Cardinal Newman High School - Accolade Yearbook (West Palm Beach, FL)

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Looking back When I was a freshman, I was under more pressure because I expected the teachers to be very hard, and the classes to be difficult. But now, as a senior I have become used to the routine and I have more free time. — Olga Medina no one knew what he was doing. Class activities were more produc- tive, for they managed to place second in the Homecoming float competition. Some credit, however, must be given to Miss Colleen Courtney, assistant principal, for without her help, it was doubtful their float would have stayed upright for the ride to the football field. It was during this year that acceptance to a college became a reality, and they all began to strive for the best possible grades. Studies did not affect their creativity, though. They managed to sponsor a success- ful Calypso Dance and a concert by the Junior Band Dust. Chocolate bun- nies, warm fuzzies, and carnations became the nonchalant way of telling someone how much they cared. Suddenly prom was upon them and for the first time the junior class, with the help of President Gina Arsenault, managed to sponsor it for the seniors FREE. Among friends the common cries, Will she say yes? were heard around every corner and at most lunch tables. Girls began the tiresome tasl of finding a long dress in the beginning of the summer and guys worked hard to finance the tux, dinner, corsage, and dance fees. The Colonnades Ballroom on the ocean, the expensive dinners, and the punk rock band The Movies are all part of their prom memories. After pictures were taken and the king and queen chosen, everyone headed for their favorite hot spots or to post prom at St. Paul of the Cross. The finale included watching the sun rise, eating breakfast and then going home. When everyone had finally recovered from the festivities, it was time for goodbye ' s to their senior friends, who were planning to graduate and begin as freshman all over again in college. Graduation flew by in a blur of tears, kisses, hugs, handshakes, farewells, and the We May Never Pass this Way Again party agenda. Finally, after that last exam and the final bell, the realization hit them, We ' re Seniors! The Class of ' 81 was the first ever to be afflicted with senioritis in September instead of May. Pranks which were expected as graduation 202 SENIORS

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Looking back w hether at school or play, seniors strove for excellence, and with four years of experience behind them, they were obviously polished players. The Class of ' 81 distinguished itself in many areas over its four years at Newman. Although senior year is a time to look ahead, the graduating class could not help but to reflect back over some of the more memorable times at Newman: who could forget the freshman class trip to Disney World? The broken bus seats and windows did not bring a favorable response from the administration nor from their moderator, who resigned from that post once the year was over. Surely no one could forget the man who made the Bible come alive with his Tarot card readings, Bubba and Astro imitations, and those ever- present good looks, Mr. Tom Parise, religion teacher. As fresh- men they learned to adjust to the rotating schedule, rarely went to The realization finally hit them, ' we ' re Seniors ' . the wrong lunch, and even survived the first Get Aquainted Dance, but after the first nine months they were anxious to get started climb- ing the underclassmen ladder. As sophomores they were ready to tell anyone with an open ear all their vast accumulated knowledge. Making dates became more common as some of the eligibles came of driving age, and it was this year that the immortal Niggerhead parties were first staged. Soon this became the thing to do on those early dismissal days or weekends which were usually spent having fun in the sun anyway. Always memorable will be that dance in 79 which became coined as the Twirp that never was, and somehow during this year they earned the label apathetic. Nevertheless, the year went on and before they knew it, they became . . . juniors. Junior year suited them well; they were confident and at ease. Handling forty note cards and term papers with no problems, they took comfort in the fact that basically

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My, how you ' ve CHANGED! As a freshman you ' re always looking up at people. Now I ' m looking down. — Jim McGrath neared began soon after Labor Day Weekend, and that typical senior arragance only worsened as the year progressed. Seniors wore anything from sheets to diapers on Homecoming theme Day and Halloween. For the first time, in recent history, a Newman dance was successful: the Punk Rock Dance, which was sponsored by the Exchange Club and held in March. Costumes were outrageous, and more than one girl left school early that Friday to have their hair dyed in bright multi-colors. Other seniors punked out in painted t-shirts, un- matched shoes, gawdy jewelry, and battery operated flashing sunglass- ess. And the highlight of the even- ing was the rock lobster dance per- formed by over 100 punkers. Senior Karen Kemp summed up the entire event, It was great - everyone went wild and just had a really good time. Even prom was extraordinary. In addition to the usual boy girl blur of buying dresses and corsages, renting tuxedoes, and going out to dinner, nine senior girls, Mary Pat Hoffman, Patty Clark, Kathy Cutrera, Kim Lang, Susie Oenbrink, Debbie Clemens, Suzanne Rowbotham, Wendy Waite, and Audrey Cataldo, were deter- mined not to be left out of the festivities. Each one rented a tux, and together they went out to dinner, danced, and had their portraits made. We wanted to go to prom so we went, had a great time, and are proud to be part of what might be a new trend, stated Kim Lang, one of those adventurous senior girls. Prom king and queen were Frank Fundora and Cathy Hughes. Post-prom activities broke up around 4:00 a.m. when the seniors ran out of beverages. Then everyone went to breakfast and finally home where they slept for two days. Grad Nite was next on the agenda. The senior class traveled to Wa lt Disney World via Greyhound buses, partied, listened to bands, ate plenty of pizza, hot dogs and ham- burgers, and came home at 6:00 a.m. Finally, graduation. A time to be serious. The seniors marched into the gym as proud parents snapped pictures. Then the solemn walk onto the stage. A handshake. Freedom. SENIORS 203