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

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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

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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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w Mmrnw Q Q 0) C ) 0) c 00 CO We ' re running out of room, stated Mrs. Fern Delahoussaye, Reagan head librarian. Our library is just too small. However, she interjected, It ' s one of the best libraries in Austin, and we always strive to meet that goal; Reagan ' s library has a good name. Reagan has two librarians — Mrs. D. (as she is called by some) and Mrs. Dorothy Sullivan, and one library clerk — Mrs. Margaret Crislip. We all love help- ing students, teachers and the administra- tion, said Mrs. D. We bend over backwards to help everyone. I think the only problems I ever en- counter are doing things fast enough, and talking to several people at once, said Mrs. Sullivan. She helped students with fin- ding research material or with checking out books. She also taught Library Skills classes to library aides or to any students needing help. I feel very good about my job. Anytime I can open the right door for people it makes me feel appreciated, said Mrs. Sullivan. I do everything automatically, assisting all over the library; you name it and I do it, said Mrs. Crislip. She was busy all year long taking care of choice slips for books and submissions for ordering materials. I really love my job, she said. The students at Reagan don ' t take pride in their school, said Mrs. Crislip. Mrs. D. added, this year was better than past years as fas as student attitudes are concerned. It has been worse and it is bet- ter — we ' re learning to work together. Added Mrs. D., We love our jobs. I know wouldn ' t do anything else. I ' m very happy with it. Office jobs are number one (on the employment list.) There are more jobs available because of the computer world, said Ms. Sue Ella Foster, chairman of the Business Department. Due to the open job market, Ms. Foster was finding that students were more interested in Business courses than before. I ' m hoping they can see the value. Everyone should at least know typing; typ- ing is the basic. Whether you go into business or not, you ' ll need typing for col- lege and other jobs, she explained. With an average of 25 students per class, Ms. Foster had an almost problem-free department this year. We ' ve had a pretty smooth year over- all. Of course, the loss of Mrs. (Lynell) Suggs was the biggest thing. It was a dif- ficult transition for the students. (Mrs. Suggs taught Typing, Shorthand and Accounting. She died January 23 of a stroke.) A mini-computer was added to the Business Dept. this year. It ' s a word-processing unit that the students can train on, said Ms. Foster. If a student joins a club like VOE, can take 80 wpm shorthand, and can type 60 wpm, he can graduate from high school and make $900, up to $1100 a month, without any further training. Most people don ' t realize that what they ' re learning in a business college, they can get (the basics) in high school, claimed Ms. Foster. It ' s there for them if they take advan- tage of it. Lihrarian Mrs. Dorothy Sullivan helps a student look for research in library. Ms. Smart Harvey writes the assignment on the blackboard for her Typing II class. Library aide Gene Pelt rcshtlves books for librarians. Helping Wendy Brooks lo prepare a financial state- ment, Ms. Johanna Rother goes over a Business Simulation assignment for the Accounting II class. 118