Nitro High School - Nitronian Yearbook (Nitro, WV)

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Although they were sreat friends, Jimmy and Kirk compet- ed asainst each other in cross country. Kirk participated in the State Track and Field meet at Laidley Field. Kirk congratulates Tim after a fine performance on the track. During his junior year, Kirk served as escort to homecoming attendant Donna Thomas. Kirk showed his school spirit by posing with Ann and Robert on Nerd Day of their sophomore year. Kirk relaxes in the shade after a long hard race. In Memory Of: Robert Kirk Kelly On behalf of the Junior Class, the 1986 Nitronian is dedicated to Robert Kirk Kelly who passed away on February 8, 1986. Kirk was an inspiration to all who knew him. During his time at Nitro High, Kirk was very active, serving as Junior Class Vice-President, escort to Junior Attendant Donna Thomas, Student Council member, and he also ran on the track and cross country team. Though Kirk was physically taken from us, his spirit lingers in our everyday thoughts. We, the 1986 Nitronian Staff, do hereby dedicate this edition of the Nitronian to a young, intelligent, loving man who proved to be a friend to all, Robert Kirk Kelly. 20 DEDICATION

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We Deserved Many We Received One On Tuesday, September 20, 1985, the Marchins Wildcats strutted onto Laidley Field with hopes of captures the honor of Grand Champions of the Daily Mail Band and Majorette Festival. The band burst onto the field to the sound of “Firestorm'' after which the girl twirler, Melanie Douglas, twirled excitedly to the sound of Can Can . Following her performance, Melanie joined the corp, led by head majorette, Katrina Whitten, for their military routine. The band exited the field to Magna . The band re-entered the field to conclude their perform- ance. With a wide smile across his face, Nitro boy twirler, John Lovejoy, performed excellently to “Barbara Ann , sending the audience to their feet. The corp then did their interpretation of a night at Tri-State Greyhound Park to the songs We’re in the Money and Hounddog When the awards were handed out, Nitro came away with a participation award and a second place award for boy twirler. Although the band only received one trophy besides participa- tion, they still did a great job. The corp proudly marches off the field. Kelly and Ansi perform the military routine ■ John salutes the crowd after fmishins his routine. ■ John receives his second place trophy. Melanie Douslas was chosen from the corp for the title of Miss Kanawha County Major- ette

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Erin: Hope For Nitro Although this past 1985-86 school year has been one of tragedy and loss for the students of Nitro High School, there is a ray of hope shining through the dark clouds. On Tuesday, July 24, 1984, Erin Leigh Steel, then a junior at Nitro, was in a head- on collision in which she suffered multiple injuries Because of head injuries, she had blood clots on her brain and was in a coma for ten days following the accident This, in turn, caused most of her right side to be paralyzed Since that fateful day, Erin has been in several hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Charleston, W.V., Pittsburg, P A , Cumberland, V.A , and Nashville, T.N There, she had to first, recover, and second, learn the things that we take for granted such as swallowing, eating, and talking. According to Mrs Steel, her mother, Erin was just like a little baby who had to be raised all over again. Behavior and memory were minimal when she came out of the coma, but through special education, tutors, and physical and occupational therapy, Erin is almost as she once was Erin's progress has been outstanding in the years since her accident, although Erin realizes her condition, her mother said that her attitude is, “optimistic but realistic. So, on behalf of the Senior Class, we dedicate the 1986 Nitroman to Erin Leigh Steel for her overwhelming courage and inspiration Erin gives big brother Eric a hug after the accident. Erin enjoys the fun in the sun. Erin, smiling as big as life, relaxes by the fireplace. Erin is also very serious about her homework. Erin seems to be saying, Am I cool or what?” Erin sits in the sun and thinks about her many friends at Nitro High. DEDICATION 21