West Springfield High School - Olympian Yearbook (Springfield, VA)

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ROSES ARE RED . . . Friends were often seen exchanging gifts during school. Senior I.ori Nicholson is surprised by a dozen roses from her boyfriend, senior John ilurst. PASSING IT AROUND . . . Spartans often passed time talking with friends. Rena Hcnnigan catches up on the latest gossip from Chris Gogat and Rob Hart. Friends forever good times, special people, laughing, playing and making memories At first glance, trying to make friends at WSHS seemed to be a waste of ime. With almost 2400 students, many were overwhelmed by the thought if being in the crowd. Having a student body the size of a small town, with nuch more variety than one, WSHS seemed to be filled with all types of people — and none of them like oneself. ! But as is always the case, many students ' best friendships formed at their school, and the wide variety of people seemed to compliment this even more. ' I felt so uncomfortable at the beginning of my freshman year, one iophomore reflected. But by the time summer rolled around, I had formed some unbreakable bonds with my classmates. While the school served as a meeting ground for newly initiated Spattans, they soon began to meet their friends at home and at the local restaurants. Once practice was over, my friends and I headed for some food and then to Erol ' s, commented junior Kirsten Etka. Faced with a huge academic load and stress-provoked problems, students tended to make close friends faster. I was a little hopeless from the problems that kept piling up on me, but the real friends that stayed by my side never failed to come through, explained senior Lisa Rich. Friends also served as clutch companions and counselors. When there was a problem that couldn ' t be told to one ' s parents and was too personal for anyone else, one ' s best friend was always just a phone call away. And when a student decided that he needed to go out at 11:30 pm, a partner was guaranteed. High school life had many ups and downs, and fiiendship often played a part in both. But through good times and bad, friends were one of the most important treasures that students had. Without a doubt, friendship was the center of teenage life. — Danid Donovan Troy Schneider Having one or rwo close friends was special. In a school of 2400 people, it was impor- tant that you had someone you could really talk to. senior Lori Nicholson Student Life -t Friendship L

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JUST LOUNGING AROUND . . . After school hours were often spent doing homework in the empty halls. Juniors Lena Singetary and Heidi Pimentel catch up on some homework before going home. — Wan Choi INSPIRING WORDS ... A few encouraging words were often exchanged between fellow Spartans during the toughest homework assignments. Henry Suchman en- courages David Buisson while doing some work after class. CANDY, CANb ' . CANDY ... As a sign of friendship decorating lockers for bir- thdays and other . ecial occasions was seen all throughout the year. Juniors Dan Donovan, Steve Kin -nel, and sophomore Troy Schneider decorate Pat Furgersons ' s locker for his I6th bin day. -J Student Life J I Friendship Special times shared with one dose friend are times I ' U always treasure. sophomore Jennifer Woeike

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LEADING THE WAY . . . Being president of a school organization required maturi- ty and responsibility ' . Senior John Keck, head of the International Club, leads a group meeting. FIRST CLASS STUDENTS ... In addition to above average grades, good leadership was necessar)- in order to qualify for the NHS. A member explains the goals of the society at tht- mduttion ttremonv. Quality leadership heightening school spirit by organizing, involving, and promoting Leadership: a quality that was necessary ' for success. Yet very few people ever mastered the techniques of managing others. Schools did not teach this important trait in class, but student leaders were easily found at WSHS. With the various clubs and student organizations throughout the school, language clubs, Thespians— all WSHS organizations needed someone to call the meetings, plan activities, and represent the group to the administration, as well as many other tasks. It took a special kind of person to take on all of this responsibility. Student government, headed by Julie Bruce and D.A. Sims as the presidents of SGA and the senior class, respectively, was probably the most well known of the school organizations. Julie ' s job included increasing school spirit, voicing the student body ' s ideas and opinions to the administration, and leading the organization or such events as Homecoming. She was also the student ' s representative for the PTSA. Some students had the dedication to lead more than one club or organiza- tion. Senior Steve Rossi was president of National Honor Society, the WSHS orchestra, and was caj rain of the debate team. Playing such a large role in so many groups was very ti Te-consuming, but it had its rewards, too. Besides the personal sl isfaaion that a leader gained, there were many other benefits. Colleges often made acceptance decisions based upon extracur ricular activities, and having club president on one ' s transcript was a grea i plus. Seniors did not corner the market on leadership, however. Besides the of ficers of the underclasses, niany clubs were headed by juniors, sophomore! and freshmen. By gaining this experience early, these students worked t become better leaders as they grew older. Mr. George Stepp and the administration often relied on these studen representatives for the teenager ' s point of view. Over the summer, th Principal ' s Student Advisory Board, PSAB, went to a three-day leadershi] conference at Virginia Beach. They discussed problems at the school, idea for improvement, and the theme for Homecoming. WSHS seemed to have at least a few students who excelled at almost an ' thing one could think of. Leadership was no exception. Spartans were so in volved and organized with so many different activities; it was obvious tha the high caliber of leaders puUed it all together. Students who were capable o leading these organizations so well were privileged to have such a specis talent. — Tnjy Schfiei(l( I Student Life Zm Z Leadership It s hard work being in charge of a lot of people, but the knowledge you gain from it replaceable. junior Michelle Salkeld