Newspapers / Rocky Mount High School … / April 8, 1976, edition 1 / Page 6
Part of Rocky Mount High School Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Six — THE GRYPHON — April 8, 1976 EDITOR 'SECHO EDITORIAL S .:7 Dance Success ^ Is Debatable JL OjUl The 1976 Twirp dance has come and gone. It could easily be said to have been one of the most, if not the most successful Twirp dance this school has ever had . . . at least as far as attendance is concerned. A count of invitations shows that around 900 people at least stopped in to take a look. The consensus seems to be that everything about the Twirp Dance was good . . . except the band. The Gryphon staff realizes how many people they may endear themselves to by editorializing “Chocolate Funk,” but we shall do so regardless. “Chocolate Funk” played at RMSH’s 1975 Junior- Senior, art unpleasant experience most of here at Senior High would like to forget. They were the second choice for the Twirp Dance, but the first choice fell through. Social Committee members were told that “Chocolate Funk,” had greatly improved with the metamorphosis it had undergone, namely, the acquisition of five new members. Without the needed time, the committee did what it could. "Chocolate Funk” was contracted. Rumbles of disapproval were immediately heard, especially from white students. However, the student body did an admirable job of grinning and bearing it and attending the dance, regardless of any qualms about the music source. It became apparent that “Chocolate Funk” was not appreciated by much of the student body, again especially the white students. The reason, believe it or not, was not that the band was all black, but because it failed to play more than one or two recognizable songs (XooiAt/x ui • [tUT and was often impossible to dance to. Actually, the reasons for the dislike are irrelevant. The simple fact that the band was disliked is enough. The thrust of this editorial is: why continue to contract a band for school dances that does not please nearly as many students as another band could? It is against all logic. The suggestion of this editorial is: RMSH should not contract “Chocolate Funk,” or the same band under another name, for another dance at RMSH, the attendance would surely be negligible. Any single factor that impairs the attendance of a school dance should be done away with. “Chocolate Funk” is such a factor. Bicentennial Production Praised The faculty and students who participated in the Bicentennial project on March 18 are to be heartily congratulated. They managed to show that if the people of RMSH set their minds to develop a project they can achieve it and do an admirable job of it. Planning of the mass-media presentation began last fall under the guidance of Ms. Barbara Taylor and her faculty and student staff. The idea was to involve as many stdents and faculty as possible. Ms Taylor estimates that 600 people were involved in some aspect of the production. The involvement of so many people from different classes, sophomore, junior, and senior, and different races produced a unity among students, as Mr. Larry Gupton said, that RMSH has not experienced in a long time. THE GRYPHON Rocky Mount Senior High School 318 South Tillery Street Rocky Mount, N. C. 27801 Member of Columbia Press Association Member of Quill and Scroll The production itself deserves as much praise as do the participants. The Bicentennial program, dedicated to the Class of ’76, was comprehensive production that highlighted the important develop ments in our country over the past 200 years. The sound and light systems were well coordinated, the sets and professional, and the skits were amusing and expressive. This editorial will not attempt to name all those people responsible for bringing about this truly im pressive project at the risk of leaving someone out. Those people know who they are. The Bicentennial program has achieved the ultimate. It has evoked a spirit for this country from the hearts of those who did not know that that spirit existed. The planning of the 1975 Junior-Senior was carried out in a high-handed and somewhat slipshod manner by the class of 1976. Fortunately the class of 1977 has chosen not to follow in our somewhat dubious foot steps. The problems with last years prom developed during the selection of a band. It would seem that instead of working together as a class, the members of the band selection committee chose to work as independent agents. The result was a great deal of animosity between the black and white members of the committee and of the Class of ’76. Some more persistant cavaliers carried the duel to the extent of holding their own “Junior-Senior.” But this year’s junior class has handled all phases of the planning with a maturity which deserves the respect of the rest of the school, especially that of the seniors who set them so poor an example. The 1976 band selection committee worked closely to select a band which would be acceptable to everyone. They voted unani mously to contract the band “Fudge Ripple.” The Class of 1977 has taken a great deal of criticism and numerous put-downs from the senior class, but in their handling of the Junior-Senior they deserve nothing but praise. They have worked with a oneness of purpose that should be reflected in all the endeavors of the entire school but is too often lacking. Their unity will surely be reflected in the Junior-Senior they will sponsor for the Class of ’76, in its success and its spirit. Hopefully their cooperation will not end with the prom but will remain with them for the rest of their lives. PUBLISHED Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Advertising Manager Business and Circulation Manager Senior Staff Writers MONTHLY Terri Gardner Teresa Mosley Biff White Junior Staff Writers Boon McGee Virginia Culpepper Corbi Bulluck, Thomasina Pollard Margaret Beck, Trey Bulluck Wimberly Burton, Billy Carroll, Debbie Denson Arlene Harper, Allen Hayes, Jackie Fulcher Cathy Kilpatrick, Debbie Mosley, Donna Odom Jackie Wilde, Sandy Wilgus, Fleet Woodley Andy Bryant, Kevin Maurer Photography Staff Corbi Bulluck, Sandy Wilgus Fleet Woodley, Billy Carroll Advisor jyirs. Henrietta Barbour Principal jyir. Elton Newbern Assistant Principals Mr. Robert Miller Mr. Charles Dai'is Letters To The Editors V Dear Editor: Please convey my congratula tions to the students and faculty of RMSH for their Bicentennial production. It was fabulous! The time spent in gathering props and costumes, doing research, taking and organizing the slides, writing, decorating and practicing was well-spent indeed, for you produced a masterpiece that will long be remembered in the annals of RMSH. Your spirit was so obvious and contagious! I’m very proud of you. Marie K. Maurer (Mrs. A.W.) W777vTJ77y7777*i To the Editor: The staff and students of Rocky Mount Senior High school would like to take this opportunity to thank the many individuals, civic organi zations and businesses who contributed so generously to the Bicentennial Program presented by our students on March 18, 1976. Many priceless costumes were lent to us by individuals who value them highly; our handsome in vitations and programs were printed for us free of charge; our performers and technicians received expert ^vtice from local citizens; many of our materials were either donated or purchased with cash contribu tions from local businesses; the media gave us excellent and valuable publicity: and finally, the citizens of Rocky Mount filled our auditorium and gave the students a genuine and warm standing ovation at the end of their performance. Our students worked hard and took a great deal of pride in their production. We feel that the community has expressed confidence and support in the accomplishments of these students. Thank you very much. ' » .vElton L. Newbern Jr.
Rocky Mount High School Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 8, 1976, edition 1
6
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75