Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

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Albano, and Treasurer Lena Kozloski. They directed such events as the Christmas Dance and the successful Faculty Frolics, where the faculty displayed their amazing talents. Some of us entered the spotlight when we were able to attend the Semi-Formal and the Prom, THE social events of the year. As we zoom in for a close-up of our junior year, we see that it was filled with many accomplishments. In the field of athletics, we were granted two coveted Western Mass, championships. Girls soccer persevered and defeated Chicopee 2 to 1 in overtime to take the title in the fall. Then, in the spring, the boys track team skipped past West Side by half a point to bring home the gold. Our hockey team also fought valiantly and reached the finals, bowing to Cathedral in the end. The ski team placed a noble second in the C Division. The cheerleaders, not to be outdone, spirited themselves to a first place finish at the Pioneer Valley Cheerleading Tournament. On the entertainment scene, the music department lengthened our list of credits even further. The Marching Mohawks brought home a first place finish in competition in Stratford, Mass. Our winning tradition was kept alive when the Show Choir and the Jazz Rock Group each took second place in Montreal. At the University of New Hampshire, the Jazz Band and the Show Choir again sparkled with third place finishes. The Jazz Band also won the Western Massachusetts jazz competition. Our aspiring writers also proved themselves quite capable, as the Unicorn, the first literary magazine, was published by AHS students, and the Mirror had another outstand- ing year. We were definitely making a name for the Class of 1984- we were the best. Coverage of world wide news brought us mixed emotions of hope and fear. England’s royal couple added a new life. Prince William, to the British monarchy, while many other British lads were losing their lives in the war-torn Falkland Islands. Modern medicine made a breakthrough with Barney Clark’s artifical heart, and in the meantime, a senseless killer murdered several innocent people in the Tylenol catastrophe. We knew we had to overcome our fears and revel in our joys as time proceeded onward, time which brought us yet another promotion — to the head of the network — as Seniors. FEATURE STORY: CLASS of ’84 Flashback to the main event: our senior year. It was hard to believe the moment had arrived. We were now a top-notch story, and we shined in the spotlight for as long as it would last. As celebrities, we could hold our heads high and mighty over the underclass- men. We were the leaders, and we were not about to let anyone forget it. We accepted the many assignments of our senior year, such as the very successful magazine drive in which the Class of ’84 broke sales records of any previous class. We were led by head anchorpersons John Kelley as class President, Tom Hanson as Vice-President, Debbie Marai as Treasurer, Cathy Sheehan as Secretary, and our faithful advisor, not to mention an all-around nice guy, Mr. Gerald Smith. Along with all the fun and excitement came a pile of endless responsibilities, such as getting our senior portraits taken. We had to look towards the future, selecting colleges, filling out college and scholarship applications, and taking those dreadful SAT’s and

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Special Feature: News Flashback: Memories As I was flipping through past news stories from times that seemed so long ago, certain film clippings caught my eye. I began reminiscing about those special, unforgettable three years of my high school life. Back to 1981-1982, our sophomore year. As sophomores, (that word which seniors regard with such revulsion), we were cub reporters, trying to get our stories straight in a strange world which seemed so full of confusion. We had to separate the facts from the fallacies. We were learning how to produce a top-notch news story led by our head reporters: President Steve Jury, Vice-President Lena Kozloski, Secretary Karen Albano, and Trea- surer Tom Hanson. With help from class advisor Miss Mary Wolochowicz, these anchor- persons helped to make the year quite successful. Our assignment was indeed a challenge, as we slowly but surely developed the rough draft of our high school years. Who could ever forget the first soccer rally? The spirit was there, even though we had trouble expressing it. By the time the West Side rally came around, our spirit was growing and we had caught high school fever. Also in the fall of ’81. a top news story: the football team romped to an incredible record, including a great victory over West Side on Thanksgiving Day. There were several events during that first memorable year to help us through the ups and downs of reporting. The boys basketball team successfully dribbled their way to becoming the B Division champs. Another outstanding sports team was varsity hockey, which made it to the semi-finals, proving the ability of AHS to make the headlines. On the music scene, the Marching Mohawks were also shining in the spotlight. Along with an outstanding first place in the Columbus Day Parade, the band and colorguard placed second in field competition and third in parade in Washington, D.C. The Show- choir, not to be outdone, placed first at the University of New Hampshire. There were endless assignments that first year, including ordering class rings and experiencing those unforgettable school dances. An unexpected blizzard, which hit in April, put a damper on activities for three days. On the world-wide level, the crisis in Poland caused national instability as the Polish Solidarity Union refused to subject to martial law. We were becoming more aware of the world and its vastness, trying to find just where we fit in. As the year came to a close, we prepared ourselves for the years to come and all of the special moments that these would include. Passing through our Junior year with valuable experience behind us, we endured tougher story assignments, but the rewards were more gratifying. We were gaining self- respect. which showed as we received our class rings. Academically, we had to strive for perfection as some were beginning the college quest and others were searching for openings in the job market. The PSAT’s and Career Day helped us to examine our choices and prepare for our futures. On the local scene, we were led bravely through the ratings battle by news director Mrs. Jane Williams, Producer Steve Jury, Anchorman Tom Hanson, Secretary Karen

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Achievement Tests. For others it would be work after that magical moment of gradu- ation, which still seemed so far away, but was much closer than we really knew. As time went on, we grew and learned together. The first night home football game in the history of Agawam was proved by the spirited crowd to be one of the most exciting sports events of the year. Both our boys and girls sports teams were fighting to become top-notch stories. News had it that other clubs and organizations were up there, too. such as Chorale, Show Choir, and the spirited cheerleaders. The Colorguard placed an honorable first in the Columbus Day Parade. The Marching Mohawks displayed their talent and did well in field and parade competitions. A special touch was added to this story by exchange students Mario Luzzi from Italy and Eeva Huovinen from Finland. Led by the AFS club, these students helped make our senior year especially memorable. The senior spirit was reported as crazy and zany. Special days designated as senior hat, tie, etc. days were hit stories to prove it. The Kid Party was most definitely crazy, catching, and altogether unforgettable. Our claims to sophistication were made at the Semi-Formal held at Shaker Farms Country Club and the prom at Chez Josef. Our assignments got tough, and even a little scary, as world events triggered off problems of international involvement. The shooting of a Korean airliner by the Russians turned the cold war between the United States and the USSR into an ice war. On Sunday. October 23, 1983, hundreds of U.S. Marines stationed in Lebanon to keep peace were mercilessly killed by Islamic extremist terrorists in Beirut. President Reagan, calling the bombers “vicious, cowardly and ruthless,” said the Marines must stay because “we must not allow international criminals and thugs to undermine the struggle for peace.” The United States was not going to allow such a violation of our rights. Also in late October, U.S. Marines and Army paratroopers invaded Marxist-ruled Grenada, a tiny eastern Caribbean island, in order to protect Americans there. This shocking news bewildered us, and we had only to wonder what the consequences would be. The unfortunate death of nationally acclaimed television journalist Jessica Savitch further added to the grimness of the situation. However, there was some hope as the economy was improving in the form of lower inflation and unemployment. These events caused us to think about life more seriously; we knew they would have a definite effect on our lifestyles. We were almost face to face with our futures, and we were trying to decide exactly where we were headed. Our senior year was filled with special and unforgettable moments from day one. Graduation, the end of three of the most memorable years of our lives and the com- mencement of our futures, came much faster than we were really prepared for. Where had all those good times gone? And what did we have left from them? We have memories. Memories that bring back the laughter, the smiles, and even the tears. Old film clippings may fade and wrinkle, but the memories will be cherished forever. . . . and ever. Yes, the story’s just begun.