Menchville High School - Crown Yearbook (Newport News, VA)

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ll RANDOM NOTES ar New principal, new policy Norwegian Youth enjoys Photography, Drama hat would it be like to come all the way from Europe to go to Men- chville? Some students couldn't imagine such an occurrence. But for Leiv Aasebo, an exchange student from Ale- sund, Norway, it was a reality. Leiv came to Newport News through a program known as “Youth for Understanding.” The program sent teenagers to different parts of the world to experience life and culture of other people. Leiv was an active participant in drama, one of his top interests. However, Leiv was never in a play at Menchville. When asked why, his response was simply, “It’s im- possible to memorize all those lines in English.” As another hob- by, Leiv enjoyed photography and served as a member of the annual staff. Through the exchange program, Leiv was not able to choose his destination. What was Newport News like to Leiv? “There is less to do in Virginia compared to the social activity in Alesund. In Nor- way, everything was centralized. You could walk outside and find groups of friends hanging around together.” Leiv was en- thusiastic to be an active member of the student body, and he was pleased with his stay in Newport News. A-4 Random Notes Wild Over Weepuls Wee willy weepuls were a familiar sight in September as seniors sold magazine subscriptions and earn- ed over $1,500 for their prom. Menchville mugs, pac men pillows, slow poke candy (zit sticks) and cash prizes were offered to the senior salesmen. The furry creatures were worth up to 20¢ apiece, and were used to provide incentive for the sellers. In a step up from Ferguson High School, Mr. David Barr made a successful transition to the Menchville administrative family as a replacement for Mr. Robert Cottingham as assistant principal. “I really enjoyed the modern facilities offered at Leiv Aasebo clowns for other thespians in drama class Menchville and found that the students exhibited a great amount of pride in the school,” com- mented Mr. Barr. Bringing new ideas to Menchville, Mr. Barr set up a different policy that sends students rushing through the halls to avoid tardies and being placed “behind Barrs” in his lunch deten- tion program. Playwright, Teacher added enchville’s English Department was spiced with an in- teresting addition to its staff. Mr. Rudolph Wallace, originally from the Virgin Islands, came to Newport News not only as a teacher, but also as a playwright. Wallace wrote plays about “people struggling to over- come adversity that comes from their own weaknesses,’ and two of them, “The Moonlight Arms’ Mr. Wallace makes a point about proper syntax. to Staff and “The Dark Tower’ were performed off Broadway by the Negro Ensemble Company. Mr. Wallace also was involv- ed in directing and producing films. In 1972, he made a movie in the Virgin Islands, “Calypso Boat Clayton.” He hoped to someday write musicals for young people and to write in a less serious tone so that his works would have a universal audience.

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i = ' tee pit) Ae 2 BS @nam pees a he Athletic Department at Menchville suffered a great blow with the loss of Coach Steve Lewis to the University of Pittsburgh. ‘Replacing him seemed a difficult if not impossible task. Coach Richard Brooks put it this way, ‘He was a full-time coach twelve months a year — totally dedicated ro track and field.” Students and me! tee ly ws il” | | | fe wi Emotional farewell marks Coach Lewis’s departure faculty gave Lewis a reception in appreciation of the outstanding job he did coaching state championship track teams. Those who attended the party felt that it was an emotional experience for Coach Lewis and everyone else because he had such close ties to the people at Menchville. Coach Brooks commented that he would “always picture Lewis in a hat. At the reception for Coach Steve Lewis, he is flanked by fellow coaches Rose Robinson, Fannie Brown, Charlene Cooper, Patricia Werstein, and Richard Brooks. At track meets there was a constant procession of corny hats.” Menchville regretted giving up Steve Lewis to Pittsburgh but it presented a great Opportunity for him to further his outstanding career. Rolling 4 Tombstone Shortly after the opening of the 1982 school year, a new dimension was added to Menchville’s outward appearance. A welcome sign, somewhat resembling a tombstone, was presented and established in front of the school by the class of 1982. The granite monolith served as identification of | Monarch pride, and could be seen upon entering the school parking lot. The sign was appreciated and admired by the faculty and the student body. “It proves that we are proud of our school and we're not ashamed to show it,”’ boasted graduate David Long. li RANDOM NOTES Keator sits on City Council A of Menchville is XN iy? its emphasis on excellence in all areas.’ This sums up City councilwoman Margaret Keator’s affection for Menchville and its student body. Before coming to Menchville, Mrs. Keator taught at Denbigh High and Dozier Intermediate. Having in-school time for activities, which gives more students the Opportunity to participate 1S another concept that Mrs. Keator says leads to Menchville’s all around excellence. Mrs. Keator believes that being a teacher has helped her in her position on the City Council. Broadening the city’s tax base to provide more funds for public education is one of her goals as a city councilwoman. As a teacher, she wishes to promote good written Communication. “Everyone will need, at one time or another, to convey a written idea or belief, sO strong written Communication is the most important skill for today’s young to master.” Mrs. Keater at her desk Random Notes A-3

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ELE ED | Decal Dilemma Develops hen parking decals were issued in the early fall, problems arose because of the vast number of students who drove to school. Seniors were given stickers first, as a privilege, but the licenses ran out before any underclassmen received them. Obviously, the Browning rushes for 1000 yards, wins honors fter only six games tailback Keith Browning gained fame as the first football player on the Peninsula to rush for over 1,000 yards. During the Homecoming game against Phoebus, Keith scored two touchdowns and ran for 231 yards. It was during this game that Keith broke the 1000 yard mark. “I didn’t realize I had the record until I heard the an- nouncement over the stadium in- tercom,” exclaimed Browning in the aftermath of the memorable game. Keith was also named Player of the Week by The Daily Press for his outstanding perfor- mance with the team. juniors and sophomores were not thrilled about the decision. Argued Terri Burroughs, ‘J think the situa- tion was awful. Juniors should be able to park, too.” After the dispute, exceptions were made for those underclassmen who worked. The dilemma died down as most students were eventually satisfied. Keith Browning during a tense moment in the game against Phoebus. Spirit Week marred by Controversy pirit Week for Homecoming ’82 was not the usual. Each year, every day of the week before Homecoming was designated for students to dress up in Crazy attire. But it would never be the same. Rumor had it that Wednesday was to be “Punk Day,” whereas the Stu- dent Council Association and faculty selected “Country and Western Day.” Many students came appropriately ‘punked out” with dyed hair, mini-skirts, garbage bag clothes, and new- wave make-up. The administra- tion decided that the punkers would not be permitted to stay at school, and all were sent home to change. Reactions were mixed. “I think the ad- ministration went too far in punishing the people who went punk. It was supposed to be Spirit Week and they took the school spirit away,’ complained Darcy Curran. Junior Ginny Alexander could comply with the staff, even though she was punked out herself, “I unders- tand why they got upset, we went off and did our own thing.” Students had the idea that their rights were being violated. The “Spirit” of 1982 would be remembered for a long while. Before the Ban, Andy Wichorek parades in the S courtyard. Surprise, surprise! On one early fall day, the students in Mrs. Page Roberts’ first period English class were shocked. In trying to leave the class, the pupils found that the door was locked and they were jailed in. Finally, Bran- don Harris and a credit card came to the rescue. Loose Talk “Seniors are seniors. They’ve got to be able to look back and say, “hey, I had fun in my senior year!’ ”’ Rita Stallone, 12 (on senior privileges) “The students will act responsible if they are given responsibilities.” Diane Senter, 11 (on student rights) “T’ve driven to school for the past two years and I’ve never had a parking sticker.” Anonymous, 12 (on parking decals) Random Notes