Mishawaka High School - Miskodeed Yearbook (Mishawaka, IN)

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Traditions Add Steps to Our Paths Back to school began when so few of us noticed it. It was in the air on the sounds of trumpets and clarinets. It bounced off the brick front of our school out into the open ears of passers- by and overworked band parents. Any of them could tell you the true date school started. Mr. Cecil didn ' t know schools had vacations. Band directors know each year blends in with the next with only a short pause for a summer picnic and moonlit walk. Football coaches, principals, and others so dedi- cated suffer from the same malady. The Band Boosters and other volun- teer forces help alleviate much of the strain that goes with running a program and running a school. That volunteer help was evident in the pink and choco- late cakes topped with vanilla ice- cream. Band fathers delivered the ice- cream in huge drums, hoping it wouldn ' t melt before the crowd arrived, and one by one band mothers dotted the front lawn bringing the cakes and goo- dies for our delight. The cakes rested on tables nestled be- tween the hedges on that day school really began. The evening was lovely, the weather perfect (old worn expres- sions our English teachers try to get us not to use, but, oh, how they fit that day). The audience was comprised of people who had retired from the school system and their friends, band parents and brothers and sisters and girlfriends and boyfriends, and little children on blankets. Their gaze was intent upon the players as the band director guided the melodies. We will continue to do what we have done; some traditions are worth the keeping. Others will take a new path upon our direction. New traditions will be formed by our strong will and com mitment to leave a bit of ourselves be hind. Perhaps next year we will see new alums sitting behind glistening musica instruments blaring a tune we will al recognize. Our past is a part of our selves today. We will shape it for tomor row so that it will grow with us and become stronger. Hang on as our past present, and future footsteps blend to gether for one final, definite note. Karen Kobb, Cathy Skierez, and Kevin Baker, summer band members, play intently . . . Friend ' s lay back and relax, while listening to the original music played by the band. Warren Chamberlin has difficulty in deciding which piece of cake to choose. Mary Pavone and Lynn Willamowski relax with refreshments. 10 Ice Cream Social

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Our Paths Are Connected Through it all we learned to be re- sponsible for our decisions. I guess that was the hardest lesson of all. We couldn ' t be on a team, in a play, or on a journalism assignment and decide not to do it. People counted on us; people paid money perhaps to see our product and enjoy our efforts. We couldn ' t say, Oh, well, I ' ll take a zero. A zero on a team could mean a missed play or a lost game. A zero on a journalism assign- ment would mean a missed deadline, a blank page, or no product. These moments could never be re- trieved. It wasn ' t homework. we could tuck under our arms, stuff into the back seats of cars, and complete according to our own time tables. We made mistakes, and we learned from the m. We prayed that just this one final . . . last . . . ultimate time we would get a reprieve and things would be okay. Sometimes we were lucky, sometimes we were not. We found the best times to study and the best places. The student commons was a favorite of many as well as the cafeteria. We all hung around after school and collectively moved as one. Let ' s watch tryouts. Let ' s find Gina. Let ' s go out on the football field and watch Bob practice. Things were better when we stuck to- gether. Many seniors who were out at two o ' clock stayed until three. Maybe they knew they wouldn ' t see much of their friends after this year, or if they did, things would be changed. They wanted their comradeship, or maybe they were planning something a bit outrageous as seniors have been known to d o. Nevertheless, we made it. We shiv- ered from the cold, slipping and sliding our way to school during the winter months. We made it and we are here now, joined by one common bond — MISHAWAKA HIGH SCHOOL. What- ever paths we may choose throughout life, we will always be connected by our memories of our school, our teachers, and our friends. WE MADE THE DIFFERENCE! Mr. Davidson and Mr. Fisher take a few minutes to chat. Sue Strong helps cheer on the crowd at the first pep assembly. Students take time out for studying and completing homework. Student Fun 9

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Alumnus John Lang participates in the summer band performance at the ice cream social. Family and friends of the band members enjoy a day of fun. Ice Cream Social 11