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

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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

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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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142 Ascension Smith A Principal with flair Cannon to the right of them, Cannon to the left of them, Cannon in front of them Volleyed and thundered, Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well These lines from Alfred, Lord Tenny- son’s famous poem ' The Charge of the Light Brigade, explains senior Evan Chuck, remind me much of Mrs. Smith ' s dedication to the cause of the Magnet High School. Indeed, Ascension Smith has always been recognized as the pioneer of Mag¬ net High. Formulating and coordinating the program from its inception, Mrs. Smith sueeessfully steered Magnet High through the rough waters of its formative years. Now Ascension Smith is faced with a new challenge. Having won the early battles, she must keep a program that has accomplished so much in a short period of time just as vital and progressive for students who elect this alternative edu- cational experience. As much as her administrative respon- sibilities allow, Ascension Smith tries to stay in touch with her students. This link of communication enables her to respond to changing student needs. Nannette Wicker observes, Mrs. Smith is a caring person who takes time for ali the stu¬ dents.Most students recognize in her rare qualities that distinguish the school. They realize that her Vision would not have been possible without hard work and commitment. T respect Mrs. Smith for her drive and determination, com- ments a sophomore student. This, he continues, is a quality that keeps Mag¬ net in the top schools of this nation. Without this trait in Mrs. Smith, Magnet would not have excelled as far as it has today. Yet she strives to move the pro¬ gram forward and to attain continued success. Freshman Jeff Maca remarks, I admire Mrs. Smith for what she has done for Magnet High and for what she stili has to do. Ascension SmittVs unique style is par- tially a resuit of her European back- ground. A native of Seville, Mrs. Smith brings to her administration a Spanish flair. Her years in the U.S., however, have imbued to her a sincere sense of patrio- tism and respect for freedom. A natural- ized American Citizen, she brings to her students the best of both worlds; she in- stilis the European love for the past and culture with the American dream for a better tomorrow. Perhaps sophomore Corwyn Thomas best captures this unique blend when he concludes, I think Mrs. Smith is original. Despite the demands of the job, the rigors of her schedule, and the pressures of the position, Ascension Smith always keeps an open door. Seniors especially have come to know Mrs. Smith as a per¬ son who cares deeply. Monica Blake con¬ fides, Mrs. Smith is a person genuinely interested in the students. Caddo Mag¬ net High has offered both joys and pains, but with Mrs. Smiths seeking out the stu- dents’ concerns and considering them first, it has been great. I hold her in high esteem for having a dream and being the pursuer of the reality. Expecting no more than she gives, Ascension Smith touches each life of the Magnet family. She demonstrates the courage arjd loyal- ty symbolized in the school colors of red and gold. Mrs. Smith is a kind person, Chris Bullock gently explains. There is not a student in this school for whom she doesnt care and hope the best. Keeping the Magnet dream and philos- ophy alive and growing for future stu¬ dents may indeed pose a new challenge for Ascension Smith. She will become the pilot of a new destiny. She will lead the brigade of students who agree to sacri¬ fice for excellence in education. Com- menting on Mrs. Smith ' s leadership abili- ties, Senior Class President Lisa Smith ex- claims, Mrs. Smith is a very unique per¬ son. She has a spark that ignites the en- thusiasm of all who come in contact with her. This receptive and attentive in- volvement with students characterizes the special flair of Principal Ascension Smith. For her the charge for the best in education never falters or retreats. The charge simply continues with renewed determination, light, honor, and style. With regal poise. Ascension Smith reflects the com¬ mitment she has to Magnets standards and goals. Mrs. Smith’s vivid. unique personality comes through m her warm smile and friendly manner. Administration