Fitchburg High School - Boulder Yearbook (Fitchburg, MA)

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The first of a series of exciting assemblies for the incoming freshmen class. The first day of school kept Mr. Thome busy with the newest members of the band. (Above) Mrs. Maranda tells Nick Pappas the rules and regulations during lunch. (Left) Cautious of what may lie beyond. Jack Collins and Midya Collazo open their new lockers. Kim Kenney remarked, It's great to be a senior finally! I love it! The teachers themselves were glad to be back as well. The first day to them meant counting and arranging text books, preparing for their classes, and starting to learn the names and faces of the new students in their classes. Even though Mr. Kallagher had no freshmen in his classes, he looked forward to the first day of school. It's always great to be back were his words of wisdom. Mr. Stephen Shifty LeBlanc was in total agreement. A lot of my life is spent here at Fitchburg High, and I just love teaching! Student Life 9

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On August 27th, Fitchburg High School opened its doors for the 1985-86 school year. It promised to be an exciting year, full of fresh ideas and new experiences. This year a change was being put into effect. Instead of the entire student body starting school on the first day, only the freshmen reported to their classes. This method had never been tried before at F.H.S., but Principal Goode seemed confident that it would work well. The reason for the freshman coming in a day early was to give them a chance to familiarize themselves with F.H.S. before the upperclassmen returned. Mr. Quinn, the freshmen guidance counselor, felt that the students seemed to adjust quickly, despite the great difference between middle school and high school. He was also glad that the freshmen came in a day early because it gave him a chance to meet the students he would be helping through the school the next four years . On that day, the first thing the freshmen did was find their names and homerooms on printed computer sheets which were posted in the main lobby. Commented Lei Phongsamouth, a freshman, There were so many names. I thought I would never find mine! Next, the students filed into the auditorium for a class meeting. Seated by homerooms, they listened to Mr. Goode and Mr. Newcombe welcome them to Fitchburg High. The school rules were explained to them, and they were also told how they could benefit from participating in school activities at F.H.S. Finally, It's great to be a senior finally. I love it! . . . Kim Kenney (Above) Work on the first day of school! Julie Darcangelo fills out her emergency information form. (Right) Andrew Marble assists Lei Phongsamouth in finding her new homeroom. 8 Student Life Mr. Goode introduced Mr. Thome, the band director: Mr. Grutchfield, the athletic director: and other prominent members of the faculty. After the meeting, the freshmen were herded to their homerooms. Here, they completed all necessary forms and paperwork. During the extended homeroom, the freshman were allowed to try out their new lockers. Jack Collins remarked Wow, the lockers are a lot bigger than I thought. At the end of homeroom, the freshmen went through the six period bell schedule, with shortened classes. The only break in the action, according to Chrissy Russel. came during extended lunch period. It was the only chance they got to relax and talk with their friends, old and new. However, the freshmen weren't the only ones present on the first day. A few upperclassmen, mostly seniors, agreed to help out what they kindly referred to as the lowly freshmen .

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(Below) Mr. Sullivan and Michelle Doiron stumble while Mary Morris and Mrs. Zeiner hop along with a smile. (Right) Karen Shattuck digs into the mouth water- ing watermelon. The Senior Reception to the faculty is sure to be a memorable event long remembered by the Class of '86. The time was September 11, 1985, the place was Crocker Elementary School, and the atmosphere was fun! Filled with games and laughter, the Senior Reception to the faculty was a chance for Seniors to become closer and 'solidify' as one. The festivities began around 4:30 as groups of seniors arrived and eagerly joined in a competitive game of volleyball. Soon after what seemed to be the fifth tie-breaker, the rowdy crowds began to gather around heaps of watermelon and teams were made for the quick moving, mouth-watering , watermelon eating contest. What a sight it was to watch as we mature seniors raced against each other trying to stuff as much watermelon into our mouths as we could while the less daring members of our class cheered us on from the sidelines. Every rule of etiquette must have been broken as pulp and seeds dripped from everybody's chins — But it was worth it! The three-legged race was less messy but required more athletic skills and long legs. Seniors and faculty members dashed, and in some cases crawled, to the finish line, trying desperately to avoid bumping into each other and twisting their legs with each other. This event, which, by the way, produced quite a few grass stains and torn jeans, was followed by the intense contest of brute 'solid' strength: the tug-of-war. Involving almost every senior, this event was a time for each of us to show off our muscles and 10 Student Life