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

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Christian service was one of the main projects gra- ciously accepted by students which made Bishop Amat so unique. Opportunities for service were diverse and re- quired different gifts. Not only did the volunteers need the ability to listen and re- late well, they also had to be willing to use their gifts in caring for the abused, men- tally incapacitated, and the elderly. It was these people who took the responsibity of looking out for God's chil- dren as he challenged us all to do. A good heart and a lit- tle patience was all it took. Service opportunities ben- ifitted the volunteers just as much as the people they served. It was very rewarding to work with people and bring some happiness and se- curity to their lives. Al- iudent Drug Free I. Outreach Z The WHY T0 B' though stressful at times, the more involved that one be- came, the more meaningful the tasks were even if that task was merely playing a game of checkers. Students participating in the activity also found that each person that they helped had their own personality and gifts as well as abilities of their own that they longed to share. The volunteers found that these misunderstood people were of great worth to society because they were able to touch the hearts of those around them in simple and uncomplicated ways. Love was the commodity that was traded in the relationships. As students shared them- selves with their new found friends, they proved that in Christian love, WE'VE GOT THE TOUCH! . .. I now formally state my commitment to remain drug free and alcohol free throughout my involvement with the program . . . reads the official Friend to Friend pledge. Although this was only the second year of op- eration at Bishop Amat, Friend to Friend competed in school support with other schools in the vicinity that were well under way with the program. Organized and run by president, senior Mary Montgomery and vice presi- dent, senior Adrienne Tolle, a new interest was sparked in the club as well as the ideals behind it. Mary's organiza- tional skills won her a place as a director in the central office of Friend to Friend. The goal of this group was to encourage teenagers steer themselves away frd alcohol and drugs and real: that they could have f without the use of these sr stances. Alcohol and dri were one of the major caui of deaths in the Unit States. Friend to Friend memb- set an example for others-l example that one does I need to use drugs or dri alcohol to be cool or popul rather it was more impr sive to be cool because tlj were 100 per cent nature A variety of activities wl offered to members sucm the annual summer conf ences, car washes, miniati golf nights, or just getting gether to talk. All w worthwhile experiences. There's Need Of The Fourth Command- ment states that you should honor your father and your mother. This includes grand- parents as well.Sadly enough, not everybody fulfills this re- sponsibility. Elderly Folks have needs just like everyone else, one of which is to main- tain their self-respect. They have suffered the loss of per- sonal ties and are lonely of- ten feeling ignored, rejected, and dejected. Some are called upon to make adjust- ments to drastic and often tragic changes in their per- sonal lives. They are afraid of old age, being alone, ill- ness, not having enough money, or being pushed around. Many people don't realize that the elderly are vital human beings. They have certain incapacities, but they can develop existing ca- pacities to lead a productive and rewarding life. For the residents of Golden Age and Beverly Manor Covalescent Homes, there was not always someone with which to share it. For most of them, having a new grandchild provided that important someone in their life. This special need was ful- filled by the Adopt-A- Grandparent program which is an intergenerational pro- gram whereby young people reach out in friendship to the elderly in convalescent homes. The major emphasis of the program is to develop a positive attitude toward ag- ing. Students visited their adopted grandparents after Love school on the first and third Fridays of each month. Grandchildren and their newly adopted grandparents spent cherished moments doing various activities. Chatting and listening were integral parts of the volun- teer's job. Through listening the volunteers rekindled in- terests that their grandpar- ents once had. Students shared fun by playing simple familiar games such as checkers, jigsaw puzzles, Bingo, sing-alongs, and cards. In addition, watching television and movies to- gether or wheeling grandpar- ents around the complex, all helped to enrich stronger lasting bonds between the grandparent and grandchild. 200 Organizations Chatting with grandparents i: pleasant activity for junior Rot Elder. Someone to listen was oni their greatest needs.

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,D estioning which class cheers loudest at the ss competition, senior Loretta Pechy, calls for other cheer. She helped the new members of 2 squad feel at home. niors Melanie Ehrenreich and Hope Stanley ive to the beat of the band during a pep rally. eir rhythm proved those long practice hours ren't a waste of time. Spirited Junior Michelle Ferraris dresses as a savage in keeping with the Pep Week theme. The flag twirlers participated enthusiastically to en- tertain the crowd. Flashing a bright smile, junior Judy Hemenway encourages crowd participation. Judy added her own spirit and enthusiasm to compliment the squad, The flag twirlers cheer the basketball team on to victory during a time out. These girls cheered equally for all sports teams during the school year. Pep Flag Twirlers 199

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The primary way Friend .o Friend expressed itis mes- rage was through presenta- ,ions given to other schools. 3ecause Bishop Amat was .he only Catholic, private school involved in the pro- gram, they concentrated on :he Catholic grammar schools in the area. At each Jresentation, members per- Formed skits and spoke on :he topic of drugs and alco- aol. Presentations are fun out it takes courage to stand ip in front of an audience and say Tm drug free!', stated Adrienne Tolle. Friend to Friend was an organization for anyone who realized the value of life and wished to express to others that life without drugs and alcohol could be absolutely wonderful. Service Breeds Assurance Located not far from the school on Tonopah Street in La Puente was a small school for the physically and men- tally disabled. It was a fairly new addition to the Chris- tian service scene. Though not as well known as other projects of the Christian Ser- vice Program, Tonopah was nonetheless every bit as im- portant. What counted was that it helped people, it did not matter how many. Twice a week, Christian Service students traveled to Tonopah School to help the people there in working with the disabled students. Though technically an ele- mentary school, Tonopah's students ranged from be- tween five and twenty years of age, with varying degrees of mental and physical handicaps which had to be taught using different meth- ods. Christian Service workers aided these students in learning basic educational skills as well as helping them perform physical activities and exercises. They taught the disabled in simple memorization and recall, such as identifying colors, numbers, and the alphabet. They were also taught addi- tion and subtraction, and were challenged by such things as picture games and puzzles. Physical activities included playing in a romp- er-like room and exercising on jungle gym and trampo- lines. This provided a festive atmosphere as well as learn- ing opportunities. The Chris- tian Service workers encour- aged and taught the disabled to exercise, for it was impor- tant in maintaining a healthy state of mind as well as a healthy body. Working at Tonopah was not easy. Christian Service members had to work with each disabled student indi- vidually and know his or her personality, needs, and what specifically it took to moti- vate the students. It took lots of patience, understanding and compassion for these students to work with the handicapped, but it was worth it. I got a lot out of Tonopah, said junior Rob- ert Elder, I learned to see life the way they fthe disa- bledl see it, and I learned to really care. e-...fir Peers Serve One For those who felt de- pressed or lonely land that's just about everyone at one time or anotheri Peer Con- nection was there to help. This was a ministry group of young people organized to help other students cope with their problems when they felt they had no one else to turn to. After all who bet- ter to understand teenagers and their problems than oth- er teenagers who face the same problems. The goals of Peer Connec- tion were to have students reach out to one another in true friendship and to let others know there was al- ways someone who would lis- ten to them and care about them. I joined Peer Connec- tion because I know how it feels to need someone to talk to and I wanted to be there to help others, stated junior Joe Roybal. In the summer of 1984, Peer Connection was born under the direction of Mr. Anthony Victoria and Ms. Ellen Ybarra who conducted the training process once a week for 13 weeks. During these sessions, interested students were taught how to better communicate and lis- ten to others. Ms. Ybarra commented, The training that the students received was something that could be used in everyday life. Every- one, regardless of age, should learn the skills of communi- cation and how to be a good listener. Peer Connection members had a special relationship be- cause of the intimacy shared Another within the meetings. Because such conversations were kept confidential, members of Peer Connection, as well as the students they helped, de- veloped a bond of trust and friendship. Members were usually available before school, at break, and after school in the Campus Ministry room. In cases of emergency they could even be called out of class if necessary. Ministers in Peer Connec- tion were not there to solve individual's problems, they were there to listen and help others help themselves to solve their own problems. This is necessary to mature emotionally and grow as a person. Christian Service 20