Benicia High School - Panther Yearbook (Benicia, CA)

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1. Dr. James Down esplains the art of hypnosis 2 Rick Walker steps on top of Risa Rasmussan while under hypnosis, as Ray Lawson, Dr. Dovvns, and Curtis Foy look on. 3. Jack Valentine demonstrates the burning of oil shale. 4. Lori Henry, Todd Quinlisk, Eve Blaufarb, Doug Snovvder, Sammy Santos, and Chris Nelson are put to sleep by the hypnotist. 5. lVlrs. Adams starts off the assembly. 6. Jostin promoter displays class rings. 7. Vic Fazio visits the school, 8. Jimmy Vogepohl shows his class ring. 9. Shakespearlan actors put on a play for the school. Assemblies-65

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ASSEMBLIES The assemblies and guest speakers brought a new knowledge and unbelievable phenomenon to our school. Dr. James Down, a professional hypnotist, left the students in awe by performing incredible feats. Dr. Downs would first place audience volunteers in deep hypnosis. After this has been completed, the students are under the doctor's power. By his command, they could laugh hysterically, forget their name, and even imagine ants crawling all over their bodies. But, his most stunning trick was when a 110 pound girl held a 195 pound boy. Dr. Downs ordered the girl to become as rigid as a piece of steel and then she was placed between two chairs. The boy then was helped up on top of the girl's stomach. Even with screams of uneasiness from the audience. the trick was successfully performed in both performances, with no injuries. Jack Valentine visited lVlr. Houser's Chemistry and Physics classes to speak about energy and its uses today and in the future. He demonstrated how solar energy can beneht the home. .LA At-cnnmhlinc State Congressman Vic Fazio also visited the school this year under the request of social science department head Bob lVlaharry. lVlr. Fazio answered questions asked by students. The students learned how bills are passed by Congress, and many other facets of governmental process. The Congressman also answered questions about personal stands on abortion, etc., answering them with enthusiasm and interest of the students. One afternoon, BHS was treated in a performance by the Ashland Players from Oregon. They performed skits from different plays of modern and older times. These different skits were mostly comedies, keeping the student's spirits high. The assemblies and speakers gave the students a break from the ordinary class schedule. Even though it breaks the momentum of the class itself, it gives the students a better understanding of education through observations and questions. BE

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Y? l Academics is a big part of school life, Though it's not alone in important High School life, it is one that surfaces most frequently in your records. Benicia High's attempts at satisfying these scholastic needs offered both challenges and rewards to its students. It's curriculum included several advanced courses in Mathematics, English, and Science providing assets new and old, concepts for students on all levels, Several new challenges were offered during the 1980-81 school year such as Calculas, Basic Language CComputer Programmingl, Photography, Costume Design and Carpentry. Students were able to develop and strengthen their interests in many areas. Survival opportunities were also offered as recognition for accomplishments Students Brian Earp and Valerie Slavik were chosen by the American Legion as 6D'ACEiCiElTTlCS Girls' and Boys' State delegates to represent BHS at a week long state wide conference on Government. During this time they were given the opportunity to learn through practical experience. They were able to run for ofhces and serve for a short term as lVlayor, Senator, or other ofhces on the local, county or state level. Academic Decathalon- the first Solano County Academic Decathalon took place November 15, 1980, at Vacaville High School, sponsered by Solano Industries for Academic Excellence and the Solano County office of Education, Teams competed in ten academic catagories. Benicia Varsity team members were. Dennis Gosser and John Mabry, Scholastic Steacv Rowland and Chris Stanfill- Honor Wheeler Baker and Pam Parr. Top scorer, county wide for formal speech was John lVlabry. High Scorer overall was Wheeler Baker for the Benicia Team. lVlr. Houser challenged his science classes with interesting and challenging experiments of all sorts. While Science and Chemistry classes learned about chemicals and their properties, his Phisics class found themselves in competition, demonstrating their new knowledge of vector forces by constructing bridges out of toothpiclcs. A bit unusual, yes, but with extraordinary results! The winning model was constructed by Eric Railsbaclc with a capability of 118 pounds, 1460 times it's own weight! Running a close second, Vicki Cruz's held 120 pounds, 1132 times it's own weight.