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

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Writing receipts for paymemts of tu- ition, junior Becky Ramos helps out as an office aide. Assistance was al- ways needed in the filing and re- cording of monthly payments. Manning the phones, senior Becky Taylor helps out in the busy front office. Campus aides offered their service to the main offices of the school. F 150 Academics I-ess . Q Expressing Creative Talents Students had various mo- tives for seeking instruction in the fine arts. For example, some wanted simply to fulfill the Fine Arts graduation re- quirement. Others wanted to develop their interests or ex- ercise their creative talents. To suit the student body, the Fine Arts Department of- fered an unmatched palette of colorful courses from which to choose. The courses that fufilled the requirement as well as the demands of the students included Basic Art, Graphic Art, Music and Art Appreciation, Drama, and Band. Whether using an artistic tool or musical instrument or learning about well known artists of the past and pre- sent, each student had an op- portunity to specialize in their choice of the arts. Many felt that if they took a fine arts course they would be obligated to paint works emulating the Mona Lisa . In reality, the classes gave them a chance to learn to ap- preciate art and music and Mr. Michael Sandoval's art class concentrates intensely on a still life to be drawn. Different types of art expression were learned through- out the year by students enrolled in fine arts courses. develop any personal talents at their own pace. After tak- ing one of these courses, most students understood that becoming acquainted with the arts helped them in their education by letting them expand their capabili- ties and use their imagina- tion. Junior Stacy Medrano commented, Fine Arts should be required to gra- duate because everyone should be exposed to all the options in the world of art, music and drama. The department chairper- son, Mr. Michael Sandoval, shared that conviction. He explained that the purpose of the Fine Arts Department, to enlighten students about the world of art , is impor- tant in expressing one's self as a creative individual. He also said that artistic knowl- edge is a growing tooln. It was satisfying to know that students sometimes discov- ered a talent that had pre- viously been untapped. The Fine Arts Department took pride in teaching stu- dents about the interesting and enlightening aspects in this field.

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Decathletes Dominate ln Academics The Academic Decathlon team com- leted at Saint John Bosco High School or rights to go into state competition. ln November 14, the team emerged ictoriously, winning first place among 4 private schools in Southern Califor- ia. Not without hard work and prep- ration could this have been accom- llished. As early as June, 1987, Mrs. Mary l'Neil began to plan the school's par- ,cipation in this important event. 'eam members were required to ac- uaint themselves with areas of litera- ire, physics, health, mathematics, eco- omics, social studies, aviation history, nd romantic art and music. Intense in- truction provided by the faculty and creased study in these Various sub- cts began two weeks prior to the De- thlon. The much anticipated final eam selection was made November 12. Nine students were chosen for the ree levels of competition. The highest ,vel, the Honors division, consisted of enior Eric Johnson, junior Gregg Kas- en, and senior Anna Sanchez as the ternate. Seniors Nicole Wurster, Ke- 7n Sherwood, and alternate Cynthia Lamirez competed in the Scholastic di- ision. In the Varsity division were sen- Jrs Joseph O'Guin, Dino Rivadeneira, nd alternate Danielle Milnes. lhs. Ramona Mirito Mr. Tim Murphy 'oreign Language D.C. Religion .. .P.E. and chemistry. he rest was great! ating, well there was ot such a thing in my me.. .i loved to paint, aad, and travel, so istory, art, and literature 'ere my best subjects. I wed school, All members took objective tests in social studies, mathematics, science, economics, language and literature, and fine arts. Each participant, excluding the alternates, presented a speech on current American foreign policy and an impromtu speech, wrote an essay on a given generalization or universal truth, and participated in an interview and in the Super Quiz on aviation history in which the team placed second. This placement gave the team enough points to capture first place overall. In the Honors division, Eric Johnson received a gold medal in social studies, silver medals in science and mathemat- ics, a bronze metal in fine arts, and a gold medal for his overall total points earned. Gregg Kasten, also in the Hon- ors division, received golds medals in economics, fine arts, social studies, sci- ence, language and literature, and mathematics and a bronze medal for his essay. A silver medal was awarded to him for his overall total points in the Honors division. Nicole Wurster in the Scholastic divi- sion received a silver medal for her es- say and Kevin Sherwood won a silver medal in language and literature. In the Varsity division, Dino Rivadeneira re- ceived a bronze medal in language and literature. Also in the Varsity division, Ms. Deborah Myers Newspaper, Speech l was class president and at times it was difficult to motivate tellow ciassmates. Apathy was ditticutt to deal with. Nhat was most difficult for Mrs. Patricia 0'Connor Home Economics D.C. E absolutely dreaded oral reports and spent hours memorizing every word so that I wouldn't have to think while I was talking. li 1 forgot a word, l had to start over from the beginning. Joseph O'Guin received gold medals in fine arts, social studies, language and literature, and mathematics, a silver medal in science, and a bronze medal in economics earning a silver medal for his overall total points in the Varsity divi- sion. Alternates were awarded certificates of merit for their achievements. In the Honors division, Anna Sanchez re- ceived first place certificates in math- ematics and social studies. She also won second place certificates in fine arts and language and literature. In the Scholas- tic division, Cynthia Ramirez received a third place certificate for language and literature. In the Varsity division, Dan- ielle Milnes received a second place cer- tificate in science and third place certi- ficates in fine arts and language and literature. According to Eric Johnson, the victo- ry praised the curriculum of the school and exhibited the high stan- dards of education. The team members, who were ecstatic about winning the first place title in the regional competi- tion, participated in the California State Academic Decathlon held in Sac- ramento from March 11 to March 14. Their regional victory inspired them to work hard in preparing for state compe- tition. S, Miss Diana Gtivera Mrs. Mary 0'Neil Foreign ,Language Adm., Counseling, Mathematics My most difficult area was P.E. for two reasons. l hated changing clothes. Second, I hated ptaying sports since I never was any good at volleyball, basketball, er softball, you in high school? Religionfltcademic Decathlon 149

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Lending A Helping Hand 5 r ai 'f,'2 1'3 5,-,if-ful? Ni' 4? pix' nior Jessica Jacquez posts the daily bulletin on a faculty house door. Students learned about coming events by reading these notices. Campus aides . . . everyone knew who they were. They were the students who walked the halls with armloads of papers ready to be photocopied, or they were the mystery students who sat in the back of the classrooms correcting papers and recording grades. Although at first sight their duties may have seemed menial, their work was essential in the eyes of the faculty. Students who were teachers' aides as- sisted the teachers by making copies, correcting and recording papers, and filing. Each student aide was trusted by the teacher to be honest and fair while checking fellow students papers and tests. The help of these aides gave teachers more time in the classroom to spend with their students. In this way, both the classes and teachers benefit- ted. Each department had student aides on whom they were greatly dependent each day. Lab assistants were kept busy in the Science Department by setting up labs, taking inventory of supplies, and cleaning up. The counseling office relied on the aides to schedule classes, run passes, file, organize, and label. The attendance and studies offices needed them to type and work with the new computer system. The student aides helped to alleviate the faculty's time consuming tasks while learning office and organizing skills. Five credits were gained by each student who volun- teered to be an aide. Most students enjoyed being an aide because it gave them a break between actual classes. Many were teachers' aides during the week when they were not on a Christian Service outing. Being an aide required no studying, no home- work, and no tests! All that was needed was a little time, and a cooperative atti- tude. Junior Jenny Anthony who was an aide two days out of the week stated, It was fun marking papers and work- ing with Mrs. Iris Machado, but the best part was getting to sit next to one of my closest friends twice a week, be- cause it was the only class we had to- gether! Aides found that it was easy to become aquainted with the teacher or faculty member to whom they were as- signed. With the large number of students in each class, the teachers found it diffi- cult to keep up with and correct the amount of work turned in. Mrs. Maria Tillitson commented, Having an aide really helped to keep things under con- trol, and gave me some free time out- side of school. With the time donated by student aides, faculty found much needed assistance and students learned skills and responsibility as well as an opportunity to build up teacher-stu- dent relationships. '. Mark Paredes rn., Athletic Director, fad Coach Football lllhat do Mr. Bob Parsons Public Relations Direc- tor, English . l appreciate their candid- ness and the unabashed manner with which they show their feelings toward each other. Mrs. Gtadys Pascual Foreign Language, Chris- tian Service . . their attitude toward the teachers and to their classmates. Sr. Peter Therese, 0.6.0. English, Religion . 'il appreciate students who appreciate the more impor- tant questions, values, and purposes of lite and who recognize the true chal- lenge of being human and who are examples of Chris- tian faith and iove. They strengthen me. 'x Mr. Charies Poiicare English at work. honesty and hard you appreciate most about students? Ms. Virginia Pranik Social Studies D.C. I appreciate the gentle- ness and caring attitude of the students. Fines Arts!Campus Aides 151