George C Marshall High School - Columbian Yearbook (Falls Church, VA)

Page 175 text:

In order to raise money the Rank and File sold Christmas wishes for five cents a word. Bruce Blanchard urges students to participate while Mike McLeod waits to receive cash. Becky Hart sells tickets to the Drill Team competition. A T-Square is used by Beep Fricdlandcr to precisely figure how the page will look in the next issue of the Rank and File. Days seem to fly by as David Bemazani calculates the date when the next issue of the paper will be delivered to lockers. Phonetically spelling a word, Bruce Flammey types up his copy for the December issue of the paper. Rank and File 165

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Mispirnts arc rare At the end of the English hall, tucked in a dark comer, a bright yellow room was inhabited by budding journalists who produced the Rank and File. Members of the newspaper staff were assigned articles, hounded for misdeeds, and set to work laying out every issue of the paper in the hidden room. A staff of about 25 students cooperated to create 12 issues of the Rank and File. Reporting and layout skills were emphasized during the year, with each staff member working to increase his abilities for the sake of the paper, and for self-improvement. When each issue was complete, members posed as mailmen delivering copies of the paper to the lockers of all students who had purchased the Block. As in previous years, the newspaper was produced in a magazine format. A new angle was taken toward reporting, though, with several controversial articles published during the year. Students were given the opportunity to voice their opinions in Response, the editorial section of the paper. Other articles run every issue were polls, sports features, and The Flame, a humorous column. Every printed issue of the paper was sent to journalism classes for critiquing. Criticisms by the classes helped the staff make improvements in future editions. Eager to read what a staff member has written, a co-editor of the paper, Morgan Crafts, rips the copy from the typewriter. Rank and File - Front row: Bruce Blanchard, Morgan Crafts, Kim Sober, Carol Conjura, Phil Holland; Second row: Mr. Chuck Cascio, Linda Hiley, Becca Bass, Kevin Starr, Ann Sumser, Sam Gillette, Lucy Ringle, Mike McLeod Anderson, Peter Hodges, Mark Cody; Back row: Elizabeth Libby, Katie Allison, Patty Schmid, Manny Capsalis, Carin Parker, Bruce Flammey, Don Rainey, David Bemazani, Beep Friedlander. 164 Rank and File

Page 176 text:

y n 166 Creativity. Emphasized from the very beginning, rookies and seasoned staff members of the Columbian alike were urged to attend a summer workshop. Located between a cornfield and a pea crop in the mid-westem town of Muncie, Indiana, it became the home for twenty eager Columbian staffers for one to two weeks. With a fresh outlook, preparations for the year began. Upon the first of five deadlines, great pains were taken to break in the new staff. Newcomers not yet used to the odd hours (1:00 a.m.) and working conditions (warped croppers) were soon accustomed to the trial and tribulation associated with being a staff member. Here's my copy. You won't like it, but here it is. Copy customarily, as the written portion or grey block of each page, proved to be a major obstacle. Frequently illegible essays were prevented from entering the book by one lone copy section, which brought out a distinctive flair and more life to sometimes sorry copy. This place looks like a pig pen! Occasionally, living conditions became unbearable. Wading knee-deep in what seemed to be wall-to-wall paper, an innocent custodian armed only with a broom, dust pan, and radio could enter a state of shock upon seeing the unbelievable mess. Popcorn, smashed green M M's and empty film containers along with the occasional spilled Tab were all major assets to the well-being of the resident mice. Have you sold your six dollars worth of candy yet? With an in the red of over Cofamhan - Trent rev. Aimer B Iint. Brucr HUvin. L«!if Rmglc. Donna Cnuro. Dtanna Cabo . David Bart HI; Second row: St v» Dapogny. J»ff Miruvrtt. Um Pat«von. 8«ky Brrn-nan. Brian Hewitt, Drannr Ev run«ycr. Su Via, Karrn Van Duy . Third rev Jody Spooner. Carol Matthew . Ann Walker, KeUey Stol e; fourth row: Mike Welah. Diane HUvin. Sammy Shelton; Back row Kathy Heath. Call Bartholomew. Call Martin. Darlene Faulkner. Jennifer Cooper. Sotie De-Carlo. Beeky Cuthbemon. Tom DePatquale. Margaret Lee; Not pictured: JiD Evan . Charlie Feeney. Steve Mathew . Debbie Parrott. Columbian $2,000, the staff was faced with the task of reversing colors. Seeing black by making green was the only possible way of reaching such a goal. Each new week brought the sweet smell of candy confections, bringing with it the sweet smell of money. Pushing candy was easy as junk food junkies began seeking out the unwilling salesmen. Gradually sales paid off, and for the first time in several years the staff was without a shortage in funds. I'm hungry. Who's going out for dinner? Overworked and underfed, the only real break came with the announcement of dinner. Wanting a hot meal instead of a cold sandwich, hungry staffers ventured out of the sub-zero chill factor of the darkroom, and the semi-freeze of the Columbian room to fill their tummies with nutritious Trigger steaks, tacos, french fries and chow mein. After returning from dinner, steady work without interruption (?) resumed. I'm going crazy! I swear I'm going crazy! Trapped within the displeasing confines of the nauseating chartreuse Columbian room, or the midnight black of the darkroom, late nights with little sleep could sometimes bring out the looniness within even the most mild-mannered staff member. Adult Education classes were compelled to slam their doors as sinister screams, evil laughs, books slamming against walls, and suspicious words drifted down the halls. New members were either tempted to join in the pressure releasing or look on with amazement and disbelief. Whose house are we going to this weekend? Unsuspecting parents opened their hearts and homes to a wild mob of yearbook staffers. Within moments, a spotless basement became a disaster area identical to the trash-infested room at school. Food still heavy on their minds, grocery runs and kitchen raids were plotted and carried out by staff members. By the end of the weekend parents' nerves were shot and cupboards were bare. Excuse me sir, does this subway go anywhere but Columbia U.? With the arrival of spring, staff members packed their bags and boarded a bus leaving for New York City. Although the main reason for the trip was to enrich budding year-bookers through seminars at Columbia University, a large majority skipped classes to wander in amazement around the Big Apple. Nights on Broadway were very appealing and within easy reach only half a block up the street from the flea-bag hotel. Finding a wide variety of entertainment, every moment brought a new experience not to be forgotten. Only an hour and eleven minutes before my ride comes! Time seemed to have a way of standing still when staff members were eager to get home to their nice, warm beds. With deadlines over, the long wait for the finished product began. Whether or not the book would be accepted by Marshall students made little difference as the staff had given their all to accomplish what had developed, and special moments would be remembered for years to come. I can't find my copy ... I quit!