The Belles of Saint Mary’s
February 12, 1954
TO THE STUDENT BODY
_ Quite often the complaint “Why don’t Saint Mary’s organizations func
tion properly ?” is heard about the campus. BELLES would like to investi
gate this problem and discover the reason for the weakness behind student
activities. We would like to present our opinions upon the matter and also
to ask our readers if they havm anything to add to what we say here.
One of the chief reasons for this laxness is the lack of interest among
the students, themselves. And why this great lack of interest? Is it
because studies take up too much time? Is it because student activities are
frowned upon ? BELLES does not believe either of these statements to
be true. Frankly, we believe that the answer lies in the fact that the whole
student body_ is just plain lazy. “No, we don’t like this rule, but we
couldn’t get it changed if we tried. Besides, we can get around it, and
nobody will ever know the difference.” “This article in the BELLES is
atrocious, but I don’t know anything about writing. So why should 1
bother to express my unwanted opinion.” “This organization could be
helped by a suggestion T have, but only one or two people run it. So, of
course, they won’t listen to me.” These are student excuses for their lack
of interest. But have they really tried to express their ideas? If they
have, we feel sure that they have found an open ear to all their ])roblems
and suggestions. The Legislative Body, with its petitions, offers any num
ber of opportunities for voice in student government. BELLES offers its
avenue of student expression through its “Letters to the Editor” column.
This column is for criticism, suggestions, and questions on anything from
BELLES articles to student attitudes and preferences. And as for other
organizations, the only reason they are run by that one or two is that you,
the student, have refused your help and .suggestions.
Another answer to our problem has been expressed before hut has not
been stre.ssed far, far enough. The fact that many students join activities
and accept offices without accepting the responsibilities that go along with
these duties has weakened student organizations considerably. Students do
not seem to realize that by joining student activities they take upon them
selves a job which they must carry out to their fullest ability. Students
are only fooling themselves if they believe they are adding to their ])restige
by participation in student activities. These activities mean nothing if
the participants are not willing to work for this privilege.
BELLES believes the observations made in this editorial reveal only
a' few of the reasons why student backing in organizations is ])oor. We
would like to hear from our readers on this subject. And reimmiber, we’re
always open to any suggestions.
WATCH YOUR TELEPHONE MANNERS
'The problem of telephone management and manners is becoming a .serious
one at Saint Mary’s. In spite of warnings, students continue to misuse
telephone privileges. The present situation is extremely inconvenient and
annoying to all but those who do take advantage of phone rules.
A bad aspect of the telephone problem, that of charging long-distance
calls to the school, has recently been brought to the attention of the student
body. It is an understood rule that students may not charge ])ersomd
phone calls to the school. 'Ihose who do so deliberately are .showing dis
respect for the school and are damaging the trust put in them, not to men
tion the unnecessary work such calls cause the business staff.
Bad telephone manners is an aspect of which students are continually
aware. Girls who make unnecessary calls, monopolize phones, and refu.se
to cut short their calls when asked by the operator are a nuisance to all.
It is regrettable that there are not more outside telephone lines, but this
IS an inconvenience of which we must make the best. As in anv other
situation involving a group, courtesy and consideration for others are
required. To monopolize iihones and pay no attention to operators, who
are serving you and others, is inexcusably rude. It is a great shame that
students must be not only continually reminded of such simjile courtesies,
but also threatened with punishments for not observing them. ’
The simple cause of the telephone problem is selfishness and thoughtless
ness on the jiart of certain students. The.se few are causing a great incon
venience to the student body and the business staff. 'Ihey must learn to be
thoughtful and courteous in their use of the phones, as'they are in othei'
aspects of school life. When they do, there will no longer be a telephone
problem.
BELLES Interviews New High School
English Teacher, Mrs, Gordon Poole
Mrs. Gordon Poole, who teaches
freshman and sophomore Engli.sh
and American History at Saint
iMary’s, has lived in Raleigh almost
all of hei’ life. She was hoi'ii in
Massachu.setts but moved to Ra
leigh when she was twelve years old.
She graduated from Raleigh High
School and Meredith College. She
received her Masters Degree from
Oberlin College. After teaching at
Meredith for six years, she manded
(lordon Poole. For the lU'xt sev
eral years they lived in Vermont
and New York, Avhere Air. Poole
was a minister. 'Ihey have four
children—three ■ boys, Joe, Davie,
and Johnny, and a little girl, Bar
bara. In 1950 they returned to
Raleigh, where Air. Poole became
administrator of Saint Agnes Hos
pital.
In addition to her family and her
teaching duties. Airs. Poole is a
member of Pullen Aleniorial Baj)ti.st
Church and president of the Ra
leigh Council of Church Women.
I he BELLES is glad to welcome
Mrs. Poole as a new member of the
faculty of Saint Mary’s.
Have You Heard This?
Ml'. Moore’s classes often provide
a few hilarious surprises, but the
latest even surprised the teacher,
himself, Mr. Moore, while discuss
ing a period of literary importance,
asked the following question: “And
what historical battle was fought
during this period?”
One of his smart and very eager
.students innocently asked, “Wasn’t
this the War of the Four Roses, Air.
Aloore ?”
Air. Aloore, among shrieks of
laughter, quipned back, “And what
battle was that!”
Discussion between two faculty
members:
Dr. Browne; “Since you and .Mr.
Aloore are the most well-informed
immibers of our faculty, would you
])artici])ate in our a.sscmbly quiz
program on 'ruesday?”
Mr. Broughton: “Did you say
niformed or deformed?”
.V few stories have been circulat
ing around Saint Mary’s for years.
AV’^itli no idea of their authenticity,
this column presents them to its
readers.
First, there is the boy who came
to the front door of Saint Alary’s
and knocked, no less. Aliss Huckle-
buck (any resemblance to ])ersons,
living or dead, is purely intentional)
went to the door, and there she be
held a boy dressed in blue jeans
and a j)laid shirt (no tie). lie
held a jdece of straw in his mouth
and a carpet bag in his hand. Aliss
Hueklebuck, in her usual ])olite and
interested manner, asked sweetly,
“May I helj) you?”
'Ihe character replied, “Is this
here State College ?”
Then there is the one about the
night a huge, white ambulance
itulled up in front of Saint Alary’s.
'Iwo young internes and a young
lady stc])])ed out. 'Ihey walked in
the front door and straight uj) the
ste])s ot Sniedes. 'Ihe students in
Sniedes. upon seeing two young in
ternes, fled excitedly to their rooms.
One brave soul ventured out and
asked what the three wer(> doing
there. One interne looked at the
girl frantically and asked, “I.-n’t
this Dix Hill?”
The Beiles
OF SAINT MARY’S
BELLES Author Tells
Worries of Writing
Have you ever tried to write an
article for the BELLES? Have
you ever been asked to write, not a
])lain old news article, but .some
thing original, just sparkling with
wit? If you have, you utter a
strong protest: “But, I’m not origi
nal, I’m not wit—”
“Oh, goodness, honey, it’s ea.sy.
Jiist stretch your imagination to the
utterly ridiculous. Have it in to
morrow night by 6 ;30. 'Ihanks
loads,” is the reply.
The door slams, and you are left
Avitli a feeling of utter desolation.
But, one must do his duty; so you
sit down and rack your brain. 'Ihe
clock ticks by; the homework is un
finished ; the imagination just won’t
function; and the article isn’t
written. MHth a rather baffled look
in your eye, you remember the'part
ing words, “Oh goodness, honey, it’s
ea.sy. Just use your imagination.”
Published every two week.s dnriii!;
school year by the student body of
Saint Mary'.s Scliool.
Entered as second class matter I>e-
cember 7, 1944, at Post Office, Raleigl''
N. C., under Act of March 3. 1879.
Subscription ,j;i.00 a Year
Editor Barbara SeamaX
Associate Editor Alice Bost
Assistant Editor Loruie Clark
News Editpr Frances Spaik
Feature Editors Harriet CoNOEr
Mela Royall
Headline Editor....Scott Anderso-'"
CInef Copijreader Mary Jordan
Circulation J/anot/er....Timmy Timmons
Business Manar/er Anne Nichols
Excliaru/e Editor Charlotte Lilly
Adviser C. A. P. Moore
News Reporters
Mary Burnette, Emily Cater, Marv
Linda Garriss, Carol Nichols, Searle
Rowland, Pearl Smith, Ann Wallace,
Mabel Whedbee.
Feature AVriters
Cynthia Bradley, Betty Dry, Betsy
Duke, Peggy Flythe, Jessine Hart.
Nancy Jones, Mena AVay Marsh, Suffl'
ner Parham, Frances Pearson, Caroiy’
Seyffert, Mary Stieber, Nancy Thomp
son.
Headline
Dorothy Bridgets, Nancy Glenn.
Allan Hardin, Mary Lee LaFar, Care-
lyn Nelson, Libby Patman, Jeanette
Uzzell.
Circulation
Betty Claire Athey, Liddy Cullen.
Martha Gee, Nancy Jones, Anne Nic''"
ols, Mary Blair Robinson.
Typi.sts
Kitty Campen, Sara Cobb, Erin Do"'*-
ing, Jane Gillett, Jeanne Ogburne.
MEMBER OF
N. C. C. P. A.
So you imagine. You imagine 1’?
juicy .steak.s dripping with butte*-
a' crisp green salad with your f*'"
vorite dressing, strawberry short
cake, .sjiriiig vacatioms, chocoh'’*’
cake, the beach, fried chicken, *s""’"
mertime, broiled lobster tails, hon't’'
a soft bed, sleep. You iniag'"*’
sleep tco vividly; as a re ult
fall asleep. You wake up the
morning in time for breakfast.
\ ou dash through all your claS't'
and your afternoon lab. You
one hour to bathe and dre.ss, ‘'t’j
sujiper, write your BELLES
fide and have it ty])ed. In
mad dash, you slip on the soap ’’j.
the tub, iiobhle out ])ainfull,yr
dressed, run three pairs of
ing.s, sjiill powder in your top dra"‘j
which is carelessly left open,
finally prepare to write.
'i oil just can’t think, but
you write down a few trite sent’P‘|^j
and jirepare to copy. You forgt’f .
go by the Style Book. You
again. You spill ink on your
You copy again. Yon go to I
tyiiist. She’s dating. By nsi»?' p
“hunt and peck” system you i
yourself. You must finish. i
miss snjiper. Time flies h.T) ,jj|i
finally, around 8 o’clock, yo” 1
with a ])iiinfnl limp down I
editor’s room. She casually ' -f
you, “Oh, you’re too late. '(
he able to use your article this ^ f
You let your bruised body •
wilt on the bed. Oh well, auj'^' ‘ j*'
for the BELLES. , L