Lexington High School - Crystal Yearbook (Lexington, VA)

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PARLE NS TE eet le aia tee ee tee epee TR aan = eieemaeeinen Ee OES EE RED, 5 REP BT ees ’ i - . ot | 6 he ta ’ ah 23 Ps ; it ) ; ; } 1 Rehearsing a scene from “Mrs. McThing” are leading characters Liza Woods and Tal McThenia. During a performance of “Wings”, Amanda Badgett, Pepper Lawson, John Merchant, and Robbie Randolph lean over Tal McThenia. Playing the part of two gangsters in “Mrs. McThing”’, Paul Kirgis and John Merchant prac- tice backstage. plays 19

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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.”’

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Tinsel, twists and Saint Nick Beneath striped candy canes that hung from the parachutes, students danced to the music of WREL disc jockeys Jay Corn and Yo-Yo Roane at the junior-soponsored Christmas Dance, “Candy Cane Castle.”’ A jolly Santa Claus, alias junior Edwin Johnson, wandered around a huge decorated Christmas tree as he greeted students and displayed his dance moves. The disc jockeys sponsored several contests, which were judged by the dee-jays and student applause. Soph- omores Chris Greene and Jamie Mays won the dance contest; seniors John Baker and Mary Shaffer won first prize in the twist contest, while the runners- up were sophomores Robert Glenn and Theresa Zybko. Junior Gary Black- well and senior Cindy Tolley won the best-dressed contest. Eighth-graders Tal McThenia and Cheryl Sherburne won the prize for being the youngest couple at the dance. Tal remarked that he was very sur- prised, because “| thought there were a lot of eighth-graders there.’’ Mary summed up the twist contest by say- ing, “It was wild!’’ The juniors felt the dance went very well, and vice-presi- dent Chris John said, “We thought it was pretty successful, one of the most successful Christmas dances we’‘ve been to. If was good preparation for the Prom.” 20 christmas dance ee ay soe st get a Fi fj haart ries = ON el IT eT ET TE EE I I TT I x ry ao a Gye ke kes te ee } ants ehied Juniors Holly Lowsley and Ronnie Canfield move to the beat of the junior-sponsored ““Can- — dy Cane Castle.”’ eg ewe