Mater Dei High School - Hi Lights Yearbook (Evansville, IN)

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MIXED EMOTIONS: Mary Wannemueller and Lisa Scheller prepare for Baccalaureate in the senior hall. The traditional caps and gowns made the crowded gym seem even hotter on the muggy May evening. (Photo by Aldn Burdette) HAPPY TIMES: Mater Dei graduate, Cheryl Lage- nour, gives Brian Helfrich a congratulato ry hug. In addition to happy congratulations, tearful good- byes also followed the commencement cere- mony. (Photo by Leslie Stratman) THE GIFT: John Dewig receives communion from Mr. Dick Grannan. Slides of various class activities followed communion. (Photo by Alan Burdette) .V ebz-a .

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THANKS MOM: Mary Beth Teipe receives aid in pinning her hat on from her mother Marilyn. To everyone ' s relief, the hats remained on the heads of the graduates throughout the ceremony. (Photo Courtesy of Evansville Courier and Press) go no in STYLE 220 SPORTS FANS: Brian Weinzapfel and John Kohl present a baseball glove and football during offertory at Baccalaureate. The gifts symbolized sportsmanship. (Photo by Alan Burdette) Don ' t throw your hats! Don ' t throw your hats! These words were heard all over the Civic Center Auditorium Sun- day, June 6, graduation day. The mor- tarboard hats that the 168 graduates wore caused quite a controversy. Early in the ' 81-82 school year it was announced that the seniors would have to give up their hats immediately after they received their diplomas. This meant not only, that throwing their hats would be impossible, but also, the tradition of transferring the tassle from the right of the hat to the left, symbolizing the entrance into the adult world, would be missed. Many students were disappointed but most were downright angry. I was more disappointed than angry. It seemed like it would take away some of the tradition, com- mented seni or Tom Spindler. Joe Delehunt, principal, did not let the students down. About a month be- fore graduation, rumors plagued the senior hall that the seniors could wear their caps throughout the entire cere- mony. I trusted in the seniors. I also had a lot of confidence in them. I ' m extra proud that everything turned out the way it was supposed to, Delehunt said. The baccalaureate and com- mencement ceremonies went exactly as planned. After all of the seniors had their diplomas, they turned their tas- sles and rings to signify the celebration and dignity of the event. Mary Kay Kissel was valedictorian. She earned a 3.96 grade point aver- age out of a possible 4.0 in her four years at Mater Dei. Margaret Tavomni- na was salutatorian with a 3.89 grade point average. Judith Clabes, editor of the Sunday Courier and Press, was the com- mencement speaker. Her talk fo- cussed on success. She stated that each person had his or her own idea of what success really is. She consid- ered each senior present successful but also said that graduation was just the beginning. She stated, One cannot rest on past accomplishments. The success of the day was some- thing to remember. Hats were not thrown, tassles were turned, some tears were shed, and, in the words of Mr. Delehunt, the day was a celebra- tion of dignity. — Tina Boarman

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222 It ' s a school ending we certainly won ' t forget, said principal Joseph Delehunt. He referred to the Pizzare thunderstorms which ripped through the Evansville area on June 8. The sudden storm uprooted trees on the covent ' s hill, knocked down the school ' s power lines, started a fire in room 207, and caused havoc at the junior class party. It was indeed a wild ending for a Wildcat Celebration year . . . Although many of us were burnt out at the end of the year, we still managed to celebrate the spirit, challenges, change and traditions initiated at the beginning of school. On May Day, the student body dis- played that unique MD spirit as they actively took part in the games, despite the rainy weather. High jumper Roger Brown advanced to the state track tournament to face perhaps his biggest challenge of the year. He made it back home the follow- ing day to graduate — with a third place medal for hanging around his neck. Delehunt proved to be a very signifi- cant change at MD as he took over the responsibilities as principal. The editorial in the final edition of the Hi-Lights news- paper, adequately put it, Mr. Delehunt brought many refreshing changes to the administration — student connection. His confidence in the student body en- couraged responsibility ... The Baccalaureate and Graduation ceremonies concluded without a hitch. The class of ' 82 went out in style, without the forbidden throwing of hats, instead, they started a new tradition by the turn- ing of the tassles and class rings. We made even more tracks of our own. As Sister Jenny Miller said in her Baccalaureate speech, we left a year of firsts: first in clean campus, first in foot- ball, first in candy sales, first in various band competitions, and first in Wildcat pride. Who could ask for more reasons to celebrate? — Mary Ellert STYLE COm. S ebr a v . TEN-HUT: Juniors Amy Riggs and Tanya Crothers are garbed in green as they attend school in their brothers ' army uniforms on twin day. Spirit days were events looked forward to and celebrated during homecoming week. (Photo by Mary Ellert) SHINING STAR: Roger Brown proudly displays his high jumping medal just prior to commencement ceremonies. Roaer placed third in state-wide competition just the day before. (Photo courtesy of the Evansville Press) ' ■--, %