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

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Caution: Spirit Under Construction Week one was full of following a map to find classes in a “new old” school. The “new new” wing and the old new wing were carpeted in rust and stripes and paint- ed in an orangy tan. The old parts of the school were still in a state of “half-done.” On the first day, students were presented with a “new” school newspaper with the name changed from the Spotlight to the Monroe Doctrine. The new doors weren't in so the rooms had no numbers! Lock- ers weren't ready! No air conditioning and no win- dows! Bathroom facilities were scarce. The auditorium was “not there” until January. No pencil sharpeners! The upstairs room had cinder blocks for walls and only half a hall was in action. Dust flew, welding sparks floated, and there still weren’t any ceilings in the old part of building. The students learned tolerance and to give “slack” to all the movement and change going on in the school. The business department kept spirits up as they hung up a “welcome” sign in their doorway. Students felt uprooted at times, but we managed to persevere. The cast of the children’s play had to go to Walker Grant to rehearse and perform because the auditorium wasn’t ready. The librarians had more than books to take care of —English classes were held in the main part of the library. Sometimes it was hard to find Mr. Landis’ Latin class as he moved from upstairs to the old new wing to next to the future elevator shaft. Miss Sais put u p fake windows to compensate for window- less rooms. Accidents did happen. The chemistry lab’s vents did not work and the halls smelled of “rotten eggs.”” The fire alarms were triggered by almost anything. Bells did not work. DURING the week of pre-school conference, Mr. DeRonda, the construction chief, Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Atkins discuss the state of the school. 4 Opening Students did get some privileges because of the condi- tion of the school. It was hard to get to class from the cafeteria after lunch, so students received a few extra minutes for the walk. The gym was not ready so there Was a pep rally in the hockey field. Changes also included going to homeroom every morning for attendance and listening to the morning announcements read by Kristi Hastings, Cindy Dunni- gan, Mark Geslock, or Joan Estes. New teachers joined the business, English, science, vocational and fine arts departments. Our new look started with the inside and outside of the school being renovated. We geered our action and concentration with toleration of the construction.

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HOMECOMING was a night to remember. Sara Lanford, Katy Chapman, and Charles Willis help hang blue streamers to give the gym a new look CHEERLEADERS’ job Is never done as they inspire the team. Opening ) p)

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THE FACADE of the school changed as plants and landscaping took place MR. MAGER gets ready to go home. The halls in front of the main office were still not ready 2 Se ep RE. ee sbed taeac Opening 5