Caddo Magnet High School - Odyssey Yearbook (Shreveport, LA)

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‘What an AWESOME idea. Evan! shrieks emcee Kristy McGee as she and fellow host of Senior Show case Evan Chuck brainstorm over the script. AI though confronted with last-minute challenges and changes. both seniors survived — with the help of cokes, smiles, a superb cast and Miss Purinton. “Hang in there! yells Showcase Director Amanda Mayo. But is she speaking about the backdrop or the crew? Magnet s Showcase always has a special spar- kle because it reflects the teamwork and behind the- scenes action of the senior class. Magnet springs into Classy Aetion!! With a script of tongue-in-cheek quips about life at Magnet, spirited workers, classic perfor- mances of raw talent, and side-splitting comedy acts, the showcase of senior accomplishments — dubbed In Pursuit of Trivia and Talent — was a delight to the spectators, little did they know of the backstage traumas that befell the cast. As Wendy Moore said afterwards, ‘ That was a bummer. Melissa Mitchell had an acci¬ dent of some sort and couldnt participate in Faculty Follies.” Melissas mishap and an over ly exuberant Friday night audience were just two of the unexpected problems. As with ali other class productions, Senior Showcase had its share of troubles, but the audience never knew, and the showcase exeeutives remained their own worst critics. Stage manager Karen Eason said, “I didn t anticipate having to get things on and off stage so quickly. My greatest fear was that the curtains would open and we would stili be on stage putting props out.” “The seniors who cared enough about the show didn t come see it — they were in it,” revealed director Amanda Mayo. So, not all unexpected aspects of a class production were disappointing. “The show was extremely classy and posi¬ tive,” sponsor Marjean Purinton said of In Pur¬ suit of Trivia and Talent. “The people who worked on it maintained that image and project ed talent.” “I thought Showcase was a great success simply because the members of our class got together and gave a professional show. There were a few people who really gave their all and somehow that made the whole thing special,” added Gene Hodgson. Dedication from those committed few often made shows spectacular successes. Showcase veterans even comment ed on the improvement of the show. “It s hard for me to be objective,” confessed Ms. Purinton, ‘ but this was probably the best show we ve had.” Improving shows, opportunities to display talents, and the chance to have some good, old- fashioned fun were the reasons many of the students in the senior class participated in Showcase. For those behind the scenes, the motivation was a lot stronger and a common desire for involvement held them together through the bad times. ‘Tve always wanted to get involved and this was a great way,” explained Amanda. “It was that desire and my commitment that kept me going.” “That, and all the help I received from Wally Elberson and Patrick Hearron,” laughed tech director Gene Moseley. “I couldn t have done it without them.” “From seeing Showcase last year, I saw what a great opportunity it was for us to work on something together,” commented Gene Hodg son. “It gave us a wonderful opportunity to express ourselves.” Perhaps the final word on why a major pro¬ duction like Senior Showcase was undertaken should come from Ms. Purinton. In Pursuit of Trivia and Talent marked this dedicated teach- er’s fourth showcase. No one knew better than she what a task a class project could be, yet she continued to work for a unique senior project. What motivated such commitment? “I honestly believe there are so many things that cannot be taught from a textbook,” she stated. “Seniors need a way to show off their talents in a noncompetitive way, to work to¬ gether, to do their own thing. I hope that, de- spite frustrations, those involved will in the long run be glad they participated. I hope they will have happy memories and will have learned something.” “In Pursuit of Trivia and Talent is a paragon of class and style, as Kym Troup and Tyson Hackenberg at test. Their dialogue, loaded with puns and double entendres, bring smiles to the audience and to the duo themselves. 140 • Personalities

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Elizabeth Wasik Bryan Wayt Shannon Webb Leslie Weir Rickey Wells Tracie Wells Angela White Denise White Elizabeth Whittington Scott Whitwell Nannette Wicker Leslie Wilemon Came Williams Gatel Williams Stephen Williams Shelley Windham Kathryn Winsman Warren Wise Robert Wolcott David Wren Freshmen • 139

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Ring. ring. telephone ring! What can be more exciting than hearing the smooth sound of your favorite voice ooze over the wires? According to Felicia Hamilton, Kristy Hays, and Tomikia Jackson, it must be order ing a senior ring from Josten s representative Donnie Johnson. (Top) Tracking down the names of each Magnet sen ior takes a lot of legwork, but Janet Janssen and Wendy Moore ne ver feel de-feeted by their job for Showcase. Byronica Stecklein twirled her way into hearts with “Maniae. Keita Thomas, JoAnn Miley, Tina Corr, Byronica Stecklein, and Ashley Goolbody breathlessly await the announcement of Miss CJgly 1986. The M.C. opens the envelope, the winner is Ashley Goodbody, truly an Clgly Miss! Personalities • 141