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

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Building Project Commences we blessing for the groundbreaking is given by ishop Juan Arzube. His moral support was iuch appreciated. lrs. June Harker nglish Anything that has to do 'ith iaith and morals is se- ous to me. Atter years of earching, I found happi- ess in the Catholic hurch, and l believe in ev- rything it teaches with all iy heart. The groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of a dream come true for school administrators and par- ents alike. On November 25, communi- ty officials, parents, and faculty gath- ered together to help celebrate the com- mencement of a building project that would provide students with two new classrooms. Through the efforts of the Director of Public Relations, Mr. Robert Parsons, and the Assistant Director of Public Relations, Mrs. Debbie Myers, the cele- bration was a huge success. When asked what it took to put on this event, Mr. Parsons responded, . . . two weeks of hard work. They planned the official ceremony as well as the reception that followed. The two new classrooms to be built were the media room and a large com- puter center. The media room was de- signed to be an oversized classroom that could hold more than one class at a time for the viewing of films or the holding of assemblies. The computer center will take the place of the small computer room in the faculty house and house 32 new microcomputers. In 1985 administrators decided to im- prove the campus, over-crowded condi- tion. They were faced with the decision to either cut enrollment or enlarge pre- sent school facilities. Because they did not want to cut enrollment, building llltr. Merritt Hemenway Adm., Principal .. human lite. l don't like ethnic jokes that are put-downs. People deserve the dignity Christ won tor them. Mrs. Tish Jacobs Physical Education, Head Coach Soccer . . AIDS, drugs, and reli- gionf' Mr. Kenneth Johnson Adm., Vice Principal, Fine Arts . . Mary, the Mother ot God. new classrooms seemed to be the per- fect solution. The only problem was funding. The administration decided a year later that they would have to rely on funding from parents. This would come through private donations and fun- draisers. Initially about 12 parents stepped forward with donations of 31,000.00 or more. In appreciation of these parents, a plaque displaying their family names was to be displayed in the new computer center. The total paren- tal contribution during the first year of donations came to over S150,000.00. On hand at the groudbreaking cere- mony were many of the people who helped bring about the realization of the dream. Guest speaker, Bishop Juan .Arzube, the regional bishop for the San Gabriel Valley, led the opening prayer to begin the ceremony. Senator Joseph Montoya of the Twenty-Fifth District and a Bishop Arnat parent was also pre- sent. It was announced that he would be the honorary chairperson of the 1988 Lancer Classic Dinner. Every person who made possible the dream of expanding educational facili- ties deserved to be thanked. The fact was that every parent who supported the building project was much appreci- ated by the students, faculty, and ad- ministration. 1 Sr. lulie Conote, S.S.L. Adm., Vice Principal- Studies Ms. Ann lohhston- Skibinski English There is such a varied un- derstanding ot what consti- tutes 'iun' today! Anything that demeans or degrades another or lessens them as a person should he avoided at all times. Nhat is too serious to be joked about? Industrial Arts,fGroundbreaking 141

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Mr. Merritt Hemenway answers questions about the building pro- ject. The plan was to add two class- rooms to present learning facilities. Showing their enthusiasm for the commencement of construction, the group of local, church, and school officials symbolically break the ground. The project would not have been possible without the sup- port of these people. Industrial Arts Builds Foundation To future architects, the Industrial Arts Department was very important in build- ing the foundation for their career choice. The courses of- fered were Mechanical Drafting, Architectural Drafting, and Advanced Ar- chitectural Drafting. All three were proudly taught by Mr. Joseph Rodger, the de- partment chairperson. The mechanical drafting class taught the students the basics of architectural draw- ing. Along with proper pro- cedure, they were taught how to draw figures to size. Techniques in enlarging pic- tures, such as cars, using drawing tools were also taught. As their project, stu- dents drew electrical skema- tics for AM radios and then built a working model. Architectural Drafting was the next course offered. Stu- dents learned all the parts and codes for building sizes along with basic electrical re- quirements for houses. They were then taught how to de- sign houses, which included knowing about room loca- tion. After that, a set of house plans that conformed to legal codes was finally drawn. Advanced Architectural Drafting was the final and most rewarding step. All the skills learned in the previous years were applied in design- ing a house of the students' choice. Once the plans were drawn, they learned how to build an exact scale model of their house according to codes, in detail and preci- sion. As a result, the finished project gave each student the reward of feeling satisfied and accomplished. These industrial arts courses were advantageous to those pursuing a career in the field of architecture. They drew the blueprints and laid the foundation for a student's career. Mr. Rodger enjoyed teaching these courses because they helped those students interested in the field. He remarked, The classes were unique and fun. They allowed students to create their own work and work at their own speed. Also the information and skills learned could be used to earn a living. Senior Kim Ur constructs the foun- dation for a scale model house in Advanced Architectural Drafting. This project required much work and creativity. 140 Academics

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Sr. Julie pulls out senior Anthony Ochoa's records to inform him of his academic status. As vice princi- pal-studies, she showed concern for the progress of students. Dilligently working, Mrs. Leona Le- melle files the attendance records. The new computer system helped to speed up dures. attendance proce- 142 Academics Learning To Live On Your Own The Home Economics De- partment was a welcome di- vision in the education pro- cess. This department em- bodied courses which taught students how to handle fi- nances, raise children, and how to sew and cook. Stu- dents also learned about proper nutrition. The Consumer Education course taught students how to responsibly manage their lives in the real world. Mrs. Patricia O'Connor, in- structor of Consumer Educa- tion and chairperson of the Home Economics Depart- ment, stated, In Consumer Education, we covered ev- erything from balancing a checkbook to buying a car or house? This class was help- ful to students because it prepared them to handle money competently and in- dependently. Child Development, a course which has grown in popularity during recent years, traced the develop- ment of a child from the fetal stages through his or her teens. Guest speakers includ- ed women and parents with young children. Child Devel- opment prepared students for the reality of child-rear- ing. It prompted further and deeper thought for those who were considering parent- hood. Students with artistic in- terests enjoyed Creative Home. These students dis- cussed interior design tech- niques, such as decoration and color coordination. Clothing I and II attracted students who were interested in sewing. Students not only sewed their own clothes, but designed them as well. They were required to sew six gar- ments. Their final exam con- sisted of a timed sewing pro- ject. Mrs. Barbara Hansen instructed the Foods and Nutrition course. Students in the class gained experience in the kitchen Hlaboratoryi' in the 400 wing. They also Showing that guys can also know their way around the kitchen, sen- ior Chris Marino uses the micro- wave. Young men took this class for fun as well as education. learned about balanced diets. The truth was that the practicality of the Home Economics Department was crucial to educating well- rounded students. Mrs. Han- sen and Mrs. O'Connor were instrumental in teaching stu- dents how to survive in the modern world.