Merrillville High School - Merrillvue Yearbook (Merrillville, IN)

Page 27 text:

Gift of life Over 100 pints of blood donated to help others On Wed. March 23, 104 stu- dents donated blood to the Fort Wayne Regional Red Cross Blood Drive. The donations were given in efforts to save the life of Bryan Swanson, a fifth grade student at an elementary school in Crown Point. The reason I gave blood was because of Bryan. I felt really bad for him, and I wouldn ' t have felt right not giving blood to help him, stated Krissy Trakas, senior. All of the donors were at least 17 years old and weighed over 110 pounds. The donors were checked to varify they were in good health and had never suf- fered from hepatitis. The blood drive process began with a short talk to the students encouraging those of age to help save a life. Students were in- formed that the process was not very painful and did not place any health risks on the donor. Before the students were able to give blood, permission slips signed by a parent had to be re- turned. I feel the blood drive was a good turn out, and the an- nouncement concerning Bryan ' s condition helped make the drive a success, stated Delores Poxen, nurse. Swanson passed away at the University of Illinois Medical Center the day before the stu- dents donated blood. However, the blood was put to use to help others. I gave blood simple because I know that I can save a life. I have plenty of blood and I feel good about giving some of it to some- one who is in great need of it, stated Silvana Sulli, senior. BY TRACY WIKSE Relaxing on the table, Scott Gron- owski, junior, donates a pint of blood to the Red Cross. The blood drive was a huge success receiving 104 pints. ■L id you find yourself sitting home on weekends thinking of what a great time your friends were having? Well, students stopped thinking about their friends and signed up for COMPUTER DATING. The Senior Class had a fund raiser for students to find that perfect person through Comput- er Dating. Students answered a questionnaire about their likes and dislikes. Questions ranged from kissing on the first date to types of music preferred. Completed forms were then sent to Data Match Incorporated in New York. Anxiously awaited results were returned in a few weeks. In order for students to obtain their results, they had to pay one dol- lar. The results consisted of twelve names from the most compatible to the least. Receiv- ing these names did not mean the students HAD to go out with them. Many students thought they would have to go out with the people whose names they re- ceived. Therefore, some students did not participate. For example, Brad Evans, sen- ior, commented, I might be matched up with somebody I don ' t associate with. Fortunately, other students looked at the match as being more of a fun thing. I wanted to see who met my expectations at MHS, concluded, Jennifer Vereb, senior. So MHS students were able to say good-bye to the Dating Game and Love Connection, but hello to Computer Dating. by MISSY GAYDA And then some 23

Page 26 text:

Spring break isn ' t always FLORIDA Florida was fabulous! Cancun was a carnival! Colorado was colorful! The world travelers found their spring breaks to be quite satisfying as they wasted no time in making tracks to their far-off destinations. But, for those who chose to keep their suitcases in the closet and their feet planted firmly on the ground, Merrillville was MARVELOUS! I stayed home, but my boy- friend came up to visit which made it worth staying, said Ali- son McCullom, senior. Merrillville offered a wide va- riety of activities. They ranged from parties to movies. I almost got to go somewhere warm, but I ended up staying here and I got a lot done, claimed Cathy Marks, senior. I even went to Indy for a couple of days (last big family vacation be- fore I get too old). It wasn ' t what I would have liked to do, but I still had fun. I went out with my girlfriend and a few of my friends who stayed home, added Jon Lea, senior. Spending time with girl- friends and boyfriends also proved to be very popular. I spent the whole break with my girlfriend, claimed Tony Olejnik, senior. Spring sports, such as track, baseball, softball and soccer an- chored some students to home- town soil. I wished I could have gone to Florida, but I went to track and won four races, said a proud Jim Kerr, senior. I spent a lot of my time at soccer practice as we began our soccer season over break, added Mike Sofa, senior. Jobs were yet another incen- tive to hold spring breakers back. I worked two jobs over spring break, admitted Judi Ed- gerton, senior. The money was great! For those who wanted the sun kissed look without the sun, tan ning salons were their tropics. I spent most of my tint ' cheating ' in the tanning booth, stated McCullom. As the world travelers re turned, the hometowners ' proved that the suitcases did no have to leave the closets for th good times to roll. by CINDY HYDING0 Vacationing in his hometown, Dave Pavnic, junior, takes a trip to Cedar Lake to go windsurfing. Many students are bound to Merrillville because of lack of dinero.” 22 And then some

Page 28 text:

' Mr. Hot Legs ' crowned Spirit! Excitement! That certain charisma could be felt everywhere. Jan. 18 marked the beginning of Spirit Week. This week of festivities led to the Homecoming basket- ball game against Hammond Gavit. It started off with a “bang as the three classes competed in a hall decorating contest. Colorful signs and streamers were draped about. Balloons and other para- phenalia added to the atmo- sphere. I think the hall decorating brightened up the school and ad- ded to the activities, declared Tami Peters, senior, I was im- pressed that the decorations stayed up the entire week. Shouts of laughter, some mocking and others good-na- tured, were attributed to the dress code of Spirit Week. (Mon- day — Plaid Day, Tuesday — Bandana Day, Wednesday — Pa- jama or Long John Day, Thurs- day — Hawaiian Day, Friday — Purple and White Day.) I thought there was a lot of participation from students and teachers, said Linda Shesto, senior, everybody had fun with it. PJ or Long John Day was my favorite because I usually wear long johns under my jeans. Our school is always so cold, and they are comfortable! added Su- san Christoff, senior. 24 Homecoming The Pirates played an exciting game against Gavit. To me, it was just another game, admitted Jon Lea, senior. I knew more people would be there, so I tried to motivate the team members into playing their best. The team members certainly did play their best as the crowd cheered them on to a victory. Halftime of the homecoming game brought about even more festivities. Excitement mounted as the princess and queen candidates filed onto center court. The sophomore court consist- ed of Liz Croarkin, Jennifer Hamilton and Becky Zawacki. The junior court was Melissa Best, Melinda Burkhart and Tina Pavlov. Cindy Hydinger, Ann Mestousis, and Nikki Mo- drak made up the senior court. Mestousis was crowned queen with Croarkin and Burkhart as her princesses. Being on the court was some- thing I really appreciated and being elected queen made me very happy, said Mestousis, senior. Something new added to the fervor of Spirit Week. Student Council sponsored the Mr. Legs contest. Ten daring males bared their legs so that all could vote on the best pair. Hank Lor- enz, senior, displayed the win- ning legs at halftime. I thought it was a great idea because we got to see all of the guys ' sexy legs in the middle of winter, claimed Leslie Osoba, senior. It was like summer all over again. The Homecoming indoor pa- rade displayed the hard work of different groups. Colorful floats captured everyone ' s attention. I feel the Senior Class float was the best, declared Judy Ed- gerton, senior. That ' s because I ' m a SENIOR! Contrary to Edgerton thoughts, winners of the parade were the FHA and HERO club ' s floats. Those who participated made Spirit Week fun and interest- ing! exclaimed Michelle Santos, junior. by MIKKI DUDAK With MHS spirit. Jeff Galka and Scott Moore, sophomore, pull their class float around the court. The winner of the Basketball Homecoming parade was the FEA float. Proud of his winning legs. Hank Lorenz, senior, displays his first place award for Mr. Hot Legs ' 88. Student Council sponsored the Homecoming event for the first time. Photos Schrenker