In the last issue of the Westerner an editorial was published criticizing the misuse of prestige. "The entire student body," it stated, "needs to re‑examine its standard of values." Evidently, some of Maine West's student leaders find such an examination unpleasant. A few of them have misread into this editorial a personal attack and have angrily counterattacked. Printed below is one of their answers.


Dear Editor:
You know, I have found that your paper is, again, wrong in its reasoning! I like to feel that the Student Council is doing a very good job in running the school, but, after reading some of the things that go into this paper, even I begin to wonder. I know that Students Council is doing the best job that it can for this school, but, some of your articles have me believing that there is no Student Council, that it is run by a few "Prestige Hungry" people. Of course, this is far from the truth, but you do have some very fine persuasive writers on your staff. You do have the right and the privilege to print anything that you want,‑the student body cannot stop you.

Now let me talk about the student leaders of Maine Township High School West. I am sure that this group of animated bi-peds is trying to help the school in the way that they feel is best, but, there is a certain element that will not let them do the jobs that they want to do! I cannot, and will not, name names in this letter, but don't you think

that you have been a little unjust about them in your last editorial? How can you go against an entire class or male population or even the entire school and say that they have been wrong in their choices because you do not feel that they are doing the job that you think they should? Who delegated you into thinking that you were good enough to say anything about your officers?

Where did you get this hearsay about the leaders of the school?

All right, let's get down to brass tacks. You are definitely wrong in saying that the school is governed by people hungry for prestige. There is this element amongst the student body, but, I don't feel that it is in the element that is governing the school! This feeling is created by ambitious people that do not have the power that the leaders do. It is pure childish jealousy. No one can explain it any better than I have because this is what is going on. If all of the people will admit to themselves that this is the truth, and stop trying to kid themselves about it, the students of this school would get along with each other much better. As long as we are criticized by childish people that do not admit the facts to themselves, then we are going to have trouble i running this school.

So, get with it Maine West! No one can run this school any better than the weakest person ‑ in it. It is up to us to see that this school is rated as the best in the United States! Get with it!

Yours truly,
Joe Byers
Boys' Club President