By VICKI RICHARDSON

Today, from the most primitive aborigines to American society, dance forms an important part of social culture. Maine West is supposed to provide a well rounded education for students, but this is one area where it is lacking. Dance should be offered as an elective instead of regular physical education all year, for girls all four years.

A main reason for adoption of this proposal is that dance is something the students can use in later life. Dance develops poise, grace, confidence, and the qualities of a lady. This "ladylike" quality is something that many adults complain young women of today lack. Through dance they can develop these qualities and in many cases use them much more in later life than they could various team‑oriented sports that have special programs at Maine West.

Young men have physical education activities geared to their interests, so why force these on young women? Young men on the whole have the opportunities to fulfill their interests and young women should be given the same right. There are many girls at Maine West interested in dance.

All schools in Maine Township are supposed to be equal, but this is not true. This perhaps is the most important argument. Maine South and Maine East both have extensive facilities and programs for dance, and again Maine West is lagging behind!

In short, dance is not a new idea or a game; it is something that many students take a serious interest in but have to go outside of the school to learn. It is an important part of our social culture and should have more importance in the girls' Physical Education Department.