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

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More changes tft The rumor was out. Mrs. JewelJ Alexander, Virginia ' s teacher of the year and AP English 12 teacher, was to retire at the end of the 1984-85 school year. The class of 1986 was sad at the fact that Mrs. Alexander would not be there to guide them through their senior year as she did with many classes before them. However, Mrs. Alex- ander returned to WSHS for the annual NCTE awards amd at- tended the reception. That was last year ' s situation, and when former English 10 teacher, Mrs. Kathryn Russell, was chosen to teach AP English 12, the seniors were doubtful. However, that situation soon changed. The students enjoyed her class discussions as much as Mrs. Russell loved teaching the senior classes. She felt her students were ver}- creative in their work — all AP students should be. Because she taught seniors, she didn ' t ex- perience the problems instigated by freshmen during their difficult transition from junior high to high school. Senior Sabrina Lewis said, 1 always heard how good Mrs. Alexander was. But being in Mrs. Russell ' s class was interesting, hough we talked about things that happened a long time ago, her discussions made me relate to things better. My main area of interest is English literature, and the AP curriculum contains a lot of British literature. Also, I enjoy teaching seniors, ' explained Mrs. Russell. After living many years in England, she taught for a year at Killeen, Texas, and, then moved to Fairfax County where she has taught for eleven years. Having been a member of the faculty at WSHS for nine years, Mrs. Russell has taught regular and gifted and talented (GT) 10th grade English, regular 12th grade English, and verbal skills. Many students who took Mrs. Russell ' s verbal skills felt they got a lot out of the class. She really made you work hard for an A, commented sophomore Nicole Whitehead. Students learned a wide range of vocabulary, as well as their synonyms and antonyms. Another of Mrs. Russell ' s responsibilities this year was being the sponsor of the National Honor Society. Because WSHS is a highly academic school, there werea great many students in NHS induc- tions. There were aproximately 300 students accepted, which add- ed to the large number ot students already in NHS. The responsibility- of handling applications and keep- ing track of eligible students was a big job to panake. When it came time to issue membership cards, Mrs. Russell had to sign all of them. Also, when the membership pins came in the mail, ft was Mrs. Russell, with the help of the NHS officers, who kept track of who ordered a pin. It was a lot of responsibility ' , but it was no burd- en, admitted Mrs. Russell. I had EXPLAIN CHAUCER ' S STYLE ... Mrs. Kathnn Russell took time after school to help her 12th grade students with term papers. Susan Dunkelburg talks with Mrs. Russell about a possi- ble thesis statement. a lot ot help from the officers, they were great! As Mrs. Russell concluded, to some degree, you have a pattern that has been set by the former teacher, and your style may not go along with that teacher ' s. But Mrs Alexander and I were close friends and colleagues, so I felt less pressured about taking on the job. —Hie Chung Ms. Vicky Andrews; Algebra I; Geometry G T; Tng- Funaions, Sr. Math Team Co-sponsor. Mrs. Clare Anzalone; Special Assignment Secretary. Mr. Ron Axelrod; English 11; English 1 1 GTP; Forensics Club Sponsor Mrs. Barbara Bailey; English 12, Verbal SkiUs, Sophomore Class Sponsor Mrs. Debbie Barker; Home Economics. Mr. Joe Barnes; Biology 1; Principals Advisory Committee. Mrs. Katherine Barrett; Biology; Faculty Social Committee; G T Interdisciplinary Committee; Academic Council, Faculty Council to NHS. Mr. Noah Bates; Custodian Mrs. Doris Beasley; Library Secretary- Mrs. Carol Bellonby; Anl, An2; AP Art History-. Chairman Art Department; Academic Honors Council Mr. Robert Benton; Algebra 2; Trigonometry, Functions, Varsity Softball Coach; Varsity Wrestling Coach; Keyettes Sponsor; Academic Council Mr. Fred Benvenuto; Algebra 1, Algebra 1-Pan 2, Algebra 2; Varsity Football -. sst. Coach; Winter Track Girls Head Coach; Spring Track-Girls Head Coach. Ms. Karen Bertschmann; English 12; English 9. Mrs. Andrena Blake; English ' ' , Majorette Sponsor; Ninth ■ rade Coordinator. Ms. Bonnie b -tie; Custodian Mrs. Faye Bousel; English 10 GT; Engl. 1 2; Theatre Arts 1 Mrs. Lucy Bowers; Computerized Acc mting 2, Business Data Prtxrt ing 1 Mrs. Delores Bowes; English 9; Olympian aa ' r li ' lL.JQ 270 Staff Andre Mrs. Russell was great. I had never been in such an interesting class. senior Randy Schmidt

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Monitoring business Before the students came back to work, the administration was busily preparing schedules for the school year. The opening of school went very smoothly this year, commented Mr. George Stepp, principal. More organization made things much easier. V r ith fewer students atten- ding, because of to boun- dary changes made last year, the administration could keep control more easily than before. Even with this additional control, there were still many new rules enacted which had never been imposed before. One major problem which the administrators tried to control was the cleanliness of the school, especially where food was con- cerned. Students were no longer allowed to take food out of the cafeteria, even to eat outside. It was a pain to have to bring food THE BIG CHEESE ... A high school principal ' s responsibilities seemed to approach the infinitive. Mr. George Stepp gives a short speech at the NCTE awards presentation. from home if you wanted to cat anywhere outside the cafeteria, but the school looked much cleaner, commented junior Carey Haishe. Another nc ' rule enforced was not allowing students to go to their lockers during fourth period until five minutes before the end of their lunch. Though many students didn ' t like this when they were the ones restricted from going to their lockers, most agreed that it made for quieter classroooms during fourth period. Mrs. Delores Bowes noted that it was much easier to give tests fourth period because everyone could concentrate better. A challenge the administration had to face this year was the sit-in which the students staged in December. I think they did a great job of handling it, remarked senior Melinda Gott, even though Mr. Stepp was not in the building. The use of walkie- talkies enabled administrators to keep in touch with each other dur- ing a potentially troublesome situa- tion. — karinOrr Administration Mr, Timothy Barr, Assistant visur, uraduation Ms. Helena Bf3tten, Admini disiipline. sixial siuiiics supervi! [ion, field trips, student teachers Mr. Al Coward. Assistant Pr daily routine, library, inJusiriai Principal: grade I 1 attendance, science, business, COE, cafeteria super- :afr, cafet building security, mast Mr. Rod Clcmmons discipline; math supen school inventory schedule cipal: Grade 9 attendance, disciplin s Chairman, Tire drills. .isiani Pnncipal: Grade 10 attendance capital improvements, textbook budget Dr. Courtney Jones, Guidance Director: guidance, clinic supcrviso ninth grade onentaticin, school testing programs, schcduling pre- registration. Course Description Guide, career development program, awards programs, feeder school coordinator Mr. Kevin Kelly, Assistant Director Student Activities: clubs, organizations supervisor. SGA supervisor, GTAP history, girls ' soccer Mr. Charles Martin. Director Student Activities: athletic program duty assignments, athlera field trips, intramural program, student ac- . PEsi find r sing The great thing about Mr. Scepp is that he always tries to see both sides of the sn ' junior Mitht-lie Salked Mrs. Helen Westfall.Adtninistrative Aide: grade 10. 12 attendance, discipline; English, reading supervisor, substance abuse programs; OT task force, substitute folders, program audit response. Barr-Wcstfall 269

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Ms. Lya Bowman; School bus driver. Miss Joy Brinckman; Resource 9- 12; Kt7 Club Sponsor, Ms. Lillic Brown; American History 11; Debate Team ( ualU. Mr. Bill Burketc; USVA History; Sociology. Mrs. Margie Bush; Data Processor Operator Mrs. Carolyn Butler; Cafeteria. Ms. Lorraine Cabelas; Photography, An 11; Symposium co-ad viser Mrs. Merle Carpenter; Guidance Registrar. Mrs. Margie Carter; Basic Skills Review. Ms. Deborah Casey; BSCS Blue Biology; BSCS Blue Biology GTP; SSCP Earth Science. Mr. Randy Causley; Guidance Counselor. Mrs. Barbara Chubb; Principal ' s Secretary; Senior Class Sponsor. Mrs. Carole Coleman; Algebra, Geometry; Spartan SiUes Sponsor, Mr. Jim Coverstone; USVA Government; Intramurals; Conflict Simulations Club. Mrs. Barbara Crabbe; English 9. 10. 11. 12. Ms. Janice Crews; USVA Government 12; USVA History 1 1 Ms. Susan Crouch; French 1, 2; French Club Sponsor, Mr. Raymond Czarnik; USVA Government; Russian History; Modem European History Mrs. Joan Dalton; School Bus Driver. Mrs. Carol Dandy; Resource Teacher; Steering Committee Mrs. Elizabeth Darr; Assistant Building Supervisor. Mrs. Lucy Dawn; Main Office Secretary. Mr. Louis Decarlo; French 2. 3, 3 Accelerated; French Honor Society Sponsor. Ms. Judy Delgato; Cafeteria. Mr. Marshall Deppe; Calcoilus BC; AP Computer Science; Problem Solving and Programming Mrs. Cheryl DeVincentis; Theater Arts l- , FaU Play; One Aa Play; Spring Musical; Thespians; Stage Crew Mrs. Dee Dorminey; Attendance Secretary; Spartanettes Sponsor Mrs. Paricia Doyle; Guidance Counselor; Grade 10, A-E; Grade 12. A-E. Mrs. Ellen Dubin; Math 2; Math Applications; Consumer Math; Alg. 1, Pt 1; Alg. 1, Pt 2. Mr. Ed Duff; Guidance Counselor. Grade 10. L-Z; Grade 12. L-Z. Ms. Isabel Dykes; Geometry; Senior Math Team Co-Sponsor. Mr. James Edwards; Librarian, A.V. Supervisor. Mrs. Jan Eischen; Business Edu cation; Typing 1 . Ms. Ellie Euler; Project Physics; Planetarium; Astronomy Club Sponsor. Mr. Armando Farfan; Spanish 2, 4; Boys ' JV Soccer Coach. Mrs. Charlotte Follansbee; Chemistry 1 Mrs. Sioux Forsing; Cafeteria Mr. James Foster; Custodian. Mrs. Carol Franco; Journalism 1-4; English 9. Oracle Advisor, Mrs. Anne Fuller; English 10. Mrs. Arlene Giacomo; Guidance Secretary. Mrs. Charlene Gibbens; Accounting 1. Typing I; Curriculum Committee. Mr. William Gibson Mrs. Fredda Gill; Counselor, Grade 10. F-K; Counselor. Grade 12, F-K. Mr. John Gouldin; Elearonics 1-4; AJg. 2. Mr. Peter Grubmeyer; Alg.-Pt. 1, Trig Funaions; Computer Science Mrs. Sandra Hampson; Functions Analytical Geometr) ' ; Computer Science, Mrs. Beate Hamad; Learning Disabilities Program Coordinator. Mrs. Russell was a very challenging teacher. She really inspired me to work. ' senior Kristin Pelletier Staff Bowman — Harnad 271