High School of Commerce - Caduceus Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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Nitza Rivera fleetingly considers becoming a pi- ano aficionado as she leans against the school’s auditorium piano. Bay State Grads “If business is what you like, this is the place to b e.” 66 t’s fun and educational,’”” stated Hector Santiago, a : member of Jobs for Bay State Grads. ’’l would like to become a commercial artist, and now | know it’s within reach for me.” What is Jobs for Bay State Grads? According to Miss Pratt, advisor, it is d program that helps prepare students obtain full-time employment. It also helps them become more independent and ready for the world, and it gives the students opportunities to meet people who will introduce them to business careers not usually considered. The 100 students who are in this program (started in Boston in 1980) meet twice a week during and after school. Only seniors can be accepted, but no specific grade average is needed to join. Bay State Grads allows members to build confidence so that they may help themselves. According to Eleanora Manzi, whose goal is to be a radiologist, ‘The class prepares students to reflect upon future goals and nudges them toward a successful start.’’ ’’And if business is what you like, this is the place to be,’’ added Blease John- son, d student interested in real es- tate. “I’ve acquired extensive knowledge of business careers.”’ Last year, 87% of its students were placed in jobs — bank tellers, telephone operators, accountants, cashiers, computer operators, etc. But the program also is involved in other activities. This enthusiastic and creative group took part in the Giving Tree, which gave a Christ- mas gift to a child for each orna- ment donated by the group. The students also played sports against Bay State Grad members from oth- er schools and attended career de- velopment dinners. Hopefully, the Bay State Grad program will continue to be as suc- f cessful in the future as it was this year. by Lissette Torres : 28

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i “Working out in the morning j makes my whole day bet- s ter.”’ eee © pain, no gain. That’s what is typically said about work- ing out. However painful the price may be for fitness, however, Commerce students are not hesi- tating to pay the price for it. They, | | , along with millions of other teen- agers, are discovering which workout suits them and are somehow making time to persue shaping up with gusto. You'llrecognize our students jogging on the streets of Springfield, executing aerobic dance steps at Figures and Fitness, swimming at the YMCA, studying karate at the Iron Dragon, performing mod- ern dance at the New North Community Center, lifting weights at Big Daddy’s Gym and playing scrub football and basketball with neighborhood friends. Some enjoy working out at home instead, and eventually turn their basements into personal exercise rooms complete with aerobic trampolines, punching bags and universal weights. Today’s teenagers have a different motive than past generations for working out. No longer is it only the person who needs to shed a few pounds who joins a health spa. The fresh new concern is to get the body in shape early in life so that maintaining a stronger more active physique as years go by will be easier, the quality of health better. Not to be dismissed is the soothing effect exercise has on stress — stress felt when you've lost that term paper you were working on for Mrs. Haley, or when your boyfriend decides to just be ““friends.”’ Proper nutrition plays an important role in the new health revival also. Students are teaching themselves practical lessons in biology, and words like cholesterol, pectoral, glutus maximus and lactic acid fall easily from their lips. There is definitely something cerebral about this physical phe- nomenon! by Alicia Cayode Rebecca Colon and Raquel Cabrera practice yoga stretches with a friend at New North Community Center. Student Life 2

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LEFT: Miss Pratt, right, talks over area job opportunities with Dionne Banks. Allison Eng, Carol Santiago, Gloria Nieves and Jim- my Torres. BELOW: Bay State Grad mem- bers, sitting: James Fournier, President Nitza Rivera, Ronda Brown and Miss Pratt, advisor; standing: Mrs. R. Willoughby, advi- sor, Denise Kushner, Lena Williams, Mi- chello Trillo, Jean Carpenter, Laura Enos, Karen Glover and William Hanson. Lenise Youmans, Lizzette Acevedo, Laura Enos, Louis Prendergast and Daisy Rodriguez get ready to decorate the auditorium for Bay State Grads night. 29