James Monroe High School - Echo Yearbook (Fredericksburg, VA)

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Homemade cards and hats fit in with the off-key singing of the yearbook staff during birthdays as Sybil Thornton and Brenda Wilson see. Caught by surprise, junior Kathy Sutherland laughs about her streamer covered, balloon filled and paper flowered locker. Solemn and dignified, junior Jasmine Jelesoff and senior Martie Jackson take the oath during their NHS induction. Dead bug—JV hockey players Beth Wiggins and Lisa Wells hit the floor after a varsity player yells dead bug for initiation. Student Life 23

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If you have ever tried to open a boiled egg, you know that it takes a few cracks on the out- side to reach the inside. Club and team inductees knew how it felt to wait outside before getting in- side. National Honor Society and Quill and Scroll held digni- fied and serious induction ceremonies while field hockey initiations consis- ted of off-the-wall humor. Cracking the outer shell involved straining of the mind and body. Nation- al Honor Society members were required to maintain a 3.5 average and accumu- late 40 points for honors and extra- curricular activi- ties. Raising the flag daily became the new members’ job in Key Club. Being a part of the yearbook staff meant celebra- ting each member's birthday and laugh- ing along with the constant ribbing. On Longing to belong the other hand, Quill and Scroll inductees worked on publica- tions for at least one year. Girls varsity field hockey members joined in to intro- duce the JV team to the rough world of their sport. First, the new team members learned the songs sung on the buses to away games. Shouts of ‘‘dead-bug’’ found JV players squirming on the floor. Athletes sweated and strained to earn their letters and become members of the Varsity Club or GAA. Addressing an audience of new inductees and parents, Presi- dent Kim Higgins introduces NHS officers. The society in- ducted 20 members. With pica poles available, yearbook members have no use for knives. Brenda Wilson celebrates her birthday with the staff. 22 Feeling Wanted

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What has a hundred legs, makes a lot of noise, moves to the beat of ‘Le Freak,” or ‘Louie, Louie,” and settles down just as the sun comes up? What else but a party! Many of these creatures can be found lurking in the base- ments of houses, backyards, and on patios. Another pop- ular idea is for several people to pitch in money for a motel room for the night. Usually, parties fill rooms until they are packed with barely enough space to lift hand to mouth (the bathtub, filled with ice and refreshments, remains sacred and uninhabitable A devilish grin and a sword help Samuri Mason Hearn hold his prisoner, fairy Becky Davenport at Denise Kerr’s birthday party. 24 Parties Fun lovers’ delight ground). When all else fails (and it often does) there is always the River. The most different and en- joyable thing about parties was the participants’ change in dress from every- day Levis to various bi- zarre get-ups. One junior says, ‘I can’t even remem- ber the last time I partied in normal clothes. If it isn’t togas, it’s something even crazier.” Toga parties were especially popular at the beginning of school when National Lam- poon’s Animal House was just released. People wrapped themselves in many colored sheets adorned with a variety of accessories to make their togas as in- dividual as possible. Most were a success with the guests if not with the hosts’ parents, the neighbors, or the police who occasionally dropped by. Costume parties were another feature of the New Party Wave. Denise Kerr invited guests to wear imaginative costumes to her birthday party. Animals, gunmen, and people incognito domi- nated the party. Belly- dancers and flappers emerged from the darkness along with the bums and cowboys. Events of the night featured taking pictures of all who entered and a contest with winners including Jeff Lindsey as Beldar Conehead, Shelly Clore as ‘Pretty Baby,” and The Shiek also known as Gordon Willis. Another variation was a pa- jama party (different from the grade school sort) at Karen and Sandy Bowen’s house. Guests wore their pj s or the best imitation Nestled together but not snug in their beds, party-goers cheer with delight. The occasion was Karen and Sandy Bowen's pj party. Getting off! Mark Shepherd, Debbie Parker and Tracey Ellis dance at a party hostessed by Angela Chance. they could find. Embarrasse¢ people ran from their cars into the house to escape the peering outside eyes only to be met at the door by a blue fuzzy ‘Cookie Monster.”’ Girls in granny gowns and one piece footie pjs mingled with guys wrapped in bathrobes. It may be that an unusual burst of creativity is causing this breakaway from traditional free-style party- ing or it could just be the sheer boredom with “ the! same old thing.” One thing | is for sure, as long as there is schoolwork and other tiresome things to escape, partying in what- ever form will thrive. The wonders of a toga party! Amuse smiles play on the faces of sheet cla¢! students at Bill Baker's party.