Pinson Valley High School - Chieftain Yearbook (Pinson, AL)

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Every Day at Pinson Valley A look at the common events that occur throughout the year and make Pinson Valley what it is. There are many things at Pinson Valley High School that become so routine, so familiar to us on a day-to- day basis that, after a time, we don ' t even see them anymore. They just become another minor insignificance of school life that are, to many, not worth giving a second thought. This is a shame, really, because many of these things can be interesting to a student if they can only hold his atten- tion for a moment. What exactly are these things? Well, it might be the stadium facing the football field. Nowadays, no one thinks twice about the stadium (except football players. Tests The word test has probably sent chills up the spines of more students than any paddling ever has, but no matter how much they are despised, they are an evil that everyone has come to expect. Tests mean different things to dif- ferent people; some teachers prefer to call them small quizzes, but that doesn ' t fool anyone. Some students find tests necessary because they need the points in a desperate attempt to save a six weeks grade, but the general opinion of the student body is that tests are the most disgusting thing ever created. After tests have been taken, the teachers usually take two months to grade them. Then just when everyone thinks its safe to go back in the classroom, they are given back, usually face down (not a good sign). Then, before long, the opinion is unanimous; tests are by far the most disgusting thing ever created! who run up and down it during prac- tice) but when it was constructed a few years ago, it was certainly a welcome addition after many seasons of sitting on splintery wooden bleachers (now reserved for the fans of the visiting team). Overlooked things are also not limited to inanimate objects. It could be a teacher who is ignored or disregarded by a student. Little do the pupils know, however what the teachers have seen over the years and admittedly, learned in life as a result. Most sadly passed off by students, though, are the events that take place during the year. The big game on Fri- day night, the joy of having fun in class with friends, the good natured kidding in school pranks, and other small things mean so little to everyone until after they ' ve passed. Then, before long, they are out of school and realize that they have really missed an impor- tant four years in their lives. And so, to those who will remain here next year, there is this word: don ' t let your time here pass you by. Take the time to notice the little things around your school, because it is the little things that make Pinson Valley High School that special place. Announcements Click, May I have your attention please. These few words are well known to everyone around Pinson Valley because they begin the school day for students and teachers who are privileged to hear the morning an- nouncements. Unlike the pages of a boring book, Mr. Egan ' s serene voice cannot stop from echoing through the halls, rooms and chambers of Pinson and unfortunately this one page of the day cannot be turned. Most of the announcements are noteworthy but a few hold little value. For instance, who cares if Zach Armstrong ' s mother left his gym shoes in the office or if Susan Nichols got her extra quarter so that she could eat lunch. In all fairness, the daily list of ball games, personal messages, and wrestling matches adds to the excitement and vitality of each monumental day.

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The Lip Synch One of the newest and most enthusiastically received events of the year One of the most enthusiastically received events the school has had in recent years, the lip-synch contest, held by the SGA, raised over $800 for Michael Deale. The seven participating groups or individuals worked long and hard to sing and look like their favorite artists, and on February 22, the work paid off for all involved. Some of to- day ' s top stars were imitated; Cyndi Lauper, Kool and the Gang, ZZ Top, New Edition, Wham!, and others were all well represented, and grateful au- dience response made the show a big hit. It was definitely a tough decision for the judges, and an intermission per- formance by the backstage crew as Van Halen probably didn ' t help things any. When the participants returned to the stage the winners were an- nounced; Suzanne Allison ' s remarkable imitation of Cyndi Lauper earned her a third place finish. The Cheerleaders performed a cute version of Sandra Dee and netted second place and the overwhelming favorite took first place. New Edition, with a spirited Adrian Fitts up front, was the crowd favorite from the word go and garnered the top spot in the first Pinson Valley lip synch con- test. Considering the succe ss and popularity of this event, it would cer- tainly be a mistake not to have such a contest in future years. - (Top) All of the groups act cool as they await the moment of truth Bill Bryant and Culley Scarborough are two ' Sharp Dressed Men as they perform as ZZ Top (Right) New Edition sings unforgettably the song that made them famous (Above) LIP-SYNCH 39

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Sleeping in Class It strikes first period just as your teacher begins to explain subject and verb agreement. It attacks and an un- suspecting person immediately falls prey. It is on teachers ten most hated list: it is sleep. No matter how hard one tries, (and how many cups of coffee one drinks), sleep will always catch up and win. Unfortunately, for students, this attack of the snoozies usually comes when the teacher is reviewing for the 200 point six weeks test that will be taken the following day. Once someone yields to the Nytol Syn- drome, he can never return and must stay in a state of semi-consciousness for at least 20 minutes. At the end of the all enjoyed period of rest, one finds himself hopelessly lost somewhere in the English zone. After realizing where he is, the student soon finds that the teacher is somewhat less compas- sionate than he thought she would be. But regardless of how mad the teacher is, the student knows that he now can think more clearly, but not unfor- tunately any better. Term Papers The word termpaper is one which means three weeks of frustration, anger, panic, and an entire array of other emotions. Most of these feelings though, are experienced on the night before the paper is due, because that IS when all the work is begun and fin- ished. All kidding aside, everyone does work hard during that time, searching for a topic, searching for books, and searching for the endurance to put some kind of effort into the paper. But as every student learns, there is . more to doing a term paper than just writing it up and turning it in to the teacher. An outline and note cards are also required before any work on the paper itself is ever begun. Most j students think these are assigned only so the teacher can make it harder on them to finish, and that term papers themselves are only required because the instructor dislikes the students. On the contrary, the outline and cards are I necessary to help the student write a better paper and the essay itself is needed to help the student prepare for college English classes. So no matter how much they are despised, term papers do exist for the future success of the student. 41