Mifflin High School - Lasso Yearbook (Columbus, OH)

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Each year, high schools go through the ritual of nominating the most beautiful and the most popular girls in the Senior Class for the honor of becoming Homecoming Queen. The job of becoming a Homecoming Queen is not an easy one. The candidates find themselves constantly in the limelight of the entire school. They are literally on at all times. This on posture can, and does, have a tendency to strain one ' s nerves. Being on does not mean being phoney, because the young ladies nominated for this honor are not phonies; they are highly popular, visible, and lovely girls. After these ladies have spent the entire week courting the votes of their peers, they are thrust into an assembly where they are ogled by the entire student body. While in this arena, the nominees are required to give an impromptu answer to a question thought up in the far reaches of someone ' s dark mind. How does one answer intelligently questions such as: If you could be anyone else, other than yourself, who would you be and why? or, Do you think millions should die in a needless war? or, What is the significance of the rising cost of firewood in Russia? Questions, pressure, and limelight aside, there is nothing to do to become Homecoming Queen; just be charming, witty, and friendly. The five finalists for this year ' s honor are all of these things. Shirley Ullom, Crystal Momon, Eleanor Whetsel, Angela Harris, and Lisa Adkins, ably escorted by Dan Ely, Michael Henry, Rolland Harris, Delane Smith, and David Waddle, respectively; joined by last year ' s Queen Cindy Adams, escorted by Ben Hensel, met at mid-field for the announcement. This year ' s Homecoming Queen is Eleanor Whetsel. From the picture above, we can see that the announcement was of great surprise to Eleanor. We, however, knew that a pretty, popular, and nice young lady would be chosen. Eleanor fits the bill excellently. Congratulations to the 1983 Homecoming Queen Eleanor Whetsel. HOMECOMING 9

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i fc ' ' 1 w7 ' t W Jk Li Homecoming is not just the naming of a new queen who will reign for a year at Mifflin. Homecoming is, as its name implies, a coming home: A returning to a place where many hours were spent. Homecoming is also all of the pageantry and excitement of the football game, the crowd, the marching band, and the cheerleaders capped off by the crowning of the queen. All of these events, mixed together, make Homecoming what it is: A once a year celebration of joy. 8 HOMECOMING

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ALL-AMERICAN Very seldom does any athlete achieve the recognition of the Nation. To have six athletes recognized in one year, and to have all six come from the same high school is almost unheard of. Notice we said almost. In 1982, six Lady Puncher Track Team members were selected by the National Coaches ' Association of America and by the American Textile Association as Ail- Americans: Gigi Alberson, Kisca Ambler, Zena Johnson, Kathy Oliver, Kellie Simpson, and Karen Wilson. Gigi Alberson and Kellie Simpson no longer attend Mifflin. Both young ladies attend The Ohio State University, but as students at Mifflin, they set state meet records in the 400 meter relay and the 200 meter dash, respectively. Lady Puncher Track Coaches Bob King and Ken Jones have lost two high school all-Americans to the college ranks, but the coaches have four high school all- Americans returning to this year ' s team. These four are pictured above and to the right: Kathy Oliver, Karen Wilson, and Kisca Ambler; and Zena Johnson. Karen and Zena were members of the 400 meter relay team that set the new state record at 47.43. Along with Karen and Zena, Kathy and Kisca set a new state record in the 1600 meter relay at 3:53.0. For these new state records, all of the young ladies received the honor of being named high school All-American. All of the All-American girls will receive a jacket which proclaims their achievements. This jacket, however, may not be worn until after the young lady has graduated from high school. For Kisca and Kathy that ' s not too bad because both are Seniors. For Karen and Zena, the wait will be a little longer. Both are Juniors. In the meantime, the school and the young ladies have been awarded plaques which state their achievements. These plaques have been hung in the main office by the clock. Jackets and plaques are nice to have, but what exactly has to be done to be named a high school All-American? Not much. You just have to be one of the top ten in the Nation in a particular event. Let ' s examine that statistic for a moment. Consider the fact that there are approximately 12.8 million students in public schools, from grades 9 through 12, in the United States. There are another 1.4 million students enrolled in private schools. When these two numbers are added together, a grand total of 14.2 million students are enrolled in grades 9-12 in the Nation. Of that number, almost half are engaged in athletics. That means that 7 million students are trying to become high school All-Americans. The chances of one school having one All-American are slight. We at Mifflin have six. The chances of that happening are astronomical. Congratulations to the four returning All-American track team members: Kisca Ambler, Zena Johnson, Kathy Oliver, and Karen Wilson. 10 STUDENT LIFE