Spring Valley High School - Saga Yearbook (Columbia, SC)

Page 309 text:

W QQ and .5 ckie 0 , - Zdfm member aeiiiion during Pflde during Club Comp ll tug O' Wa' At ine Mr Spring Valley pageant jiinior Boyd Summers does his ren- dition of John Travolta. Players lake the risk of injuries Senior James Prezioso injured his knee Richland Northeast Cavalier running backs. Senior Cathy Gantt gives. her all in her performance at Miss Spring Valley. and captures the title of Miss ConQen'a W' closing

Page 308 text:

Yelling and screaming echoed in the Elephane Boom. Anticipation filled the eyes of the 448 seniors. Our special moment was here. The graduation march began. It is so hard to believe. We are all here together, excited, prepared. Brandy and Anthony are on the podi- um leading the school, but we aren't just getting ready for another assem- bly. This is what we have all worked so hard for, for the past four years. A million thoughts and memories cross my mind at once. Confused, rather than being hysterically happy that I am going to college in three months, or sad that I am leaving dear friends behind. I, for a moment, pic- ture myself as a Spring Valley stu- dent again. I see Brandy smiling in her blue- jean jacket, green and gold high tops saying, Wanna hear a joke, nut? I see Anthony with his Hvote for me smile running around the top of the gym with all the wrestlers. Sitting in the classroom, I'm day- dreaming of lunch time, waiting in the crowded, long lines, talking to all my friends. Suddenly my mind flashes back to my freshman year and I hear myself asking why the architects built the school in circles. I can remember the very first pep rally l ever attended. Mike DeBerry was president, Sally Boatwright was vice-president. All the lights in the gym were off. One spotlight was on the middle of the court as Mike and- Sally had swords and were telling the story of the Norse Force. Then the lights came on and the crowd was roaring. I didn't know how to react. Being from Blythewood, I had never seen or heard anything like it.

Page 310 text:

r'xi '1'::':'::1 l4' 3 ' ' ..,. .,.,. 2 ,..,:,: q,.1 .--.: . ... ----- ss c gas s K 1 ' .2 ----- : -:-Y--rs .... : l M 5 is li! ,iw gg? is 11 gg, was it closing I then remembered reading Shakespeare for the very first time with all the other freshmen, and debating whether to read or not to read my homework. I never st d' ' ' u led all that incredibly much. I took most of the basic courses, I didn't want to go to Harvard. I left my A's to Melissa Kelly, Jeff El- der, Vivian Lin, and Bria gle. I was more into the sports scene. I remembered all the football games. Everyone was wearing booster badges the cheerleaders forced on us for a quarter. The stadium was always packed with fans wearing green and gold. Then I remembered the basket- ball practices for two and half hours a day to prepare for the games. I saw myself running up the dreaded hill for coach Owings and hear him yelling, No pain, no gain. I can still hear the cheerleaders rooting for us. At last, I can hear Brandy saying Seniors please come down for the alma mater. Silence. Chills ran up and down my spine. My muscles tensed and then I swallowed. Is this a dream? I thought to myself, as I watched my fellow classmates receive their diplomas. No, this is reality. We have made it. A sense of pride filled my heart, as I think of all we have accomplished and how much more we all will. Silence. Will the graduating class of 1986 please rise for the alma mater. n Magar- Tonya Lomas