Archbishop Mitty High School - Excalibur Yearbook (San Jose, CA)

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r' ' w e Calculus Advanced Placement students lean against any available furniture in Iudy James' house during their exam review session. Marty Procaccio's students blink sleepy eyes at midnight over United States A.P. texts speckled with pizza crumbs. Mittyis staff and students are constantly climbing the academic ladder. The school aims at development and improvement in areas that need it, and emphasis on satisfactory programs. Heeding the WASC Accrediting Com- mission's suggestions, five Apple Comput- ers were purchased through grants from the Stella Kester Trust Fund, Peggy Ervin was appointed the Business De- partment head, and regular department meetings were scheduled for minimum days. Teachers and students respond readily to change and growth. t takes a lot While freshman and sophomore English concentrate on structure, the electives focus on style, content, and analysis, according to Sandra Mack. Mitty offers Spanish and French because ofthe great- er demand for these foreign languages. Brother Tom Spring's Algebra II! Trigonometry class, especially, encour- ages the practical use of math, the book often applies its axioms to the real world. Advanced Placement in science is not offered because the teachers find the program too test-oriented. Fresh- men global studies provides a wide back- ground for future courses spotlighting the United States and other subjects. Anne Egan, Social Studies Department Head, frankly states that the budget does not allow for a definite sophomore pro- gram, but again, these students can take courses intended for higher grade levels. to make the grad Mitty is among the top 25'Zn of high schools in the Santa Clara County. SAT scores are at the national norms in verbal areas, and above-average in math. Near- ly 9591 of all Mitty students attend a com- munity college or four-year university. Many surpass the graduation require- ments for their class. One-half of most seniors have attained the necessary num- ber of credits by their first semester. About forty percent of every class make the honor roll and the principalis every year, and the numbers are growing. Mitty is a dynamic community, asserts Vice Principal jack Ramage. High schools must reflect colleges and career demands in today's society, and Mitty has presented a clear image. Academic classes, especially writing and math in the valley, are squeezing out once- favorite subjects such as social science or the arts. It's a sign of the times, Ram- age says. We must stand up above the pack. Course-selection see-saws be- tween the basics and personal freedom, and Mitty's big umenun gives students the choice. The growth of the Business Department illustrates the response to change, as the need for word-processing and other skills runs the gamut from sec- retaries to executives. Five new teachers were hired this year. About 3596 of the sixty teachers have an M.A. degree, and one, Phil Miller, has a degree in pharma- cology. Mitty's growing population is characterized by a successively bigger freshman class, but admissions will level off in a few years. Teachers and their methods are essen- tial ingredients in the academic formula. Brother joe Hartzler works with other religion teachers. He believes their indi- vidual personalities contribute to the faith-sharing in and outside of class. But how does the student feel about all this? The pressure from parents, society, and the job market is forcing them to adapt also. Incoming freshmen must accept the increased requirements as an indication of college trends. Ironically, these newcomers are already concerned about careers and the competition. Stu- dents may not love to learn, says Ioe Pirzynski, head of the Counseling and Guidance Department, but they know that courses are related to their future. Students are willing to sacrifice breaks for brains. 80'Za of the rooms are used during 5th period lunch. Many sopho- mores such as Molly Parks had classes 1st through 8th period last year. A large majority considered Mitty a positive in- fluence, and over 9072: were destined for college. Math, English, and science, re- spectively, won by landslides as favorite subjects. Mitty students are not only flexible but enthusiastic. Sean DeMonner is a junior with a lot of honors-course experience. The Mitty environment is an excellent place to grow because it successfully combines a challenging academic curric- ulum with numerous social activities, he says. Despite her heavy workload, junior Marilyn Reiss participates in the Academic Decathlon's different learn- ing approachf' Cindy Novak, a fresh- man, follows the footsteps of her two old- er sisters. She likes the staff, the open- campus policy, the responsibility, and the grading system. Schools and students never know how they will be tested, they can only prepare for these challenges. Mitty may not be a straight-A school yet, but, Ramage affirms, we are past our infancyf, by Li Miao

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i. A P I I ' x P s I h I p f 1 . ,j. It A 1 ' K . ' il I I MEH1-watering, tongue-ting, and sense-stimulating delicacies: Mitty has a small Oriental population, but big Chinese food . appeal ftopl. Russ Ford and Ron Mifsud demonstrate the contemporary look P3-INS. httle hile the penetrating tones of Every Breath You Taken stream through the window of the Little Red Corvette, the teens in- side, dressed in Flashdance sweatshirts and O. P. shorts, screech to a stop in front of a bold billboard proclaiming HRISKY BUSINESS NOW PLAYING. Mitty kids follow the fad but focus on their favorites. A questionnaire sent out to two hun- dred students in several English classes last September identified lifestyles out- side Mitty walls and preferences in var- ious teen interests. Musical tastes fluctuate as much as the notes in a song. Yet the tide is overwhelm- ingly turned to rock 'n roll. New-wave sweeps over the school as second choice, and soul is a hearty third. Punk and heavy metal have their daring defenders, but some conservatives adhere to jazz, blues, country, and folk. Nevertheless, tergeistf, and Tootsie,' received warm approval. With season premieres out every fall, TV networks are also battling for audi- ences. Mitty preferences again reflect popular and personal tastes. Mr. T's heroism in The A-Teamn wins the most votes. Yet some students prefer shows that spoof everyday life. Comedies such as Facts of Life,', Square Pegs,', and Three's Companyv lighten up student life. Some new sitcoms seem udesperatel' to Maryanne Sinay, ajunior. But some are pretty good, like 'Cheersfn On the dramatic side, there is Dynasty,,' Fame,', and Hill Street Blues. U Nostal- gics reminisce by watching Twilight Zone and Leave It To Beaver. U Soap opera addicts weep over General Hos- pitaln during summer and on classroom TVs during school. What do most bookworms burrow their noses into? Romance novels. ultis he cream of fads general tastes reflect the mood ofthe era. The 80,5 is a decade of awareness about war and weapons, demonstrated by songs such as Prince's l999. The mouths behind the music receive alldears attention as well. The Police dis- turbed law and order during their jam- packed, speedy sell-out concerts last summer. Other favorite faces include Def Leppard, Men at Work, Led Zeppe- lin, and Duran Duran. The all-time veterans, the Beatles, are not forgotten. A constant shift in the charts shows the whims of human nature. Albums and songs at the top of the ladder must sur- vive the constant shakedown from com- petitors. Def Leppardis Pyromania,', which means a compulsion to set things on fire, receives the most Mitty ap- plause. Synchronicity, by the Police, defines the mysterious but appealing in- tellect of Sting, the lead singer. Michael jacksonls Thriller', is the record- breaking, five-hit champion. While most songs are popular only a short time, a few remain number one for weeks on end. National statistics last year spotlighted Michael jackson's Billie Ieanv and Beat Itf, Flashdance, by Irene Cara, and the Policefs Every Breath You Takef' Videos do a lot of promotion. Movies have grown since the silent motion picture days of the early 1900s. Yet the same themes appear and reap- pear. Mitty students especially enjoy sci- ence-fiction, comedy, and horror films. Countless curtains opened to Return of the jedi, the multi-billion dollar conclu- sion to the Star Wars trilogy. Risky Businessu was another summer teenage attraction. Flashdancev triggered a new physical-fitness look. Pol- and fashion the teenage phasef suggests sophomore Ker-ei Shyh. But readers also enjoy clas- sics, mystery, horror, and adventure sto- ries. Louis L,Amour, Stephen King, and Edgar Allan Poe are some authors sin- gled out for their style. Mitty students like what's comfort- able. Casual and preppie outfits are the favorite fashions. Some like the expen- sive, designer look, notably Calvin Klein. Others prefer the punk, new- wave, and F lashdance cuts and colors. Then there are students satisfied with their polo shirts, Levi's 501's, and ESPRIT sportswear. For most, being fashionable means choosing appropriate styles that enhance their features. America is indeed a melting pot. For- eign foods are rated above the nation's fast foods and momls apple pie. Chinese, Mexican, and Italian food are the recur- rent responses. Palatal desires include gourmet, pizza, and junk food. Sinay loves Greek and Roman food, anything really spicy. With so many students living far away, Mitty treats the car as a status symbol and a necessity. The predominant dream cars are the Mercedes-Benz and the Cor- vette. Small compacts such as the Volk- swagen Bug and the Rabbit are admired. Porsches and Ferraris are also popular. Datsun 4x4,s provide heavy-duty action. Still others prefer the elegance ofa Lam- bourghini, or even a Rolls Royce. Styles sway to the beat of a different mood constantly. Mitty teens know whatis hot and what's not for them. Mar- tin voices the individuality. I donit com- promise my good judgment only to be in style. by Li Miao

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