Thomas Dale High School - Reflector Yearbook (Chester, VA)

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20 Moment of Reflection Seniors Look Back One Last Time welve years of school, includ- ing all the emotions and memories, came to the minds of the class of 1984 as they marched into J. Wilson Crump stadium on June 12. As the notes of ‘‘Pomp and Circumstance”’ sounded, these sen- iors reflected on their final moments as high school students. Graduation exer- cises had begun as the students ap- proached their seats on the field. Before this moment arrived, howev- er, many hours of preparation were put in by many volunteers. The day really began at 5 a.m. when a few hard work- ers were on the field at sunrise to work out the physical details of the day. Ex- pl aining directions to 242 soon-to-be graduates in shorts, t-shirts and flip- flops, Mr. Sublett detailed how to pre- sent a dignified Graduation Ceremony that would please all graduates and parents. The final hour came when class president Greg Hatch opened the event, welcoming all to the Com- mencement Exercises of the Class of Overcome with emotion, Mr. Howard Blackmon knows he has many memories of years spent as an instructor and friend to students to fill his years in retirement. Tossing their hats with relief, these new alumni look forward to their first year in college after a week at the beach. 1984. Kay Daugherty, class vice- president dedicated the ceremonies to Mr. Howard Blackmon, who was given a silver tray in honor of his retirement after twenty-five years of teaching. Following this presentation, the theme ‘“‘perceptions’”’ united the speeches by valedictorian Liz Gagliano, salutatori- an David Hinton, Jack McHale and Barry Burijon. A proud moment arrived when Mr. Sublett presented the J. Wilson Crump scholarship and Balfour award to Joe Volpe, a popular student-athlete and school leader bound for West Point ina matter of weeks. After the presenta- tion, R. Garland Dodd, in keeping with tradition, officially accepted the Class of 1984. Feelings of pride in themselves and for their parents flowed through every senior as each reached his goal — reception of a high school diploma. These emotions, accompanied by ex- citement and anticipation, climaxed as the Class of 1984 flung their caps in the air and stepped out of high school into the future. Graduation

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Knights Greased For Action ension, anticipation, and ex- citement kept the cast and crew of ‘‘Grease”’ on their toes as opening night crept loser. For weeks the stage was Cov- red with fifties memorabilia and stu- lents sporting slicked back hair, worn ut jeans, T-shirts, and colorful skirt s. Under the direction of Harriet Schaeffer and devoted assistance of 3ecky Lott, Mr. Essig, Ms. Fox, and Scott Perkins, the production became a successful and polished show. “‘Grease”’ called for a large variety of roles, requiring much student partici- pation. Demand for lead roles and an abundance of talent necessitated splitting several roles. Beverly Shehan and Dawn Johnson shared Rizzo; Bri- gitte Goss and Kim Peterson shared Frenchie; Diana Pace and Ann Mar- shall shared Marty; Amanda Voelker and Nina Noland shared Cha-Cha. Chris McDaniel and Beth Bruce, as the leads, worked well together as Danny and Sandy. The audience loved Joe Vo lpe as Kenickie when he sang “Greased Lightning” on top of a red convertible in the middle of the stage. In comparison to the majority of high school productions, ‘‘Grease’’ re- quired a highly active cast. This enthu- siasm and excitement could be seen in the opening ‘‘Grease’”’ and ‘‘You’re the one That | Want’’. The dancers espe- cially required excessive devotion and spirit. Everyone in the cast was ac- quainted with physical and mental stress by the last performance. ‘‘Grease’’ was enjoyed by all and made possible only by countless hours of work and the collective efforts of the chorus, students, teachers, and adults. Sitting at the drive-in, Sandy and Danny, played by Beth Bruce and Chris McDaniel, try to watch the movie as emotions rise to a final angry cli- max. Dancing at the prom, the crowd watches the dance contestants who create some new seduc- tive dance steps. Singing to Frenchy, played by Brigette Goss, in “Beauty School Drop-out’’, Ward Bizzell ex- plains that nobody wants their hair done by a slob. Spring Show 19

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Addressing her classmates as well as spec- tators, valedictorian Liz Gaglinano relates perceptions to the future of each 1984 gra- duate. Appreciative of the seniors’ hard work dur- ing the past year, Mr. Hastings realizes he too gets a summer vacation before returning to the efforts of teaching another class of devoted students. While accepting his Balfour Award, Joe Volpe re- flects on years past as well as anticipating the fu- ture. CHESTERFIELD COUNTY LIBRARY VIRGINIA Graduation 21