Big Sky High School - Sunrise Yearbook (Missoula, MT)

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210 - Administration Dennis Kraft, MCHS Superintendent. Darlene Smith, primpgl

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unity, said Jarrett. We know each other. Yet, on the other side, it's a school of in- dividuals, which is neat, too. And what about academics? academically being good students Malloy think w.e've'set good examples T RA D I T I 0 N S uden . is a year-to-year job The class of 1984 will always have a special meaning in the history of Big Sky High School. Mainly because it is the first four-year graduating class at Big Sky. That is an honor that no other class at Big Sky will ever be able to brag about. - Big Sky's 1984 Student Body President, Kevin Malloy, and vice president Glenn Jar- rett, explained the significance. To us seniorsf Malloy said, it means a lot. We can brag about it. It makes you feel good inside. It feels specialf' Malloy and Jarrett have taken pride in being part of that select group in Big Sky's history. The two had, as a major goal, the solidifying and up-grading of the unique traditions which were started at Big Sky four years ago. The process has been rocky at times. And students from other schools have been critical that the kids in the blue and gold have stressed spirit and sports over other areas. But the image of Big Sky - while it is proudly one of the outstanding sports schools in Montana - is still one of a well- rounded school which has as much to offer students in facilities and academic areas as in other areas. And Big Sky students have developed an almost fanatical pride concerning the image of the young school. There's a sense of pride, continued Malloy, that Big Sky students have now. Kids fin previous graduating classesj didn't always want to say that they were from Big Sky. Now, we are proud to be Big Sky students. t'You can bet I'm proud to be an Eagle, said Jarrett. I went all through grade school to be a Spartan, but after coming here, I wouldn't trade for anything. Malloy explained that reasons that some students who graduated during the infant years of the school had mixed loyalties, was that they still had loyalties to the schools that they had previously attended before Big Sky was built. All the more reason, as a result, that the traditions which were just being formed in the past at Big Sky, became cast in solid stone during last year and this year. The two student leaders added that there have been traditions, that were obviously absent in the first year, that have been established over the four years. Several of those, they said, include the new homecoming, open house, air guitar, the Mardi Gras Dance, the junior prom, and the Eagle mascot. Jarrett added, This school and this class started a tradition of a lot of support. Extra-curricularly and academically, it's achieved a lot of class. The school has been given a solid tradition. It's just a tradition that we go to Big Sky, and most everyone feels good about itf' Malloy said. An obvious strong point which Malloy and Jarrett listed is the excellence that Big Sky sports teams have displayed over the first four years. They have been particular- ly tradition-setting. If points were dished-out for all sports to determind an all-sports champion in Mon- tana, Big Sky would certainly be among the top two in the state for 1984. Nobody really expected us to do well fin sportsjfi said Malloy. But, I think we've been a pretty dominant force. They fthe other Missoula schoolsj don't respect us as much as they should. But that will come in timef, Will those traditions continue? Malloy and Jarrett are certain they will. Being part of the first four-year graduating class, they stressed that it has been important for 1984 seniors to set good examples for the underclassmen at Big Sky. I think the senior class has been good in the way that we've set good examples. It's a big role of seniors to be good examples because freshmen tend to idolize some seniors, . said Malloy ' The class and the school have a lot of said. 'lAnybody that says Big Sky is just a jock school IS wrong I think that if they looked at the grade point averages of Big Sky ,wx- Kevin Malloy and Glenn Jarrett While Big Sky has not made as solid an impression on other schools academically as it has in spirit, unity and sports, Malloy said that the students here are very serious about school. The establishment of academic traditions takes longer and, in time, it will also be evident. The first signs of academic progress are showing up on the wall of the academic hall of fame near the front office. The list of past honors graduates and present honors students is impressive. Malloy said, however, that Big Sky students need not apologize for being a rowdy school. Big Sky should have a reputation as, a fun-spirited school. I think our first four years have been fairly succussful, said Malloy. It is a certainty, they say, that the huge majority of 1984 students would prefer to attend here than at any other school. Malloy and Jarrett added that all seniors should feel proud to say that they graduated with the class of '84. Marty Pierce Sun Journal Editor Seniors - 209 if

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Terri Wing, assistant principal, Lander Fred, assistant principal. Administration - 211