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

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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.

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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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Functioning Efficiently A The Heart nrking in the financial office, Mrs. Lena Vallejo iswers questions concerning tuition payments. ie recorded and banked all incoming money. r. Terrance Keavney Sr. Kristin, 0.S.F. athematics, Social Mathematics D.C. :udies, Football 'Vhat was most difficult for At any given time of day, a glance into the front office, attendance office, or financial office displayed the sight of the staff members and students rushing around in an effort to efficiently com- plete their tasks. According to Mrs. Pat Buccola, Mr. Merritt Hemenway's sec- retary, The offices are the heart of the school. The two ladies that were responsible for the smooth activity within the front office were Mrs. Virginia Ashdown and Mrs. Pat Buccola. Mrs. Ashdown, the receptionist, handled mail and tuition payments, phone communication, xe- roxing and purchase orders. Mrs. Pat Buccola was available to assist Mr. He- menway and the faculty. The front of- fice is here to help the students as well as parents with any problems they may encounter, stated Mrs. Ashdown. The ringing of telephones and click- ing of computer keyboards were sounds familiar to the attendance office. This office which was run by Mrs. Gerri Dawson and Mrs. Leona Lemelle with the assistance of student aides, handled everything related to the attendance of the students. The typical day of Mrs. Lemelle and Mrs. Dawson began with the issuing of admittance slips and an- swering phone calls from parents in re- gard to absent students. As the day pro- gressed, attendance sheets were entered Mr. Ray Lokar Physical Education, Sci- ence, Basketball Mr. Marcus Lewis English, Science, Foot- ball Life is only as difficult as you make it out to be. Things work out best for those that make the best of the way that things work out. into the new computer system by the student aides, early dismissal slips were issued and messages were directed to their proper destinations. Student aide Gil Barkey commented, The new com- puter system is extremely beneficial to the accuracy of attendance records. Not only has it reduced the amount of help needed, but it has also sped up the pro- cess of recording tardies and absen- tees. In referring to the new computer system, Mrs. Dawson stated, Although there were some unforeseen snags with- in the computer program, as soon as the the problems had been tended to, it proved to be a quick and accurate sys- tem. The financial office dealt with all matters in which money was involved. Mrs. Barbara Meraz and Mrs. Lena Vallejo were the staff members who dealt with tuition and bills. The bills were paid by Mrs. Meraz who also kept books of all payable accounts. Mrs. Val- lejo handled all incoming money, col- lected, and recorded the students' tu- ition payments. The functioning of the school was largely due to the efficiency of the front office, attendance office, and financial office. Through the observance of a typical day, it was clearly evident why the offices were the heart of school management. Sr. Lorita, 0.S.F. Adm., Science D.C. Mr. Joseph Lovano Foreign Language The most difficult thing for me in high school was dating. Attending a prep school affiliated with our convent, the most difficult thing for me was keeping the rules-l was always talking at the wrong times. you in high school? Home Economics! Offices 143