Reavis High School - Aries Yearbook (Burbank, IL)

Page 10 text:

X , . THF DFDI6'AI'10N WILLIAM 0 'NFILL The time is NOW. From the outset of the creation of this l967 yearbook, the staff continually reminded the sponsor that there was a certain sense of immediacy about things this year ,.,.,. an urgency - somewhat difficult to explain - not usually felt. Somehow, a quickening. An awareness. An alertness. About the world. About the school. About youth. A pregnant atmosphere of impending- change. And a positive desire to be a part of things, events, hap- penings ,..... a desire to be involved. lTlME magazine ac- knowledged this involvement, this awareness, with its first is- sue this year when it selected the Man of the Year.l Thus: Rea vis Now. Youth knows so much, is aware and sensitive, and can perceive in some cases more than an lladultf' ie., one who is older, in a given situation. lt was not long after school commenced in September that signs began to appear that this would indeed be a year of change. Not iust difference, but improvementj No.t every difference would be an improvement--but the maiority, nevertheless. 'Y lk lk The time is NOW. Words written l22 years ago by James Russell Lowell -to, a hymn of praise lsung to an old Welsh melodyl state that, 'l'Once to every man and nation, Comes the moment to decide lln the strife of truth with falsehood, For the good or evil side. l. Well, that TIME is now. We are in the process of making up our minds iust how good a school Reavis High School is going to become. lt has not yet been.decided, by the way. lOne should not assume that this llnow --this Rance extended merely from last September to June l967. Itls more difficult to define than that, and it's a longer period of time, too.l But there are indications ..,... some conclusions may be drawn at this time. This year two significant educational proposals went before the school district's voters within a five month period. Both 'were passed. One provided for Reavis' much-needed new library, more classrooms, art suite, and guidance department facilities. The second approved the formation of the area junior college, More immediate and noticeable innovations around school inclu- ded the new 'lBlueprint, a re-invigorated Student Council,-the NHS portable paperback shop, a promising gymnastics team, Rampage - the literary magazine, an informative Career Day, the memorable Washington weekend for seniors, instruc- tors remaining in the school every day until four to providehout-

Page 9 text:

DEE DOCKSTADER ANDREA LAVELA Editor in Chief linda Gardner SU E PALBY Lora Hanrath Page 258 Page 200 Page H2 LINDA BINGLEY SUE STENHOUSE DEBBIE McNAllY Pat Streich Janet Lence LYNN ROSINSKI MARY HILLOCK Donna lazo Ken Galus Cindy Gotkowski

Page 11 text:

side-of-class aid to any student, the enlarged guidance depart- ment. lThough the dependable, traditional performances .of the established teams and organizations are not specifiedherehthey are no less valuable or valued. lt is only with such a solid base of tradition that innovation can be successfull Concluding the partial list of newnesses at Reavis were the Satf urday Humanities Seminars at the University of Chicago, the spring drive for the AERO Coop, conference bowling compee tition, and the establishment of the Singers ofthe Mystic Clime. And of course, l966A67 was Dr. Callison Simon's inaugural year at Reavisf-a significant and happy experience for the school and the superintendent. lk lk if Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare John W. Gardner asked, in his l96l book llExcellence, if our society could ex- pect to be Qi excellent and equal too, i.e,, simultaneouslyf He concluded that we as a people have stressed equality at the ex- pense of excellence and that unless both were desired and at- tainable A which of course they are f we would suffer the inev- itable consequences. More than a decade and a half ago Reavis instructors and',stu- dents recognized excellence as a desirable and attainable goal Today, after I7 years, we have both mediocrity and excellence in our midstf-the former inexcusable because of the existing potential. This is not so much a criticism of the immedi- ate paste-rather it is a renewed awareness of the promise of the future of Reavis High School. lt is time to re-dedicate our' selves - as students and teachers, as administrators and board members, as secretaries and clerks, as custodians and cooks - to make this a better school. lt is time for the hard life of prinf ciple and discipline to order our beings. lt is time for excel' lence, The time IS now. PK lk Pk An outstanding example ofa principled person in our midst who is attempting to attain excellence, and give his students a .taste of it too in this Now year, is the subiect of this dedication. In talking with others about him, one hears that he has a uconcern for people generally lmeaning mankindl and a llgenuine inter- est in youth. Both true. In his l2 years at Reavis he has been teacher, coach, and friend. Some times strict, but ever fair, he encourages people around him to have the courage of theircon- victions. The I967 ARIES is dedicated to a man who this year served as president of the faculty association, the Washing-tonn trip sponsor, Social Studies Department Chairman William O'Neill. After earning his bachelor's degree from lowa's loras College, Mr. O'NeilI taught at leo High School in Chicago--coming to Reavis as an instructor of U.S. History. He received his 'mas- ter's from the University of Illinois in i965 and the following year was appointed chairman of his department. Father of 6 children and director of a boys summer camp, Mr. O'Neill has long stood for, and been an example of, ethical behavior and the belief that such conduct can lead to a better Reavis, a better life. lt is an honor to dedicate this book to him. The promise of the better high school-the significantly better high school-is within our reach. The time to stretch is upon us, all. This time of dedication and re-dedication is Now. The Time ls Now. let if be. NOVV: