Thunderbird High School - Warrior Yearbook (Phoenix, AZ)

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Schoolis first years filled with tradition The first ten years of Thunderbird's existence have been filled with tradi- tions. Some have been continued while others have not, for various reasons. Perhaps the most remembered of these traditions was the Muscular Dystro- phy Dance-a-thon and the annual visit by Timmy Dewl, 1976-77 MDA poster child. After his first visit at an assembly with Ken Coy, local newscaster, Timmy became a regular part of the MDA scene at Thunderbird. He appeared regularly at dances, promoting his cause until the late sring of 1981, when he died from muscular dystrophy. This year there was no dance-a-thon, but a week of different activities was planned to help raise money for MDA. We decided against the dance-a-thon because it doesn't raise enough money. A week of different activities was planned to raise more money for MDA, said Mike Dougall, student body president. Greek Week was another tradition that was discontinued, due to lack of interest. Greek Week was a popular unit of the junior English classes, where mythological gods were brought to life by students. Different competitions were held each day in the amphitheater. When students became reluctant to partici- pate, Greek Week was changed to Greek Day. Students dressed up like the Greek gods they portrayed and conducted competitions during both lunches. Eventually, lack of interest and participation on the students' part and lack of time on the teachers' part took over and Greek Day was no longer held. It's too bad that Greek Day had to be discontinued. I was really looking forward to learning about mythology through different activities, commented Marchelle Bridgeman. The spirit at football games was lessened a little when the Arrows quit performing at halftime. The Arrows started tumbling at games in 1974, but were called Tumblers. In 1975 they changed their name to Aeroettes and in 1977 it was changed to Arrows. The group continued to perform at games until 1979 when Ms. Mary Pappas decided to retire as the sponsor. Male yell leaders was something that was tried, but the idea never caught on. In 1977, Chuck Krauss and Mark Erwin were the Varsity yell leaders and Curt Young was the JV yell leader. This was both the first and last year that males were on the cheer squad. Gary Brogan was chosen as yell leader in 1980, but moved away and there hasn't been a yell leader since, although a few have tried out. One tradition that has been continued is that of class competitions. Each year at assemblies, classes were led in cheers and different activities and the one with the most spirit won the spirit stick. Freshmen seem to be most excited about the competitions because it is their first year. Homecoming floats were another tradition continued each year. Many hours of hard work and time were Put into each float by students from different classes. Even if the entry didn't win, the spirit and friendships gained from trying to build a winning float made it worth the time and effort spent. 1 Greek Week, which was discontinued last year due to lack of interest, was once a major part of junior English. 2 Chuck Krauss and Mark Erwin were yell leaders in 1978. They helped the cheerleaders with mounts and added a lot of spirit to the squad. 3 Timmy Dewl, 1976-77 poster child for MDA, became an annual visitor at Thunderbird and won the hearts of both students and teachers. Timmy died in the late spring of 1981. 4 The Arrows, a tumbling team that performed at halftime at the football games, ended when Ms. Mary Pappas decided to retire as sponsor. 5 The graduating class of '76 showed their patriotism by building a Bicentennial float. 6 Sophomore Bruce Kennedy leads other sophomores in a cheer to win the spirit stick in a ,77 assembly. 1 2 1, I if' 12.. 1. :-. ww' V -.,y..-:jg-

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Traditions come, god during first decade In the past ten years, Thunderbird has grown and achieved a high status in athletics, academics, clubs, and student involvement. Four portables were added along with the auditorium. Some things have declined, however. After school enrollment reached its' peak in 1979, it has been slowly declining because Deer Valley High School was built. The rise and fall in War Party was so drastic that at one time there was none at all. War Party is bringing spirit baclc to the club and the school. Pep assemblies were moved from the football field to the gym. Students attending were the only one's with true spirit. The gym was filled with the teams, pom and cheer, the band and spirited students. Uniforms for the band, pom and cheer changed drastically. The band went from the light blue uni- forms with overlays and tall hats to dark blue pants, light blue jackets, and corps style hats with feathers. The pom went from several different styles of petty- coats, to uniforms similar tQ,the cheer's new uni- forms. The cheer changed the long sleeved, vested blue uniforms to white short sleeves, with blue and orange trim. 4 1 ' wisirufiff 5 it -1- as -sr-ma ,..i 'Qfi'Q3g wi li. if , 'V if ..Erwf mn-lnlalnhll