Edina High School - Whigrean Yearbook (Edina, MN)

Page 10 text:

6 INTRODUCTION 1. With high expectations of her intra-mural flag football team, Eileen Moran begins her team prac- tice at the Wooddale School playground. 2. Bob Oberaigner makes use of his school library when assigned a research paper. 3. Three unsuspecting ttKennedy Eaglestt make themselves comfortable, unaware that Carol Garoutte, Lisa Venable, and Joy Danielson are preparing to ubuzz ,em bald. 4. Both coaches and players expect that victories on the field come only after long hours of practice and hard workouts. Other page: Stephanie Wood- head records the acceleration data as Annie Che- polis performs the physical labors of their physics experiment,

Page 9 text:

'7 '7 ompetition, a quality that had al- T ways been admired in Edina stu- dents, continued its fine reputa- tion in one school. The competition with- in the school created controversy over whether this was a positive or negative factor. The pessimist concluded that the diffi- culty of getting accepted by an organiza- tion or team, and ones resulting rejec- tion, weakened individual confidence and stunted the growth which would have de- veloped in a small school. The optimist believed that increased competition strengthened abilities. This was due to the extra work that was in- volved in reaching the goal that was high- er than ever before. One had to continu- ously try to fulfill his capabilities to keep up with the fast-paced and competitive surroundings. All agreed, however, that strict compe- tition selected only the cream of the crop. These individuals skimmed off more than the schools fair share of top honors. Such successes made those re- sponsible all the more exalted with their accomplishments. Winning was a positive word linked with the type of school of which Edina Meeting At The Top In uonnadwog students were a definite part. Competi- tion weeded out many teenage Edinans from participation. But, the fact that these people were not suited for the re- quired role did not label him or her as a llfailure. Instead, nonacceptance result- ed in ones putting forth extra efforts to- ward another goal and many times reach- ing this goal - this made victory all the sweeter. Students, who all varied in abili- ties and number of accomplishments, were in one way or another MEETING AT THE TOP. INTRODUCTION 5

Page 11 text:

Meeting At The Top In suonepadxg xpectations of Edina, both as a school and as a community, had traditionally been high. Athletic teams were expected to be of a state championship caliber. A number of seniors were expected to apply to, and be accepted at, highly competitive colleges. Organizations and clubs were expected to produce quality publications, dances, or doughnut sales. With the combining of East and West into Edina High, the expectations placed upon the shoulders of Edina High Schools students soared to an even higher status. Pressures to excel, to be uthe besth, were suddenly more pressing than ever. Rival teams in the Lake South Conference anticipated that Edina would be hthe team to beat? ttA students were expected, by both parents and peers, to keep up the class rank, despite the fact that there were twice as many students with whom to compete. Also, school spirit was predicted to reach a lofty peak. Did Edina live up to these expectations? Some said yes, others no. Neither response was completely accurate, for while Edina achieved the highest level of proficiency in some areas, it failed to quite make the grade in others. These expectations, however, were the guiding powers behind many Edina High School successes. In short, high expectations resulted in the two Edina schools MEETING AT THE TOP. INTRODUCTION 7