VOL. IX, NO. 14
MAY 17, 1968

Maine West Faces Student Apathy
By LYDIA ORLOFF

The challenge spoken of in the editorial in the cub edition of the Westerner, that of a responsible and noteworthy newspaper to be a voice of the students, is a noble one. This challenge, unfortunately, is destined to go unnoticed by the majority of the students, going the route of students at our school are simply not interested in any most Maine West student-participation activities. Many challenge to show that they are concerned with events taking place now.

This lack of interest may be one cause of the teachers' petition printed in the last issue of the Westerner, the cub edition. The 42 teachers who signed the petition concerning racial prejudice at Maine West and the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated that they were appalled at the apathy displayed the week of April 8 by many students and faculty members.
 This apathy spoken of by those 42 members of the faculty was merely accented by the tragic death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But this apathy is displayed in all phases of Maine West activities. Just as the challenge of a truly student written and student supported newspaper will go unnoticed, so did the death of Dr. King. But the apathetic attitude continues: in school dances, in school sports events, in Maine's radio station WMTH. There are but a handful of students and faculty members who are interested in these activities at Maine West.

The only solution to the problem of apathy displayed by students and faculty members is an interest in school and world events. But students and faculty are not, for the most part, interested in these things. Therefore, a stalemate is reached. Do the problems of life go on with no hope of solution?