Merrillville High School - Merrillvue Yearbook (Merrillville, IN)

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Some of Merrillville High School stu- courts during our first pep rally, dents are found inside the tennis Mrs. Czarnecki and Bob Ashley race against the other contestants during the licorice race. Nancy Christoff and Mary Dudak seem to be enjoying the outcome of the event. Student Life 17

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Seniors Open the Door to Spirit A n outbreak of renewed spirit marked a new era for Merrillville’s pep sessions. With confetti and toilet paper flying, the seniors gave the rally its first spurt of energy. The excitement of the stu- dents was overwhelming. Soon the juniors and sopho- mores added to the enthusi- asm, and Merrillville was ex- periencing, according to many observers, its first real pep session. The normal activities, such as tricycle races and licorice eating contests took place, and Tim Wolf was honored with the title of Mr. Football. When the pep session was over and most of the students had left the gym, the seniors, led by Mrs. Lynch, Mrs. Guer- rero, and Dr. Sector, refused to go back to their classes. After spending several min- utes of cheering in the gym, they then proceeded with a snake dance through the halls and ended up in the tennis courts. Unfortunately, their fun didn’t last long when the police ar- rived to break up what they thought was a riot. However, the students proved them wrong by peacefully returning to class with no trouble. Tim Wolf graciously accepts the title of Mr. Football presented to him by Coach Haupt. Above: Greg Mackey and Mrs. Man- don were the winners of the licorice race. The juniors caught the spirit soon after the seniors started, and they continued to show it by cheering and holding up class signs. Mr. Hankins fired up the crowds with his speech on how you gotta be- lieve . After the pep session, seniors not yet ready to return to class continued cheering in the middle of the gym. They then proceeded into the halls forming a snake dance which ended in the tennis courts. 16 Student Life

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T he sellout crowds anxious- ly awaited the magical per- formance. His tickets sold for more than any act that had performed at the Holiday Star Theater previously. Not only did he require the tightest se- curity, but also the Holiday Inn was required to rebuild one of their rooms to satisfy the spe- cial performer for his four night stay. Just imagine the excite- ment of the nineteen lucky Merrillville students who were lucky enough to be asked to perform with Barry Manilow on those four special nights in April. Early in March, Mr. Gerald Reinhart, director of the Vo- calteens, received a phone call from New York. It was Barry Manilow’s agent asking if the Vocalteens would be in- terested in performing with Barry when he would be ap- pearing in April. The response from the group was an instan- taneous YES!” Manilow’s agent informed everyone that Barry would usually pick a talented young group of high school students in each city that he performed in to sing with him on stage. The Vocalteens were picked being that they were popular in the area, and they had also performed at many local bu- sinesses and gatherings. Practically no preparation or practice was set up for the group. They each received an autographed copy of the mu- sic to be sung, and it was up to Mr. Reinhart to rehearse with them. They had no rehearsals with Barry himself. They sang for his managers once, and that proved enough. On stage the Vocalteens wore long red choir style robes provided by Barry. They sang back-up for the song One Voice”, and after he fin- ished A Miracle”, they clapped for the Miracle Bows”. The Vocalteens admitted to being quite nervous at first, being that they hadn’t even seen the star before opening night. Finally, after three suc- cessful nights of perfor- mances, they were informed that they would have the privi- ledge of meeting Mr. Manilow, after the closing night perfor- mance. After his show was over, ev- eryone quickly rushed back- stage with cameras aimed at the entrance. First, his backup singers and manager arrived, and then the star himself. He carried in with him a big bottle of champagne, and was filled with nothing but the highest of praise for the students. He told them that they were one of the most professional groups that he had performed with and gave each member a free “Barry” t-shirt. Ladies and Gentlmen, Part of Barry ' s group reacts with surprise as they enter backstage. Barry Manilow expresses his feelings of pleasure after performing with the Vocalteens closing night. Barry gladly clowns for the camera. Barry ' s name appeared in lights just outside of the theater. 18 Student Life