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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1970-04-09, Page 16 inimumipiiimiriernowilmoviora 0",„3; no.,.....wee.n, • • , Paws )6 Times-Advocate, April 9, )970 Editorial Criticizing the world Arokind the school Back after the exams, gym team is successful GYMNAST TEAM FINISHES SECOND — The girls gymnastic team from South Huron District High School finished second in the annual Huron-Perth competitions held recently and will appear shortly at the WOSSA finals in London. Shown above from left to right are Brenda Brintnell, Kathy Holtzmann, Kathy Wells, Mary Murley, D'Arcine McCart and Debbie McBride. T-A photo Strive for more traditional command of English language By JUDY MALONI. Man, particularly youth, spends a great deal of his time criticizing the world around him, Although, it is true that through discontent society progresses, it is also true that ignoring the good produces a cynical, ill tempered society. It is unfortunate that youth today delights in sounding typical of a group of wizened old men, bitter with the experience of a frustrated journey through life. The term "youth" is a vast generalization, The pseudo-intellectuals between the ages of 16-25 are the victims of this "leisure era." Suffering under the illusion that their function in life is to reveal the hypocrisies of society, they discuss, very philosophically, the essence of being. When they reach the shattering conclusion that society is corrupt and vile, they proceed to demonstrate their enlightened views through grumbling, growling and talkingin infinite circles. American man is straining desperately to be "cool" and he is freaked out with the pleasant idea of "doing his thing." Naturally society hinders his expansion. Therefore it is necessary to pacify his own inner turmoil by exposing and denouncing the turmoil of society. The world is not perfect, The so-called nameless faces of the "Establishment" are the first to ,admit that we have not reached a Utopia. It is impertinent to note that when the reactionary youth turn pro-Establishment (and ige invariably means a graduation into society) then and only then do changes occur. The peaceful revolution of progress is a slow but moving force, The depressed attitude of the angry youth is good, supposing that it is a healthy anger. For genuine discontent blended with a desire to benefit a beloved word has provided suggestions and solutions through the ages. It is when anger is mixed with hate that it becomes pathetic and disgusting. It is when immature conclusions from ignorant observations cause retreat into the select world of drugs and drink that barriers are constructured. This type of personality single-handedly builds the wall which separate two types of people — those who recognize the good with the bad, and those who will themselves see only the ugly. It is vital to remember that since the beginning of time man has been trying to better his lot and will cease only with death, for it is not in his nature to accept when he can improve or discard. Great men who dedicated lives to Progress did so not through hatred but love of life, and all that "life" implies. By LINDA HAUGH Everyone will probably agree, that last week's holidays were not long enough to rest our brains from the nerve-wracking exams. It always seems that getting exams back is worse than writing them. Activities around the school are beginning to come back to normal. Our girls' gymnastics team, competed in the Huron-Perth meet at F. E. Madill Secondary School at Wingham, Wednesday, March 11. Our entire school team, placed second behind Stratford Central. Stratford Northwestern, F. E. Madill and Mitchell, placed third, fourth and fifth respectively. Brenda Brintnell, who placed first in Vaulting and in Trampoline, was over-all champion, attaining 14 points. Mary Murley placed third in trampoline, and Kathy Wells received a third in unevens. Fourth place honours went to D'Arcine McCart in Floor Exercises, and Cathy Holtzmann on the Balance Beam. The team will be going to Sarnia St. Clair Secondary School on Saturday, April 11. * Last Thursday, representatives of the CNIB from London, were at the school. Peter Coreless, told the history of the CNIB, and the new developments, of the society, through the years of 1910-1970. Miss Geraldine Burke, a former resident of Exeter, who has been blind for 20 years, showed her skill playing the organ. Members of the track and field team, have been working-out, indoors, practising for an indoor track meet. Last week the outers club tried their skills as canoeists, paddling into the chilly Exeter waters, one afternoon. Some of them, will be competing in a canoe race, from St. Marys to London, to support the Bunny Bundle, whose proceeds of the 26-mile course will to to crippled children. The first race starts at 9:15 at St. Marys, Sunday, April 19. * * Don't forget the dance scheduled for the school gym, Friday night of this week. Dancing to The New Set will be from nine o'clock until midnight. Wrestling classes for boys from the district public and separate schools are being held at our school gym each Saturday morning. Wrestling coach Doug Ellison and members of the South Huron grappling team will be handling the instruction. Let's peak at a comet By CATHE PRATT Anyone can see the Bennet Comet without a telescope if he is willing to get up at four in the morning or earlier. If you can get out and see it, it's fantastic. (Hint: set your alarm at loud and put it near your ear. It makes an unholy racket and is sure to make you wake up, if only to turn the thing off!) The comet is visible over the eastern horizon. Although, it is travelling in a northerly direction, its movement is not readily apparent and the tail points straight "up" — away from the sun — in the early pre-dawn hours. The earlier you see it, the brighter it will appear, but it will also be lower on the horizon. The David Dunlop Observatory, near Toronto, suggests 4:45 as the best time for viewing. I recommend 4:15 to 4:30, for although the comet is not so far above the horizon at that hour, the sky has not yet begun to lighten. The comet can probably be seen in most parts of town, in spite of the houses. However, if you have the opportunity to watch it from the country, away from bright lights, conditions are best there. The Bennet Comet will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere until April 19th. By BETH COOK It is true that one learns something new every day. I find that riding on the school bus is an educational and enlightening process if one sits at the rear of the orange monster with the boys. One's senses are bombarded and one gains a basic vocabulary which seems to be necessary in order to hold a stimulating and `intelligent' conversation with one's peers. Previously, I had not been aware of the 'sensuality' of the English language. The sexual potential of inanimate things such as math books, pens and cars is astounding. I refer to the profanity used in excess by not only adolescent boys (and girls) but an entire cross-section of society. Improper grammar is disturbing but barn yard language is repulsive. Nevertheless, it seems to be accepted and admired by many. Why is there no longer a respect for language as a graceful and refined means of communication? Admittedly, the average man has never been concerned with the aesthetic attributes that a language may possess. He merely wishes to express his needs and his emotions. Therefore, it is inconsequential to him if his vocal pregentation has guttural — almost animal overtones. However, there is no excuse for the scurrilous barrages that today pass for conversation. This society prides itself on its affluence and its culture. Contemporary opinion states that western society has transcended all previous scientific and artistic achievements. Do we speak like barbarians through ignorance or exhibitionism? Without doubt, there is a proper place for refined profanity. A good 'damn' if used with moderation can ease one's frustrations on repeated occasions. There are other such useful words. Even the most puritanical of 'linguists' must admit that discreet profanity is much less painful than physical violence. I challenge anyone to logically defend the validity of the infamous four letter words. These words are degrading both to the listener and to the speaker. They are indicative of something much more distressing than reproduction and excretion. Smutty words are very seldom used by productive, well-adjusted and creative people. Smutty words show apathy and dullness, as well as ignorance and crudity. Many people are merely too lazy to attempt to use artfully descriptive English. (Undoubtedly, even their limited vocabularies do make an impression!) As well as being lazy, they are afraid to express themselves with any degree of eloquence for fear that they will be scorned by their friends. Are they afraid of being labelled 'pretentious'? I would say so. For them, there seems to be, also, a sort of adventure in reviling the establishment with these words. Unfortunately, four letter words are not as potent as they sound. I do not wish to suggest that we should all revert to exclamations of 'Bless my Soul' and 'Isn't it a caution'? I tend to prefer legitimate expletives to such bland and ineffectual utterances. When I have the need of swearing, I like to think that people will quake in terror or at least realize that I am disturbed. Somehow saying 'sugar' when one is distressed does not convey an impressive degree of frustration. Words referring to the elementary body functions of animals are sick. Contrary to accepted opinion, they do not illustrate virility. They show only a very sad poverty of expression. Let us reserve the less obnoxious profanities so that they are readily available for emergencies and bury the others of four letter-origin in a remote corner of the pig pen. If we are to be considered the representatives of the most advanced civilization yet to develop, it would be advisable to develop speech patterns that are broader and more subtle than those we now possess. Let us strive for a traditional, almost mythical command of English, Dance club being formed All girls attending South Huron District High School will have the opportunity to join a new club, a creative and interpretive dance club. Lessons will be given once or twice a week during activity periods. Anyone wishing further information is asked to listen to the announcements or contact Mrs. Edwards at Room 216. Mrs. Edwards stresses that everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. She added, "This is a chance for girls to come and do their own thing to music." FISHERMAN'S COVE GRAND BEND RIVER RD, S. OF BRIDGE CHICKEN & CHIPS * * * FISH & CHIPS * * * SHRIMP & CHIPS ETC. TAKE OUT ORDERS Phone: 238-2025 A SPANISH CLASS SK IT — Students of the Spanish class at South Huron District High School have been presenting numerous skits this year. Shown above flipping a tortilla is Elaine Westlake while Pauline Greb dozes at her side. T-A photo BASICS OF WRESTLING — Thursday of last week, students from the district public and separate schools attended a wrestling clinic at South Huron District High School. Above, Dan Shoebottom of the local school wrestling team is showing Fred Robinson, Gerry Jablonski, Frank Winters and Eddie Van Roestel of Precious Blood Separate School in Exeter the proper positions for the start of a match. T-A photo, What's new? 4 vveEKLy WR ESTLiNG CLASS — Instructions in wrestling rot months. Above, South Huron wrestling coach I Doug Ellison is shown district elementary school students will be. held at South Huron at the initial class with a group of boys, District high School each Saturday morning for the next couple of T-A photo. You won't hear that question bandied about too often in a Volkswagen showroom. People have come to think that a Volks- wagen is a Volkswagen is a Volkswagen, Which is a pity. Because over the past 3 years, we've made over 75 improvements. To the engine. Suspension. Interior. Behind it all is our old fashioned notion that it makes a lot more sense to work On the way a car works every year, than to play around with the way it looks, So we devote our time to making parts that were good, better; things that were near perfect, perfect. And that's the reason we don't have a lot of big, fantastic changes to shout about every year. No news is good news, Don Taylor Motors Ltd, MAIN ST. SOUTH/EXETER/235.1100