STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE NEWS LETTER Page Two NEWS LETTER Published by STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE NEWS PRESS CLUB Elizabeth City, N. C. Member: Columbia Scholastic Press Association Editor-in-Chief Quennie Ferebee Associate Editors James Godfrey Curtis Twine Managing Editor Melvin White Feature Editors — Dorothy Smith Mary Gatling Literary Editors _ Delorice Taylor Mattie Seward Sports Editors James Godfrey Billy Hodge, Osie C. Robinson, Yvonne Bland, Sterling Lennon Exchange Editor Ophelia Broadnax Columnist - Carolyn Mitchell Are Editors Earlona Davis Lonnie Davis Reporters Laura D. Bond Irene Exum, Alelia Koonce, Leon Thornton, Dorothy Robinson Typist Mary Spruill Advisor Mrs. E. C. Mitchell THE FUTURE WILL TELL How often have we said that we are going to improve our study habits, take part in extra-curricular activities, and attend cultural programs. When it comes to doing these things, we always find excuses. In view of the many changes in world affairs, it is our duty to prepare for the future. The world demands more than ever before in its history. If as students we learn everything we possibly can, we shall not be obliged to worry about whether or not we are qualified for the jobs we wish to se cure. Now is the time to study hard, to absorb everything we can so that adjustments of the future may be less difficult. WHY DEFEND HIM? Riding under false colors, the class room cheat is the lowest kind of thief. He is a liar and a sneak who takes a high mark while often the student who has studied is obliged to take a much lower mark. If left to him he would decorate his paper with A’s and boast of putting one over the teacher, not realizing that he is the one to suffer. Shun the cheater, for he not only cheats himself; he cheats you. H e steals the credit for which you have labored. You would not be proud to claim as your friend the burglar who had intered your home and robbed you. Of course not, then why defend the classroom cheat? If you would shun the cheater, he would become an extinct species. —Twine FOR FUTURE CADET TEACHERS The day is gradually approaching when you will be clad in HEELS, HOSE and other attire suitable for the teacher. Does this mean that dress is the most important? Indeed not, for this is only one prerequisite to effect ive teaching. Another prerequisite for good teach ing is CADET TEACHING itself. This is one of the most wonderful ex periences that a student will have, for it gives him the opportunity to get acquainted with the many duties, sac rifices and problems in the life of the inservice teacher. It gives a test of the ability to lead, guide, instruct and control generally the elementary child. One may ask, why study so hard to retain so much? Cadet teaching will give the answer. Exercise of knowledge at the right time and in the right place will be important every day, of the cadet teaching period. THE ADVANTAGES OF GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATIONS Ever since fraternities were founded millions of words have been said and written about college Greek Letter or ganizations. Every year fraternities and sororities are attacked verbally and are defended with vigor, and every year thousands of new students decide to join, while other thousands decline membership. The intelligent student wishes to e- merge from college with an academic record that reflects learning, social acceptance, a meaningful scale of values, experience in using time and money effectively, and a concern for others. Before pledging a fraternity or sorority, he must decide wheather it will help him achieve these aims. The considerations that follow are offered to help students who are seeking some basis for making a decision on wheth er or not to join. One of the significant aspects of Greek letter organizations is their en couragement of scholarship among members, who will get systematic help in maintaining a high grade average in order to be initiated, to stay on pro bation and to contribute to a respect able scholastic record for the chapter. On many campuses, sorority and fra ternity members achieve higher grades than the student body as a whole. A member of a Greek letter organ ization is quickly accepted by the group, and unless he violates the chapter policy he can expect contin ued acceptance. The fellowship sup ports him, widens his circle of friends, helps him get along with many dif ferent people and improves his social skills. The social concern of Greek letter organizations is demonstrated in part icipation in campus drives for relief funds and in social service projects. On many campuses “Hell Week” is changed to “Help Week.” Sororities and fraternities are or ganized on religious and ethical prin ciples. Charters and rituals abound in religious symbolism. Many chapters encourage church attendance and sup port numerous activities for religious development. These practices contri bute to the religious climate of the campus. WHAT IS HOMECOMING? What does Homecoming mean? Some have said it means preparation for a day on which a game is to be played. But I think it should mean more than that. To me, it means not only the mak ing of preparation for the playing of a game and a colorful parade, but a great reunion of alumni and friends of the college. It is a great event. Everyone is on edge, making plans. Floats are being decorated by various organizations, bands are rehearsing and cheer leaders are going over their yells. Everyone is in a joyful mood. Homecoming brings with it the ex citement of participating in a gala parade. After that comes the football game, the best of the season being watched by a thousands eyes. Finally, the victory dance! Here the day is just about ended. Friends and alumni leave with hearts filled with the rapture of “Homecoming.” HATS OFF AND HEADS DOWN November, I954 THE ESSENCE OF KINDNESS Hats off to our gallnant football team for their splendid performance thus far. Heads down on the persons in volved in the “canteen incident. ’ Hats off to the residents of Bias Hall for making the best of a bad sit uation. Heads down on students who do not attend religious services on the campus. Hats off to the Student Council for their will to go on when the chips were down. Heads down on all students who do not cooperate with the Student Council. Hats off to our Junior Counselors for their aid given the Freshmen dur ing the Orientation Week. Hats off to the student body for their decorum in the dining hall. Hats off to the Freshman class for making the adjustment to college life. Hats off to the students of Sy- mera and Bias Halls for cooperating in observing study hours. Heads down on the few who per sist in keeping noise. Hats off to Albert Horne for the distinction of being our first “gentle man of the week.” Heads down on the prudes. Hats off to Alpha Kappa Mu members! May more be inspired to join their ranks. Hats off to the entire stvident body for their behavior during the visit of “Hazel” the hurricane. —Ophelia Broadnax ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS For some young men and women the opening of college merely means the end of their official vacations. From now until next May they will continue their vacation is a sort of un official way. To them college will mean little or nothing, and they will not get much out of their scholastic activities. For the majority, however, the opening of school means more than the end of vacation. It means the be ginning of a busy nine months that will bring rich rewards. The students in this category realize the importance of getting an education, and they will do everything in their power to absorb all of the learning they can. This year will be an especially im portant one for the seniors because it will mark the end of their college ca reers and will determine whether they will become teachers in the element ary schools, continue on to higher institutions of learning, or whether tliey will close their books and depend upon the knowledge absorbed to car ry them through life. With the well trained staff, build ings and equipment and a desire for scholastic achievement, there is a great hope for the success of the E. C.S.T.C. students of 1954-5.5. Improvement depends far less up on length of tasks and hours of ap plication than is supposed. Children can take in but a little each day; they are like vases with a narrow neck; you may pour little or pour much, but much will not enter at a time.” Today we do not think as seriously of the meaning of kindness as we should. If we could understand how important it is there would be mam obstacles that would be wiped away Kindness is needed at all tinies- and in all places—at home, on the campus, in the classroom, and in the laboratory. It is even needed in our churches. Kindness prevents wars. I| causes jealousy to disappear and all the destructive forces that make tlie world a confusing one to vanish. Kini- ness is what we mean sincerely when we say: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This merely sharing with others the things we may have, helping those that need help badly, giving to those who feel nej lected and guiding those who have not found the right pathway. We must be kind, for kindness is the rescue for the world in which we live. Kind hearts, kind thoughts, kind words, and kind deeds will make this world a world of peace, love and hap piness. The essence of kindness is beautifully expressed in “Kind hearts are gardens; Kind thoughts are roots; Kind words are flowers; Kind deeds are fruits. —Mattie Seward FRESHMEN PRESENT VARIETY SHOW On Friday night, September 24, the Freshman class gave a variety shoff. The entire cast sang as an opening selection, “Good Evening To You Solos were rendered by Clarestine Wright, Peggy White, Tran Barclill Carolyn Jones, Grace Beadley, Eliz abeth Williams, Calvin Tyson, Janet Lewis and Issac Parmley,. Piano renditions were by Mary Mart- ley and Ivala Banks. Herbert Joyner displayed a most unusual skill - that of a capable juggler. Dramatic inter pretations were done by Sarah Rogers and Wayland Ruffin. Vocal ensembles, both male and female, included, Tk Butler Hall Play Boys” and a womans quartet. The members of these groups were Joyce Alexander, Lillian Turn- age, Catherine McRae, Joseph Punu Calvin Tyson and Albert Baker. Lillian Turnage and Wayland fin did creative dances while Elaine Thuman did a toe dance. The cast sang ‘Good Evening Stud ents” as a closing number. Mrs. Bag- ley and Mrs. A. Martin directed the show. PAYMENT IN FULL You watch the calendar from year to year And think that time goes slowly; You wish to speed it up. But how you do not know. Two days a week you take a break, Then round the campus you lurk. It’s seldom that you leave your vvor And seldom that you shirk. You don’t like for teachers to botlier you; . .. Yet there times when they are nice And come to you to help. But all in all you like college, And you will from day to day; So stick right here; Don’t give it up— Education will pay. n -Ernestine H. Casse»