GUEST EDITORIAL SPOT

ARE GRADYS CLUBS DEMOCRATIC?

By VIRGINIA WHITEMAN

In the past months there has been much discussion and debate on the subject of sororities and fraternities--their so-called "undemocratic principles." But why pick on just the sororities and fraternities with undemocratic clubs here at Grady? Yes, that's just what I mean, undemocratic; for members of some of the clubs are chosen, not just allowed to join! It is true, as you may point out, that members of some clubs must be elected in order that the clubs might get the outstanding students-those who will work, but these students seem to be elected to all the clubs. And think of the students who will work that are not in any club. The best way we can alleviate this condition is to equalize the membership of all clubs except those honorary clubs which are run on the basis of scholarship or achievement alone. That is, we can do as one of our more democratic clubs has done: open the membership to all students who can meet certain set requirements; requirements the same for every person.

Each club, with the aid of its faculty advisor, must set down these requirements (for they will be different in every club), and elect a committee to decide on the passage or failure of the individual student.

In this way, not only will the student who wants to join a club for what he can contribute to it be allowed to join, but also, the slacker will be weeded out.

Think about this, you officers of Grady's clubs, and members too. Do you really think your club is democratic? Isn't it time to do something about it?

Could This Be You?

Yat-ta-ta, yat-ta-ta, yat-ta-ta. Talk, talk, talk. And all you ever hear is criticism of Grady. Doesn't anyone ever say something nice about it?

The other day I was riding home on the bus with a friend from another school. Suddenly I realized with surprise that the so-called friend was talking Grady down. Then it hit me. All at once out of a clear sky I began to realize just how much Grady did mean to me-how much I would hate to leave it.

Perhaps it isn't the finest school in Atlanta from the standpoint of athletics. But aren't we going to school to "git book larnin' " rather than to be a big football or basketball hero? Sports are fine in their place but they should revolve around the school; instead, it's often vice versa.

Grady is already being recognized as THE college prep school of Atlanta. It's hard to believe, but ninety per cent of the Grady students have average or higher-than-average intelligence. Many former Gradyites have proved this by their high scholastic standing in college.

But Grady is criticized.

Where's school spirit? It has been here ever since the birth of Grady, waiting to be lit-to burn. It flared up that day when the band marched In wearing their dazzling new uniforms and glowed brighter with a more intense flame after our first football victory of the year. The spark still burns and flares up at the singing of the Alma Mater or- the yelling of a new cheer.

But Grady is criticized.

Good times, unforgettable moments; there have been many at Grady. The large variety of clubs offer the necessary balance to the school program. The popular school dances, packed to capacity with yelling, laughing, shagging teenagers, are always fun. The new people you meet, the friends you speak to in the hall, the amusing things that happen in class, the fun you have at lunch hashing over the morning's activities with the crowd are all a part of Grady.

But Grady is criticized.

"What if my school is criticized," you contend, "everyone has a right to his own opinion." Hold it a minute though, maybe if you didn't talk so much about its defects, you wouldn't leave the school wide open for outside criticism.

Remember, Grady is just three years old and there is a long, hard, muddy road to the perfect school. You can travel this road only once and things you say or do can't be unsaid or undone. Make them count the first time so there won't be any regrets.

Will the future Grady be criticized?