Andrew Lewis High School - Pioneer Yearbook (Salem, VA)

Page 31 text:

Andrew Lewis possessed a talented ' 64- ' 65 student body, judging from the sizes of the drama, art, choir, and band departments. Skill and interest were poured into creative activities throughout the year. The drama casts practiced continually to present superior performances for their audiences. Miss Thomason could be heard at any rehearsal shout¬ ing, What ' s wrong with you? Project, project! The casts soon learned to speak for the benefit of those in the rear of the balcony as well as those occupying front now seats. Productions included John Brown ' s Body and Party of the Candidates. The art ' room proved to be a busy, creative place; the shelves were cluttered and the hum of talent at work was unmistakable. One hundred-fifty art students found themselves swept into the soul- satisfying work of trying to create a masterpiece. They worked with every style, subject, and medium; much of their work was put on display at local exhibitions and galleries. It was early to rise and late to bed for choir mem¬ bers this year as they endeavored to maintain their continued excellence. Each section rehearsed at eight o ' clock in the morning at least once a week; exhausting concerts kept the singers occupied long into the night. Concerts included music ranging from South Pacific to The Creation. The new choir director, Mr. Harris, devoted his time to perfecting the talents of members of the choirs, A Cappella, Mixed, and Eighth Grade. Everyone at A.L. took pride in the marked improve¬ ment and fine quality of band music. Sore feet and tired lungs accompanied the frequent practice sessions. Ambitious Mr. Farley maintained diligent practice and study among the students of the senior band and the junior band class. Three shining basses, valued at three thousand dollars, and new French Horns were purchased. In the spring a four¬ teen piece dance orchestra was assembled, to be ready for performance by fall of 1965. Four fine arts classes featuring such a varied pro¬ gram of study proved to be an invaluable asset in aiding students to receive a well-rounded education. Regular drilling and long rehearsals convinced Lloyd Connor and other hard working band members of the importance of accuracy and alertness in executing precise marching patterns. Mike Mullins and Judy Foley, two of Lewis ' outstanding drama students, scanned the bulletin board covered with items con¬ cerning drama department activities. 27

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Under the direction of Mr. Carl Harris the forty-seven members of the A Cappella Choir performed enthusiastically at several school functions, including th Christmas and Thanksgiving assemblies. In February a number of these choir members participated in regional and state chorus. Versatile Student Body Focuses Talents in Creative Fields. MRS. CAROL JO NICHOLS, Art; Inkslinger Art Advis¬ or, Sophomore Class Ad¬ visor; B.A., Fairmont State College. MR. CARL HARRIS, Choir; B.M., Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. MISS ANN THOMASON, Public Speaking; English, Drama; B.A., R.P.I.; M.A., V.P.I. MR. ALAN FARLEY. Band; M.A., Columbia Uni versify. 26

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Students no longer considered English courses strictly as one part grammar and one part literature. Most teachers reduced grammar study to a mini¬ mum, devoting much class time to literature, com¬ posing themes and research papers, and reading and drawing conclusions about books. Literature anthologies included choice selections of the poems, short stories, and essays of noted authors. Ninth and tenth grade books each included a novel; freshmen studied Great Expectations, while sophomores read George Elliot ' s Silas Marner. Those texts which did not include a novel were often supplemented with one. In this case, students usually studied a well-known work in paper-back form. An increased number of compositions were re¬ quired, as students frequently wrote themes using either personal subjects or one su ggested by the instructor. Often themes explored controversial events or ideas, so that students learned to examine a subject well and to express their own opinions. All seniors as well as some underclassmen composed a research paper. Using the library and compiling detailed information provided the opportunity to become truly familiar with a single subject. To a degree, composition and the reading of litera¬ ture were combined in making book reports. Stu¬ dents selected novels, biographies, or nonfiction books to fulfill reading assignments, which ranged from, one book per six weeks to 1000 pages each semester. Emphasis on literature and writing relieved the monotony the repititious grammar rules had created and caused the students to become aware of their own opinions and the need to express them. Junior English entailed the study of American Literature and the more complicated parts of speech, all of which required Sandy Dalton ' s full concentration. English Courses Emphasize Reading and Writing, Play Down Grammar. MRS. MARGARET BALLARD, English, Reading; A.B., De Pauw University. MRS. SUE BANNER, English, French; A.B., Univer¬ sity of North Carol ina. MRS. LOIS BOARD, English, History, Yearbook Ad¬ visor; B.S., Radford College. MISS MELBA CALAWAY, English; A.B., Roanoke Col¬ lege.