7, oa ' aie PAGE 2_ | THE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1966 _ HIGHLANDER EDITORIALS— Inside Edge By Paul T. Williams Papers Inform, Shape Attitudes the voice of the people. ae A newspaper, however, has the responsibility of re- porting the news accurately and impartially. It should include its own opinions, but only on this, the editorial page. It should also include your opinions written as letters to the editor. We, the Highlander staff, are proud to be a part of the big world of journalism!! We have set down the following policy: 1. We <a a will attempt to influence school development and reform through editorial campaigning and maximum publicity to all controversial issues. W -___ ees . 2. We will publicize people and projects of all grades Pub -€6hSCmTiNANeCTsS. | ve etd aw bh cee ‘aeet . Ort | toa ba Sy n » i act ~~ g Now is the time for all dedicated skiers to come to the aid of their clan. We 9 a —§ _~<- With just a little more school this year? effort, we LETTERS Dear G 5en ae ae omond tear up the This month I received seven “Letters to the Editor’ from skiers who find this situation disturbing. Editor: Most of the letters attempted to point out the inadequa“Letters to the Editor” I usu- cies of the clan’s officers of recent years. Others protested, ally figure the person who has in equally strong language, written it is either some kind of some of the more colorful aca nut, or feels pretty strongly tivities at various “private” about some worthwhile cause. Ski Clan parties. The trend for I feel very strongly about a the Ski Clan to de-emphasize very worthwhile cause. skiing and to organize its leadWhat I have to say concerns ership in a disorganized manthe Ski Clan. Instead of just ner represents only two of the electing good popular officers problems involved, however. this year, I would like to urge It seems that the coloquial the members of the clan to take a more active role in clan ac- ski “image” of drinking, rich kids, snobbery, etc. has affecttivities; to help the officers by making suggestions, and then ed the school administration in certain limitations have to help in the actual work in- that volved in arranging the various been placed on the Clan which has tended to interfere in some parties °and trips. When man-|. eh) REALLY In the last five years the number of skiers at Ben Lomond has probably tripled, while the Ski Clan has actually lost membership, influence and prestige. EDITOR Dear During the summer, Ben Lomond’s custodial staff attempted to remove any physical evidence of the 1965-66 school year from the building. In doing this they have straightened mangled lockers, replaced broken windows, and thoroughly cleaned everything else in the building. In the new northwest wing, more popularly known as “Sophomore Hall,” there remains a large section of ceiling which was destroyed last year by overly frivolous (or intoxicated) sophomores as part of the graduation festivities: a lasting memorial to the class of ’68. It seems that most every class A could TO Editor: oO come ‘ saN © Yes, the very organization which popularized the clan idea at Ben Lomond, and embodies the sport which is the epitome of activity and enthusiasm, has dwindled in spirit and activity until the whole idea of a ski clan has become just a tired cliche to most students. we © of readers without inter- ference by government, under cover of law, or of obstruction by citizens acting in defiance of the law. “The news media are the eyes and ears of democracy. Without them the public would not have access to the information which is pertinent to their awareness as a citizen. Without the press the government would not be Hiei At} Sa ete i a a BOOT el re ee om ag fa ay printed material into the hands Ler my igre SBE gai Boe ee Ace The First Amendment specifically stated that “Congress shall make no law. . . abridging the freedom of the press.”’ ; A leading American historian, Bruce Catton, emphasized this when he said: ‘The greatest of all American traditions is the simple tradition of freedom. From our earliest days as a people, this tradition has provided us with a faith to live by. If any one word tells what America really is, it is the one word freedom. The secret of the American tradition is freedom—treedom unabridged and unadulterated.” ; Thomas Jefferson, one of the framers of our democracy said, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.’ Men must have the right to discover the truth. They must have the right to print it without the prior restraint of censorship of government. They must have access to printed materials. They must be able to print without fear of cruel or unusual punishment for publication alleged to be wrongful. They must have the right to put Gor GOINE I . read LUIS, something 1 ae LeCl in * . \ — A Wes 4 one | slowly arose and the American flag was brought , the Star Spangled Banner was played in soft choing tones. So began the 1966 session of Utah Boys’ State— _ _ or the 637 boys assembled, a great week of working, sharing, and building the 51st state of the Union. Standing there, the boys wondered how in just one short week a whole state could be _ created. They were soon to find that not one minute is wasted, not one boy shirks his job, and never is the name, United States of America, taken lightly. The were two big week parties, began with the Federal political and the party National, meetings. which There work ex- actly like real political parties. The boys of the different parties wrote platforms, held rallies, staged campaigns, and elected delegates who in turn selected nominees for the party ticket. now tear the heck out of cars. The nice boys who preferred cigarettes to classes in ’64 brought on the ridiculous system of limited absences adopted last year. In ’65 $500 worth of harmless fun in the northwest wing’s boys’ lavatory led to the permanent lock-up of those essential facilities. The class of ’67 has made it two years with a pretty clean OBSESSION TO CONFORM: YOUNG AMERICANS' BLIGHT Conformity has its good points just as nonconformity and individuality do. Webster defines At Boys’ State, there were 16 cities which were set up on a may- conformity as the state or qualor-commissijner basis. At the beginning of the week each city ity of being in agreement or elected a mayor, two commissioners, a judge, and the various oth- harmony. Everyone conforms to er elected municipal positions. Besides the elected city offices, something. When an individual these were enough appointed offices that each boy had something starts conforming to the point that it interferes with “self,” to do, such as flood control, dog catching, or chief of police. he is, in our opinion, too conThe real excitement at Boys’ State begins about the middle formed and no longer has anyof the week, as this was when the nominations for the state and thing new or different to concounty officials took place. The action built up as the field of tribute to his fellow man. candidates was narrowed down by the voting of the party deleAs opposed to what seems to be the popular consensus of gates and the primary elections. After each boy had voted for the candidate of his choice, opinion, “different’ is not a dirand the results of the elections were announced, a feeling of ty word to be spit out with disrelief, warmth, and fellowship radiated from every boy. Win- gust. It symbolizes the uniquener or loser, they all felt that their mutual contributions had ness of each man. Individuality signifies a quest helped to make the week a genuinely worthwhile experience. for whatever the empty space Boys’ State is learning not only of how our elections take in one’s soul desires. It is a place, but also of how our legislatures, courts, and branches of search for the depth of life. government in this country are operated. A state legislature pass- Individuality hates hypocrites ed bills which the elected congressmen had written. A court ses- and bigots who both are afraid sion was also held in which we tried an actual court case. to show their true selves beThe cause of the doubt of what may oficials of Logan City, Cache County, and the State of Utah told lie beneath. of the many workings of our government. Temptation, answered by The week at Boys’ State was climaxed by the inauguration of the newly elected officials of Boys’ State and the graduation yielding, challenge, answered by action, and strangeness, answerof the 637 citizens. ed by curiosity are all trigger- At the beginnizig of the week there were not only political parties to be co%sidered but also the city to which a boy belongs. ~ aes VOLUME 14 Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Feature Editor Sports Editor Business Manager Exchange Manager Photographer Artist NUMBER 1 Paul T. Williams Janet Anderson Peter Gillins Dave Alexander Josie Peterson Connie Vigil Geof Williams Gary Skinner I | which -|our PE Ae Rea ae D! ce skiers in| kiing i oe tat ts o the drunkards and clan. The vast majority of these students belong in either the ee derelicts. Clan or the Parking Lot That’s what I have to say, oe an. and now I think maybe I’m a nut (a ski nut). When the Ski Clan inductions Sincerely, and elections are held someMike Garrard time in the next two weeks, it Ruskin is hopeful that officers are elected who can carry on the record. Here’s at least one Rus- coming year’s activities with kin who will go all out this year renewed impetus and originalto keep it that way. ity. The countless activities of Name withheld on request other schools’ ski clubs in Utah include many which could, and should, be adopted at Ben Lomond. A USSA membership drive could mean 50 per cent lift pass discount at Park City or Alta. Warren Miller Ski Proed from you, not the “crowd.” ductions has a kind way of donating ski films to school-affilDespite the way that these calls iated clubs, just for the asking. are answered, the conformist A mid-season ski week, complete society will be wary of answerwith a dance with royalty, and ing it for it will breed differan overnight trip with intramurence—and conformity cringes al races is an idea used by East from difference. and Highland High schools, Too many people are able to among others. Ogden High’s find a bland, unexciting sort of Ski Guild sponsors a “swap peace in dissolving into the shop’ where the members trade crowd—into nonentity. and sell equipment. speed bumps|the same class as PLES his oes a _ rrendous