The Belles of Saint Maet’s
^ The BELLES ^
OF SAINT MARY’S
PubUshed every two weeks by the student body of Saint
Mary’s School
Editor-in-GUief Beppt Hunter
Business Manager Miss Kate Speuill
Exchange Editor Timpt Woods
Faculty Adviser Me. C. A. P. Mooee
STAFF
Maey Jane Yeatman Sylvia Cullum
Alexa McColl Jean Millee
Eugie Watteeb Dorothy Diqqes
Helen Noell Sue Clapp
Virginia Allison Martha Watts
Maey Kistlee Meeeie Haynes
Louise Jordan Martha Lewis
Member North Carolina Collegiate Press Association.
VALE
It may seem out of place for the old administration
to have a word to say when the masthead already shows.
the election of a new editor, but such an occurrence is
not strange on a paper in which so many other seem
ingly misdirected things have happened. The first
year, it is said, is always the hardest. If so, the paper
has met its greatest diificulties, and the way is clear
for its development as guide of the attitudes and opin
ions of the student body.
The rapid turnover of students in a Junior College
causes hindrances in the publications as well as the
student government administration, but these barriers
cannot be changed and must be overcome as success
fully as possible. The newspaper must wait for the
greater part of its staff until the Juniors come in the
fall. The old students, though less in number, must try
to carry over the principles and policies of this year to
the next. One scarcely “gets the hang of it” before it
is time to withdraw in someone else’s favor.
In spite of obstacles, the student government and
the newspaper have improved. It was the purpose of
the old newspaper staff to begin a printed paper that
would mirror the life of the school in an entertaining
as well as informative manner. In some ways it has
failed; in others, it has succeeded over previous at
tempts.
The new administration has great room for expansion
not only in the size of the paper, but in the subjects it
covers. In such a small school where news, besides
gossip and adversely critical editorials, takes time to
collect, the newspaper might, besides attempting to
direct the students’ ideas and to give them memoranda
of their college life, keep them in touch with the out
side world.
There is no end to the suggestions for improvement.
Staffs for many years to come must progress slowly
toward the perfection of longer established papers. The
outgoing staff has enjoyed the beginning of an interest
ing enterprise; may subsequent staffs enjoy as much its
unfolding.
-ATQUE AYE
In taking over the editing of Belles, the editor wishes
to express her sincere and grateful appreciation to those
who elected her, and to the best of her ability, she
promises to maintain the standard that has been
achieved this year and to make whatever improvements
may seem desirable. Eealizing the effort which such
an undertaking requires, she shall devote herself ear
nestly to the task. She will endeavor to secure for the
Belles the newest and most interesting pieces of infor
mation, in every issue concerning general school ac
tivity, and in frequent issues concerning unusual things.
In addition, she will devote herself to the duty of mak
ing this paper for everyone, not only for those who are,
for one reason or another, famous around the school.
An attempt will be made to editorialize matters of
vital and timely interest and it is hoped that the readers
will be conscientious in reading them. Information
from persons outside the staff will be more than wel
come, for we believe that in this way only will the
paper be truly the school’s. It is with these views that
the new editor takes office, and hopes for the support
and interest of the entire student body and faculty.
AEE WE MEE OE MICE ?
or
AN EDITOEIAL ON EDITOEIALS
The other day it was learned, quite by accident, and
as a complete surprise, that at least one student and one
faculty member of you agree that Belles editorials have
been hypercritical and perhaps unsympathetic so far
this year. The apologies of the Belles staff are due you
and anyone who may feel they have been unjust. We
are sorry for tendencies that may have been too brusque.
The staff is not incapable of a very wholesome and com
plimentary production. Such an issue is quite possible.
Encouragement and congratulations are naturally con
ducive to the greatest success of the most efficient
schemes and any failure in this our duty—to express
appreciation and understanding, as well as to criticize-—
has been absolutely unintentional, perhaps negligent.
The honor system continues to become more firmly
established. The legislative body is remarkably efficient
though it’s only a few weeks old. The students have
taken the vital problem of cheating in hand and have
proved that they will not tolerate any form of dis
honesty. An obsolete study hall system has been re
placed by a new system of independent study for re
sponsible students. Cooperation has decreased consider
ably the number of reports for untidiness of the rooms
and the campus.
These and other equally worthy accomplishments
have gone uncomplimented but not unrewarded. The
resultant pride which each student must feel who has
conscientiously done her part to the betterment of her
own life and that of her school seems sufficient.
New privileges have involved new resj)onsibilities,
and the chance to prove our capabilities has stood a
difficult and trying test, but not in vain. A fine group
of girls has successfully survived the various differences
of a common search for new standards of honor, justice,
and fraternity.