Burns High School - Blazes Yearbook (Lawndale, NC)

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portraits made. There was a conflict over whether seniors should wear drapes and tux or street clothes. The seniors voted and the results can be found on pages 122-141. October proved to be an exciting and busy month. The Cleveland County Fair came and took with it, as it left, most of the money that had been in the student’s piggy banks. Archrival Crest Chargers came to “‘bulldog country”’ October 12 and left defeated, as the bulldogs downed them. Senior Teresa Hallman proved to be the “leading lady’’ at Burns when out of 25 girls, she was named 1979-80 Homecoming Queen on October 19. Later that night students danced to the music of Rick Reynolds’ Disco. The light show was one of the best that Burns has had. As October came to an end, so did junior varsity football. The team went undefeated for the second year in a row. Also for the second time around, Richmond County took home the Burns Cup. The bulldog statue which had no face for about two months was finally repaired and painted. Going to the same classes every day, five days a week can get pretty boring. The monotony must have been too much for some students October 24. Two fire alarms were pulled (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) and at lunch the rat-a-tat-tat of fire crackers could be heard. The District Beta Club meeting was held at Burns for the first time on November 14. The very next day junior and senior girls ‘“went at it’’ in the annual Powder Puff game. Before students were dismissed for the holidays the Drama Club presented a play “Her Christmas Wish” to the student body. Everyone loved the puppy best of all. Students rushed to decorate their doors in first period for a contest sponsored by the Student Council. Mr. Harris’ class won first place; Mrs. Scism’s, second place; and Mrs. Eaker’s class won third place. On January 30, everyone jumped up to see the great big snowflakes falling from the sky. However they didn’t last long and students didn’t get to go home. In February volleyball intramurals were held and like last year, Mrs. Bogg’s and Mrs. Dixon’s homerooms were at it again. The defending homeroom was defeated by Mrs. Boggs’ homeroom. For Valentine’s Day, the yearbook staff gave students a chance to give a valentine with their picture on it to the person they liked. The Student Council also sold flowers which were delivered by Student Council members. Sandra Hayes was named the first Valentine’s Sweetheart of Burns High. Students hit a lucky streak when they got out of school a day for snow and that Saturday when they were supposed to make it up — it snowed again. What a break! Students were warned about using profanity at the ballgames by the famous saying “’3 days at the house” during basketball season. Juniors and seniors danced the nights away during their proms held on April 12 and 26. The theme of the junior prom was “‘Ain‘t No Stopping Us Now”, and was followed two weeks later by the senior prom, the theme being ‘’A Search For Our Tomorrow’ The day finally arrived for seniors. Graduation was held on May 30 when they walked through the doors of Burns High School for the final time as students of Burns Senior High. All great movies have very memorable endings which will stay in the viewer’s mind. The 1979-80 school year will end differently for various students. Whether it is happy, sad or just so-so, it will hold memories that will be cherished forever. During the school year the decade called ‘the seventies’’ came to an end. It was a period of finding one’s self, improving physical fitness and losing faith in the leaders of America. The seventies brought about an in-depth research in a search for a cure for cancer. Tragedy marred Cleveland County as a city block blew up and four firemen were killed. Burns again as in years past found itself plagued by the apathy of some of its students. Instead of trying to make the situation better, students continued not to care. With an old decade behind us and a new one in front of us, we should meet it head on and be the “‘stars’’ of the eighties. As young people we have the technology and potential to make the idea of a better tomorrow a reality. All we have to do is use it. ‘ Opening 5

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Through words and pictures a motion picture enables the viewer to become a part of what he sees and feels. The Blazes’ 80 staff hopes that we made the 1979-80 school year “real” for you and have brought you the feeling of ‘being there”, both now and in the years to come. A combination of good and bad times make this year special for each individual. Whether you remember walking around with your friends, that special person, cutting class, gossiping, pitching pennies, going outside for the firedrills and to the smoking area, report cards and tests, or just being there; may memories of this year hold a unique place in your heart. The 1979-80 school year began with a note of uncertainty. A week before school started, Burns was without an athletic director and head football coach. New county superintendent Dr. Jerry Blake solved that problem by 4 Opening hiring Coach Eddie Greene for the vacancies. But if that wasn’t enough, students then had to wonder who would be their principal. Mr. Lancaster? Mr. Ronnie Wilson? Who? The answer was learned when Mr. Lancaster announced that he would not accept the “fellowship” offered to him by Dr. Blake and the County School Board. Wondering what hurricane David would do next and being dismissed early the first full day of school led students to believe that they were in for a very “‘interesting’’ year. The first sign of the annual epidemic called senioritis showed up September 4, 1979 when Mr. Roper arrived with the senior keys. There seemed to be no cure for this disease as it affected more and more seniors as the year progressed. A new coaching staff and a September 7 win over Kings Mountain (16-6) put Burns football in gear. Hopes that Burns would have a winning season and maybe even win the Conference title accompanied Burns fans out into the pouring rain only to see their dreams stomped on by the Shelby High Lions. Students assembled in the gym in September to see a presentation by the Modern Dance Company which was very. . .uh. . . unique. Earlier that morning the yearbook staff had also given a presentation. As many students and teachers that possibly could, crammed into the little auditorium to see the ‘’Yearbook Preview” which consisted of popular songs and slides. Homeroom teachers constantly reminded students to bring in their shot records so that they wouldn't be suspended. A few students did get suspended while a lot of students complained of sore arms and behinds because they had to retake shots. For the first time seniors had senior

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Burns Lady Bulldog Denise Thurman lays Varsity football players celebrate the basketball up for two as two Kings after a score against arch-rival Crest Mountain Mountaineers look on. Chargers. el een Mountain, the varsity cheerleaders threw =e 1 el 225— red, white, and blue basketballs to the coennasial aan fans. During halftime of the Burns vs. Kings 6 Action!