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

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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

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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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3rd Ranked Voices Typesets Mag third place for Texas 5A schools. They also received commendation from NCTE and THSPA. The sponsor, Mrs. Brown said she was not very surprised with the ranking because. “Mrs. Wrotenbury was a very efficient sponsor with a hard working staff. I hope we do as well this year. Mrs. Brown has been here three out of the 19 years she has been teaching English and journalism. She said. “I like working with publications, I was hoping they would let me work with this when the chance came about. Although this was Mrs. Brown's first year to be a literary magazine Junior Lana Brown enters poetry for typesetting into the computer, hoping that the new process will give Voices extra points at com- petition. Photo by K. Sides sponsor, she has advised newspaper and yearbook staffs, and worked at the Houston Chronicle. Voices underwent several changes. The book was smaller and the staff was stricter on content. Also, the staff began using computers to do their own typesetting. Besides cash prizes for top enteries. students received recognition for their writing and had their works critiqued by professionals. However. Editor Lore Haug said. “I would like to see more students participate, and more teachers support our cause.” By M. Brown. Organ- izations Editor In the fall, the literary magazine. Voices, received their best Interscholastic League Press Conference rating. Voices was awarded The Voices Staff is trained by English Teacher, Mrs. Al- dridge's poetry seminar for the Voices staff and poetry entrants. Photo by L. Cates Voices: K. Bency, E. Garza, L. Haug, P. Rose, M. Ma, A. Dagregore, A. Kulkarni. Photo by M. Spiller Voices 137