Grants Pass High School - Toka Yearbook (Grants Pass, OR)

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FINISHING the spectacular Redwood Empire run through balloon arches are six graduates of GPHS. The congratulation ceremonies were held on the football field on October 12, 1987. Spirit week activities Monday - Grubby Day Pie throw Redwood Empire runners leave San Francisco Tuesday - Hat Day Big Wheel races Wednesday - Pin and Button Day Cakewalk Thursday - Blue and white day Balloon toss Megaphone giveaway Powderpuff game Friday - No school GP vs. Roseburg(football) Saturday - Homecoming Dance Monday - Redwood Empire runners return to Grants Pass POINTING out a little senior strategy, Julie Neukom along with fellow gridder Lisa Bell prepare for their turn on the field. Both seniors played on the offensive team for the seniors. INTENSE describes the GPHS football team as they prepare to meet the Lebanon Warriors during the playoffs. Coach Tom Blanchard and senior Mike Staley discuss some defensive strategy. Spirit Week

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No shortage on SPIRIT With arches of blue and white balloons and a grandstand full of excited students, faculty, and townspeople, the pride-boosting Spirit Week was coming to a close. The Redwood Empire runners could be seen in the distance and the winner of the first Redwood Empire Run, held in 1927, John “Mad Bull” Southard was seated on the platform. Yet this long awaited ceremony was not the only high-spirited event that took place during the week. Each day there was a lunch time activity that ranged from a pie-throw to a megaphone give away. Senior Chris Rossel felt that the week was a bigger success than previous years. “More people became involved and that would make any event better.” Jim Sa-vard, Activities Director at GPHS, also felt that Spirit Week was a great event. ‘‘It turned out to be fun for everyone. The Student Council performed their jobs very well, plus it was an extra bonus to have the run during the same week.” Others did not have the same opinion. Junior Rainy Hoppins commented, “It was a flop! There was no unification and I feel that the dress up days were not as thought out.” First-time Spirit Week observers, freshmen Jessica Heverly and Royce MacGinnitie agreed with Rainy: “It was not what I expected. I felt that school pride would be more noticeable,” said Jessica. “I was looking for studentbody participation, and some of the ideas seemed as old as the school!” commented Royce MacGinnitie. Although some of the underclassmen felt their first Spirit Week was not memorable, for many it will be unforgetable. With this Spirit Week came an extra bonus, the Redwood Empire Run was during the week. The 6 relay runners, all graduates of GPHS, were as follows: Wayne Morrow ’56, Jim Smith ’58, Ray Atleson ’62, Chris Hart ’70, Tom Moore 71, and Cindy Bigelow ’74. The 6-Vz day, 470 mile run from San Francisco to Grants Pass, took a year and a half planning, but it made this year’s spirit a success. TRUE CAVEMEN met the 1987-88 centennial runners as they finished their six and a half day run. Members of the Oregon Cavemen Inc. dressed in their skins to present an award to the runners. CORVALLIS OR BUST. Anxious students board the rooter bus in route to the football playoffs held in Parker Stadium. Corvallis. 10 Spirit Week

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REIGNING QUEEN for Homecoming 1987 is senior Debbie Shelley escorted by senior Dan Wendle. Holly Moline, senior, organizer of the newly founded dance was given the honor of crowning Shelley. Building a classic The climax to a very exciting Spirit Week was fast approaching. It was an unusually warm night in early October, when something that was earlier just a thought, became reality. Thanks to a small group of people, guided by Holly Moline, a semi-formal homecoming dance was established. This dance turned out to be a great success gathering over 170 couples to the newly established “Fall Classic.” Smiles filled the Girls Gym as the curiosity built in wondering who would be the 1987 Homecoming queen. The crowning was held in a very classy style as the princesses were escorted to the front of the dance floor and introduced. The crowd cheered loudly as Debby Shelley was crowned Homecoming queen. Debby and her escort Dan Wendle danced in the gazebo placed in the middle of the floor, as the princesses and their escorts danced around them. The general consensus was that it was the best dance in recent history. Jennifer Ausland stated, “It was great having a dance this early in the year; the school’s spirit was great!” Bill Lowery called it, “The best Rock and Roll dance ever.” Shoji’s Japanese restaurant was a very popular place to eat before the dance along with Eric’s and R Haus. The dance itself was like “a breath of fresh air compared to the weeks beforehand that were spent planning, decorating, and worrying,” stated a wornout Moline. Thanks to her, Jim Savard, Bill Lowery, Jodi Parrish, Felicia Megdall, and the dance committee. HOMECOMING COURT 1987 Each princess and escort line up for the crowning of the new queen. The crowner passes in front of the line and back before the queen is crowned. LIVING IT UP are (from left) Angie Ap-porson, Matt DeForest, Lisa Xenos, and Johnny Kochis at the first annual Homecoming Dance. SLOW DANCIN’ Junior Debbie Paulson, Homecoming princess, and escort Eric Smith dance during the queen’s dance. This is Debbie’s first year living in Grants Pass.