Grain Valley High School - Treasure Chest Yearbook (Grain Valley, MO)

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Courageous Graduate ll L The month of August 1979, was a most tragic month for Mike Peters and many of his friends and family. Mike was in a freak accident that left most of his body paralyzed. But this didn't hamper his desire to keep trying. ln the last two years, the senior class has held sever- al benefit games and taken part in fund raising projects for Mike. He was able to attend one o the games. lt was sponsored by the Kansas City Chie s Football Club. They took part in a basketball game against the Kansas City Media, which consisted of area television and radio personalities. It was exciting to see the celebrities and get their autographs, but the biggest celebrity there was Mike himself. Another game was held at the Grain Valley High School gym. It was the KBEQ radio D.I.'s verses the G.V. faculty. At the end of the game, the senior class handed a thirteen hundred dollars check to Mr. 8 Mrs. Peters to help with the many expenses involved. Another game for Mike that was held in the fall of 1980 was an alumni football game. Several graduates of Grain Valley played a football game against each other for Mike's benefit. These were a few things we felt we could do for Mike as a class and school. Since his unfortunate acci- dent, Mike has made tremendous progress. He has been able to do things the doctors first thought were impossi- ble. The seniors have given Mike a class ring this year as Mike has continued his education with a private tutor. He graduated with the senior class of '87. We wish Mike the best, as he will always remain our friend, and will be remembered in our hearts. SENIORS! 129

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This One's for You 4 1 Good times, sad times, fun times, memorable times. That's how you might start to summarize the senior's last year. It seems like they only started high school yesterday. It's not possible that they could be the next in line to graduate from G.V.H.S. This year the senior class has almost 52,000 over from last year's money-making projects. They decid- ed to buy the senior pages in the yearbook. The pages they bought are in color. They also paid for the seniors' caps and gowns for graduation. These are the two major projects the senior class took on this year. For the most part, the seniors' last year was fun and exciting, but also sad. Even though the Class of '81 has graduated, memories of good times will still remain. i 12 What's this, Steve, a new dance step? 22 Senior class officers: Presi- dent-Bruce Merslion, Vice-President-Kim Lynch, Secretary-Doug Fry, Treasurer-Sheila Heard. 31 Now that she's a senior woman, Kim has fi- nally learned how to tuck her shirt in. 42 Tammy Quick wore a dress??!! 128 I SENIORS he

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Here Today, Gone Tomorrow At as early as 6:30 p.m., May 11, 1981, relatives and friends were col- laborating in the gymnasium to save unoccupied seats. During this time, the seniors met in the home economics room. There they put on their caps and gowns, talked with friends, and began to think about the ceremonies. Fellow seniors applauded Mike Peters as he wheeled himself into the room, tattired in a light blue tuxedo. They they gathered around Mike to converse with him. Mr. Burns then placed the graduation cap on Mike's head. Shortly thereafter, the seniors started down the hall toward the now- packed gymnasium. The audience rose to their feet as the graduation processional began. Mike Peters led the class down the aisle as flashbulbs popped and cameras clicked all around. The other fifty three graduates filed in by couples, and took their -places on the stage. The special girls' music was provided by six senior girls, and was fol- lowed by the salutatorian speech, given by Karen Nelson Smith, and the valedictorian speech, given by Doug Fry. I Mr. Burns proceeded to announce the seniors, starting with Mike Pe- ters, who received a warm standing ovation. Mr. Rupp, school board president, presented the seniors with their diplomas among applause. Mr. Lossing gave each senior a red rose as they descended the stairs to the gym floor. ' Turning tassles and rings made the graduating ceremonies official. Mr. Burns then announced the seniors as the graduated class of 1981. After the recessional, seniors formed a reception line outside the high school building, which soon turned into small clusters .of congratulating family and friends. . 1 30 I GRADUATION 2 . I D Valedictorian Doug Fry and Salutatorian Ka- ren Nelson Smith. 21 Bruce shows his joy of be- ing a 1981 graduate. 31 Mr. Ray Rupp presents Nancy Kolster with her diploma.