Dark‑haired, brown‑eyed, 5' 5" Miss Beatrice Dorchek is spending her first year at Maine West teaching physical education.

Miss Dorchek says she enjoys teaching physical education because it is very rewarding working with students and because the students in her predominantly freshman and sophomore classes seem to be very interested.

"Gym should be a fun time," advocates this friendly teacher. It should be a time to learn new skills, make new friends, and let off energy."

Although Miss Dorchek likes all sports, she is most interested in gymnastics. She teaches gymnastics at a club called Sokol in Chicago; during the summers she often travels around the country teaching gymnastics in day camps and the like. She also sponsors after‑school gymnastics and volleyball.

Miss Dorchek acknowledged that her two pet peeves are people who walk into her office without knocking and, most of all, people who forget gym suits. However, on occasion, she admits, she has been guilty of forgetting her gym suit; and when the students found out, it was very embarrassing.

Miss Dorchek did her undergraduate work at Valparaiso University in Indiana and received her master's degree at Miami of Ohio. Before coming here she taught for two years in her native Connecticut.

Miss Dorchek feels that the students' attitude in class is one of the best things about Maine West. The only thing she thinks might improve the school is more school spirit not only for sports, but for all the extra‑curricular activities.

Five feet, ten inches tall, brown hair and brown eyes is the way to describe Mr. Darold Herdes, a new member of the Social Science Department. Mr. Herdes, who teaches United States history, likes teaching because "I'm interested in people, especially young people. I feel that teaching is a job where you can make a contribution."

Mr. Herdes who comes from Clay City, Illinois, is an avid traveler. He has visited places all over the United States, eight Canadian provinces, and Mexico. Some day he hopes to visit San Francisco. He attended Clay City High School, Eastern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois before coming to teach at Maine West.

"The administrative structure" is the best feature of Maine West, he believes; and he added, "I found it easy to adjust to."

"Mediocre" is how he rates school spirit, but he feels it is ". . . caused by the layout of the building. It isn't easy for students to know many people." He believes that Maine is a good school but regrets that "The school is not the focal point of the community."

When asked if he had any embarrassing moments, he replied "I don't know if I've got anything that you'd want to print."

Mr. Herdes' advice to students and everyone is "They should not live their lives in anticipation of something but rather make the most of the present. Do not neglect the future, but don't spend all your time making plans."