Fairfield High School - Quill Yearbook (Fairfield, IA)

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Cast Medea Nurse Jason .......... Aegeus Creon .......... Women of Corinth Serving women ...............................Anne Herr Barbara Stanley ........................................... Clark Smith .............................Richard Hadley ..................................Kurt Edeker Cindy Nelson, Tina Ankenbaur, Phyllis Young, Kelly Aistrope Kim Kleemeyer, Jan Schillerstrom Slave .................................................................Nina Bussey Boys Brent Weber and Justin Becker 1. Looking without fear into their mad mother's eyes, Brent Weber and Justin Becker steal the show. 2. A typical night in the lighting booth for Janette Frieberg consists of Welch's grape soda, homework, a good book, and last but not least, following the script. 3. With the blood of her innocent children on her body, Medea stares trance like into space. 4. The light dock is not an ideal place for carrying on a phone conversation, especially during a performance. 5. With maddening thoughts rushing through her sick brain, Medea's nurse does her best to comfort her. 6. Painting pillars are Clark Smith and Dave Riley. This was one of the many tasks that went into creating the set for Medea. 18

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JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST 752 W m oAV «VA )V VMMl vv v«v r V 7o; 1. Pedal Power is the name of the game during the 7th Annual bike ride across Iowa (Ragbrai). 2. Larry Sheffler spends some time soaking in the sun. 3. Making a big splash, Laura Allen takes some time out at the swimming pool. 4. Kurt Edeker takes time-out to enjoy the sun and water. 5. Taking a swing, Gary Higgins spends a summer afternoon on the tennis courts. The three short months between the final class dismissed in June and the first Good morning class in August are a time of fun and relaxation. Summer is not only a time for enjoyment, however, but also a learning experience for many youth. The ag show, sports, and maybe a new summer job are unique experiences looked forward to when June draws nearer. Last summer was highlighted by the arrival of the RAGBRAI VII riders who were directed into an excited Fair- field for an overnight stay as part of their route. Summer also provides a time for families to travel and relax with distant friends and relatives. The summer months also give the faculty and staff of FHS a chance to relax or maybe further their education. With all these activities going on in the summer, it's no wonder people only grudgingly return in September. The meaning of the phrase, RAGBRAI, was made crystal clear to Fairfielders when the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa decended upon them on August 3. This huge conglomeration of bicycle riders, driver, and support and repair van operators are all part of the largest amateur sporting event in the world. The assemblage steadily makes the weeklong trek across Iowa, advancing through both quiet farming communities and bustling cities, while infecting everyone along the route with their spirit and exuberance. 1979 was no exception. For RAGBAI VII, Fairfield had been designated as one of the overnight stops. The first members of the pedal-driven entourage began streaming into town on the morning of August 3, with the last of the riders arriving well after dark. As the riders coasted toa stop, hundredsand hundreds of birghtly colored tents began popping up, eventually forming what appeared to be a vast sea of nylon fabric and rope. The designated camping areas included Chatauqua park, the FHS campus, and the grounds at the junior high. Arriving cyclists were greeted by various groups in the community who pitched in to provide food, drink and entertainment for the riders. The variety of people who participated on the ride was truly amazing. The ranks of cyclists included all kinds of people, from the lean, powerful racers, to the grandfathers with a thick white beard, to the father pulling his small children across the state in a buggy attached to his bicycle. Within this large group, one finds a different motivation for each rider but satisfaction is derived by all who make the journey. Many people in Fairfield and the rest of the state must have wondered what could possibly motivate these masochists to labor up, down, across Iowa on a bicycle. Ridiculous, you might say, No possible reason to do such a thing. Where else can you form a kind of brotherhood with thousands of other humans? How else can you travel silently alongside forests and fields, and taste the morning air, and exchange greetings with previous strangers? How else can you really get a sense of the people and places of the great state of Iowa RAGBAI?

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MEDEA Medea, a classic Creek tragedy, is not normally attempted by a high school theatre, right? Wrong! Mr. Brigham had faith that his cast of amateurs could do it, and do it well. His gamble paid off and Medea was a success. At times though, success was questionable. There were a few minor mishaps, such as the night Tina Ankenbauer decided to go to the hospital, or the night Mr. B. was playing games on stage and dropped a fifty pound stage weight on his foot. Another time found Clark Smith portraying King Arthur instead of Jason by running his sword through the stones on the set. Despite all the accidents, opening night came and went with- out a hitch. There were definitely two actors who stole the show. Justin Becker and Brent Weber were the two elemen- tary school students who portrayed Medea's children. The moments the cast spent with these boys were priceless. Few will forget the time that Justin stopped the scene by asking, Could we take a break, NOW?!! or when he berated every- one thoroughly for not meeting him at the bus! Brent was always hungry and drove Anne Herr, who played Medea, into hysterics whenever he looked at her with those big blue eyes, and said, Look, Mother! She had trouble adjusting to the thought of killing them. The play is basically about a woman who is cheated upon by her husband. In order to get revenge, she cremates his new bride and father-in-law. To complete her total destruction of Jason she murders their two children stating, I loathed you more than I loved them. Medea's revenge is complete. She leaves Jason broken, friendless, and lost, despised by gods and men. Medea was favored both nights as the audiences were large and everything went smoothly. For a classic normally done by high school students, everything went exceptionally well. The cast was aided by the Intro to Theatre class who helped as crew heads, set builders and other assorted jobs. 19