Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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Season Op ener When looking at our hometown, it was sometimes hard to remain objec- tive because our observations were colored by memories of past exper- iences either joyous or disastrous. As we grew older, our perceptions of Valpo changed, often more rapidly than Valpo itself changed. Thus, each of us saw the Valparaiso we wanted to see and had come to expect. Looking at the new post of- fice, the 49 by-pass and the ever- sprawling County Seat, Valpo was a growing town. Stress was always placed on the new. Yet from down- town, the view leaned more toward the traditional. A small, quiet university town adorned with lots of trees and old houses, Val- paraiso was the epitome of quaintness. However, some signs showed that the storybook college town and the en- ergetic hub were conflicting. The county fairgrounds where we all at- tended the carnivals and circuses of childhood were recycled after being passed by for the new Expo Center and fairgrounds in Morgan Township where the fair was held in 1985. Of course, if one was interested in nostalgia, certain areas of Valpo could bring back the days when this area was all rural farms. The land of farm- houses, cows and tractors was never far away with horses grazing practi- cally in the VHS parking lot. Which brings us to Valparaiso High School. As students, our perceptions of neighboring communities were often based on their schools. Not sur- prisingly, we usually saw our school as the center of Valpo and the center of our little uni- verse. However, as first graders, we probably all thought the same thing about the ele- mentary school we haven’t been inside for years. Chances are, if we went back, we wouldn’t recognize the place. Valpo has changed a lot over the years and will continue to change, but we have changed too. The Valparaiso we remember from childhood no longer existed because we were no longer children. IT’S A WHOLE NEW BALL- GAME. — Gina Fattore SEEN FROM THE corner of Lincolnway and Wash- ington, The Porter County Courthouse and its much-talked about butterfly fountain added in 1977, show Valparaiso to be a quaint small town with an eye on style. WHILE PARENTS AND the rest of Valparaiso were familiar with this view of the high school, students, who were usually on the inside looking out. had a different perspective on their school.

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WHILE STUDENTS RUSH frantically to and from classes, these horses lead a more leisurely exis- tence enjoying a sunny December afternoon a mere 100 yards from the parking lot. TO VHS STUDENTS like senior Jessica Jones, the inside view of the high school ' s many hallways, lockers and classrooms was the most familiar part of Valpo. After three years, most students felt a little too at home within the halls of VHS. 4 Opening

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Living the life of a Valparaiso High School student was not always a matter of putting in the required hours in class. While academic studies taught us self-discipline and prepared us for the future, having to fill up 33 Friday nights also provided a challenge for students. Where are we going this weekend?” was often heard in the hallways, sometimes as early as Monday afternoon. Popular answers were home football or basketb all games, soc-hops. dances, April Antics or the fall musical. Throughout the year, these social events became short stops from the pressures of getting an educa- tion. Even though the pressure might have been intense, weekends had the ability to make it seem immaterial. By getting involved in school- sponsored activities, heading for another movie with a group of friends, playing their own version of the dating game or staying home to watch Miami Vice, students took arms against a sea of boredom. When we emerged victorious from that battle, life seemed like a well-timed double play. We got more than we bargained for. Of course, life was sometimes like a fly ball lost in the sun. Unforseen circumstances brought disappointment when things did not turn out the way we planned. Regardless, we kept on planning, devoted our time to the search for the best pizza in town, came out in the rain or snow to cheer on our team, poured an endless stream of dollars into the movie industry and searched for excuses to go into Chicago for concerts or shopping. For every obligatory weekend spent writing a term paper, studying for tests, or working, there were new experiences enticing even the most studious of students to put aside his books and indulge in some short stops. When the bell rang on Friday afternoons, every- one agreed. IT ' S A WHOLE NEW BALLGAME. — Gina Fattore Shortstops 6 Student Life Division SENIOR JOE BALDWIN and junior Chris Brickley spend another sedate, low-excite- ment afternoon doing homework in the book- store 7th period. WHEN VALPARAISO MET Fort Wayne Snider in the Class 5A semi-state game, fans lost control cheering for their team who went on to state after beating Snider 20-7.