Laurens District 55 High School - Fifty Fiver Yearbook (Laurens, SC)

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Southern Nights Saturday, May 10,1980, went down as the date of the first school-sponsored prom. Mixed emotions among the ad- ministration, the faculty, the community, and the student body emerged about a school-sponsored prom. After seven stu- dent representatives and several con- cerned parents presented the request, the administration and the school board of trustees agreed that the 1980 Junior- Senior Prom would be a school- sponsored, parent-teacher chaperoned event, and that the commons area of the high school would be the location. Under the guidance of Mr. Ken Alexan- der and Mrs. Sarah L. Smith, the student council began planning the occasion. Ticket sales totaled ninety couples. The decorating committee, headed by Mr. Gayle Gulick, worked for hours with the help of many willing faculty members, students, and parents to make the com- mons ‘‘squeaky clean. The prom’s theme, ‘‘Southern Nights, was spelled out in the entrance tunnel, and the com- mons area depicted a romantic southern evening complete with a sparkling foun- tain and lush ferns; each table was deco- rated with magnolia blossom centerpieces. The students danced to music from the popular top forty hits played by the band Toyzz and enjoyed refreshments provided by Miss Ruth Casey's committee. Every senior girl was presented with a single rose. Teachers, such as Ed Prescott who was in charge of school security, and parents acted as chaperones for the evening. Enjoying the romantic atmosphere. Greg Hen- derson and Holly Evatt share a dance. After several dances. Paula Madden and her date Continuous music provided by the band Toyzz George Rinker take a break from dancing. kept everyone on his feet. Junior-Senior Prom 9

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 Displaying their disco talent, Lesslie Blakely and Amy Holtzendorff dance to a popular tune. Preparing for the prom, Mrs. Anne Sheppard and Mr. Sam Oakes put in hours after school to work on decorations. Class officers, Shannon Holland and Lori Sey- mour aid juniors in decorating the commons. Attending the Junior-Senior Prom, these stu- dents enjoy the refreshments provided by the Home Economics department. 8 Junior-Senior Prom

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HEAT WAVE In spite of the blazing sun and record heat, students discovered ways to have fun and to keep cool during the summer. Beach bums and sun bathers flocked to the “Grand Strand to enjoy the surf and soak up the sun. Others chose nearby Lake Greenwood for swimming, fishing, and water skiing. Trying to escape the heat in town, hot, tired students filled any available pools. If not on vacation, stu- dents planned single-day outings to Six Flags and Carowinds for “thrills and chills.'' Softball fields and tennis courts came alive with active, young people. While students with summer jobs found free time rare, dedicated prospective football players lifted weights in prepara- tion for the fall season. During the sum- mer, cheerleaders and band members braved the heat to go to camp. With the approach of autumn, students began organizing for the return to school by acquiring the completed immunization certificates. As the summer faded away, students anticipated another school year and cooler temperatures. Carefully tracing letters, Samantha Coleman draws a spirit sign for commons. Plunging into the water on a hot summer day, Lee Edge refreshes himself by going for a swim. Preparing for football in the fall, Brian Burns lifts weights to strengthen his upper body. 10 Summer Months