Recently 61 students drafted and sent a petition to Mr. Herman Rider, principal. Their protest was over pep assemblies held during school time. They believed a logical alternative could be reached. The petition said:

"We, as concerned students attending Maine West, resent missing valuable classtime and our forced attendance at pep rallies held during school time. We realize there are groups concerned with athletics and should be given the opportunity to express their desires and emotions. However, these rallies should be scheduled before or after classes. If it is absolutely necessary to hold pep rallies during school time, students should be given the option of attending classes or going to another appropriate place to study."

Unfortunately these students sent their grievances to the wrong place. There is an item in the Student Council constitution that is designed for such problems. Under this rule any student

with a problem deemed significant by Council can be the chairman of a committee assigned to look into the situation. Mr. Rider turned the problem over to Student Council. The petition will be reviewed by the Council.

All the students are supposed to be here to learn. Only a few are here to play in sports or to cheer for them. Yet how often has there been an assembly for academic achievement? How often is there an assembly to honor a member of the National Honor Society? Yet these are feats no smaller than making all‑conference.

From the submitted petition signed by several students it can be concluded that there are those who do object to having mandatory pep rallies. Student Council will take into consideration these student's opinions when reviewing the matter. It is the Westerner's hope that the time and the effort of these concerned students will not be futile.