May 9‑15 was Ecology Week at Maine West. It was initiated because of student interest. A full week of activities was planned by Mr. Harvey Kelber, Mrs. Martha Hanson, and several students.

It began with a clean‑up of the Des Plaines River. About 100 students came out on Saturday, May 9, to participate in it; but participation for the rest of the activities that week were very poor. Attendance at the forums held ninth period had an average of 12 students.

Congressman Roman Pucinski spoke in an assembly Friday, May 15, on noise, air, and water pollution. He emphasized that the last four letters in American are I Can. The auditorium had approximately 1,000 people in attendance, and to Mr. Kelber it was "very successful."

During the entire week refuse of tin cans, papers, plastics, and other things were to be collected. The sophomores won the class competition and won the plaque promised to the class who brought in the most refuse. The Senior, Junior, and Freshman Classes brought in some garbage, too.

A ton of paper was collected and sold for $4.30. The plaque which the Sophomore Class will receive is $4.47. When asked why he thought there was such poor participation, Mr. Kelber replied, "I don't have the faintest idea. Some said they didn't know, but it was advertised many times. It seems as if they don't really care. My biggest disappointment was the poor attendance at the forums because its purpose was to make the people aware of the problems.

"I will just have to wait and see if I will ever do anything like this again. Next time I'll encourage that the direction of the activities be done by the students themselves. I'm willing to do it again if the students are willing to participate!"