Alton High School - Tatler Yearbook (Alton, IL)

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As the TATLER advisor for the past three years I have had the unique position of ob- serving this school in almost every aspect and then interpreting what I see into a long- lasting recorded history. This has been quite an experience and responsiblitiy, especially this years because of the 75th anniversary of the Tatler. I am thankful for the experience and hope that I have done justice to the Tatler in its long tradition at Alton High. I also hope that whoever follows me as advisor will find the position to be as interesting and rewarding as I have found it. I want to thank all of those who hhave helped with the Tatler the past three years. Especially Jan Teasley who has spent many hours working with the Tatler staff. ALTON REDBIRD BOOSTER CLUB The Alton Redbird Booster Club is an orga- nization designed to help Alton High athletic groups. The Club lists about 175 members with about 25 active members who attend the monthly Tuesday night meetings in the high school cafeteria. Through membership fees, donations, sports programs, and fish fryes, the Boosters raise money for equipment and other necessi- ties that the Alton teams need. The Boosters Clubs major contribution has been the renovation of the West Junior Stadi- um in the Summer of 1979. Several other groups, including the Alton Police Benevo- lence Association, Marquette Boosters Club, Alton Foundation, Alton Band and Orchestra Builders and many individuals, provided the money and manpower to completely re-build and re-sod the playing field and to cover the home-side stadium seats with a fiberglass cov- ering. The next major project will be to com- plete seating on the other side of the stadium before the next football season. ALTON HIGH THANKS YOU As inflation and budget cuts in the school district have created financial difficulties for several Alton High organizations, various out- side booster groups have heeded the call for help in bolstering a sagging economic situa- tion in these organizations. In appreciation of these groups and all of you that have support- ed these groups, this page has been dedicated to you. OPTIMIST CLUB OF ALTON AREA INC. With Friend of Youth” as their motto, the Optimist Club of Alton Area, Incorporated have certainly expressed this feeling to Alton Senior High. Giving their time, money, and effort the Optimists have provided a variety of benefits such as scholarships, sports equip- ment and the loan of their trailer which is used to raise money from fish frys. Alton High Junior Barb Griffin was the recipient of the Youth Appreciation Award which is given each year by the Club. Yet to be given is the Lewis and Clark Scholarship which an Alton High Student will receive. Various Alton High teams have benefited from the Optimists by sports equipment and support. For example money was provided for bases, a batting ma- chine and net, and a shelter house on the baseball field. The Optimists have also helped the soccer teams. THE SHOW MOST GO ONI ALTON BAND AND ORCHESTRA BUILDERS This organization was developed to pro- mote instrumental music in the Alton School District. Each year A.B.O.B. sponsors fund raising activities to buy instruments, music and other musical equipment. In addition, a summer trip is offered to music students as an incentive to continue to play their instru- ments and be involved in school bands and orchestras during the summer months. All in all, the importance and value of music in the public schools is the focal point of the Alton Band and Orchestra Builders. Parents and f riends of the students interest- ed in theater organized under the battle cry, “The Show Must Go On! Together they raised the necessary funds to reinstate the two plays that had been cut from the theater program. The first step was to form an activating committee, made up of Mr. and Mrs. Don Bryant, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Gelzinnis, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Saksa, Mrs. Charles Sheppard, Dr. Richard Yoder, and Mr. Edmond Young. Friends and parents were set up as team captains, and the work began. Money came in from students, parents, friends, theater pa- trons and local businesses. Indeed, the show will go on! 11

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PROTEST! At the School Board meeting on March 20, drastic cuts were made in the proposed bud- get for the 1979-80 school year. Most of the cuts involved extracurricular activities and teachers. The following day many students skipped classes to demonstrate their concern. Slogans and signs carried by hundreds of stu- dents were a part of a student protest on College Ave. It may not have gotten all the programs back, but with the coverage pro- vided by many newspapers and the Channel 4 and 5 mini-cam-crews, it showed the public that students do still care. ABOVE: Students yell for attention. ABOVE RIGHT: Channel 4 ' s Betsy Bruce interviews Mike Wood. RIGHT: Students spread the protest by using cars. 10

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Twas the day before Christmas vacation . . .