MARCH 15, 1968
AFS Record Hop Ends Successful Week of Fun
The tall, dark-haired Moroccan took part, with many other students, in the events sponsored by Student Council for AFS Week. Beginning Monday, March 4, events such as the Taffy Apple Sale, "Honor Del Day," Ice Cream Social, "Gym shoe-Sweat Shirt Day," "Hairiest Leg Contest," and the AFS Record Hop took place and drew to a close on Friday with the announcement of the winner of the contest.
To further bring across the true meaning of AFS, Del spoke to all the students during their respective homeroom assemblies in the auditorium - about his country, Morocco, - and showed numerous colored slides. The slides helped demonstrate the beauty contained in Del's country by showing a few of the flowering gardens, the tiled mosques, and the bigger cities.
Del stated that there was a great difference between America and his homeland. "In our schools there is no choice in subjects that you have here, and there are not as many courses offered. There is a lot of emphasis placed on studies. Last year I carried 13 subjects.
"Another difference in schools are the hours. Back home, school was from 8 until 12 and 2 until 5. During the two hours between 12, and 2, a student was free to do as he wished. The hardest adjustment I had to make in America was the 20-minute lunch period."
The process of becoming a foreign exchange student was described by Del as "long and hard but well worth the work."
In his school back in Morocco there were 15 candidates competing to become AFS students. After many interviews and forms were filled out, three students were chosen on the basis of their statements which were sent to New York explaining why they wished to become a foreign exchange student. Del and two other colleagues came to America by plane, and each went to a different part of the country. One went to Boston; one went to San Diego; and Del came to Maine West.
AFS Week enabled Student Council to raise money. According to Diana Quinn '68, treasurer, the taffy apple sale and Ice Cream Social went over really well with the students.
The AFS Record Hop had a fairly good turnout. Sue Odom '68, Student Council member, predicted that there were about 10 to 15 exchange students from neighboring schools present at the dance.
The combo, the Mead, played for the Hop. Students paid $.25 to get into the cafeteria. During the dance the winners of the "Hairiest Leg Contest" were announced.
First place went to Bill Steger '68. Second place was taken by Tim Lund '71; third was Fred Genthner '70; John Dennehy '69, was in last place.