Arlington High School - Indian Yearbook (Arlington, MA)

Page 6 text:

when we were trying to decide to whom to dedicate this yearbook, there were many ideas and suggestions, but when it came down to the final decision, we could not think of anyone or anything more important to us than you, the class of 1981. Best wishes in the future; aim high and achieve, but also live and love. The Yearbook staff AL«3 7 1986 I remember the fall of 1 977, when I was assigned two Spanish classes made up exclusively of members of the class of 1 981 . I recall commenting at the time that this was going to be a very special class. I was wrong. The class of 1981 is not a special class ... it is an extraordinary class and you, the members of the class of ' 81 are a unique group of young people. You passed your freshman year getting to know each other. As sophomores you began to show the special quality of the class of ' 81 : your eagerness to laugh, your ability to like each other and to be happy with each other. By your junior year you were called upon to live your final two years at Arlington High School in an atmosphere difficult to describe — with the dust, the mess, the noise and escuse me, it seems that my locker as well as my entire homeroom has disappeared. We could all write a book on a high schoo l being built around us, couldn ' t wef Remember the plywood staircase and luncheon in the PIT? But not once in the past two years of hard times and tightening of rules do I ever remember a grumble. You replaced complaining with humor, inconvenience with flexibility, and discouragement with a demonstration of cooperation never before seen in our school. And all the while accomplishing all that you did academically, in art, drama, athletics, in all your endeavors. All to often the only publicity that the community hears about its high school students is negative. This makes me angry because in being with you for four years I have seen such goodness in you that I am frustrated in my inability to communicate this to others. However, as you leave us, and hopefully take a part of us with you, please know that in your years with us you have showered us with sunshine. I will miss this specialness — you the class of ' 81 . In dedicating your yearbook to you, I want to thank you for giving me the chance to know you and to share a bit of yourselves with me and I with you. But most of all, thanks for the chance to love you all. Happiness always! Nanci Ortwein EXECI MONUMENTUM AERE PERENNIUS I HAVE BUILT A MONUMENT MORE LASTING THAN BRONZE The Roman poet, Horace, wrote these words about his ability and the immortality of his writings. The Class of ' 81 has a special talent which will also be remembered. It reads; EXIGISTIS MONUMENTUM LAPIDE PERENNIUS YOU HAVE BUILT A MONUMENT MORE LASTING THAN STONE Throughout the chaos and dust and noise and confusion in stone of renovations, you have grown and advanced and studied and helped each other and us, the teachers, your sharers in learning and living here at AHS. We have been through much together. Take with you the lesson we have learned together; that with work and good will and patience and understanding and humor, good can be achieved in difficult times. You have given yourselves, and gifted us with a monument — the memory of the Class of ' 81 — more lasting, more enriching, far more important than the stones of a building. Thanks and farewell, Ralph McElearny 2

Page 5 text:

THE 1981 INDIAN DEDICATED TO THE CLASS OF 1981

Page 7 text:

Dear Class of ' 81 Your four years were different indeed just think — they planted the seed — FOR Housemasters — who are now housedeans — meandering about like fiends — squelching any bad scenes — really trying to understand teens. FOR The G-Gym — always filled to the brim — built on whomever ' s whim — like a cement bird on a fragile limb — humming a loud and desperate hymn. FOR The new principal — who arrived at a time of great need — to guide us to lead — with this he surely did proceed — by giving us many new ideas to read — about what is a good or bad deed — hoping we ' d adopt them as our creed — thus, the start of a new REIS breed! FOR The Construction — yes, they chose your years TO RENOVATE. I bet you asked yourselves, why didn ' t they wait? OR why didn ' t they start at an earlier date? BUT Look how much more you learned through it all — As the jackhammers and drills, penetrated each wall — allowing the plaster and debris, to fall — making a restricted area out of what was once your hallowed hall — But you never lost your gall — you simply stood tall — and took it all. FOR The Teachers — who are now under the gun, going beserk — with no place to work — feeling the unemployment squeeze — since IVi is not just a tease — BUT we hope you all know — that although our spirits may seem low — we do hate to see such a fine crew go. Yes, your four years have been quite unique — so many changes did transpire — Accounting for tempers which did at times peak — but when it came down to the wire — you never did tire — So, dear class of ' 81 If you ' re looking for complaints, there are none. Love and Best Wishes, Maryann Orlando Every graduating class seems to have characteristics which distinguish it from others in the minds of teachers. In retrospect, a teacher may remember a class by its exuberance or passiveness. While one class may be remembered by its athletic prowess, another is remembered by its skill on the stage or concert hall. As I look back on my relationship with the Class of ' 81 , a relationship which goes back to their junior high school days, I feel that this class has truly been fortunate. I find in this class the best of scholars, actors, musicians, athletes and yes, even clowns. In terms of my own teaching experience, I consider myself fortunate to have been associated with so many intelligent, creative and thoughtful young people. In wishing this class the very best, I can only hope that it will continue to show its individuality far beyond the walls of AHS. Pasquale Tassone 3