John H Reagan High School - Spur Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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1€ I T t I©) o In his last year as choral director ai Reagan, Mr. Ken Steele reflected on the many gifts the choirs had given him. Of all the things he had received, however, none were more meaningful or as touching to him as this year ' s tribute to him, presented by the Chorale at the annual Spring Concert. Incorporating many of the songs Mr. Steele had taught in his 10 years at Reagan, the Chorale sang a moving medley that had been ar- ranged by Mrs. Diane Steele and prepared over a period of tw o months by the choir members as a surprise for their director. It means so much because this is something they created, a really special thing that they have done on their own, said Mr. Steele. The Chorale was directed by David Bailey, a former student of Mr. Steele, who rehearsed the Chorale when Mr. Steele was absent from school and on several evenings. About his leaving Reagan, Mr. Steele sited financial opportunity and a sense of liming as the main reasons. The Varsity and Mixed choirs also expressed their affection for Mr. Steele by presenting him with a fine leather briefcase, which he said would be most useful in my work! Mr. Steele was also chairman of the Fine Arts Dept. Just like other team efforts. Fine Arts participation helps improve confidence and self-worth, he said. I hope I can keep in touch with the friends I have here. After a ' suitable absence ' to allow the new director to get situated, I ' ll be back for football games and concerts, he promised. Until then, I wish everyone only the best. There were trying moments, admitted Mr.Jeff Traster, reflecting back on his first year as Reagan assistant band director. Both Jim (Williamson) and I were new. And 1 got a late start (August ). Summer band had already been in session two weeks. Jim and I had barely met. The Symphonic Band earned a 2 in UIL competition and wasn ' t satisfied with the rating, said Mr. Traster. So, for the next three weeks, they worked to improve, and at the Buccaneer Festival in Corpus Christi, received a 1. The curtains closed and we exploded, he said. It wouldn ' t have mattered to us if we had gotten a 4 , because we knew it had been good. The general public doesn ' t understand the sacrifices these kids make monetarily and time- wise, said Mr. Jim Williamson, Marching Band director. They ' re off about one month in the summer. Not enough good things can be said about these kids. Ninety percent are high achievers who maintain high academic records along with everything 1 demand of them. I ' m privileged to be a part of them he said. No one, except maybe the football team, is as close as the band, interjected Becky Hempel, as several band members clustered around Mr. Williamson in his office on one of the last days of school. We ' re (the band) together all the time, she said. Pride, said Becky, is what makes you get out on the field, even if you don ' t win any honors. Yeah, and you don ' t get hurl in band, quipped Derrick Edmondson. We ' re a close organization, said Mr. Williamson, and every head in the room nodded in agreement. We fight among ourselves, but no one else better say anything about us. For real! cried several voices in unison. Violinhl Melanie Feiiy performs in the Orchestra ' ; Christmas concert. Choir Director Ken Steele speaks to the audience before the Fall Concert begins. Early in hii first semester of teaching at Reagan, Marching Band Difecior Jim Willaimson explains the band ' s second show to Brigitia Clark. (Right): ' Bones ' Lee Rez- nicek and Pat Shinkle practice for Friday night ' s performance. (Right, center): Band Directer Jim Williamson drops his baton as rehearsal ends for the day. (Far right): Assistant Band Director Jeff Traster rehearses with his fifth period Symphonic Band. 116

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(Above left): Sheryl Stued shows Sharlene Johnson ihe cold wave thai won her a second-place ribbon in Cosmetology district competition in March. Their team also won third place in Parliamentary Procedure at the same competition. (Top right): Barry McClure won a second-place in Architectural Drafting in district com- petition March 6. In the iamt contest, ]iy McCain (above right, center) received second-place ribbons for Ar- chitectural Drawing and an Architectural Drafting notebook. Robert Cox (above right) was awarded a first- place ribbon in Projects for his starter. (Left): Auto Mechanics (front row): Bruce Mansfield, Brent Woolums, Danny Jalufka, Tracy Campbell; (second row): Greg Chote, Doug Senff, Walter Seward, Kunis Colonna, Robert Cox, Danny Robins. (Below, eh) Electronics students received ribbons for Pro- jects in district competition in March. Daniel Jimenez won a second-place ribbon for a light control; Robert Snipes won first-place for a rippler; Steve Tulk won second-place for a power supply (Tulk also qualified for state competition in Skills); Robert Soliz won second- place for a colored organ; Chris Barton also competed. o o -♦- o 9- I 115

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In the Batu Hall during the lunch period. Mr. ) ii Trasier goes over a piano part with Stage Band member Claire Mitchell while Jazz Band member Derrick Edmondson listens in. (Far left): Ruth Pennybacker and Kim Martin, Varsity Choir hers, practice for UIL com- petition. (Left): Contra-bass clarinetist Linda Arldi practices during first period Honors Band with Mr. Williamson. C CO o 117