To Add Song Girls
— Courier photo by Kati Wag* line
SMILES BEFORE DISAPPOINTMENT— Five song girl
hopefuls participated enthusiastically at the re-tryouts in the
Men's Gym. June 27, only to later find that no more additions
were being considered for the squad. From top: Rachael Moran.
Betty Robinson and Holli Leonard.
Surprise Reversal
Feed it to Pfeiffer
By Kit Ladwig
and Katrin Wegelius
Feature and Fine Arts Editors
A decision to add an unspecified
number of girls to the Song Girls squad
has been reached contrary to an an¬
nouncement made at the re-tryouts
held in June.
“There will be additions,” said
Alvar Kauti, dean of student activities.
“The actual number we really cannot
say at this time.”
Charges of irregularities had tainted
the results of two tryouts for the squad
held April 26 and June 27.
Complaints that Pep Squad Director
Candy Falk had predetermined the
results of the initial tryouts in April
and that other judging irregularities
had occurred, led to the scheduling of a
re-tryout in late June.
After approximately two months of
lengthy discussion, Alvar Kauti and
Dr. Robert Fleury, chairman of the
music department, decided the re¬
tryouts were to only be for candidates
unsuccessful the first time. The pre¬
viously chosen Song Girls, who had
already purchased their uniforms,
were to remain on the squad.
The re-tryout, an attempt to rectify
what Kauti called a “bad situation,"
ended in anger and disillusionment for
the candidates and their parents.
Although the highest scoring can¬
didate received 142 out of a possible 150
points, Fleury announced none of the
candidates would be added to the
squad.
In defending his decision, Fleury
explained the current Song Girls felt
their routines demanded an even
number of members and they pre¬
ferred to add no one rather than add
only two of the three top scorers.
Fleury's announcement produced an
immediate angry reaction. As one of
the girls stormed out in tears, can¬
didates and their parents crowded
around Dr. Fleury voicing their objec¬
tions.
After a heated discussion, Fleury
said, “We have an honest difference of
opinion. I think you should take the
results of the auditions and talk to
Dean Kauti and abide by his decision.”
During a two hour meeting with
Kauti, the candidates and their parents
expressed their concerns.
"I encouraged my daughter to come.
Had I known it was a mere formality, I
wouldn’t have,” stated one of the pa¬
rents.
“The girls are just beginning their
college ... every failure is a mountain.”
said another.
The parents objected to the fact that
the current Song Girls, whom they
contend were chosen in an improper
manner, were consulted about whether
to add more members to the squad.
A Success, Discussion
Group to be Continued
“The Student Discussion group has
proved to be a great success both
among foreign and American students.
It will definitely be continued,” said
Alice Mothershead of the Community
Liaison office.
“More and more students are show¬
ing interest in the group, and I believe
AACJC OKs
Production of
TV Spots
The American Association of Com¬
munity and Junior Colleges has con¬
tracted Centre Films, Inc. to produce
three public service announcements on
behalf of the over 1,000 community
colleges in the United States.
A large amount of the filming for
these announcements will be com¬
pleted on campus, using students and
PCC alumni.
“We are looking for all types and
ages of students,” said Robert Gom-
perz, designated liaison between the
filming company and the college. "We
want to stress our desire to have an
ethnic balance in the national TV spots.
We also want a balance between all
ages and a balance between male and
female.”
The filming for the announcements,
one of 60 seconds duration and two of 30
seconds each, will take place on cam¬
pus in the next few weeks. Actual
filming will require about two days.
Students interested in any of the 12
acting positions may contact Gomperz
in the public information office, A105.
The deadline for applications will be
Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Besides general student position,
some specific situation positions will
also be filled. “We are looking for a
widow, a parent of a large family and a
nursing student. We are also looking
for a dentist who spent part of his
undergraduate time at PCC.”
The final decision on participants
will be made by Centre Films; those
chosen will recieve an honorary $10
fee.
it really helps foreign and American
students interact."
The last meeting of the spring
semester was held May 30, and Mrs.
Mothershead urges all students in¬
terested in having another during the
summer to contact her in the office.
“I hope to be able to schedule one
sometime in July in order to get new
students involved and help them adjust
to the campus," she explained.
During the last meeting, discussion
centered around the social differences
between the various countries repre¬
sented. Male and female interactions
were particularly discussed.
“I noticed customs are somewhat
the same all over the world," said Mrs.
Mothershead. “The main difference is
some countries allow more freedom
than others.”
Most of the foreign students agreed
their lack of understanding American
customs made it very difficult for them
to integrate with their fellow American
students.
“One of the purposes of this group is
to help these students feel a part of the
society, build up their confidence by
airing all problems,” explained Mrs.
Mothershead. “These discussions will
definitely continue in the future."
Applications for
Financial Help
Still Considered
Financial aid applications for stu¬
dents attending PCC this fall are still
available in D205.
Those who apply now will be con¬
sidered but will be required to bear all
costs while the application is being
processed. If awarded a scholarhsip.
the student will be reimbursed.
Also available is the Basic Educa¬
tional Opportunity Grant (BEOG),
which is based on financial need. The
BEOG deadline is March 15, 1980. and a
reimbursement will again be made if
the student is awarded.
For further information concerning
financial aid and scholarships, check
with the Financial Aids Office, D205.
“I consulted the Pep Squad only to
get the girls' feelings. I did not include
their evaluation in my judgment,” said
Fleury.
In defending Fleury's action, Kauti
stated that in his opinion the squad
should have a great deal of influence in
this matter.
"From my background as a coach,
the morale of the squad is important."
The parents also opposed the last
minute "changing of the rules." Be¬
cause at the initial tryout no limit was
placed on the number of girls to be
chosen, one parent stated, “The cur¬
rent squad should not be able to estab¬
lish limits now.” Another parent
added, “In any contest the rules must
be made ahead of time.”
Pointing out that 11 girls were
chosen in the original tryouts, parents
questioned the sudden need for an
even-numbered squad.
In response. Fleury said one of the
original Song Girls had not been partic¬
ipating regularly and the routines had
been worked out for an even number of
girls.
“Routines can be worked out for any
number,” Kathryne Cooper, mother of
candidate Tina Cooper, maintained.
Contending that the current squad
was chosen under questionable circum¬
stances. Mack Robinson, father of Bet¬
ty Robinson, stated that all the girls
should have tried out again. "... No one
should have already been on the
squad.”
Towards the end of the meeting,
Derek Coleman, ASB president, voiced
his opinion.
"I think we ought to take the three
from the top and add them to the
squad... I think the squad should be
considered, but they shouldn’t make
the final decision.”
Although the group pressed Kauti
for an immediate resolution of the
matter, he declined to move hastily.
Reviewing the events, Fleury com¬
mented, "I only took over for a sick
teacher to correct a bad situation. I
think it’s worse now.”
Question asked in the quad: Do you feel it is important for the United States to maintain a strategic arms advantage
over other countries?
Ann Burch, Instructor: “That’s a
terrible question. I guess we do
need it. I guess I would not want to
think in terms of Russia having
more nuclear arms than we do,
because I don’t trust Russia. On the
other hand, I hate to think we have
to do that; that we have to take the
monies we have and invest them in
nuclear war.”
Jeff Kostelac, Psychology major:
"It’s foolish to waste money on :
things like that. The world is going I
down hill all the way, and it’s not
going to last too much longer. I get
the feeling I shouldn’t go on taking
anymore classes but go to the beach
and lounge around for 20 years.
Maybe by then the world will have
come to an end, and I won’t have
worry about it anymore.”
CORRECTION: In the last edition of this column, the photographs of Ferman Chambers and
Edard Hayes were were inadvertently reversed. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by
our error.
Jackie Moody, Nursing major: “I
do feel it's important that we should
have more bombs. If we don’t,
Russia's going to take over. If they
feel- they can take over, I believe
they will. So if we don’t make more
bombs. I feel they will take over.”
Steven McCain, Drama major: "I
feel the United States should put
more trust in God. There are people
within the country with enough
power to maintain. They have nu¬
clear power and not because of the
peace issue. It’s ‘You mess with
me, and I’ll drop a bomb on you.
And vice versa.’ It’s totally unnec¬
essary, because we are organized."
Wayne Kawamoto, Mechanical En¬
gineering major: “I think it’s im¬
portant that we do keep a strategic
advantage over other people be¬
cause of the fact that we’re
shaky about Russia. We have
keep up; it’s really essential.
Besides being a destructive power,
which we probably would never use,
I think there’s also some technology
we could gain out of it."
Ed Kosowicz, Economics major:
“Not beyond a certain point. They
say we can blow up the world 18
times, or something. I don’t think it
makes any difference after blowing
the world up once! Who cares who’s
leading? I think it’s a waste of
money. Russia’s been lying behind
our back for so many years, I
wouldn’t believe a word they say."
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