-reliant member of the community and to inspire him with a high sense of moral and spiritual values. 5

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Guidance Aids Students In Accepting Challenges i 1 I 1 Zoe Hough placed second in the state in the I Speak for Democracy contest. Pat Fisher was a candidate for the Morehead scholarship. Many students answer the challenge to reach for higher things. They, through their own efforts and the encouragement and guidance of their teachers and the counselors at school, enter into competi- tion and earn many awards. Each year more of the outstanding students are encouraged to enter college, to study for those professions and voca- tions which fill their needs and interests. Some, in order to go to college, have to have some kind of assistanceg so those who have applied themselves scholastically and who have developed their other traits such as personality, leadership and sportsmanship are eligible for many scholar: ships. Outstanding scholarship is rewarded by those who take the National Merit Scholarship Qualify- ing Test, for here true scholarship shows up. This year two of North's students are in the final com- petition for National Merit scholarships. They are Bob Penland and jack Ritterskamp. Winning Morehead scholarships is nothing new for North. Pat Fisher was eliminated in the semi- finals of this competition this year. Angier B. Duke scholarships are earned sometimes. Several juniors and sophomores entered the I Speak for Democracy contest, and Zoe Hough was runner-up in the state competition. There are many advantages in entering these competitive activities, for each new experience helps one move toward reaching his goal. 7