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

Page 152 text:

Freshmen Kari Gordon and Kelly Andres take time to catch up on their reading. Dedication showed a student's enthusiasm for learning. Academic excellence is one of the characteristics of the ideal student. Senior Ray Genato studied dilligent- ly to compete for a place on Aca- demic Decathalon team. 146 Academics A-v Business ls Anything The Business Department was one of the few areas in which vocational training was offered. Included within this department were Typing I, Typing II, Accounting, and Business Law. Specifically, Typing I focused on develop- ing the basic skills necessary to type efficiently. Typing II took the skills learned in Typing I and applied them to business. In Accounting, students learned both pro- fessional and personal appli- cations of working with numbers and keeping finan- cial books. The remaining course offered within the business department was Business Law. This class dealt with the law in every- day life: contracts, insurance, rights, and obligations. As explained by Miss Ivy Gra- shian, the department chair- person, The business de- partment is not only for those interested in going into the business world. I strong- ly feel that business courses are the foundation for many other areas. Many of the students who took these courses felt the same way. Numerous people took classes offered by the Business Department, even though they had no desire to enter the business field. As reflected by senior Rica Reynado, I plan on using typing for term papers, and since the computer keyboard is similar to that of the type- writer, this course will en- able me to work quickly and efficiently with computers. Some students planned to use the information from these courses in everyday life. Senior Nina Romero stated, Business law lets me know a little more about signing my life away without reading the small print. But Usual Although many students took business classes with nm intention of going into the business field, others planned to utilize the skills taught in these classes in their professional lives. Sen- ior Shawna Sands explained, I plan on majoring in ac- counting and becoming a cer- tified public accountant. Taking accounting now is just the first step in my ca- reef. No matter what the rea- sons for taking a business course, the results were evi- dent. The courses within the Business Department pre- pared students to meet th demands that they would in- evitably face in the near fu- ture. Whether these de- mands were destined to b personal or professional, th students were given a stron foundation on which to im- prove their skills.

Page 151 text:

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

Page 153 text:

l , Reaching For The Top Choice '. John Teresa corrects his students' math as- gnments. Concerned teachers were always will- g to explain the reasons behind students' er- FS. We all have dreams of becoming the best at one time or another. It may be as the ultimate basketball player or the hottest teenage heartthrob this side of the Mississippi. Of course, there were those who tried to become the ideal stu- dent. Not only did students dream of being up with the top few, but teachers also worked to become an ideal teacher. Yet teachers could not judge their coun- terparts just as the students could not judge their peers. A teacher was the true judge of a student and a student could determine the value of a teacher. The respective groups possessed different ideas of the ideal teacher or student. Students expressed a desire for an in- structor who made learning fun. Junior Jennifer Cochran explained, When the teacher made the subject interesting, I was able to comprehend the material. The subject became vibrant and seemed very real. A teacher who aroused en- thusiasm had to worry less about stu- dent comprehension and had less disci- plinary problems. Students who were taught by the ideal teachers never had the urge to take a snooze to pass the time. A teacher who took extra time with students was admired. Senior David Sandoval replied, A good teacher is one who takes time to help and make sure all the students comprehend the subject. Students needed to feel that the instructor knew that the material was not always simple in the eyes of a student. I truly respect a teacher who can understand our problems. It makes it easier to sit in class for an hour when you're communicating with a person who can somehow relate to you, said junior Robert Bautista. People needed to see that teachers were human too. Teachers also set goals for students. They liked to work with those who completed the assignments and used critical thinking to solve problems. Mrs. Maria Gover commented, The ideal student not only completed the requirements, but also managed time well and respected students, and teach- ers alike. These selected students also participated in school activities, from sports to Christian Service. A student who had a good attitude proved to be on top. Mrs. Patricia Tereschuk confided, A good student was one who actually liked learning. Students should not be motivated sole- ly by their parents. No matter which side of the coin on which one fell, it was not easy to de- serve to be called ideal,'. It took the whole year and perhaps even more time to do it right. In the end, the fruits of the labor proved to be very sweet. Mary Conheady, S.S.L. ristian Service Coor- iator, Foreign Lan- age, Religion Sr. Mary Grace, 0.S.F. Sr. Mary Sulko, 0.S.F. Social Studies Counseling The big one-just too seri- .. the way a teacher ous to be joked about. teaches. Mr. Brian Mathews Religion, Head Coach Volleybali Nothing, lt you cannot find humor in the most se- rious things in lite your per- spective ot reality would seem unrealistic. Mr. David Medina Science, Mathematics, Student Government Moderator l believe that the subgect of abortion is too serious to be joked about. Vhat is too serious to be joked about? Mr. Brian Miller Science, Head Coach Basketball, Baseball .. handicaps, ethnicity from those who know noth' ing about it. Businessfldeal Teacher and Student 147