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

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UIL Results Improve Over Previous Years Improving over last year's rank of 4th place at the district 17-5A Literary Meet. Elsik proudly brought back the 3rd place trophy. Areas of competition included speech, journalism, mathematics, business, and science. Senior Penni Siemens won 1st in district with Rumplestilskin. I was surprised. My goal was to win 1st in anything. I didn't get out of regionals. but I was still happy. She applied for a scholarship in poetry interpretation. Freshman Kelly Senf won 3rd in district with poetry interpretation. I was surprised I won. I didn't think I was ready because I only had four months to prepare. William Lei won 1st in district in Number Senior Penni Siemens has been Interpreting poetry since 6th grade. As a soph- Sense. Freshman Ambert Wang won 2nd in district. They were given a test of 80 problems to finish in ten minutes. They had to do problems like 517x143 in their head. They couldn't erase any answers. Senior Jay Yun won 3rd in district and 1st in regionals in Ready Writing. Brenda Carbonell won 2nd in district and regionals in Typewriting. Senior Thuy Nguyen won 5th in district. They were given five minutes to type approximately one page. Each mistake was subtracted from their final score. Elsik did much better. I am pleased. I hope we will continue to improve our overall standing in district UIL. replied Ms. Blalock. By R. Harris. Reporter omore she placed 6th in regionals. Photo by L. Cates Freshman Kelly Senf started participating in speech last year. He placed 5th in regionals. Photo by V. Pai Shawn Fields and Mike Mul- len perform In Dark of the Moon. Dark of the Moon along with Northbrook High School's The Miracle Worker won the two best one act plays. Photo by M. Spiller Junior Lea Ann Rushing placed 4th In district In News Writing. Senior Audra Sanchez placed 2nd in district and 4th in regionals in Feature Writing. Sophomore Barbie Neyens placed 3rd in district in Feature Writing. Elliot Segal (not pictured placed 6th in distric Headline Writing. Photo by I Cates 36 Literary Meet

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Faculty Experiences Baby Boom i Although experts 5ay there is not a rise n population, anyone who walked the halls Social Studies Teacher Ther- jsa Brandt is expecting a jocond child. Erin, age four. of Elsik could see that the baby business was booming. There were two new mothers and is the Brandt's first child, and they are hoping for a boy. Photo by V. Pai six mothers-to-be among the faculty that were born during the “baby boom. South Social Studies teacher Theresa Brandt, born 1950, and husband of 12 years, Jim, were expecting their second child on October 1. We wanted to increase the size of our family because we don't feel being raised as an only child is good for a child. explained Mrs. Brandt. Math teacher Sonya Kennedy, born 1960, and her husband of four years, Mark, decided to start their family. Expecting their first child September 25, the Kennedys did not make any name choices or sex preferences, As long as it’s healthy, we'll be happy. I've been married long enough to have time alone with my husband, the biological time clock is winding down and I love children.” said North World History teacher rld History Teacher Linda rookin helps Leslie ckler with a homework ignment. The Abrookins areexpectingtheirfirstchild, and although both parents are hoping for a boy named David Michael, they would be just as happy with a girl named Heather Nicole. Photo by V. Pai Linda Abrookin, born 1958, in reference to her first baby which was due July 21. Steve would like a little boy - he has visions of little league and going to the Rockets, while I always wanted to have a big brother, so a boy would be nice for a first child. North Business teacher Kay Armstrong, born 1950, and husband of ten years. Rick, were expecting their first child June 17. We didn't start trying to have a family until about five years back and then when we weren’t planning on it, it happened. laughed Mrs. Armstrong. Because of my age. we had an amniocentesis done and we know it's a boy, but we can't decide between Bryan or Scott for his name. Justin, four, is excited about the baby now but at first he was a bit leery because he was jilted out of some attention, said South German teacher Debby Neely, born 1957. Mrs. Neely and husband of six years, Charles, can not agree on names but the mother . . . got her boy the first time around, this time, either sex is fine.” I can't dance like I used to. I can’t touch my toes, but other than that I'm fine, giggled Revies Sponsor Cindy Martin, born 1952. Mrs. Martin and her husband of four years. Christopher, were expecting their first child the first week of June. I’d really like a boy, Chase Patrick, because boys are easier to raise. Girls are kind of. . . well, let’s just say boys are more even tempered. If it's a little girl, Courtney Ann, then she'll be a dancer. Chris is gaining a playmate, explained Mrs. Martin. Either way, it's going to be a musician and athlete. North Social Studies teacher Kay Stephenson and husband. J.B.. were expecting a baby June 8-10, but to their surprise, a 3 pound, 14 ounce boy. Zachary Fletcher, was born April 5. We had recently bought a house and felt it was time to start a family. explained South Health teacher and Girl's Soccer Coach Kathy LeRibeus. I carried the baby breech until the seventh month, then somewhere in the last week, he turned again. He was delivered by caesarian section. My husband, Duke, for three years, and I had wanted a boy real bad, but when they were preparing me for delivery, the nurse told me it was going to be a girl.” It was a nice surprise when Lance Andrew James was born February 18. By David Brantley, Reporter; Edited by C. Vang Maternity Leave 35

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Elsik’s First Principal Dedicated From Start For everything there is a beginning and Mrs. Ann O'Donnell was the beginning for Elsik High School.” according to Mrs. Ann Spears. Public Information Officer. Many traditions were established under the leadership of Mrs. O'Donnell, who opened the doors of Elsik as its first principal in August. 1975 after eight months of intensive preparations. Sara Chapmen, Art Coordinator, who aught at Elsik during hose first few years aid. “Once in a ifetime perhaps, we ire blessed with mowing a very special person like Ann )'Donnell.” To the people at Elsik. that erson is Ann )'Donnell. A school is judged is outstanding when ts students are active articipants. accomplishing honors, and its staff is competent and dedicated. Mrs. O'Donnell explained. She has recognized and appreciated the individual worth of every person with whom she has worked whether it be staff or student. She helped nuture what was best for Elsik. Mrs. O'Donnell stated that without a feeling of pride and self esteem, true teaching and learning can not take place. Her mind and heart has always been open to anyone's problems, no matter how great or small, and in those times of trouble and self doubt, she was there to offer guidance, sympathy, and support. Mrs. O'Donnell is supportive to administrators, teachers, and students, as well as being thorough in work, thoughtful. knowledgeable and having a high energy level.” said Sylvia Kelly. Senior High Program Director. Mrs. O'Donnell was with Elsik until 1981 when she was offered the position of Assistant Superintendent for High Schools. Since then she has moved up to Deputy Superintendent of Instruction where she sees that the teaching and learning process for all students and programs are accomplished throughout the district. She is the first woman to hold this position. Although she seems to think nothing of it. her former staff members are very pleased with the accomplishments she has reached. She began as a math teacher and became a department chairman. She was also an assistant principal for Hastings for 2 1 2 years. She thought her greatest accomplisment was the opening of Elsik as well as being a female in a male dominated world. In order to be a good administrator one must let people know you care enough to come and see what they are doing. Mrs. O'Donnell does this. She does not see herself in the role of superintendent but friends and past staff members do. Sylvia Kelly added. Mrs. O'Donnell has the capacity to accomplish anything she undertakes. She is truly amazing in her abilities. A real super woman! Elsik grew from a staff of 25 to one of over a 100. During the first year, thoughts of disbanding the school were discussed. That is until a group of students decided to attend a school board meeting and fight for their school. They believed that their school could make it. Elsik’s first students developed a pride in school and respect for school and education. I think that this pride has passed from class to class.” she said. Although she was missed, she left a part of her with Elsik that touched many. She went on to accept new challenges and grow so she could offer even more to the education of young people. During the ten years of Elsik’s existance, it has always been supported by its’ students, staff and parents. Even the years that Elsik’s wins were few. the stands were full. That says a lot about the school.” replied Mrs. O'Donnell. By Becca Ray. Reporter At Elsik’s dedication on May 2,1975. Jewell Elsik presents a picture of herself to Ann O’Donnell for the school. It currently is displayed in Mr. Porter's office. pcordlng to Mrs. O'Donnell, slk’s colors were de- rmined by a Columbia Blue fair that happened to be sitting in the room where the tie for either purple and white or green and white was to be broken. Photo by L. Cates Ann O'Donnell 37