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

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It is more than a matter of discipline It is ROTC “WeTe the best,” nonchalantly comments Bili McCollum, battalion executive officer for the Magnet R.O.T.C. unit. Despite its small size in contrast to other units in the parish, the Magnet group received the dis- tinction of the first honor unit in the parish. Obviously, the Magnet R.O.T.C. battalion performs with style and pride. Guides LTC Grassi and 1SGT Martino recognize the importance of leadership training in R.O.T.C. They concur, “We try to let the cadets run the battalion.” Stu- dents are not obligated to military Service, as some may assume. Rather they are giv- en a unique opportunity to acquire leader¬ ship skills and experience and discipline. Furthermore, R.O.T.C. students learn a va- riety of practical abilities, such as map- reading, first aid, and marksmanship. Students can actually pursue and spe- cialize in a specific area of interest to them. Despite our having no shooting range at Magnet, A B Rifle team members have for the lst 2 years participated in the city championship competition. The R.O.T.C. Rangers actually teach first aid, map read- ing, and physical fitness. The Rangers re- present an elite group, a group for which it is an honor to belong. If you were lost, you wouldn’t be lost for long if you were travel- ing with a member of the ROTC Orienteer- ing Team. Only a year old, the Drill Team has already participated in numerous com- petitions and parades. Through personal determination, Mag- net’s R.O.T.C. accomplishes much through its students, causing them to de- velop a healthy physical, mental, and so- cial outlook on today’s society. Junior Scott Caudle is framed by ROTC members saluting their swords. Extra care must be taken to prevent any sharp disagreements between these men! These ROTC members reveal true grit. After a long, hard day of school. what better way to relax than with a few hundred pushups? commanding respect A quiet smile, friendly wave of the hand and polite “thar.ks ' ■ always accompanied Clay Cathey on his rounds to collect attendance cards from first hour teachers. Tali and lean, Clay Cathey looked the part of the campus leader he was. Being the battalion commander of JROTC first meant that Clay had to dem¬ onstrate his knowledge of military Science and his potential for leadership. He suc cessfully completed a rigorous examina- tion and grueling interview to emerge as one of the two top cadets in the parish JROTC program. No sooner did the school year begin than Clay and JROTC geared up for action. Starting with the October field day at Barksdale Air Force Base and continuing through the military ball in April, Clay ef- fectively led his troops to superior ratings at the Annual Formal Inspection. Quick to give others credit for their hard work, Clay, who was rifle team captain this year, commended his sponsors and his fel- low cadets for their participation with the numerous after school practice sessions, the Independence Bowl, and the novice teaching experience at Stoner Hili Lab School. Proud to wear his ROTC uniform and proud to be a Magnet student, Clay Cathey deserved a meritorious award for his quiet leadership and esprit de corps — Reserved Officers Training Corps, that is. Drama And Dance And ROTC • 77

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Expressions and creations come alive in Drama and dance One of the most unique qualities consti- tuting the Magnet school is its ability to bring the arts in a more realistic sense to the lives of its students. The dance and drama departments, although two diverse courses, are examples of the arts within the school curriculum. According to new drama coach Denise McGuffey, “Drama gives students the op portunity to try new and diverse things. A lot of students in the drama program are not interested in acting, but in directing and the technical aspects.” Students en rolled in the drama program take part in painting and constructing scenery, direct¬ ing techniques, and projection as well as visual effects. Senior Gregg Ashley sees drama as, “.. . a chance for me to develop my personality into a working field of study.” Many who are as serious about dance as Gregg is about drama realize that this is true. These students see the reality of a dream in dance teacher Ginger Folmer. Her determination, finesse, and style is re- vealed to those in her classes. Mrs. Folmer sees dance as a great way to express her creativity as well as keep in shape. She believes two types of students take dance. One type takes dance out of curiosity while the other takes dance to extend his knowledge and dreams in dance. Mrs. Folmer is demanding of her students, re- quiring each to participate daily and devel¬ op a healthy mental attitude toward dance. Through the determination of its lead- ers, Magnet is able to offer the performing arts instructors who are sure of their sub- jects and who help those students who make contact with their creativity develop a style all their own. Senior Karen DeLouche concentrates on poise while Ginger Thomas concentrates on staying on her feet. Ballet and tap classes are a fun, challenging way to develop flexibility and poise. Helping to assemble props is one task in which Drama students engage. Ms. McGuffey, drama teacher. guides senior Gregg Ashley and junior Susan Murphy in putting the final touches on their masterpiece. really on her toes Senior Suyah Loud almost always can be seen with a smile on her face. With talent like hers, there is good reason for the cheerfulness. A bundle of energy and vitality, Suyah Loud was the unanimous choice of the dance department for outstanding honors. Suyah has been an eager participant in every school dance activity since she en- rolled four years ago. As a freshman dance student at Mag- net s own Artfest, Suyah combined grace, poise, and action. Renditions of jazz, classi cal ballet, and tap dancing were some of the contributions she made. Shreveport Regional Arts Council host- ed its first annual parish wide celebration of the fine arts last year, and Suyah was again there in the midst of the activity. She performed a popular tap dance number entitled “Fiddler,” which was based on the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof. Suyah also presented “Fiddler” during intermis- sion of the 1985 Mystic Maiden Pageant. Vibrant and eager to dance the hours away, Suyah Loud has been a whirlwind of the “light fantastic.” The dance troup at Magnet will miss the energy exuded by the tap-tap-tap of Suyah s dance slippers. Magnefs Mrs. Folmer and Mrs. Johnson have really kept Suyah on her toes, but she has yet to let them down. Take a bow for your efforts, Suyah Loud! 76 • Academics

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Energize, exercise, get involved in Physical Education “Are you dressing out today?” “Are you kidding? It’s too cold!” “Test! What test!? Can I borrow your notes?” ‘Tve lost mine!” Such comments are often heard mixing through the gym on a typical school day. Some of Magnefs most memorable exper- iences may lie in the high school gym. It is here where the concept of a lifetime in sports is presented. It is here where the athletically inclined and less athletic types come together, approaching the subject from different viewpoints, but finding a unanimous discovery. From general phys¬ ical education to advanced gymnastics, there is something for almost everyone. “I never would have guessed golf could be so fun,” bubbles freshman Susan Bryant. Phys. Ed. allows not only a chance to leam and apply athletic skills but to make friends. Seniors re-live early days when, as freshmen, they met in the gym, slowly learning the ways of being a H.S. student. The less structured atmosphere of P.E. classes provide an easy pathway to grow socially. Junior Brenda Tipton remembers her P.E. days as “the perfect chance to drool over the male occupants” of her class. Combine Magnefs caring physical education instructors, a plethora of athle¬ tic activities, and a number of intelligent and eager students and you have found that certain drive behind the energy that exists only in the Magnet High School gym¬ nasium. Much flexibility and courage is needed to perform a maneuver such as this. The grace and technique to master such moves come from years of experience and a few falis. ‘Hey guys can you serve like this? While the correct position of serving is the one on the right, the left one is the trendy two-handed serve. 78 • Academics