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

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Fig leaves, hats, and fathers’ old ties make togas special. Robbie McMillin and Preston Campbell display their creations Freshman Michell Askew sings the latest tune while dancing to the beat Home parties were especially popular ae ce co Partying hearty and having a good time, senior Bruce Fines and junior Demetrice Thompson enjoy the costume party Student Life 25

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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.

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andom notes For most of us, our radios and stereos were our two most prized possessions. It didn’t matter whether they were Pioneer or J.C. Penney brand as long as they blasted the music. Our tastes ranged from Willie Nelson to Elvis Costello. Some of us listened to the music for the words while others listened for the beat. Old-time rock and roll fans were treated to the release of the Rolling Stones’ Some Girls album. The hit single, “Miss You,” from the album had an upbeat disco sound. Queen of country rock, Linda Ronstadt chats on the phone. Ronstadt released one album called oe in the U.S.A. with the hit “Back in the U.S.A.’ single 26 Albums Outrageous costumes and strange songs helped build the image of The Village People. Donna Summer combined blues and disco into her Live and More and Bad Girls albums. For those of us who preferred the country rock there was After a 6-year seclusion, singer Carly Simon launched out on her first record promoting tour featuring her Greatest Hits and Boys in the Trees albums. L.A.’s Mellow Mafia musicians, otherwise known as the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and Jackson Browne. Fleetwood Mac failed to release a new album, but we played our old Rumours album ‘til the grooves wore down. The re-bop, sha-bop of Ricky Lee Jones revived the jazz sound. Van Halen II proved to be a big seller with hits like ‘“Jamie’s Crying” and ‘Dance the Night Away.” And Japan surrendered to Cheap Trick. We had a hard time convinc- ing our parents that we really did study better with the radio or stereo blaring out Blondie’s Our parents retorted by claiming that a teenager couldn't go anywhere with- out music. Comedy and soul are combined by The Blues Brothers, alias John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. The group originated from Saturday Night Live. “Heartof Glass: ee ee Break from recording and rehears- ing — Australian-born singer Olivia Newton-John lounges in her Malibu farmhouse after com- pleting work. Boys of Summer. Disco queen Donna Summer poses with the pop-rock group called Brooklyn Dreams. Summer made her open- ing act during a 16-week tour.