Augusta Military Academy - Recall Yearbook (Fort Defiance, VA)

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Centrifuges, balances, analytical scales, automatic film strip projectors and all new equipment, but the work in chemistry remained unchanged in ways: it’s still the sci- entific method but with more challenge offered the student. Randy Hoilman, Bob DeRemer, Joe Ravenel, Larry Demar- est, Mark Maines, John Staley, Bob Myers, George Leonards, Dave York, and Dribbles Baker found that an “A” wasn’t as elusive as they had felt that CHEM Study would make it. Ted Schroeder checks the electrically illuminated micro- scopes which the biology classes proudly added to basic equip- ment. With a blue and green section in biology, colors meant a lot everywhere!

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ce Ke WG Ase ty ko WY? LATIN WILL NEVER DIE! Capt. LaPlaca is never more thrilled than when the word “Latin’’ is mentioned! Don Barrante helps complete an intricate replica of a wealthy Roman’s home c.40 B.C. Latest science and language equipment intrigues cadets. Not only was the equipment new at Augusta in ’63- 64, but the courses were also new. Introduced in biology were two versions of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study. Those cadets who were taking the Blue version discovered the molecular approach to biology and those in the Green version were in- volved in the ecological approach. Chemistry students discovered the candle! That could mean only one thing—the Chemical Education Materials Study had been introduced at Augusta. PSSC Physics, general science, and ea rth science gave AMA’s science department a completely updated ap- pearance; it’s WOW in every way. Mathematics courses, updated in 1963, continued on with the SMSG program, and in English a world literature course was added to strengthen the cur- riculum. More will come in ’65. In the process of change was the Social Studies Department, which marked time with the introduc- tion of World History as the sole new course, but with indications portending a new direction for the fall of °64. The finest change was the extension of class periods from 45 to 55 minutes. AMA is on the move! Expansion can’t be stopped! TESTING FOR SURE ... Col. Gardner, superintendent of AMA, keeps a constant check on students and equipment. Proud of the $10,000 language laboratory, Col. Gardner found every cadet in languages anxious to use the lab full time.

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Pin-Up Queen weekend highlights social life at AMA. HAPPY TALK. Blue paper, “Moon River,’ and DATES combine to make the Pin-Up Weekend the year’s top social event. Queen Betsy Covington of Florida reigned with dignity and beauty over a fun-filled event. Swarms of young ladies staged a peaceful invasion of Fort Defiance in late September and early October as Stuart Hall and then Fairfax Hall sent over 70 girls to attend a football game and a coke party, with the torrid music of the “Music Men” thrown in for good measure. It was a fabulous start of so- cial events, followed closely by the Of- ficers’ Dance in early November. And there was the “Hoot”’—Thanksgiving Weekend’s stand-out combination of a Hootenanny and informal, with the Coke-commercial stars, ““The Villagers” and the Embers furnishing just the frantic touch needed. Staggered weekend informals for com- pany dances kept the social spirit alive during the winter and a completely in- formal Barn Dance came at just the right moment. Reciprocity is fine—when girls from the Halls come to AMA and then the cadets return the compliment ... and then came Pin-Up Weekend—dance, a beautiful Queen and attendants, a pa- rade and a supper party. It’s the peak moment for everyone at Augusta. JOHNNY-ON-THE-SPOT. John Grow and Beth Lane wait anxious- ly for Pin-Up Parade to begin. It was a memorable occasion.