Lexington High School - Crystal Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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Powderputf and PSAT’S Although the summer heat clung to Lexington through much of the first month of school, students man- aged to leave vacation behind them and plunge themselves into their studies and extracurricular ac- tivities. Many clubs and organiza- tions immediately initiated projects and activities at the dawn of a dec- ade. Throughout the fall, the cheer- leaders and the band supported the teams at both pep rallies and at games. The Pep Squad planned dress-up days, a movie, and a pa- rade during Homecoming Week, followed by the senior-sponsored Homecoming Dance, “Knights in White Satin.’” Soc Hops, sponsored by the SCA and cheerleaders helped fill up empty hours on cold fall evenings. The big question in early fall was the future of the parking lot. After weeks of haggling between the city and the county, the urgings of SCA President Alison Wilhelm and Rock- bridge County Supervisor Nanalou Sauder helped convince the gov- ering bodies to repair the pothole- filled lot. ““Chris John’s father, who is on the school board, said it would be a good idea for me to go to the Supervisor's meeting,”’ said Alison. Although the presence of city crews temporarily inconvenienced faculty and students alike, the new parking lot was completed before winter weather set in. Even before the 1980 Crystals ar- rived, the yearbook staff began getting ready for the new year. Dur- ing an assembly to kick off the mag- azine drive, staff members present- ed a skit, “Who Shot J.R.?’ and Sen- ior Patrick Berry urged the student body to support the yearbook. In spite of the staff’s efforts, the drive raised only $7,796, short of the $10,000 goal. During a second as- sembly which focused on sale of the yearbooks themselves, the staff presented a slide show, ‘The Latest Greatest Picture Show,” and Coach “Howdy ’ Mack urged students to buy a Crystal. In spite of the in- creased price to $9, staff members felt the sales drive was successful. “We contracted for 600 books, but we never thought we would get that many,’’ said business editor Liza Davis. ‘We were amazed!”’ Juniors and seniors began to plan for the future as they spoke to ad- missions representatives from over sixty colleges, both in- and out-of- state, on College Day. Also in prep- aration for college, upperclassmen took PSAT’s, SAT’s, and Achieve- ments. Class rings arrived to the ex- citement of juniors, as seniors or- dered graduation announcements, caps and gowns in anticipation of commencement. As presidential candidates wound up months of whirlwind campaign- ing, seniors staged mock presiden- tial debates. Senior government students also registered voters and conducted elections. For the first time, LHS hosted the district forensics meet. The team captured the Blue Ridge District tro- phy, with seven of the nine mem- bers receiving first or second place. The approach of Thanksgiving meant the annual junior-senior Pow- derpuff match. After a week of cold, windy practices, the class of ‘81 won 6-0. In addition to participation in many other activities, students also distinguished themselves in music and drama. Under the direction of newcomer Charles Torian, the cho- rus gave an autumn concert, which sophomore Jennifer Wise said “went very well.’’ Anthony Wallace and choir president Laura Woods rose to distinction when they were chosen for the Senior Honors Choir, which sang at the Virginia Music Education Association Convention in Richmond. “It was great; it was just super!’’ Laura said enthusiasti- cally. “Anthony and | had so much fun. It was a really good exper- ience.”’ The Drama Club, under the direc- tion of Mr. Alex Bourdrez, pro- duced a two-act play, Mrs. McThing. Involving a cast and crew of about thirty, the performance ran for three nights and starred Paul Kir- gis, Andrea LaRue, Tal McThenia, John Merchant, and Liza Woods. Freshman Starlene Hall, who was participating in a play for the first time, remarked, “It was a real trip; it was just the closeness of the cast.” As fall came to a close and au- tumn activities dwindled, students took one last look at the events of the last few months and then plunged into new projects for the winter. The approaching New Year promised even more opportunities for the LHS community at the dawn of a decade. A tight fit? The Herff-Jones representative finds Marvin Smith’s head to be expanded with senior knowledge as he is measured for graduation cap and gown. Making sure everything is in order, Junior Kim Jacque examines her new class ring. fall 17

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Junior Todd McCullough flips through a year book as he looks over his education choices on College Day. yh oe j 2 s ; i j ; fe. ii 5 eh | - ms Biss it S 3! ; a Setanta t y 7 aa Senior Angie Smith starts painting yet another of the endless Homecoming Dance murals. 16 fall Val Henderson, Kathy Thompson, and Ju, lie White look through Air Force literature supplied by the recruiter on College Day,

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48 plays From MctThing’ to ‘Wings’ “It was a new experience. It was a lot of fun meeting everybody. Being anew student, it was a good activity to get involved in.” That was what Penny Paul had to say about her par- ticipation in the Drama Club. Under the new direction of Mr. Alex Bourdrez and officers Alex Hughes, Patrick Berry, and Paige McThenia, the Drama Club encountered many new experiences when it produced four shows, beginning in the fall with a two-act play, “Mrs. McThing’’. The plot involved a wealthy woman whose son was bewitched by the mysterious Mrs. McThing. Playing the mother and son were Liza Woods and Tal McThenia, who had never been on the LHS stage before. Other mem- bers of the cast included veterans Christa Carter, Gary Flint, Andrea LaRue, Pepper Lawson, Holly Lowsley, Paige McThenia, and Jennifer Wise; and rookies Kelly Berry, Starlene Halll, Julie and Paul Kirgis, John Merchant, Penny Paul, and Sid Ray. The second drama project was the March production of three one-acts, ‘Who Am | This Time?’’, ““Wings’’, and “Mr. Flannery’s Ocean”. ““Who Am | This Time?’’ was about an actor and actress who fall in love while starring together in a play. Trey Lowsley was the narrator and Rob Brittigan and Sid ee i y ¥ ¥ teh eee i) ig... Ray played the couple; it was Trey’s first high schoo! dramatic experience. Margaret Furgerson, Paige McThenia, Penny Paul, and Mattie Robinson also were in the cast, as well as Amanda Badgett and Kathy Wilson who were making their stage debut. Mattie commented, “| had a really good time with the cast as well as doing the show.’ “Wings” was described by Mr. Bourdrez as “an ensemble play, meaning that all of the actors play different roles at different times. The theme focuses on the conflict be- tween the dreams of youth and the responsibilities of real life;’’ the play consisted of a “‘series of vignettes.” The cast was made up of veterans Christa Carter, Pepper Lawson, Mike McNeese, Tal McThenia, and John Merchant; and rookies Amanda Bad- gett, Lynne Draper, Lisa Fennell, Rob- bie Randolph, Sam Settle, and Andy Shaffer. “Mr. Flannery’s Ocean’’ was the story of a hardened old sailor and the dying woman who gave his life meaning. Patrick Berry took the part of the old Mr. Flannery, and Andrea LaRue was the dying lady. Anne Coulling, Maria Hunsicker, Trey Lows- ley, Jonn Merchant, Sid Ray, Anthony Wallace, and Jennifer Wise made up eetee « the rest of the cast. “Mr. Flannery’s Ocean” traveled to district competition, where it re- ceived a rating of ‘distinguished par- ticipant’’ and advanced to regionals. Following a performance after re- gionals, Holly Lowsley announced to the cast and audience that the play had been named a regional “‘distin- guished participant’’ and had quali- fied for the state festival. ‘It was a surprise when they announced it on the stage,’’ remarked Patrick Berry; “it was a wonderful surprise.’’ At re- gionals, members of the cast met stu- dents from Brookville High School in Lynchburg, who later came to Lex- ington to perform their play. ‘Mr. Flannery’s Ocean” was also present- ed to the student body in an assem- bly. At the end of the year, the Drama Club had a picnic and initiated new members into the Thespian Society. Those initiated were Amanda Bad- gett, Patrick Berry, Rob Brittigan, Gary Flint, Margaret Furgerson, Alex Hughes, Andrea LaRue, Pepper Law- son, Holly Lowsley, Paige and Tal McThenia, John Merchant, Sid Ray, Mattie Robinson, Anthony Wallace, Jennifer Wheeling, and Jennifer Wise. Shouting indignantly, Mr. Flannery (Patrick Berry). argues with Mrs. Pringle (Andrea LaRue) during a performance of “Mr. Flan- nery’s Ocean.”’