"The greatest fault is to be conscious of none." A few years ago Maine became conscious of her faults, and did something about them. The Maine students developed and adopted a code of ethics, and because of its enthusiastic acceptance, called it "The Maine Way."

So that the students would have something to say about their code, the student council held hearings after school to which any student could come and ask questions or voice his opinions. At special assemblies the debate team presented the advantages of a code, and it was discussed in all English classes. The code became the main topic of conversation among the students.

Using the students' ideas, the writing committee compiled the code, and the student body accepted it with the overwhelming majority vote of 95 homerooms for and only one against.

"The Maine Way" is not just another set of rules and regulations. It is a set of guiding principles. You answer the questions in your own way, forming your own moral code. As you mature and your principles change, your code will change, too.

A brand new school has no old traditions or standards to stick to. We, the first West Mainites, will set the traditions and standards that will affect all future Maine West students. "The Maine Way" reresents a high standard that we can strive for and can be proud to pass on to those who follow us.

Will West Mainites be conscious of their code? Will they work to achieve the standards of their code, making it their goal? Will you?

The success of "The Maine Way" does not depend on the faculty, the student council, or a few popular leaders. You, and only you, can make "The Maine Way" a working, living code, something of which all West Mainites can be proud.

N.T.