tAGE TWO
DHE BLACKBIKl), HOCKY StOUNT siSDflOA jaiGH SCHOOl
FRIDAY, PEBEUAEY. 18. 1959
To Each His Own Valentine
Although tlie modern advertisements of Valentine’s Day
lead us to think only of a boy’s love for a girl there lies deeper
the true meaning of this day. The ancient customs of Valentine
showed not only the romantic aspects but also, the equally im
portant phases of love involving friends, relatives and associ
ates.
Jn the average high school student’s mind there exists only
one valentine, the cute girl who sits across the aisle or lives
next door. In reality there are many, a friend, a sister, a mother
or father, a teacher for whom one holds a high degree of re
spect. Each in his own waj’ can be a very special valentine.
By the same token, each separate valentine desires the gift
most appealing to him. "While the girl next door would treasure
a heart-shaped box of candy, a friend might wish for a long-
wanted book. The gft expressing love doesn’t have to be tan
gible. It doesn’t have to be heart shaped. "What more could a
loving mother wish for than to have the gift of love expressed
by every action, every word.
At school the valentine season is denoted by bulletin boards
bright with red hearts and verses. In this atmosphere many stu
dents want to give their favorite teacher something to show
love and respect. The usual choice is, of course, candy. A little
more thought by the student might result in a gift such as “A”
papers and exceptionally good work. Although the candy would
be enjoyed, so would the “A’s”.
Too often the average student is tempted to do that which
takes less effort and time, also that which brings poorer results.
Valentines'should show thought and respect instead of show
ing that the giver was too hurried to think of what would please
the individual best.
Which is Your Valentine
Be Careful- Just in Case
Do you hold your feet up when riding across a railroad
tract to insure good luck or raise your hands to the roof of the
automobile when crossing a bridge in order to hold the car up
and insure safe passage? If you do, don’t feel silly. The high
schools are full of students, who sincerely believe and follow
these superstitious traits.
No matter how silly some think this practice is, at one
time or another, each student finds himself catering to these
beliefs. How many of us can break a mirror without any
thought for the seven years bad luck that this could bring?
Today has been since ancient voo-doo days the worst day
of the year. It is Febriiary 13 and to add to this trouble it falls
on Friday. Since the times when twelve witches picked this day
to meet wth their cohort, the Devil, to cook up evil, Friday the
thirteenth has been the day when all the unlucky things most
dreaded happen.
Although horrible things rarely happen on this day, most
people find;’ as the witches did, that it is a good idea, super
stitious or not, to be careful—“just in case”!!
THE BLACKBIRD
Rocky Mount Senior Hig
Member ofi the
Columbia Scholastic Press Association*
CO-EDITOES MARGARET CARMICHAEL, CL.IRK LEE SIIUFF
AdverUsing 3Ianager jane Crumplei
^ Saundra Wiggins
® Ann Adidns
Page 4 Herb Allred
5 Allen Casej
I’nge 6 Burt TYlilte
Staff Writers Pat Reardon, Bobby Jones,
jSIargaret Strickland, Bobbie Shrere
ADVISOR Mrs. T. D. YOUNG
At RMSHS
Spring-Time for Fresh Start
Latin students studying Caesar are familiar with the Luper-
calia, the annual Roman festival held in preparation for the
coming of Spring. This period of preparation for a new begin
ning is comparable to the same period, between January and
the Ides of March, in the school year.
Jow Whatshiname, an oM friend from here at Senior High
school,, who popped up on this page in January, has returned at
act as an example again.
As exam time came rolling around this year, Joe found
lie had to cram like m^d to make up for time he had spent ‘ ‘roll-
img ajrouncl” in his ’42 Ford tliat he
should have spe'Cit studyinig. Still,
Famous Birthdays
In February Hint
At Fame In Store
Febniai-y may toe the s]for(est
iiiiouth in tbe year tmt it is on€ of
the most outstanding as far as im
portant 'birthdays go. I wonder if
the Scnioi- High students boru in
F&brunry will follow in tlie tracks
the other famous men and women
born that same day.
AVill Terry Xe>vell, born February
22, l>e like Geiorge Washington or
Lord Ruibert Baden-Powell, the
foimler of tlie Boy Scouts, or will
he be scientifiic like Heinrich Heirtz,
ithie phiysicist, who diiscovered radio
waves? Will Ji'aiicy Coggins, born
itliis same day, be like one of these
or will silie fo'liliow Francois Chopin,
the French composer?
Win Lanion Dunn, who will be
17 February 13, have had luck all
lihat Friday, or is 'thait hla lucky
day?
Patsy Wsurren, Tjom February 12,
may revoiutionlze the financdal
wwld like another John L. Lewis
or again she may be the firstt wo
man pre/siident in America like an
Abe Lincoln minus the beard.
Gre^t things are in itJie ci’ystal
ibaM for Roger W'aters in the field
of niedi'cine for his birthday falls
cn February 17, ithe same day as
Uene Lajennec, the Inventer of the
stethescope. Certainly some of it
has ruihhed off on Roger.
Yes, they have some ixig steps
to walk in — these people born in
February!
even though he honed up, he flunk
ed-with flying colors!! ’
After grades came out, Joe went
to see his teacther and demand:ed,
How can I pull this ‘E’ to a pass
ing mark. Huh?” Docs that sound
a iMt like “locking the do^r aflter
tlie horse is stolen” to you, too?
Now, Joe musit make, at the
leaisit, a ‘C’ average — hut do you
think he’ll study? Oh, no!! — he’ll
wait until the last mimvte again;
he’ll cram; and he’ll flunk as be
fore.
Studying would get less and less
difficult each time he tried it — it
he would try it.
His mother’s favorite dream is
that son’s former had habits are
“just so much water under the
hridige.” She dmagin.es that he
changes his wajTS o£ living and
uses this semester of the school
year in ipreparation for all his
tests and exams — situdylng and
Jearning both what he should have
learned this past semester and the
one he’s beginning!! She doesn’t
realize he’s a hopless case!!!
His teachers are working over
time trying to help him pass. His
classmates are behind Mm pushing.
His parents have done their best
through punlshdmg hiim, pleading
with him and even, in destparation,
using the silent treatment on him.
But it doesn’t do any good. He will
not exert any energy whatsoever,
in his own behalf.
They hope that he’s smarter than
they think and will see the folly
of his ways. I wish, him good luck;
he needs it!!!
Shuff’s Stuff
by Clark Lee Shuff
International situations affect RMHS students as much as
any other citizen, perhaps even more. A future Abe Lincoln may
be sitting in a desk here right now!!
Way down south, our Cuban friends have finally routed out
their ex-president, Batista. Cuba is famous for her revolutions.
Her Latin temperament makes those sparks fly.
^ Fidel Castro, rebel leader, taking over Havana upon the
resignation and flight of Batista, mavched his army triumphant
ly through the streets on their home-made ajctillery (‘home
made’ or not—it worked!!) U. S. executives are walking around
with their fingers crossed hoping Castro won’t interfere with
Cuba-America commercial relationships. Just think how Uncle
Sam’ll miss those extra $millions.
USSR and East Berlin Pxre trying to force England, France,
and US to relinquish control of the West Germany sector by
refusing to deal with them except through East Berlin as an
independent power. The West has met this (bless ’em) with
folded arms and silent refusal (silence is golden). This lack of
firery action leaves Eussia looking rather silly—-but still dan
gerous.
Mikoyan, Soviet First Deputy Premier, visiting
the Ub, states that his trip has nothing whatsoever to do with
the East Berlin problem. This reporter thinks that Mr. Mikoyan
IS somewhat like the “cat” in that “Colpas” song—“wearing a
sombrero and long pants.” Russia seldom does anything except
to further her own purposes.
Unhappily, too many Americans have been ill-mannered
enough to “boo” their guest, to the shame of self-respecting
citizens. Often the action of a minority causes America to suffer
in the eyes of other nationalities. What a Utopia it would be
if we could exterminate these boors 11
Ben Blackbird Sez
“Do Not quarrel with an angry
person, but giye him a soft ans-
I'er. It mahes him madder than
anything else."