Bishop Amat High School - Tusitala Yearbook (La Puente, CA)

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Sr. Francette receives help rewind- ing a film from seniors Tom Arnold and Bill Sanchez. Short movies and slide shows were a part of many retreats. Nodding in approval Mrs. June Harker agrees with a response while senior Kim Courtemarche lis- tens attentively. Moderators helped to keep the table discussions going. 136 Academics Catching The Wave It's not an unknown fact that computers are the wave of the future. In light of this phenomenon, the depart- ment underwent many changes. It was renamed the Computer Science Depart- ment whereas it was pre- viously termed the Data Pro- cessing Department. This change was to prevent any confusion with the Data Pro- cessing Administration, which dealt with the new computer system on campus. To accomodate this up- coming field, space in the new building was set aside for computer classes. The new building also brought additional changes within the department. There were many proposals as to the new type of personal computers the students would be using and the kind of applications to be taught. The decisions depended upon the comput- er system that was finally chosen. Three different courses were offered: Computer Fun- damentals, Introduction to Data Processing, Program- ming in BASIC. Word Pro- cessing was offered during the summer. Taking one of these courses satisfied an ad- ditional requirement in the curriculum, computer aware- ness. Beginning with the class of 1988, students were required to take a computer class. Students on campus were heard complaining, Why do we need to take a computer class? I'll never encounter them in my life. To the con- trary, computers exist in al- most every aspect of the modern world, and every- body will be confronted with them at one time or another. Mr. Anthony Victoria felt that many students were in- timidated by computers. He hoped that by offering these classes, students would feel more comfortable with them. He stated, Students need to realize that the computer is a 5-...Q Knowing that practice is the best teacher, junior Kimberly Hein works on the computer. Hands-on training lessened her apprehension. tool, and it can help them achieve maximal benefits. The innovative changes within the department al- lowed students to have hands-on experience with computers. Computer ,sci- ence became a major piece of the puzzle of education. X,

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New Teachers Learn The Ropes eaching Spanish in the Home Economics room, lr. Joseph Lovano pauses to answer a question. ew teachers often felt like displaced persons loving from room to room each period. Miss Barbara Caballero English r. Marita Brys ligion, Yearbook believe that matters of th and the feelings of refs are both too serious joke about. To be ghed at for either one of :se principles is found to devastating. Nhat is There were a few new faces around campus, but they did not belong to freshman. These newcomers were more mature looking, carried a briefcase, had a distinct walk and style, and they didnlt wear baggy clothes. This meant only one thing-new faculty members. As the new guys on the block, they defi- nitely had some learning of their own to do. Twelve new teachers were added to the staff and the administration wasted no time putting them to work-placing them in all academic departments, as well as sports, music, and counseling. The Religion Department acquired the most new faculty members. Fr. Jim Anguiano, Mr. Michael Ehreth, Sr. Madeleine, Mr. Brian Mathews, and Mr. Cameron Troxell were given the job of guiding students into a closer rela- tionship with God, not an easy task for a new teacher by any means. Being a new teacher meant a lot of hard work and little sleep, said Mr. Mathews. English and Foreign Languages also welcomed three new teachers. Mr. Jo- seph Lovano and Miss Diana Olivera brought their bilingual skills into play by teaching Spanish. Former college lit- erature instructor Miss Barbara Cabal- lero meanwhile taught junior and sen- ior English. For her, high school teach- ing was worlds apart from college life. Mrs. Kathleen Chavez Adm., Girls' Dean, Social T Studies Mrs. Jean Castruita English Nothing That is concern- ing me anyway. l believe we have to have a sense of humor about most things in life. It's challenging, if anything, com- mented Miss Caballero, who also mo- derates the Fantasi Club, High school can really be somewhat chaotic. she added. Other new faculty members included Sr. Mary Grace, who instructed seniors in U.S. Government, and Mr. Fred Var- tanian, who was probably the busiest new faculty member of all. He taught three separate subjects and also coached Boys Cross Country. It was difficult at first teaching three different subjects in classrooms scattered across the campus , but I believe it was worth it. The new Performing Arts coordina- tor, Mr. Victor Rodriguez, who lead the band at all the football games, and Sr. Mary Sulko, the Counseling Depart- rnent's newest guidance counselor com- pleted the list of new teachers. For new teachers, just becoming fa- miliar with the campus was a difficult enough task, not to mention the erratic bell schedules and no-warning mini- mum days caused by the intense Sep- tember heat. Nevertheless, the new fac- ulty members eventually became accus- tomed to the school, and the strange- ness they felt soon wore off. Within a few weeks, these teachers were not con- sidered new anymore, and were seen as essential members of the Amat Family. Sr. Colette, 0.3.8. Religion D.C. Rev. Msgr. John Cremins Chaplain .. the loss ol a dear friend: the handicapped, disfigured, senile, agedg peoples' inabilities and shortcomings: offenses against God: one's personal relationship with God. . . God and His plan for our eternal salvation, too serious to be joked about? English!New Teachers 135

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Retreats Create Memories arefully considering his question, senior Mi- hael Bernal prepares to share his thoughts with r. Marie Therese. The retreats covered many iought provoking topics. B eeer i A f ' N 5--is , ttrrt R r lllr. Randy Dimmitt Mr. Steve Dreiling Social Studies Mathematics Nhat was most difficult for Every Tuesday evening something very meaningful took place on campus. It was called the twilight retreat. It was during the five hour sessions that stu- dents had the opportunity to share per- sonal feelings with their peers and learn more about themselves. Each evening began with the gather- ing of students from two religion classes for Mass in the faculty house chapel. The classes then assembled in the teachers' lounge for a good meal with friends. The meal was a potluck dinner. After dinner, students then went over to the library and formed groups of about six people plus a facilitator. Faci- litators included parents, teachers, or older friends, relatives, and students. Their job was to make sure that things ran smoothly and to contribute to the groups' discussion. The retreat program also included filmstrips, movies, slide shows, songs, and prayers promoting personal growth. These beneficial retreats were orga- nized by Sr. Francette. She was aided by the four religious affairs commis- sioners, seniors Hernani Ledesma, Lis- sette Ribas, and Nicole Wurster, and junior Allison Brown. Being one of the commissioners involved staying at school on Tuesday nights to help run the retreats by doing the kitchen work and faciltating for freshman and sopho- more classes. Despite working long Mr. Michael Ehreth A Religion Sr. Eileen Grace, 0.S.l. English . . . breathing. hours, they definitely felt that it was worth it. Commissioner Allison Brown stated, One of the good things about being here every night is that you meet a lot of new people, especially as a faci- litatorf' Each separate grade had a different theme for its retreat. The themes cen- tered around God's love, friendship, and self-esteem. Although everyone's reactions to the purpose of the retreats differed, students all expressed appre- ciation for the program. Seniors reacted eagerly to the retreat because it was their last, and freshmen were excited because it was their first. However, sophomores and juniors also enjoyed the retreats. Senior Chris Marino said, It was excellent. It was one of the best retreats I ever had. Junior Luce Palo- manes was also enthusiastic. She re- vealed, It was life-giving and encour- aging. Others may have felt disap- pointed. Junior Elise Belliveau ex- plained, I didn't feel that my group was very responsive. A retreat away from school would have been differ- ent. Overall, students found comfort in sharing their feelings with their classmates. The most important goal of the re- treat program was to add to each indi- vidual student's personal growth. This goal was achieved over the course of four years. Francette, O.S.F. Mrs. Linda Frazzette Religion, Campus Minis- Mathematics, Social try Studies l dreaded report card time English was my most diffi- because my two older sis- cult subiect. I had poor ters were 'A' students andl writing skilis and probabiy had 'other' interests. still do. you in high school? Computer Seience!Retreats 137