Altavista High School - Nuntius Yearbook (Altavista, VA)

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4 Opening Stowing Books A Modern Way A real trear for students was indi- vidual lockers. Accustomed to the old fashioned, gray lockers, students found the bright yellow, modern lock- ers an appealing new dimension. The school supplied each locker with a sturdy Masrer combination lock and instructions on how to use them. As many students found our, if they didn't use the lock, some things mys- Reaching into rhe top compartment of his locl- er is Barry Jenkins. The new lockers are divided into two parts. A lever located in the botrom compartment opens the rop one. teriously disappeared from the locker. If the lock was left unfastened, if was strangely locked on backwards. Hap- pily, after several visits of the sneaky locker snoop, students dutifully used their locks. One common complaint made abour the new lockers was space. The lockers were situated so close together thar students found them- selves shoulder to shoulder and el- bow to elbow berween classes when they tried to get into their lockers. However, the shiny new lockers and the togetherness were greatly appre- ciared and enjoyed. NEW DIMENSIONS = Taking A Giant Step Forward The two biggest stories of the year were the end fo construction on the new buildings and the opening of the middle school. The seventh graders were transferred from the elementary school fo join the eighth graders in the renovated area of the old high school ro form a middle school Teachers were shifted from the elementary and high schools for the faculty. Gradually both teachers and students became used to Returning from a break are Willie Seamster, Mr. Arthur, Michelle Woodruff, Mr. Frazier, Mrs. Gold- smith, and Marilyn Gares , an atmosphere more closely resembling high school. The middle school operated on its own bell schedule which began af 8:30. It employed Mr. Charles Arthur as its assistant princi pal and Mrs: Kay Hinson as guidance counselor. Middle school stu- dents enjoyed breaks, lockers, pep ral- lies, and seven 50 minute classes as their new experiences. The middle school has added a new dimension to the orginal population of AHS.

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A Building For a Brighter Future Familiar faces of workers gradually disappeared. Afrer two years of con- struction, the new high school wing, gym, library, auditorium, music depart- ment and other improvements finally came together to form a spacious, ber- ter equipped high school and middle school. The mud, mess, buzzing, and banging endured for rwo years of ren- ovation and construction produced a school of which all students were proud. Bright colored furniture and carpeting Workmen complete insrallarion of uriliry ourler in rhe new wing mace the library, classrooms, and teach- ers’ lounges more aftractive and com- forrable. Teachers enjoyed workrooms which accomodated each department individually. Over four million dollars in materials, construction costs, and furnish- ings formed a first rate school building. After a wait of more than ten years, the community finally received an educa- tional complex with modern equipment to prepare its yourh for the decade of the 80's and beyond. Congestion Curbed By New Rear Bus Stop Along with other changes, the bus loading area was moved. Instead of boarding buses in front of the school, bus riders were directed to the back entrance of the high school wing. This re - routed bus traffic and alleviated some congestion. Students did nor mind the change. If even provided some middle schoolers with their only view of the high school during the Bus riders walls roward the back entrance of the school front rhe bus srop Contents Opening Student Life Academics People Victory Seekers Boosters Index Clubs Closing | = A 53 109 141 157 170 Opening 3

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Concentrating on some bookwork is Kim Arthur Books And Energy Promote Brains New buildings weren't the only additions made ar AHS. The curriculum changed in many ways. Courses were conducted on the semester and year - long systems in- stead of the quarter system which had been adopted several years ago. Students were required to take at leasr five subjects each day. Courses which had previously been offered only at Vo - Tech Center or been dropped from the curriculum sprang into being. Turning a face plare on a wood engine lathe, Charles Williarnson completes a industrial arts pro- ject. Practical Courses Gain Interest The Vo - Tech Center continued to provide students with practical training in such fields as auto - mechanics and child- care. This training prepared students for future study and apprenticeships. Ir also opened a way fo try a vocational job for students who were unsure of the kind of work they wished to pursue. Student interest grew for the programs offered by the Vo - Tech Center and the voca- tional courses at school. Some of the vocational courses included in the regular curriculum were typing, general busi- ness, home economics, and industrial arts. Middle school students were al- lowed to choose industrial arts as an elective for 7th period. ICT expanded the students’ knowledge of the working world by allowing them to obrain a job and get first hand experience with credit towards graduation. Area businesses and industries employed ICT students in jobs which often expanded into summer and provided income needed by stu- dents to pay for further training and schooling in their chosen field. Clubs and Sports Accent Routine Extracurricular activities formed an- other dimension of students’ lives. These activities ranged from school clubs, school sports, and special hap- penings fo church and community or- ganizations and sports. School activi- ties were sponsored by teachers and community activities by area adults. Several clubs contributed their time and money toward community pro- jects such as trash pick - ups and col lecting canned goods for needy fam- ilies. Sporting contests remained a ma- jor attraction for students and the par- ticipants appreciated the new athletic facilities. Of course other organiza- tions, outside of school, continued to involve students actively in projects such as building a float to enter in the Christmas parade. Also YMCA related sports remained popular with active programs in swimming, baskerball, soccer, baseball, and foorball. Assisting Caderre troop 330, Mrs. Sonny Rod- gers paints clown face of Cindy Obuchowski prior To troops entertaining at Christmas pa- rade. Opening 5