Thursday, October 28, 1976—THE GRYPHON—Page Three
Letters
to the
Editor
Ho
+00 mocj-v +0
'3'
r
boa a. C>OSS , ■ ■ -I.- n rv,-. ^
^ 0>S X CJ^reioc>:!^.c.
Ow rrva.rN^ CXKX^ uoo
poV Ck. ocic-C. or\ -J
SOci O-t T3kU:,2^yJ(arNCXL2
4©o'^U bifl_Our\ cjO-V-
rcc^\U;^-vV;ntso^
usclUj i~>ou:> ■VVw\
X ■Vovfs't- cx'oDO-'r
^t^oc.'r^ • • • ^ rfvGa.tN
-fe(~ bOOvOA
OJXe0a.nCQ, cxi^d
an .
/
Dear Editor:
As a teacher of Rocky Mount
Senior High I would lile to express
nny appreciation for the good
behavior and great cooperativeness
of students in trying to make this
school the best.
They do not sit on the floor or
conjugate in the halls to hinder
people from passing.
These students stay after school
to keep put on the projects.
They ?re quiet, not loud and you
will find them studying very much to
prepare themselves to become
positive citizens in the future.
Nobody rings a bell when these
students pass, but they are great
assets of our school.
Mrs. Emmanuel Thompson
Dear Editor,
As co-editors of the yearbook, we
are very pleased with your
suggestions concerning the selec
tion of outstanding seniors. The
HI-NOC-AR Staff has never been
completely satisfied with the
method of selecting outstanding
seniors, and we are pleased with
your concern, however, you did have
one mistake on your editorial. The
HI-NOC-AR Staff does not have the
students select ten black and ten
white seniors but rather the top ten
boys and girls in the class. Thank
you again for your interest and
concern.
Sincerely,
Teresa Bulluck
Martha Cash
Dear Editor,
In expressing an idea or opinion I
think It’s only fair that John Gilmore
give both parties involved a negative
and positive view. I know that you
can give your opinion In an editorial
but he (John Gilmore) really put
UcM, t3Gs>de,5
\joosr -W^c,u'>re
^'■d-^Vx-rccJ c-i^c.c,
-VdQ.oo^v\
uo'-W> u^00~
DO -V'TNitfrvs Qoc orWw
$ ^ I
rr, U ! I
irrn
Jimmy Carter down to the ground.
President Ford seems to be your
choice of president but you didn't
give any negatives on his part, but
as for Jimmy Carter you didn’t do
anything positive. Regardless of him
shaking hands with blacks, you
shouldn’t include it In your article
because it’s part of his campaign.
Since you've already publicly
(schoolwlse) expressed your opin
ion. I see no need in commenting on
the matter further.
Sincerely,
C. Knight
Homeroom 422
P.S. I’m pulling for Peanulsl
Dear Editor,
I'm a concerned junior and I have
a somewhat small, but helpful
suggestion of warning for our class
of sophomores. When in study hall
you are asked not to talk; beware of
this warning because detention hall
is a lonely place. I’ve been there
once and it's a total waste of time.
Beware the cautions made by the
teachers because the penalty Isn’t a
very good way to spend an
afternoon. If you are daring, be my
guest. Spend an afternoon of
no-talking, no-interruptlons, and
no-nothing. Have fun in this never
punishment.
A Concerned re-run,
Janet Wright
SOAPBOX
By Billy Carroll
Scholastic Aptitude Test or high school academic performance are utilized by
college admissions boards as the two basic methods to assess the individual
student’s knowledge and to indicate his performance in college. The majority of
colleges review both test scores and transcripts of grades while each usually
stresses one or the other based on its own experiences with students. Which
method is more adequate?
Stephen Jackson, a former student of Western High School in Washington, D.
C., has made this question more clearly heard by many educators. His per
formance in secondary school was one of stability and serious application. He
graduated first in his class. However, on his Scholastic Aptitude Test, he scored
320 in verbal ability, placing him in the bottom 13 percent of college-board
students, and 280 in math, the bottom two percent. He was refused admission to
George Washington University.
This chasm between grades and scores produced two widely varied responses.
Joseph Ruth, dean of admissions at George Washington, felt that, “He’s
(Stephen) been deluded into thinking he’s gotten an education.” Superintendent
Vincent E. Reed of the Washington School system replied that colleges have
placed too much emphasis on standardized tests and that classroom performance
is much more representative of the student’s aptitude.
Certainly this case of performance vs test scores is extreme but it cries out for
changes in our educational institution.
Student Turns
Professional
Walking down the hall it gives a casual empty smile to a
friendly admirer. A question directed to it brings a
matter-of-fact, often snobby reply, it acts disappointed with
an A. It acts imposed upon when asked to do something.
The “it” mentioned above is a sub-human form of student,
suffering from a chronic case of big headedness, the
professional student. It is sad to say that there are a few of
these contemptuous creatures walking the halls at Rocky
Mount Senior High disguised as mild-manner students.
The professional student is a pitiful sight. However, it was
not always that way. It once could laugh at itself and at its
friends without sarcasm. It was once actually a human being!
How couid that be you ask? Let me explain.
There was once a time when this beast was human. But
through the process of educational evolution, the professional
student became a victim of its teachers. It always did well in
school. It was always ahead of the others. This alone,
however, did not prompt its retrogression. The teachers and
parents always drooled over it and told it they expected good
things from it. Awards came to it by the handful. As soon as it
was made class monitor, the transformation was complete. It
now believed it was superior.
But as years went by other students caught up and
inevitably surpassed it. But it didn’t have to worry. It had
made a name for itself. It knew that everything would be
handed to it on a silver platter, while others worked twice as
hard for the recognition it received. Fabricated success
impressed its classmates, and they too believed it was
superior. Also, teachers who lacked imagination or daring
bestowed honors upon it as an easy way out. But as it and
those around it grew, some could see through its act. Some of
these professional students are really nice people, while out
of school. But as soon as that 8:30 bell rings the
transformation from Dr. Jeckle to Mr. Hyde begins. There is
no known cure for this malignant infestation of its mind
except time. But often then it is too late. Perhaps a
Professional Students Anonymous will spring up somewhere.
But their greatest chance for cure is self-admittance and
understanding.
Federal Grant To Finance
Rocky Mount Bikeway Plan
A proposal for a universal
bikeway system in Rocky Mount
is on its way to the City Council.
“The plan two years ago would
have cost $107,000 but now
because of inflation will be
estimated between $130,000 to
$140,000” Jack Gilmore, a
biking enthusiast, told the City
Council.
Federal Grant
Mr. Gilmore told the council
that there is a new federal pilot
grant that will fund 80% of the
cost of the project, and he urged
the council to submit an
application as soon as possible.
Although no final action has
been taken, several council
members seem to be in support
of the plan.
WARD'S
Appliance
Service
227 South Main
446-2021
Under the plan, the bikeway
will run down the median of
Sunset Avenue, across 301
bypass on a special bridge, then
will run down the side of Sunset
Avenue at May Drive, crossing
the dry bed and the Tar River
with special bridges. It will run
around the City Lake and then
east on Western Avenue to
Church Street. The plan also
calls for special barriers to
protect the bike riders.
mi
SENIORS!
TRY OUT FOR
OUR TEAM!
Reserve your job
for summer now!
If you make our
team, you can
pick your job,
training, and location—guaranteed In writing.
And we’ll hold it for up to 9 months.
Don’t wait though—the best jobs and locations go
quickly.
Ask me about Army opportunities.
Sgt. Phillip Howard
201 Dominick Dr.