Southwest High School - Roundup Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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DEMOCRACY AT SOUTHWEST HIGH By ToM CRESSWELL Much has been done at Southwest High School in the three years of its existence but not a great deal has been said of the democratic spirit permeating these accomplishments. The school has had the sympathetic encouragement of the principal and faculty members. The friendly feeling between the teachers and students has been manifested in many ways, but especially in clubs, athletics, and other extra-curricular activities. Both have shown their desire to cooperate: the teachers in sponsoring clubs and supervising plays and shows with such striking examples as the operetta, the band show, and many others: the students by their activity in the Student Council, in the Special Service Club, as classroom officers, and in many other ways. The teachers are always glad to discuss a student's difficulties with him, and their friendly attitude both in the halls and in classrooms is noticeable. Classroom officers are usually elected by the class and consist generally of chairman, assistant chairman, and secretary. In some classes committees of students, elected by the class, consult with the teacher in planning lessons and making assignments. At times when the teacher is called from the room the chairman carries on the discussion. The cooperation of the other students in such instances is a striking example of democracy and student cooperation. Subjects discussed at council meetings are reported to the advisory groups by their representatives who report to the council their group responses. Council representatives cooperate with student editors of school publications by super- vising sales and distribution matters in their advisory groups. Thus from the principal of the school to the newest freshman an effort is made to achieve that appreciation of cooperation and respect for the other fellow which are necessary to a democratic society. Southwest is not perfect, but we believe we are making progress in that direction. Twenty-seven

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THE SNOW IS FALLING By JOHN IACOMETTI The Joneses, Mandy and little Tudi, lived in that little white house on top of the hill in Carltonville. It was almost too much like the frame house, white fence, and green shutters one sees on Christmas cards. Its neatness told something of the people living inside. Carltonville was a typical, small New England town. The people loved their friends but resented the presence of anyone whom they had come to dislike. Like too many others, these people felt themselves above Mandy and Tudi. Perhaps it was the difference in color, or perhaps it was the fact that the Joneses were strangers to the town: nevertheless, the villagers felt them- selves above the Joneses. l'Mammy, mammy, Tudi tugged at his mother's skirt. Wen's it gonna snow? Ah, don' know, honey. Now don' go bodderin' mammy. Caint yo' see she's busy? But mammy, wen we lef' New Awlens to com up here to Cawltonville, yo' said dat we'd see snow, an' we done been here a week now. Ah knows, honey chil', but ah reckon it ain't wet 'nough yet. Da pond has froze awreadyf' Tudi was not satisfied with this reply, but he had to content himself with it. He always received the same answer. Mammy -it was evident that something was disturbing him- Mammy, why did we come here? We is de only colo'd folks in dis here town. Why, honey, yo' knows dat de reason we moved up here is ta live in dis house yo' pappy done bought fo' us. Why, don' yo' like it up here? 'iOh no, it ain't dat. How could he tell her the truth? He made an attempt to change the subject. HDis sure am a purty house. Yas suh. Sure is mighty lonesome do' widout yoh pappy here to enjoy it wid us. They both looked at each other and remained silent. It was Mandy who broke the silence. Go out an play, honey. Mandy smiled pleadingly. l'De fresh air'll do yo' good. Tudi hated the thought of going out and watching the others play and laugh. He would be left out of their games as usual and be the butt of some cutting remark. These children couldn't realize that Tudi wanted companion- ship more than anything else. They regarded Tudi as a freak, and it hurt him deeply. Tudi hid in the usual corner of the tall white fence surrounding the house. He watched the children play through a crack, his eyes glistening with excite- ment. Gh, how he longed to play with them! If only he could be near them and talk with them. He had been in Carltonville for but a week, and already he had put up with jeers and cutting names. Mandy witnessed everything from the cottage window. She suspected that her little boy was experiencing the same things that happened to her in town with the village women. The bonds between mother and son tightened. Mandy called Tudi in. Honey, how do de chillun' roun' here treat yo'? Is dey frenly wit' yo'? Does yo' really like it here? Tudi bit his lip and tried bravely to lie. Oh-oh sure, mammy, we have lotsa fun playin' games-lotsa new games ah never knowed befo'. - Twenty-nine