Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Youth Forum still meaningful for alum

* School: Rancho High

* Sun Youth Forum year: 1961

* Graduation: 1962

* College: University of Massachusetts at Amherst

* Occupation: English teacher at Cowan Behavior Junior/Senior High School and Sunset South High School, both at Cowan Academic Center.

* Accomplishments: Durango High School Outfront Award for dedication (1997); Educator of the Year at Horizon South High School (1999); Perfect Attendance seven out of eight years for the Clark County School District.

Marylou Hummer Rollins takes pride in knowing that many of the things she wrote about in a Las Vegas Sun column 44 years ago reflecting the findings of her group at the Sun Youth Forum have become a reality.

"Rereading the column so many years later, I couldn't get over how many of the things that we suggested came to pass," Rollins said. "Today, we have many multicultural programs and literature that did not exist at the time I was in school.

"We had clubs and organizations back then, but they were small and not so demanding. Today, there are many clubs that offer kids a lot of choices. And students will have more opportunities as the technology becomes more comprehensive."

Rollins said one of the group's more extreme suggestions -- speed reading -- also is employed to some degree today.

Rollins wrote in her column that schools should "offer to high school students a speed-reading course. Success in school depends mainly on the reading ability of the student. This course would be practical ... in school and on the job."

While speed reading today is part of the "reading process" taught in schools, teachers should be cautious when employing it, Rollins said.

"Speed-reading is a good tool for skimming over something, but, as an English teacher, I am concerned whether speed reading diminishes comprehension. I'd rather students comprehend more of what they read."

Rollins said over the years she has enjoyed sharing with students selected for the Sun Youth Forum her experiences to help prepare them for it.

"I tell them it is something you will remember for the rest of your life," she said. "I even remember what I wore the day of the forum -- a red corduroy suit."

Asked for her thoughts on the Youth Forum reaching its golden anniversary, Rollins said: "I think it is just wonderful. It has opened a door for so many kids who have something to say -- a door that may never have been opened in any other way."

Ed Koch can be reached at (702) 259-4090 or at [email protected].

WEDNESDAY -- A 1965 Sun Youth Forum participant who became a lawyer talks about labor unions and gun laws.

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