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THE GRYPHON
Tliiirsd^. October 28, 1971
Apathetic Students
It is a crying shame that there exists at RMSH a
tremendous feeling of apathy. This feeling is apparent
in every sector of the student body. R is not limited
to the Sophomore, Junior or Senior class. It is not
limited to one race or economic class. It seems to
be the “in” thing to be non-active in school ac
tivities. It seems that the entire student body cares
more about getting home at 3:10 than waiting to hear
the end of a pep rally.
There are many examples that may be held to show
the "don’t care” attitude that 95% of the students
have. The conduct in the first assemblies was total
ly disrespectful. The pep rally for the Hillside game
was suddenly brought to a halt because some stu
dents had to get to the busses. Pm sure the busses
would not leave you. The attendance at the Gryph’s
home football games has not been what It should
be, not to mention the out-of-town games. Whoever
heard of a team with a shot at the championship
without a following. The GRYPHON subscription
campaign ended in near-disaster. The magazine sale
was a letdown. The Hi-No-Car sales were not as
numerous as had been hoped for. The pep rallies
have been relatively quiet, except for the sound of
1500 feet stomping out of the gym while the cheer
leaders are still on the court trying to finish their
program.
The whole school seems dis-orlented. The stu
dents show no respect to the administration; the ad
ministration seems, at times, not to know what’s
going on; and the faculty has no way to control the
mass of people who constantly disrupt everything
that goes on at RMSH. The people talk about “being
together”, but they themselves are about as UN-
together as they can get.
Rocky Mount Senior HighSchoolisareaUty,whether
we like it or not. It’s here to stay, so we better do
our best to make it a pleasant place to share the
learning process.
Where Have All
The Heroes Gone?
What ever happened to America’s heroes? What
has become of the elite group of real-Ufe and legen
dary figures that, in the past, seemed to serve as
an example for millions of people who were searching
for the road to happiness?
It seems as if the heroes have all died or have
simply left because of a feeling of being unwanted.
Because of their inactiveness, they have left us to
find the way ourselves.
The lives of many Americans in preceeding gen
erations were tremendously Influenced by one or more
heroes who had a special lesson or ideal to offer.
These people had a respect for the actions and ideals
of these heroic characters. They tried to live by
these ideals and preached their lessons to their chil
dren and neighbors.
The emotions and spirit of such heroes as the
giant logger, Paul Bunyan, and the husky railroader,
Casey Jones, have been iMt in the plastic and con
crete of our modern world. The westering spirit
of such men as the Chinese “coolies”, who built
the first continental railroad, has been lost in the
commotion of 20th century life. The teachings of
humanists such as Socrates, Mahatma Ghandi, and
Jesus Christ have been twisted and turned to fit
everyone’s point of view. The truth has been bent
and beaten to match the ideas of certain groups of
people.
In these times when America is in need of guidance,
take a look at the heroes of early-day America~they
offer a lesson to be learned.
Listen To The Band
Rocky Mount Senior Hi^ has many things to be
proud of. E has an able faculty, a fine choice of
curriculum, and a fine athletic department. Every-
Mie recognizes these assets of RMSH. But there Is
one unit at RMSH that, for the most part has gone
unrecognized by people in Rocky Mount. This unit
is the Rocky Mount Senior Hl^ School Marching
Band. This band is one of the finest bands in North
Carolina. They are excellent in musicianship and
are a joy to watch on the field.
Under the direction of Mr, J.C, Sykes and Mr.
C.S. Woods, the band has moUed itself into the
fine unit It is today. The band Is a sight to see m
the fieU as they perform many intricate maneuvers.
The Color Guard, the majorettes, and the rifle corps
also make this a sight to see. At Goldsboro, the
band made an excellent showing; so well in fact,
that they received a standing ovation from the Golds
boro side, as well as the RlilSH delegation.
The band should receive a pat on the back for a
job well done because they are surely one of the most
talented and dedicated units in North Carolina.
A “political machine we ^
can’t live without../
ELECTIOII DAY-^
Nov. 2,1971
O
Around The Campus
This newspaper is a reflec
tion on the entire student body.
This newspaper, like much of
the student b^y is in bad shape.
The reason this paper is in
bad shape is the majority of
students in this school don’t
care about this paper, and don’t
care about this schooL The
student body will be content
with being their apathetic, com
plaining selves.
This year, my staff and my
self have tried to put together
a paper that wouM truly be an
outlet for student opinion, as
well as an entertaining and in
formative journaL I have tried
to make this paper one that stu
dents would enjoy and look for
ward to each issue. Most of the
staff members honestly want to
publish a paper that you will
enjoy. In my opinion, the staff
is interested in giving this paper
a direction; something which it
has not had In recent years.
To continue this we need your
support. U you have already
bought a subscription, please
encourage others to do so. ff
you haven’t bought a subscrip
tion, please buy one; because
without your support, we cannot
continue to publish this paper,
FILM FESTIVAL
In the happenings around
Rocky Mount, the WRMT Con
temporary Film Festival is in
its second phase. Tonight, the
Beatle flick, “Yellow Subma
rine” is at the Center Theater,
Next Friday, the return of
“Monterey Pep” will attract
many students. This film was
here about two monthsago, so
if you didn’t see it then, plan
to check it out this time around.
The next Friday, “The Straw
berry Statement”, the story of
James Simon Kunen, tells of
the life of a coUege radicaL
This Is, in my opinion, THE
film to see. B Is a stirring
comment on our social scene.
Check it out.
During the next few months,
the students at RMSH will be
subjected to some very promis
ing assemblies. The Assembly
Committee of the SRA has sche
duled two very unique assem
blies to be heU in November
and December, In November,
the Assembly Committee will
present a variety show featur
ing local talent. There will be
music, dance and singing by the
more talented students at
RMSH. Then, in December,
there will be an assembly pre
sented by the Drama Depart
ment. This assembly will fea
ture short plays adapted from
By RICHARD NEWMAN
old fairy tales. This kind of
theater has become very popu
lar all over the country, with
the most succcessful troupe
being Paul Sill’s “Story Thea
ter”. The program will be
headed by Mr, Bill Rawls and
the Dramatics II students,
some of who participated In the
Story Theater session at the
Tank Theater during the sum
mer.
Enough for now. Go Gryphs,
see the flicks, and lay the sug
gestions on me. Peace,
Record Review
“The Four Of U»”
I am one of the many peo
ple who can find no wrong with
John B, SiBbastian, There is
not a single person in the music
field who is more versatile or
talented than John Sebastian.
In his latest attempt, the ex
leader of the Lovin Spoonful
exhibits many previously hid
den talents. On his latest LP,
“The Four of Us,” Sebastian
plays all guitars as wellas key
boards and probably the best
blues harp of any popular per
former.
The album begins with two
hard rock numbers,-“Well, Well
Well,” and “Black Snake
Blues.” These exhibit Se
bastian’s talent for raw, gutsy
blues. The next cut, “Don’t
Want Nobody Else,” Is a ty-
1 9r ~iWkl I
(Editor’s note—The following is
a continuation of a feature we
ran last Issue. The response
was so positive, we decided to
run it a second time. I hope
you enjoy it.)
FROM OUR BIG DEAL
DEPARTMENT:
Ben Franklin invented the
harmonica.
There was never a famous
twin,
Oliver Cromwell was hanged
after he was dead.
Reverend W,B, Hogg, of EL
Paso, Texas, memorized the
Bible.
A RECORD TO BE SNEEZEDAT
James Lanvier sneezed 690
times in succession. 1927.
HOW ABOUT IT,
ENGLISH TEACHERS
Homer and Socrates, two of
the greatest “writers” of all
time, never wrote a single line.
Their entire output was com
mitted to memory. Neither of
them could read or write,
MORE EPITAPHS
From Edwalton, England:
“Here lies Mrs, Freland
She drank good ale
Strong punch and wine.
And lived to the age
Of 99,»?
From Crlpplegate, England:
“Here lies Ann Mann
She lived an old maid
But died an old Mann.”
From Greenwood, England:
“Here lies In silent clay
Miss Anabella Youn^
Who on the 21st of May
Began to hoM her tongue.”
from Wetumpka, Alabama:
“Here lies the body of Solo
mon Peas
Under the daisies and under the
trees.
Peas Is not here—only the pod,
Plas shelled out—^went home to
Peas sheUed out—went home to
God.”
From Exon, England:
“God does do wonders now and
then;
Here Hes a lawyer who was an
honest man.”
pical Sebastian love song. “Ap
ple HIU,” the fourth cut, tells
of a trip to a small town in
which Sebastian finds peace in
the quiet atmosphere. “Black
Satin Kid” was written about
Sebastian’s drummer, Dallas
Taylor, also of Crosby, Stills,
Nash and Young fame.
THE GRYPHON
Member Cotranbia Sdiolastic Press Associatioii
MenAer of Qnlll and Scroll,
$1J!5 Yearly
EDITOR Richard Newman
BUSINESS M^AG^ - Barr
ADVERTISMG MANAGER Teresa SJavin
CIRCULATION MANAGER Debbie Gtiffiii
PAGE EDITORS:
1st Cole
2nd Richard Newman
Colette Rawlst, Melissa Pittman
ifli Ddbbie Griffin
50, . Mary Barr
Ray Brfam
7th Taylor
gill Hearietta Sdlers, Becky Roberson
JUNIOR STAFF:
Janet Bartiioase> Raqr Kino, WilHam Farmer, Sue F(h^,
gffjhrina Gard&ier. Mona Macky, Jo Safy.
ADVISOR Margaret Winiams
PRINCIPAL Mr- Eltoo Newbem
associate PRINCIPAL Kfr. Roscoe Batts
ASSETTANT PRINCIPAL Mr. Robert WQBer