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

Page 24 text:

Having Fun, Setting Traditions Ten Years Marked With Many Changes Those were the days “when we had fun at school,” remembered Coach Gary Pless of his first year at Elsik (1976-77). In the beginning, activities such as Student-Faculty Volleyball games. Christmas plays involving students and faculty. Pep Rally skits by teachers and the first Freshman Slave Market (Sale) in which not only freshmen but teachers also were sold, were not uncommon. Mrs. Susan Contine, who has taught at Elsik since its first year, remembers when there were only 23 teachers and 313 was the only principal. The second year (76-77). Mr. Bobby Porter became the vice-principal and the third year (77-78). Mrs. Elsie Kneeling came to Elsik from Hastings as one of the two assistant principals. The first students had a big hand in starting many traditions. As eighth graders, they assembled and decided Elsik's mascot, colors, alma mater and fight song. “When they voted on the colors, there was a tie between green and white and purple and white. Just before the run-off vote, Those were the days when we had fun at school . . . students, all classes were held in ten upstairs rooms (because the school was not finished) and Mrs. O'Donnell was the only principal. She said, One of the funniest things about the school was that at the football games, we always had our band, drill team and all the parents and students while the other team's stands were practically empty because they were freshman and sophomore games.” Elsik's first principal. Mrs. Ann O'Donnell, served for six years (1975-81) and in the school's first year, she someone suggested Columbia blue and white because a chair outside of the auditorium was blue. That color combination won,” said Mrs. O'Donnell. Mrs. Marti Toulmin started the winning tradition for the girls cross country team in her first year at Elsik (77-78) which was also the first year for Elsik to have a cross country team. Actually, there weren't enough people running to have an official team. Five people are required to score team points. For the district meet, three Coaches Bob Kopetsky (basketball 1976 1981), Lcn Smith (volleyball and bas- ketball, 1976-77; biology. 76-80) and Gary Pless (football and track. 76- people were quickly recruited making a team of six that placed third in district. “We sent two runners. Freshman Chris Meeks and Sophomore Donna Barr, to state and Chris placed first. The second year of cross country, we upset heavily favored Memorial and won district and went on to place first in regionals and ninth in state.” present) are the unofficial winners of the four-legged race in the second Student Congress sponsored Field Day on Friday. May 13, 1977. explained Coach Toulmin. Mrs. O'Donnell remembers that in Elsik's first years, It was exciting to see the birth of a new school and the unity of the students and teachers that started many traditions.” By Rae Rabe. Editor-in-Chief Cheryl Cook is one of the fi students to eat in t cafeteria. Before it opened 1975, students ate Hastings. 20 Elsik History

Page 23 text:

'arslty Cheerleaders Leslie awless, Julie Johnson, :amllle Brown, Joyce Miller, .errl Nlppert, Dlano Shrout, Kim Adams, Robin Williams and Julie Goecke ride in Senior Wado Watson’s truck with Wade driving and The Allef Volunteer Fire Department participated in the Autumn Festival Parade every year. The dalmation shown is one of the two that rode with the Fire Department. Photo by L. Cates Seniors Robby Jamos and Tim Moore along for the ride. Photo by L. Cates Motor Company don- this truck to drive some tho ten thousand pumpkins that were given to Photo by L. Cates the festival by the West Houston Medical Center. Drum Major Jay Grantham talks with Sophomoro Bart O'Connor and Senior Robbie Bageant warms upon his bass guitar while everyone waits for the parade to start. Photo by L. Cates Autumn Fost and Parade 19

Page 25 text:

Aside from teaching math, Mrs. Tooke also sponsored the Revclllors (1976-1979) before she became an assistant principal in 1981. onstructlon for the new complex, is too crowded, eld house began because Estimated expenses for le existing one, which Elsik equipment and construction nd Hastings share at the are $866,000. Barbara Phola and Laurel Garrett ride again during the climax of the Student Congress Field Day - the tricycle race. Mrs. Phola Is one of eight faculty members who has worked at Elsik since it opened. Sophomore Chris Meeks, Junior Donna Barr and Freshman Mary Lenart celebrate after their first place cross country victory at a Kinney Shoes Meet. Girls cross country placed 9th in state under Coach Parke in 1984-85. Elsik History 21