Many people have complained about dull stories and the need for more student opinion in the Westerner, yet few seem to have the initiative to help. Letters to the editor, items for Morfit, or editorials are only a small part that the student can do. Anyone, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, teachers, counselors, administrators, anyone associated with Maine West, can come into R‑210 ninth period and talk to the staff about doing the kind of story they would like to do. So far about two or three people have come in and asked to do stories.

Perhaps the biggest blow of all, however, is that out of some 2,500 sophomores, juniors, and seniors only 17 make up one journalism class. It's a shame because students taking journalism have a lot going for them. They are also having a lot of fun.

The class writes practically all the stories in the paper. Students are given a lot of time in class to write their stories; little

homework is given. Writing the articles gives the student a chance to interview people, talk to them, and find out their feelings on different subjects. The reporter can use class time or study halls to see the person his story concerns, and he is given a lot of freedom in researching his story.

Another reason one might want to take journalism is that if a student is here next year he can be chosen to be on the staff. Another honor he can receive is being accepted into Quill and Scroll, if he has had 100 inches printed in the paper. It may seem like a lot, but just 10 regular stories printed can secure membership. There is always that feeling of pride one gets seeing something of his in print.

Soon students will be signing up for next year's classes. Those who really want to do something, or are really dissatisfied with the Westerner, sign up for journalism. If you want to make it a student paper, it is your responsibility to express yourself.