Meadowbrook High School - Sceptre Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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hile most stu- dents were studying art in books, some students created art. Instead of painting, scupliting and sketching, they were shooting, developing, and printing in a photography class. Instructor, Mrs. Rita Root not only taught the functions of a 35mm camera and darkroom procedures but also conveyed how the camera can be an exten- sion of oneself. Her goal was for students to become “the creators, Composers, and communicators of the im- ages they wish to portray These factors magggiielame) winning Combigehilelakelastelaie} stude end state contests. who won county Richie Nashette, Mike Steger, and Amy Ruckart brought honors home with their photos. The latter’s work was chosen to be exhibited in the Sovran Bank permanent collection. As a practicing artist, Mrs. Root had time for only three classes. Despite the brief time that she spent with her students they felt that they learned more creativity from a real artist. “Mrs. Root allows us to do the work as we see fit.’’ said Sharon Daniels. ‘‘She sti gives us her opinion cgre—yie take it from thageeiNcyellate) MiikeatsieexOlained what she SeyOYed most about the class. “| enjoy the artistic freedom of the class, we are allowed to express ourselves a great deal.” Despite all the enthusiasm photography evoked it was also very expensive. Many students saw the need for more equipment and time for the class. ‘We need more time because you can get pretty involved once you are in the darkroom,” said junior Mike StegegebiS to increased enpseliiasteisimelare, Siviesiagpwecs, Coupled with uigk s1UCents’ hard work, the monetary needs were met. Mrs. Root’s future goal for the class was not to expand but to keep photography, as itis, highly specialized. She maintained that 35mm cam- eras are the foundation for “videography’’, which is fast becoming the dominate art form of the eighties. In her... own words, ‘ .. .1do hggssis ly believe that qlarefetatelel=ies ineMeminsseced for an outlet egeo nMmunicate, whether it is photography, writing, Mu- sic, drama, sports, etc. Therefore, photography class becomes that neces- sary outlet for some students to express all the existing en- ergy in a positive manner.” RAINS i ese »graphy class al- to create. — 25

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24 Photography otography really tu Rich Nashette hotography gives me hance to experiment wi eas. — Bridget Robertson This whole class has opened new doors. — Amy Ruckart Creativity, freedom of expression, and technical experience coalesce in pho- tography class to provide students with an outlet to communicate. The people, the attitude is always positive. — Jim Weeks | enjoy the break from academic pres- sure. — Sheri Deets

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hhh ... your life as a stu- dent. What could be said about the life you led for I the majority of your youth? The life you led as a student . . . God only knows it’s gotta be too much. Your student life was not real. In a fact, if you want to be honest, ; your life during your years of schooling was, in all actuality, a to- | tally different, totally unreal world. i m fading. Those Beastie Boy guys were true to your youth (or Huey fi Lewis, or Megadeth — depending on what youlistened too). Platoon fi was the most realistic vision of war im The things you learned in school were not real to you. Money was ff not real to you. You knew about as much about world affairs as your pet goldfish. The president was about as real as occasional television footage and political cartoons. And time? Time was | probably the one thing that was the most unreal, the most un- known in the days of your youth. | SO what was true and real in your youth — in your days as a im student? The truest thing had to § be the indisputable daily event of dragging yourself out of bed — much, much too early — and, | clinging barely to consciousness, other things were at least almost you had. Love was true, for the mm Most part, but going out of fash- ion. 7-11 chili-cand-cheese hot- ; j dogs were real. The beach was mg the idyllic haven for your youth's a ‘reality’’ where your parents | So what was real and true fo you as Qa student, any- way? Mee 26 Student Life Divider Ce ee Up. that you were screwing your life But all that’s pretty general. How did youmake yourself — your ) OWN existence — real and true to ¥ fe your youth? Did you have a ten- @ finding your way to that enigmatic i @ institution — school. But a lot of B inch mohawk? Did you try to fol- low in the footsteps of the idols and fashions of a nostalgic past? as real. T.V. was real but quickly fi me self in your picture-perfect ‘67 Did you make an identity for your- Mustang? Or your skateboarding skill? Was there a reality or true- ness for you in your own room in your home (which you frequented | as little as possible)? Who knows? Maybe all that stuff from your youth and your days as a student is as real as it ever gets. Or maybe nothing's real.