Newton High School - Railroader Yearbook (Newton, KS)

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we- ' H ,Ivy ama club sponsor Tom Zook organizes the younger students participating the Christmas play. Iene Willmschen, sophomore, puts the finishing touches on her stage make- DRAMA Budding stars he purpose of Drama Club is to honor those who have been outstanding in theatre at Newton High. The members participate in plays and strive to earn thespian points through hard work in the theatre and club participation. The Drama Club is interesting because all of its members have a common interest in the theatre, said senior Kelly Godfrey. Our members must have a true interest in drama to really stick with it, she said. The Newton thespian troop was the first established in Kansas. lt is the 47th troop ever established in the United States by the International Thespian Society. The club was open to everyone, and some were already thespian members. Others were working to become members. Our club is fun, but we really need more organization, said junior Troy Yoke. Funds were raised by selling concessions at plays and donuts during break. The money went to decrease the fee that members must pay to become part ofthe International Thespian Society. There were no specific thespian plays this year. However, most of the club members participatedin the performances of CaIamity Jane and A Christmas Carol. Two other clubs which required its members to have quite a bit of talent in the lines of public speaking were Debate and Forensics. Debate did well, winning over half of their meets. The topic was Procedures in criminal courts. This was a hard topic because it dealt with law, said coach Donna Mullen. But we discovered what happens in a criminal court. Each team had its own case. They tried to prove there were bad points in the existing system, and that a new system should come about. The topic was tougher than last year's because it was hard to get a good case, said sophomore Jeff Kristenson. Freshman Kathleen Hayes said, Debating is nerve racking, but a lot of fun. Amy Downey, and I have done well this year, but we're in the novice category. We know it will be tougher next year. There are ten areas in Forensics, which means competitive speaking . They are Original Oration, Informative Speaking, Poetry Prose, Duet Acting, Solo Acting, One Act Play, Impromptu Duet Acting, Lincoln Douglas Debate, and Extemporaneous Speaking. Each student had to compete in at least two events. Competition started the second week in lVlarch with approximately 20-25 members. Sticking with itf25

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DEBATEIFOFZENSICS Jon Anderson, senior, and Mike Turner, sophomore, look up evidence for their cases. Junior Gilbert Rodriguez and sophomore Becky Ha research information for debate. 24fDrama, debate and forensics l BS Jon Anderson, senior, schedules judges for th upcoming debate tournament. Sophomore Sheryl Gaeddert organizes evidence to take to the next tournament.

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CHRISTMAS PLAY Working together hink vvhat Christmas would be without Ebeneezor Scrooge around to remind us of its true meaning, Many feel their Christmas vvould not be the same without remembering the Charles Dickens' classic. Home Box Office had its own version starring Rich Little,as every- one, and the NHS drama department put on their ovvn production of A Christmas Carol. Opening night came quickly Dec. 10, after only a few vveeks of practice. Matt Harms, junior, vvho played the ghost of Christmas Present, said, This vvas my first theatrical experience. lt went pretty good, but vve needed more time and organization. Starring in this first alledistrict production vvas Dudley Dodgion, vvho teaches at Santa Fe Middle School. Melanie Hege, sophomore, said it vvas different working with Mr. Dodgion because he use to be my director in middle school. Other leading characters in the play vvere: David Learned as Bob Cratchit, Scott Neufeld as Marley's Ghost, Kent Lambert as Ghost of Christmas Past, and Jon Andreas as Ghost of Christ- mas Future. Over 100 others helped out with the production of the Christmas play. Ebeneezor Scrooge lDudIey Dodgionl tells Bob Cratchit iDavid Learnedl to be at work early the next day, even though it is Christmas. 26fAll-district production Ann Anderson, freshman, curls her hair before her mance. Annette Sanseda, freshman, and Sian DYCK, iUni0f. dance at a Christmas office P3l'fY-