Billings West High School - Westward Yearbook (Billings, MT)

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Bullet, ikes: Just a parsing fad ? Or here to stay? by Adam English Bullet bikes — the new thing, you’ve probably noticed these speed machines zipping past you on the highway, or maybe just cruising on 24th street.. They’re here, but for how long? A “New Generation” of bikes has arrived, and their numbers are growing rapidly. Mike Widmer, senior, says that he thinks that they will be around for a while because “they’re inexpensive to run”, and “rthey’re funl’However, Erik Toombs, junior, disagrees. “Just like any other fad or fashion, Toombs said,”people will get tired of them. They’ll just be another bike.” Be that as it may, many people were looking to buy one. But even people who already own them say there is a question of safety. Some people say that the bikes are dangerous; others say that the riders are at fault, not the bikes. The average speed of these monsters exceeds 125 mph. Which brings up another subject — helmets. In the state of Montana alone, there were 436 motorcycle accidents during the past year. Almost 68% of those accidents which involved the 15-17 age group were fatal, due to the lack of a helmet. That would be like the entire senior class dying in one year, because of motorcycle accidents. If those figures aren’t convincing enough, Jeff Fairlee, sophomore, offers another argument: “If I did’nt wear my helmet. I’d get a ticket.” Personalized plates: Are they worth it? by Suzi Cole The number of personalized license plates has increased drastically over the last few years. This is especially noticeable in the West High parking lot. What has caused this sudden craze? One sophomore says, “It’s a fun way to let your personality show.” Due to the large number that have been used, people have been forced to think more originally. In order to get what you want, you may have to use an alternate spelling.of your choice. Julie Hunt, senior, says, “I had to spell “RYTE ON” with a “y” instead of an “i.” Junior Deena Clark took two different spellings of the same word for two different vehicles. On one car she has “SCREMER” and on another she has “SCREAMR” The most common choices for plates are phrases reflecting the car itself or the driver’s name or nickname. Senior Eric Jones, for example, has “BIG BUG” on his license plate because “it’s a monstrous German import,” while junior Kirsten Pike has her nickname.”KEEK” on hers. Finally, some people choose to be as original as possible and put on “a spontaneous saying,” like senior Dan Houser’s “DO BES B.” z OPENING

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 X LOT to put in the lot by Becky Zanto Come on— come on! I don't have all day!! There' 5 no way I'm going to make it out of this stupid parking lot in time to go home before work! Beep! Beep! Come onr This might pass for a cleaned up version of the mutterings of any student leaving West’s park- ing lot after school. A poll taken by 100 students showed that 78 of them drove. Now if 78 out of 100 kids drive imagine how many drive out of 1,840 students! There are 425 parking spaces and between 700 and 850 parking decals sold a year not to mention all those who park without decals. Stacy Lan- ning, sophomore, admitted to parking without a decal along with about 71 of the other polled students. There are a variety of differ- ent cars driven to school. From the family cars to the 1988 Toyota 4X4’s with personalized license plates that say “MINE.” We also have plenty of the “pieces” as well as everybody’s favorite 68 Mus- tangs and another favorite ‘The Cream Puff Corvette.” How many of these cars get hit would be the next question asked. Well 37 of the students polled have been hit. Jodi Ehret and friend Stormy Weppler.seniors, had come up with quite the plan to the 3:10 traffic jam. Ehret said “I drive like a bat out of you know where try ing to get out of the stupid lot and if that doesn’t work --1 let Stormy drive!” Weppler, who was a new student this year from Ryegate.Montana said “This is totally different from Ryegate’s parking lot! It didn’t take me anytime at all to get from one end of the parking lot to the other- but here it seems to take forever! When Jodi puts me at the wheel, I drive like a ‘small town maniac!’ If I can’t get out I put her at the wheel or think about walking to school!” “Come on — come on! I don’t have all day!! There’s no way I’m going to make it out of this stupid parking lot in time to go home before work!” Beep! Beep! ( Come on!” BITE THE BULLET - This Honda Interceptor takes a break from its daily use and abuse of rid- ing wheelies and racing cars. FUN IN THE SUN - Senior Mike Widmer’s Revin' 67 basks in the sun as it awaits its weekly bath.

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 pxU' fa u}, fadf fatty, yatay Have a coke and a by Debbi Gorrell ... abcaulifulschool?The new addition to the campus of the school this year was paid for by the profits made from the Coke machine and $600 the Class of ’88 donated. Principal Ronald Nistlcr said, “The appearance of the campus says a lot about what is inside.” That’s why he was so en- thused with the efforts of stu- dent council and Key Club to improve the look of the school. Key Club put the project togc: -. They laid the grass ar :C trees and flow- thc. 1 ■ STK” jg poles. Nistler '■! thanks to the ho kept the lawn owed and for all ne they put into GULP - Brad Fox, sophomore, enjoys his lunch at Wendys during second lunch. THESE NEW FLAG! are part of this year' beautification project. 16 OPENING