MacArthur High School - Crest Yearbook (Irving, TX)

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The new Industrial Arts-Journalism Building takes form. 1 : - Tte - I The new Science-Library Building becomes a part of the old MacArthur complex as a workman knocks down a second floor wall separating the two. converted into a long-needed testing area for special exams. Although no one anticipated these additions, everyone knew they were needed. Both teachersand students were anxious to make use of their new conveniences. But the question still remained; When would the school receive a swimming pool? what ' s new 29

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t Ended With Exodus It first began as a rumor which many students ignored. Then, curiosities were aroused as construction crews mysteriously began arriving and foundations were laid. Day by day the new library, science rooms, offices, and industrial arts, journalism, and ROTC buildings began taking shape around the school. Eventually, all doubts about MacArthur getting its long awaited additions diminished. Although the new buildings would not increase enrollment capacity, they would be able to meet the constantly expanding needs of the student. Because the new science section would contain better- equipped rooms, the classes would become more lab-oriented. This would help students get more involved by actually experiencing science. Also included in the blue prints was a new library encompassing twice as much space and at least five times the facilities. It would not only be a library, but also a resource area containing conference rooms, a recreational reading room, a media production center, sound-proof rooms, and even a darkroom. Actually, the entire complex was being built to provide more space and less confusion. Rooms would become more specialized to meet specific needs of the curriculum. Journalism students and the publications ' staffs would be able to move from their secluded corner to a large classroom with adjoining offices for editors, a complete production work area, and a professionally designed photography lab. ROTC students would also move from their small, portable building to a new structure complete with everything from a large supply-room to a ten point indoor rifle range. Moi e room was the key phrase as w m r]ifrviniian:ii|i|ii]i ' --Mil ! -I ' 111 i il V 1 M 11 i ' Taking advantage of better surroundings. Tim Kedmond and Rebecca Earl note the differences a new desk can make. construction became a part of the scenery. As work was completed, classes began a mass movement which found Art, Speech, Drama, Journalism, and Science Departments and the library relocated in new buildings. The Art Department made its new fiome in the old library after remodeling. With the Journalism and Art classes empty, the Speech and Drama Departments began a campaign to take over looney hall. Renovation of the art room created a mini-stage with wardrobe, practice, and make-up rooms. Both remodeling and a new structure facilitated operational areas for principals, counselors, and office personnel. While the principals set up shop in the new structure, counselors began functioning in the remodeled portion. An extra room was then 28 what ' s new

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MacArthurian Renaissance For the first year in the history of the school, Seniors were no longer required to take English. Instead, mini-courses were offered which consisted of such subjects as Sports in Literature, Creative Writing, Literature of the Imagination, and Paperback Power. An Advanced Placement course was also devised to prepare college-bound students for tests which would allow them to by-pass freshman English. Besides these new innovations, many other anticipated changes were made. The combination of both the A and B Bands resulted in the Cardinal Marching Band. The ensemble performed less military- type marching and more pageantry shows. The most evident advantage was that the band did more standing and playing and less parading. The lack of uniforms created a major problem which affected the appearance of the band during performances. Some received the basic black uniforms while those less fortunate were stuck with the customary red attire. More new uniforms are expected next year, but at the time, the words of uniform manager Suzanne Kay, It ' s really a big mess, pretty well summed up the situation. Meanwhile, in the journalism department, the old every-once-in-a- while TALE FEATHER became the only high school weekly newspaper in North Texas. Because of its new, more professional image, the staff felt the name should also be changed and thus THE CARDINAL WORD was born. Staff writer Lisa Armstrong expressed her opinion of the new style by commenting, It ' s what a paper should be. The style was designed to contain more news, be more timely, and mainly reflect student interests to a greater degree. The yearbook also took a turn for what was hoped to be the better. Instead of putting out the same old book, Editor-in-Chief Deanna Armstrong attempted to make it the students ' book. It was decided the annual would entertain, be more colorful, and most important, appeal to the student. All staff members realized there was a risk involved since they had to basically play it by ear through the year. As Mr. Johnny N. Heard, yearbook advisor, stated, We ' ll either have the best book in Texas or the worst in the nation. In an osculatory manner, Robert Dye shows his appreciation for the Valentine Cardiogram sent to him by Jan Blalock. A larger band needs more than one drum major— thus, Richard Hurst and Mark Wolfe strut to a cadence during the Homecoming Parade. i 30 what ' s new