Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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As Emily Webb in Our Town, Sophomore Shannon Collins needs reassurance from her father. Senior Will Clark. Shannon says she is secure about the future her 11 years of acting have created. Photo by L. Cates Senior MatthcwTigheapplies the stage makeup that will transform him into Simon Stimson for Our town. Photo by L. Cates After two successful performances, the Our Town cast makes their final appearance for the curtain call. Photo by L. Cates Theatre Arts: Front: A. De- gregorian, P. Rose, J. Hook, S. Reis, J. Hook. D. Jefferson, A. Sanchez, T. Washington, B. Wagner, S. Collins, S. McMillan, Mrs. Boone, M. Landon; 2nd: W. Clark, C. Yang, L. Franey, J. Martinez. P. Siemens, S. Vinluan, N. Milkey, J. Henry; Back: M. Mullen, J. Hurlbert, E. Hudson, S. Fields, D. Brantley, S. Ott, C. Van Horn. Photo by B. Mitchell Theatre Arts 135

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Theatre Arts Changes Image, Overcomes H.B. 72 “It's an actor's problem, deal with it,” is the answer from sponsor Mrs. Boone when the Theatre Arts Department is faced with a problem. The actors sought to overcome two obstacles. The first was creating a new image. The second was producing the UIL one-act play Dark of the Moon without letting House Bill 72 ruin the show. At the first officer’s meeting it was decided that Theatre Arts needed to become more visible. To do this, the club began supporting other clubs and athletics. Before athletic games, band concerts, speech tournaments, or after competition, Theatre Arts delivered good luck posters or “Theatre Arts Spotlight” congratulations. Chris Everett contended. “We've gone from being an elitest group to supporting others, and that support has come back.” “House Bill 72 has had a tremendous effect on us. It’s been frustrating for students and Mrs. Boone,” said Chris Everett. In the middle of Dark of the Moon two students had to drop out. Chris explained. “You’re so dependent on the other people, you become a family. It doesn’t run on individuals. Despite the problems, Dark was chosen to advance from district to area. At district. Junior Chris Lundquist was chosen Best Actor, Seniors Shawn Fields and Tamiko Washington and Freshman Steve McMillan were awarded All Star Cast. Senior Mike Mullen was awarded Honorable Mention. At area, Shawn Fields and Chris Lundquist were awarded All Star Cast and Tamiko Washinton, Steve McMillan, and Mike Mullen were awarded Honorable Mention. The play, however, did not advance. Sophomore Shannon Collins, commented. ”1 was disappointed. I felt like we put so much work into it and we got really close. Theatre Arts produced two other shows. On October 11 and 13. Our Town played. Senior Penni Siemens, historian, said. “Thursday was a full house and Saturday had a crowd larger than expected because of the rain.” Drama III and IV classes produced Daydreams. May 6-10 was Thespian Initiation for 13 initiates. Initiates were required to memorize 12 lines At rehersal for Dark of the Moon, Freshman Steve McMillan tells Seniors Jason Martinez and Penni Siemens that John wants to marry their daughter, Barbara Al- len, and save the family from shamo. Photo by M. Spiller of Shakespeare and buy a bag of Funyuns. among other things. The banquet was May 10 at Birra Poretti’s. The theme, death, was borrowed from the image of the mask the cast and crew of Dark gave Mrs. Boone. Mrs. Boone said Theatre Arts was appealing because, “There’s a feeling of accomplisment and a very positive atmosphere, even in the worst of times.” By M. Brown, Organizations Editor 134 Theatre Arts Waiting for Our Town rehersals to begin, Senior Tamiko Washington, Junior Dcdc Jefferson and Seniors Chris Everett and Shawn Fields are interrupted by the impromptu scenes Theatre Arts people are famous for. Photo by L. Cates

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Speech Declares Independence From Drama On August 20, a silent revolution took place. For the first time, the National Forensic League (NFL), or speech club, declared independence from Theatre Arts. As a result, Mrs. DeLecour appointed a board of directors. Seniors Missy Brown and Penni Siemens were chosen co-presidents with Juniors Ginger Winstead and Scott McFarlane as council members. Unfortunately, NFL only participated in three tournaments. The first was at Bellaire High. Freshman Tara McGrath. Sophomore Eric Hudson, Scott McFarlane, and Missy Brown advanced to semi-finals in extemporaneous speaking. Tara McGrath also went to semis in oration. Penni Siemens, Missy Brown, Eric Hudson, and Kelly Senf competed in poetry interpretation semis, with Penni advancing to finals. Penni also advanced At practice, Scott McFarlane Initiated the motto, “If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done. Photo by B. Mitchell NFL: Front: E. Hudson, D. Tran. M. Brown, P. Sicmons; Back: S. McFarlane, T. McGrath, T. Gallaher. Photo by B. Mitchell to prose interpretation semis. At the next tournament, Katy Taylor, Eric Hudson and Scott McFarlane advanced to semis in extemp, Tara McGrath went to oration semis, Scott placed second in oration and received best Lincoln-Douglas debate speaker, and Missy Brown advanced to the quarter-finals in L-D debate. At this tournament, Freshman debators. Tara McGrath and Duk Tran underwent initiation. Scott McFarlane and Hastings' Serini Medi convinced them to ask Hastings' Joel Schwartzberg why people call his father •'Stumpy.” In a fit of imitated anger Joel yelled, I can't believe you asked me that! My father is a paraplegic. Later, the two were told that Joel’s father is normal. The last tournament was held at Memorial High. For the first time, two beginning debate teams advanced to quarter- finals. Senior Lorraine Noone and Scott McFarlane went 5-1. and Missy Brown and Penni Siemens went 4-2. They placed in the top eight of 70 teams. Eric. Lorraine, and Scott went to extemp semis. Penni and Freshman Sherine Thomas to poetry semis. Some firsts for the NFL were sweatshirts, letterjackets, recognition at NFL meets, and first time competitors in State competition when Scott McFarlane qualified for State in oration. By the end of the year. NFL degrees of merit were earned by: Senior Lorraine Noone Tara McGrath adjusted to the tough competition. Her au- tobiographical oration and Duk Tran; degree of honor to Tara McGrath, and degree of distinction to: Scot McFarlane, Missy Brown, and Penni Siemens. By M. Brow Organizations Editor placed her in semi-fina twice. Photo by B. Mitchell 136 National Forensic League