Griffith High School - Reflector Yearbook (Griffith, IN)

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M t was Friday, February 19th. A normal Friday with M a home basketball game to be played against Clark High School that night. Spirit posters hung on the wall and students dressed in black and gold. Sounds like an ordinary Friday doesn ' t it? Well, it wasn ' t! It wasn’t just any Friday, nor had it been a normal week. All week long had been Spirit Week and Friday was Homecoming. But, not Football Homecoming. It was a Homecoming for Basketball. Officially, it was called Spirit Week and is hoped to become a new tradition in our school. Spirit Week began on Tuesday. Different looking clothing, spiked hair, and unusual makeup. These traits are often associated with punk rockers and with several students on Tuesday’s Punk Day. Grab your flowered shirt and grass skirt and go Hawaiian in the Wintertime with Wednesday ' s Hawaiian day. Don ' t feel like getting dressed for school? Wanna stay nice and warm in your pj ' s and bunny slippers? Well, go ahead it ' s Thursday ' s Pajama Day. Sophomore Katrina Gasper said, I thought PJ Day was cool because all you had to do was roll out of bed and you were dressed.” Finally, Friday had arrived. This day was to be the busiest of the week. Not only was it Black and Gold Day but, there was a pep rally, game, and a dance to look forward to. The pep session was held during sixth hour. Booster Club President Senior Kim Companik was in charge. First she introduced Coach Jerry Gurrado. Mr. Gurrado gave a short little speech and then introduced the basketball team. Loud whistles and clapping from the students filled the air. Panth- erettes, Cheerleaders, Sweatergirls, Lifters, and the Pep Band, provided the entertainment for the rest of the hour. I thought it was a great way to get out of class. I thought it was exciting, said sophomore Dave Meyers. After an exciting and intensifying first half the Panther team returned to the lockerroom for half time, as the crowd anxiously awaited for the crowning of Duke and Dutchess to begin. The royal court was made up of one couple from each class. Representing the Senior Class was Ray Jajowka and Tina Felski. Brother and sister Branko and Desa Stepan ovich were the junior couples. Ryan Davis, Barbie Gal, Steve Trivunovich, and Donna Slakinin were the sophomore choices. Nervously, the candidates and the fidgeting audi ence awaited to hear the results. Booster Club President Senior Kim Companik and Vice President Senior Rhonda Reed had the honor of crowning the first Spirit Week Duke and Dutchess. The Spirit Week Duke and Dutchess were, Branko and Desa Stepanovich. When everyone came and congratulated me, said ju- nior Branko Stepanovich about being crowned was the best part about being crowned. It was really exciting being crowned. I was really happy my brother was with me because I get even more excited when he wins something,” said Desa Stepanovich, junior. Unfortunately, the Panthers were defeated. Many peo- ple ' s spirits were dampened by the loss; especially the sen- iors. Because for them it would be their first and last Basket ball Homecoming. Spirit Week did not turn out as successful as most had hoped. Senior Jennifer Schroeder said, It was disappoint- ing because for the F ootball Homecoming everyone was into it and it didn’t seem like many people were enthusiastic about the Basketball Homecoming. I think they should have a Spirit Week next year. But, if they do, it should be planned ahead of time so people know what ' s going on. A contest between the classes for spirit points should be held to make more people dress up, said Susan Krug, senior. 7 he Pantherettes perform a favorite routine for the basketball team and the students at the pep session held during sixth hour 20 — Spirit Week

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or months guys had been setting aside portions of their paychecks to pay for the costly event. While other guys waited nervously for the girl of their dreams to agree to be his date for the evening. For weeks girls had been searching frantically through every available store from the Indiana to the Illinois border looking for that one dress that would put all the other girl’s dresses to shame. Finally, the day had arrived when all this money saving and shopping sprees would pay off. This long awaited for day was none other than Prom. Couples chattering amongst themselves steadily streamed into the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Merriville between the hours of 5:30 and 6:30 pm on the day of May 14, 1988. Upon entering the dimly lit, air conditioned room, the scene was as one might expect. Girls were clustered in little groups admiring one another ' s dresses. Guys were sitting at tables discussing their plans for the next day. Every where there was the clicking and flashing of cameras. The Banana Band provided the evenings entertainment from 812 pm. The group played a variety of music from the 1980’s way back to the 1960’s. Music ranged from fun jumping tunes such as: Twist and Shout” to the slow melodic rhythm of the Miami Sound Machine’s Words Get in the Way . The band was great. They were a lot better than their name sounded. They should try to get them for next year, even though I won’t be here,” said senior Chris Kleimola. “The band was pretty good overall they played music for everyone. The only people they left out are the thrashers. Oh well, maybe next year, guys, said junior Stacy Mahns. This year’s court consisted of juniors-Adrienne Com- panik, Denise Hochstetler, Mary Hoffman, Denise Mukulski, Deanne Tanis, Keith Galocy, Phil Katona, John Mowery, Branko Stepanovich, and Ray Jajowka had the honor of crowning Branko Stepanovich and Deanne Tanis as the 1988 Prom King and Queen. I was surprised to be nominat ed to Prom court. It was totally unexpected, said junior Adrienne Companik. The next day couples set out bright and early for some fun at Great America or up to Chicago. I went to Chicago for the whole day. It was a blast because everyone got along great! We walked to the Water Tower and all the way to the Sears Tower! Its pretty wild that we made it the whole day on only about two hours of sleep. We were so tired, but it was worth it, said senior Debbie Parr. All in all most teachers and students thought that things went quite well at Prom. It seemed like everyone there had a good time. As usual, the students were well behaved. The chaperones were impressed by the overall great attitudes of the students,” said Mrs. Carstenson. For many, this year ' s Prom was very special. Whether it was one’s first or last Prom or the special person one went with, each person had their own reason. I was very excited because when my date left my house Prom night, he gave me his class ring, said senior Chris Kleimola. All in all everyone seemed pleased by the outcome of the evening. rom Court of 1988 Denise Mikulski, John Mowery. 9 Denise Hochstetler, Keith Galocy, Deanne Tanis, Branko Ste- panovich, Adrienne Companik, Bry an Textor, Mary Hoffman, and Phil Katona. 22 - Prom