Minnechaug Regional High School - Falcon Yearbook (Wilbraham, MA)

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The Falcon As Our School Mascot The falcon, a small bird related to the hawk, has sixty species found through- out the world. They range in size from six to twenty- five inches. However, the female is usu- ally one-third larger than the male. Not many falcons exceed four pounds. Large falcons have become so rare in North America that they have been known to cause little destruction. Their short hooked beaks contain two distinctive tooth-like projections. Fal- cons have pointed wings, a long tail, and unfeathered legs and feet. Their powerful feet are equipped with curved, sharp talons that pierce their prey. Fal- cons rise above their desired meal and swoop down upon it. Seizing the ani- mal, they tear it to pieces. These strong fliers possess exception- al aerial agility. Mainly bird killers, some falcons also capture small mam- mals and insects. Falcons use the nests of other birds, Falcons are dynamite; don ' t mess with dyna- mite; Hey! Hey! Hey! kifir ' kjjf % ° 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2- Be nice or I ' ll bite your head off! hollows, or cliffs as their homes. Female falcons lay four or five eggs which are incubated for about thirty days. After hatching, both parents care for the young birds. The earliest fossil record of the fal- con family dates back to the Miocene Epoch of Argentina and is almost fif- teen million years old. The falcon is the symbol of strength for Minnechaug. It is the school mas- cot, name of the varsity teams, and the title of the yearbook. Time, May 1983.

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I ' m pushing a hundred words a minute; this should be an easy A. Do you ever wonder why everyone ' s so happy on the way into school? The journey ahead is a long you characterize Minnechaug? That is indeed a difficult question to answer. What would the in fashion be? What would be Minnechaug ' s favorite group? Favorite TV show? No one knows. Minnechaug students are heteroge- neous in so many ways. There are not two exactly alike — except for maybe identical twins but they too are unique individuals. It is the many hundreds of students that make Minnechaug spe- cial. It is their scholastic ability, their athletic ability, their social ability. If time were to stop today at this very moment as you read this book, who would you remember most? What friend? What teacher? What team? What club? All of these answers will be found within these pages of TIME. They are yours to treasure forever and ever. Turn the page and search for the Minnechaug you want to know. It will be there and it will be yours. Time, May 1983.

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Mr. Jerry Badger — Leader, friend, and father. TIME The Unconquerable Mr. Jerry Badger, caught diligently working in his office. Mr. Badger, for the past nineteen years you have taught Chemistry, Biol- ogy, Earth Science, become our assis- tant principal and finally our principal. You have in some way, big or small, good or bad, touch the lives of all of us at Minnechaug. I know at times you wish you were teaching again, instead of being our principal. The daily routine gets you down, yet you don ' t let it show, you keep smiling and listening to our end- less problems, as well as solving the endless problems of being a regional high school principal. You began your career here at Min- nechaug in 1962 as a student teacher, however, the following year you were hired as a full time science teacher. As a teacher you added a little excitement to Minnechaug. One example is Snake Day. The day your beloved Anaconda snake (Anna) bit an electrical wire, while trying to eat its dinner. The most exciting days in the schools history. You were asked to be the class advisor for the class of 1967. You accepted and you gave up many hours of your time to help the class of 1967 have a wonderful four years. You then became our assistant prin- cipal. You stopped being a wonderful teacher and became a terrific assistant principal. The kind of assistant princi- pal that cares and takes an interest in what is going on in the school. Mr. Bad- ger as an assistant principal you also took on more responsibility and there- fore were forced to spend more time from your family. It was an adjustment but they managed. I ' m sure! Finally the big step came. You were made Principal. As Chief of Minne- chaug you were handed even more re- sponsibility and therefore were forced to spend more time away fr om your The Chief enjoying the evening at the JCL Bat- tle of the Classes dance. family. I know you spent more time away from home, because I was waiting for Daddy to come home. But ... as the principal of Minnechaug you have made this school one of the finest in the state. You give your support, help and guidance to the students and faculty of Minnechaug. You take an active inter- est in the clubs and sports Minnechaug has. But probably the reason you are so popular with the students here is be- cause you listen and care. Something most principals don ' t do. I can remember many times when students have come home with you be- cause of problems at home or else- where. Mom never knew when to expect company, but she didn ' t mind because she knew it meant a lot to you to help that youngster. At times it was hard having you as my principal but those times always pass. There is one more thing I want you to read, it is from a poem I wrote about my childhood and you. I remember all the help and guid- ance you have given me. All the times we ' ve laughed and cried, all the support and hope. But most of all I remember the love you gave me in the last seven- teen years. Thanks, Dad. for being there. by Lynn Badger Time, May 1983.