Altus Senior High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Altus, OK)

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JUSTICE FLOYD JACKSON of the Oklahoma Supreme Court briefed Altus High journalism students on historical background of the court, and the judicial branch of the government. He was one of many personages interviewed during the day by the students on their annual field trip to the capitol. Others include Gov. Henry Bellmon, pub- lishing and television personalities, astronomer Marion Jameson, and financier Charles Thompson. Shown with Justice Jackson are Barbara Shook, Thalia Anderson, Billy Randall, Shirley Rice, Brenda Milligan and Lawrence Wilks. CHILDREN’S GAMES assume adult status when they are played at Spanish Club meeting with all directions and responses in Spanish. Betty Snow, mid-way between the Spoon twins, Karen and Sharon, finds game directions hilarious. Mrs. Bob Rooker and Mrs. C. M. Ewing, sponsors, meet with the Spanish Club members regularly throughout the year. Evening meetings provide much more than recreation and fellowship. Students learn to use their new “second language” in informal situations, and to add to conversational vocabularies. Learning opportunities are not restricted to formal class- room situations. Field trips, academic clubs, individual re- search projects and guest lecturers add much to the knowledge and enjoyment of educational endeavors. NICKY BAGLEY, senior trig student measures the largest elm in Altus as Judy Triplett, sophomore biology student looks on. The tree, although not a record breaker, has the largest width of any recorded in the state. Nicky shot the angle with a meter stick and pro- tractor and from this figured the height. The circumfer- ence was found by simply measuring the distance around the trunk. The di- ameter was found by divid- ing the circumference by pi. Various ways were used in order to check the accuracy of the height. Judy deter- mined the species after the computations were made. 13

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ENROLLMENT DAY is always awaited with great expectation at Altus High. New arrivals in Altus are seen for the first time by many students. This day provides a cli- max for the summer during which many school friends were separated. Enrollment day is the start of another period of learn- ing, as well as a time of entertainment bv being with friends. Trees in the photograph were planted as a part of the Hightower Park addition. Park benches, which are to the far left, were a senior class memorial. Altus Junior College, with its booming enrollment, is to the south. SCHOOL DAYS Enrollment To Graduation Brief Interlude Atmosphere of the high school is relaxed and casual. There are no uniforms that have to be worn as in more formal schools. However, there are certain requirements about neatness of appearance. Most students are casu- ally dressed, except for those having to wear dress clothes for special purposes. On pep assembly day pep club girls wear their regular uniforms which consist of a white sweater with a blue AHS megaphone and a navy blue pleated skirt. AUTOMATIC DISPENSERS are always a refreshing welcome to students between classes. Not only are there dispensers located in the school building, but a snack bar is opened during the noon hour in the phy- sical education building lobby. Leroy Kraatz makes a quick stop at the candy machine on his way to class for an afternoon pick-up. FINAL DAY of school is anti- cipated with as much or more eagerness than the first day. Change from studies t o care free time is welcomed. For some the summer is a time to earn money, to apply to college, and for others it is a time to con- tinue their education by attend- ing science institutes or summer schools. And still for others, summer is a time for pleasure and relaxation. But, whatever summer may be, the change is welcomed. Teachers also enjoy their vacations whether they go to school or catch up on their favorite hobby. Many continue teaching or work with the schools. 12

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ACTIVITIES are a part of the life of almost every student at Altus High. For instance, glee clubs mem- berships number approximately one out of every five members of the high school student body. There are three glee clubs: sophomore girls, boys’ and varsity girls. They perform at district and state vocal meets, usually obtain- ing superior ratings. Civic clubs, other schools, assemblies and community events request performances. Most of these are made by smaller groups, a part of the school “entertainment bureau.’’ Mrs. A. W. Edwards, far right, directs all vocal music activi- ties at the senior high level. PUBLIC SERVICE Organizations Lead School-Community Unity PEP CLUB is another activity well represented. With approxi- mately every other girl in the high school a member of the pep club, it has strong influence on the loyal support of the school. They are in attendance at all sports activities, and are usually strongest in vocal force at football games. Pep club has officers who are in charge of planning all out-of-town trips which the club takes as a group. An advisor from the faculty is present at all pep club meetings. A special section of bleachers is reserved for Pep Club members at all ball games. During early fall the girls wear white blouses and Bulldog blue skirts. Later white pullover sweaters are a fd- ed. On coldest nights the girls wear dark topcoats. “THAT ALTUS BAND” probably is the best known of any of the activity groups at Altus High School in areas outside the city. They perform at every Bulldog football game, whether it is at home or away. This year they participate in Band Day at the Univer- sity of Okahoma, marched in district, state and regional contests, and scored superiors. Band practice during football season starts before eight, with practice usually lasting until 10:00, much of the time being spent on the practice field. During half-time performances, all music is played by memory, and intricate steps are performed during difficult maneu- vers with instruments played simultaneously. Special groups of the band have performed on television. The “Downbeats” were on the Tom Paxton show. Picture at the left, with Director Don Leavitt, shows how careful prac- tice “makes perfect.” Formations usually are rehearsed for two or three weeks, with several shows in various stages of production at one time. When bad weather makes practice im- possible concert work is rehearsed indoors. 14