Severely handicapped class arrives - The Lowell

ap 2, Vtt timtU. Mar 10. I9SS
EDITORIALS.
Thomas Harrison: 1932-1985
With the unexpected death of social
science, teacher Thomas Harrison.
Lowell's faculty and student body lost a
compassionate, pleasant, and dedicated
individual.
A native San Franciscan, Harrison was
the youngest member of a large, closeknit
Irish-American family.
He started his education m Star of the
Sea and then wen' or to Saint Ignatius
High School.
After serving in the Korean war. Harrison
completed his education at ihc
University of Sar. Francisco where he
earned a B.A. and a M.A.
"We may meet a
defeat, but we must be
ready to stand up again
and grow from the
obstacles."- Harrison
Upon graduation. Harmon began his
30-year career in the San Francisco
Unified School District.
Before coming 10 Lowell in 1967. Harrison
taught for two yean at Apto* Middle
School and ten years at Horace Mann.
Harrison's notable achievement* included
hi* production of slideshows about
BART. Son Francisco shopping centers,
and Sandlot City — A History of Wetttrn
San Francisco, which was acclaimed by
many civic organization* and teacher
groups.
Harmon initiated and fought to
preserve the Pre-Law course at Lowell
despite budget constraints which continually
threatened its existence.
The Prc-Law program also entailed
student participation in a statewide mock
trial competition. Harrison's devotion to
the mock trial competition was recently
rewarded when Lowcli> team won the
state championship of the pre-trial
motion.
A devout Catholic and « proud
Irishman. Harrison was highly tctivc in
both church activities and chanty work
and showed his intense awareness c f his
Irish heritage in his involvement with the
Irish Cultural Center. Active in the
organization since its inception, Harrison
used his historian's expertise (u help in
selecting works for its library.
A dignified, utwvsuming {•cntU'itun.
Harrison was sincerely interested i.i each
individual he came in contact with, and
his friendliness and hospitality were evident
in his eagerness 10 share his
knowledge with others. Harrison's
nephew John Dowhuc remembers. "He
(Harrison) was always asking what he
could dtt for other*, yet. he never asked
for help for himself."
Having a strong sense of family tics.
Harrison spent many of his weekends at
his Saratoga home with his relatives.
Those who knew him will iniss his
quiet good humrr and his comfortable
presence.
As a man wno always seemed content
Lowell welcomes
return of Kermesse
"I'm delighted the Kermcs-V is back
and was happy li> kick it off." said Principal
Alan Fibi.Ui. uho officutlv opened
the 1985 Kcrmcssc.
"It's fun win an international flavor,"
enthused jmloi Chris Lc.
To the •leligit of all, the 14th annual
Kcrmcssc look ptace on April 27. The
Kcrmcssc is ar exciting day for showing
respect lor cultures, learning about
foreign custom, and taking special pride
in your OAT shnicily.
"We enjoy getting everyone together
to be prtiud ?f his background; there is
mutt^il rcspc:t for all cultures." s.iid
Marc /avail, foreign language UV»
director.
Besttes being a diy for all to cat 2nd be
merry and 'o witness the fruits of their
labors, the Kermesse raises funds Tor the
foreign lan'^uage lab. The S3.000 or so
tha*. comes fnrr the ticket sales at the
£crmcue buys all materials and repairs
for the lab. which receives little or .TO
money from the school district. "The
language lab is built on the noocy from
the Kcrmcssc." stated Sara Trclaun.
foreign language teacher.
In addition, the Kermesse has meaning
beyond that of funding the lab and othc
foreign language department activities.
As in 1970 when the event began, the
Kcrmcssc -.till i> "a djv when kids yet
together with their culiurc.*'
According to George* Tchikuvani,
language teacher jnd Kcrmcssc
r.rgani/cr. "The school wouldn't have
the spirit it should have without the
Kcrmcssc. In a \cn\c. we're trying to
regain the spirit losi w it ft Prop. 13 and the
budget cut*. TIK: school it re^ainin^ the
respect it deserves."
Since 1970. the Kcrnics.sc ha* taken
place every year, except last year. The
foreign language teachers, in protest over
the required supervision of aficrschool
sports events, decided to cancel the
Kcrmosc. The conflict has not been
resolved; ihc teachers monitor events and
plan ihc Kcrmcvse. "Wcdo the Kcrmcssc
for the kids." said Trclaun. "and we got
tired of fighting."
. The teachers noted that the incidentfree
afternoon w_s a Cme when all had
fun being together. "It is so wonderful to
have a good time without incident." said
TrcLfun.
The Kcrmcssc is a Lowell tradition, •
day of camaraderie, mutual respect, and
fun which should be continued. In the
future, the Kermesse will be an integral
port of the school, and we on the staff of
The Lowell thank everyone involved for
another wonderful festival.
Thomas lUrrfeia, social s-fence Iracbcr, pasted mvrmy on April 14,1985.
and satisfied with hi* life. Harrison J mply
went about his work for 30 years
Donohuc remarked. "I om hr-nonal (o
be taking over his cLtssc* fur the re st of
the semester."
"1 am scry appreciative to the f;cully
and students for ihcir outpouring of sympathy.
It has teen a very difficult time fo:
alt of u« and the community at Lowell has
made it much easier." he acknowledged.
In a strangely appropriate statement
from a student interview conducted shortly
before his death, Harrison philosophized.
"Optimism is the key. We ma> meet
a defeat. but we must be ready to stand up
again anJ grow frr.m the obstacles'."
Students protest
against apartheid
As in ih? *60*s. American youths across
the nation arc vixidm^ up for their beliefs.
According to experts, "Apartheid has
resurrected activism on college camp-isca
and given career-orientated students a clear
moral issue to tight far."
Opponents nf apartheid, the white-ruled
government of Swth Airicd. hcs*. been
protesting in both the United States and
abroad to alleviate 'Jic discrimination
against blacks *n that country.
In Johannesburg. South Africa. Bishop
Desmond Tutu, the black clergyman who
won the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. if>*.orcd
a ban on demonstrations and led 25 ar.i-
tion -mi United People of Color • tv.«
group* composed of students, faculty
members, campus employees, ant! local
residents • demonstrated for the withdrawal
of SI.7 Million in UC investments by the
regents from companies that operate in
South Africa.
"The moral issues are clear." said
R »cri £ Price, a political science professor
at UC Bcrkrl«? who specializes in Atncac
politics, 'ana people have miscalculated
the nature of Lirrer: university students in
gcncnl and at Berkeley in particu'ar.
Students may have been more apoIi'icU
(recently), but they're still ready foi
Apartheid has resurrected activism on college
campuses and given career-oriented students a
clear moral issue to fight for.
apartheid minister* in a march on April 3.
On the following day, black* and whites
in several U.S. cities observed the 17th anniversary
of Uk: a&ttssination of Rev. Martin
Lurthcr King. Jr.. another black Nobciwinning
clergyman, in a similar manner.
But it is at the universities across the
United States that the strongest prcssurw
against apartheid policies are felt Over
100 colleges participated in rallies, marches,
and teach-ins on April 25. Nstional
Student A.!ti-Apanhcid Day.
Previously, on April 4. 4,000 Harvard
students crowded Harvard Yard to suppon
Rev. Jesse Jackson when he spoke at an
anti-apartheid rally. On this sums day. 250
Columbia students blockaded the doors of
the main administration building, and 12
students went on hunger strikes, proclaiming
that they would not dciist until th?
university issued a statement divesting
from companies that do business with
South Africa.
Closer to home at University of California.
Berkeley, the UC Divestmcn* Coali*
mobilization.
"Students do want to be a part of
something larger than their own selfinterest."
The students devote much time and
energy when they protest: many have been
arrested and charged with criminal counts
and face threats of disciplinary actions
from the colleges. Despite the possible
consequences, the students ore willing to
make whatever sacrifices necessary. Logsn
Evan, a Harvard senior, refused to accept
his diploma and engage *n final examinations
in protest of the university's inraiments
in South Africa. Timothy Lubin,
a junior at Columbia, revealed tha 1 one of
the protesting students, Jose Dc Sousa. can
face a death sentence as a traitor if he we«
expelled from the university and deported
back to his native South Africa.
The Lowell u not advocating divestment
rallies on Eucalyptus Drive, but we do applaud
the efforts and concern shown by the
college students who arc selfless in helping
others and unafraid to take a stand aw:
voice theft opinions.
sei
Dear Editor, j
On April |
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