The Variety show is a student‑produced, student directed show made up solely of student acts. It is necessary to have students working both in front of the curtains and behind the scenes. Students are needed for numerous jobs ranging from make‑up, to set building, to publicity for the show. Who's eligible for these positions? Everyone!

The V‑show was started many years ago as a student talent show. Everyone in the school was interested. So many acts tried out that many times only one‑third of them or less could be used. Every act was good because of the spirit behind it. Where has this spirit suddenly gone?

Two months ago, yes it was that long, sign‑up sheets were posted in the cafeteria. How many acts signed up? Not enough to put a good show on. This you must understand, was before tryouts. Tryouts were held, hoping that other students, seeing their friends practicing, would become interested and think up something themselves. Chorus lines were chosen. But something was still lacking. That something was student spirit, student backing, and most of all, student interest.

Because of this, V‑show has been started all over again. Tryouts have been held all during the past week. An attempt is being made, once again, to have a show that West can be proud of.

If students come out to tryout or to get a job backstage Maine West's first variety show can be one which will be referred to in future years as "the best ever." If you don't show an interest this year, Variety show may become just a fond memory of the past. Bow can you have a student show without students?

Andi Boehmer, Editor


Another semester ended Friday, and another set of grades are recorded. For some, the end of a semester brings a feeling of relief; for others, vain regrets. "Thank goodness, I made a C in English by a quarter a point!" is a typical comment at this time, or on the other hand, "Oh, I just missed a B in history!' All that matters to the student is the grade that appears on his report card, the grade that will finally be recorded. He does not care how he got that grade ‑whether he fully deserves it or just scraped by. whether he earned it fairly or by cheating.

In our modern school system, some method of arbitrary grading is necessary, and this we cannot change. But we can change the unfortunate attitude that has resulted from this method. For we have made grades our final goal; we have become slaves to marks on a paper. For that is all a grade is‑a mark on a paper. Complaints are heard that some teachers are easy graders and some require more work for the same grade. What, then, can we strive for?

The answer is obvious. We do not come to school six and a half hours a day, five days a week, 36 weeks a year, just to receive grades; we come to learn! Ten or twenty years from now, you will not remember what grades you received in high school, but you will remember what you learned. It is not grades that you will need then, but knowledge. This is something for which the rewards are uniform, whether your teacher is an easy grader or not.

Today is the start of a new semester, a new opportunity. This term resolve to make your goal learning, and your grades will go up‑automatically.

Nancy Thinnes, Managing Editor


Many complaints have been received recently concerning thefts at Maine West. Perhaps you were a victim of a misdemeanor. Such a problem should not be dealt with in whispers, but openly and with force.

You may have a friend that has admitted stealing at school. Is that person so proud of his crime as to boast of it? An honorable member of the student body should consider it his duty to report such stains of dishonor to one of the deans.

By reporting your friend to the school, you aren't being a rummy or a stooge. In fact, you are helping that person. Nobody can force you, but why should he? Every time another theft occurs at our school, the school's reputation goes down a notch.

A sure way to prevent theft is to guard your valuables. Money or jewelry, for example, should not be left lying around tempting the dishonest person. Items that are likely to be stolen should be locked up or put in care of a teacher.

The best defense against stealing is to eliminate the temptation and be on guard.

Art Chick