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

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S Excitedly opening gifts, two .lapa- nese girls show off their Angel base- ball caps and an Amat bumper stick- er. The Japanese students were each given souvenirs of their visit to Southern California. Seniors Scott Evans and Juan Vas- quez and junior Renee Abaya in- clude a student from Japan in their circle of friends. Friendliness was one of the attributes of people on campus. 144 Academics M i KAM Al' The goals set by the Social Studies Department for the academic year revolved around one main objective: to provide the students and faculty with a year of intel- lectual growth. According to Miss Virginia Pranik, her goal as the department chairperson was to use her time in an efficient manner while providing her students with solid and structured classes. Undoubtedly, the social studies program challenged all students from the sopho- mores to seniors. The courses offered were the study of World History, United States History and Govern- ment, Psychology and Basic Economics. They were taught by uncommonly ener- getic faculty members who provided not only a means for learning but also a way to apply facts and theories to current events and exper- eeking Answers In Society iences. Miss Terri Velasco was remembered for her unique method of teaching boring history facts by us- ing a classroom version of baseball. Junior Sandy Johnson related, I enjoyed Miss Velasco's class because she explained things enthu- siatically and in a manner that I could understand. Senior Chelsie Pederson ex- pressed her feelings about her sophomore World Histo- ry class. I remember that Mrs. Rosann Ramirez seemed to really like what she taught. She was tough and challenging but she brought humor and enthusi- asm to the classroom? This year the department modified its curriculum in an effort to meet the needs of the junior class. An honors United States History class was offered to students so that students could be accu- rately challenged at their re- spective levels of ability. The new class which was similari- ly constructed to the Ad- vanced Placement course, stressed theory and concepts, but not at such a strenuous level. History is a very broad subject covering events from thousands of years ago to events taking place in our daily lives. By reading and studying these facts you are not guaranteed a clear plan for the future, however the social sciences do offer peo- ple an opportunity to inter- pret the results in previous situations and apply those results when making a deci- sion,', stated Miss Pranik. Through the study of soci- ety, present and past, the students grew in their knowledge of the world, due to the excellent instruction provided within the Social Studies Department.

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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

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Revealing Cultural Identities lm.. of the language barrier, senior Susan checks her schedule for activities that uld not require verbal communication. One ivity was attending a volleyball match. . iris Machado lish, Christian Ser- ie things I most appreci- about Amat students their warmth, lriendli- s, and great faith in Vhat do Sr. Madeleine, 0.C.D. Religion The things l appreciate most about the students are their openness and friendliness. A cultural exchange occurred on No- vember 9, in which 49 students from Fukuoka, Japan toured the campus in order to gain insight into the daily lives of American teens. The mutually en- lightening event was organized by Ja- pan Travel Bureau and Mr. Bob Par- sons, head of public relations. Mr. Parsons recruited students to serve as hosts to their Japanese coun- terparts. Their job was to be a guide and an example of an American student. In the process, they made new friends and were given perhaps their first impres- sion of the Japanese culture. In the morning, all directly involved with the event met in the library. After the formal introductions, each host was assigned to a student from Japan. They were then placed into four groups and given a schedule. The groups visited art classes, foods and nutrition classes, and biology classes. The Japanese students observed and photographed slices of American high school life. They even had a chance to make miniature pizzas. The Japanese teachers and reporters that accompanied the students also toured the campus. Since most of the Japanese students had studied English for less than one year, verbal communication was diffi- cult. Seniors Naomi Walker and John Koiso as well as sophomore Monique Yamaguchi served as interpreters. The group that did not have an interpreter converted its English to Japanese by dictionary. When reflecting on the ex- perience, John Koiso said, Being an interpreter was a hard job because we were the only ones that understood, yet I know we were appreciated. Naomi Walker expressed her remembrance of the day: HI made many new friends and even got to catch up on my rusty Japa- nesef' The participants met in the gym after a luncheon in the faculty house. Pep squad members performed for the crowd. The girls from Japan also per- formed. Finally, the Girls Volleyball team played exhibition matches against both the Japanese girls and boys volley- ball teams. The day came to a close with an ex- change of modest gifts between the hosts and their guests, symbolizing a cultural exchange. The students from Japan were also given a Lancer Life, a Bishop Amat pencil, Disneyland stick- ers, souvenirs from the California An- gels' baseball team, and a 1986-1987 Yearbook. The event was a fascinating exper- ience. The representatives from Japan were able to View American lifestyle, while students of Bishop Amat had a chance to realize the uniqueness of their counterparts halfway around the world. Mrs. Elaine Marbell English, Business I appreciate the students' youth and good humor. Else why do they put up with a nag like me? Sr. Marie Therese, O.P. English, Fine Arts . . their interest and po- titeness and respect lor each other. Mrs. Susan Marquez Religion, Pep Squad Students at Amat are lriendly and overall they seem to be happy. Most of all, I admire their concern tor each other and willing- ness to help. you appreciate most about students? Mr. Glenn Martinez Physical Education, So- cial Studies, Head Coach Baseball, Football Computer Scienceflapanese Students 145