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

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' Tea anyone? Mrs. Brand presents her freshmen English classes wlth a vintage Victorian High Tea Service. Devoting time and energy to English assignments is a taxing process but the rewards are rich. Expressiori develops with Rhetorical style The perplexed Senior nibbled at the end of the blue Bic ballpoint pen and stared at the blank sheet of notebook paper. “What is the Metaphysical conceit of this poem?” she queried. “Good grief,” she reflected, “how I remember when English was so simple ... Her thoughts drifted from the poetry analysis to her Freshman year and English I. “Spelling and vocabulary quizzes, dia- gramming sentences, and reading short stories. She fondly remembered the caring and kindness of Mrs. Borders and Mrs. Bell, who helped make the transition into high school so much easier. And what fun in the Gifted and Talented Program. Mrs. Brand’s class was always learning folk dances or enjoying high tea ...” Then she recalled with amusement the antics of Ms. Rounds in English II. The grammar and literature was never dull with the enthusiasm and vivation she brought to class. Mrs. Hughes had given them a new point of view to consider in narration. As sophomores they had taken a stab at Julius Caesar. Paragraphs of description were the formidable writing tasks for Mrs. BoswelTs students. “American Studies was English III with a totally different style,” she decidedly con- cluded. “The combination of American his- tory and literature put both in perspective. Plus the soap-carving and the sketches we performed created memories as well as les- sons. Mrs. Sledge s English III students es- pecially remembered Edgar Allen Poe and making 1920’s gangster movies. The Sa¬ lem witch hunts of Arthur Miller’s The Cru - cible was a burning issue in Mrs. Lynn’s junior classes,” she recollected. “So much easier than British literature,” she exclaimed. ‘The British Lit Express of English IV is Marjean Purinton’s speciality ... “she signed.” “Oh, for a simple spell¬ ing quiz.” Only the poor Advanced Place- ment students who are reading Milton, Shakespeare, Moliere, Volpone, and George Herbert s collected poems ... for this week’s assignment ... have it worse than the Senior who is taking English IV. “I guess,” she conceded, “that some day I will appreciate ali of this and realize how helpful it will be to me in college.” Now ... if I just could find this conceit ...” Suddenly the Senior perceived that the comparison in the poem revolved around the importance of life s exper iences in confronting the future. English is more than dead words that bear no rel- evance. The idea for her paper crystalized, and she confidently began to write her ana¬ lysis. One of the fundamental parts of an English class is the lecture. Ms. Marjean Purinton uses this technique as she helps her sixth hour English class analyze cavalier poetry. 56 • Academics

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Senior Matthew Schocke concentrates on study tech- niques which make qualification for the Decathlon team easier. Qualifying for the honor of being a part of the Decath¬ lon team is a harrowing but exhilarating experience. Seventeen ambitious students perused the exam for the length of one day. The Decathlon Team 1985 86 includes these mem bers: Robby Magee, Neil Hohmann, Mark Walker, Ja nice Raines. Larry Marino, sponsor Mary Rounds, Ste ven Stanley, Don Harrold, Eric Chen. Michael Kime, and sponsor Dr. Riley Bratton. Decathlon • 55

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Creativity is truly one of the largest driving forces behind Magnet s English Department. These English II students from Ms. Boswells class decided to put a little life back into Julius Caesar. Getting an expert opinion is always a big help. Ms. Mary Rounds, English II teacher, and Page Mc Dade. sophomore, join forces to make her composition the best it can be. the write stuff Vivacious and energetic, Kristy McGee always has time to be helpful, pleasant. witty, and Creative. She has proved to be a vital part of the Magnet style and spirit; she has brought accolades to the school and herself as well, but she remains modest and unassum- ing. “Quick, K.M. give me a headline for the math page?!” the desperate voice queried. Sure enough, Kristy McGee blurted out, “The best figures are found in the math department.” Hearing the groans and sighs that accompanied her quip, she thereupon commented, “Okay, I admit that’s a total zero.” Kristy McGee and zany responses are synonymous. She is rarely at a loss for words, perhaps because one of her favorite books, she once secretly revealed, is the thesaurus. Surely another title at the top of her list is the Odyssey. Having embarked on the arduous adventure of guiding another year book to completion, editor Kristy, despite the bumpy roads and time-consuming de tours, energetically and conscientiously aided the staff in its search for just the write word. As president of Writers ' Club, Kristy has noted that composition is sometimes pun- ishment; nonetheless, the articles she has penned have been entered in essay con tests and in Seedlings. Her writings have reflected polish, accuracy, sincerity and style. Long involved in the gifted and talented program, Kristy had time to tutor those who found Shakespeare and English IV too much ‘‘toil and trouble. Small wonder that she represented English IV at literary rally. Although Kristy s career interests pres ently lie in the field of medicine, no phar macist need worry about deciphering her penmanship. Line for line, Kristy McGee indeed has the write stuff. English Department • 57