Monacan High School - Legend Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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Bea Sabo: Chairman A Caring and Unorthodox Teacher Most people find greater value in familiar things if they contain an element of mystery, unpredicatability, or the un- Known. If this generalization can be applied to a school’s faculty, Monacan’s Tom Tan- ton is a special teacher in- deed. His unique teaching style and methods combined with a questionable but admit- tedly conducive personality, make Mr. Tanton at once one of the best liked, the most chastized, and, in lieu of a per- haps more appropriate super- lative, one of the most unfor- getable of our faculty. “No one knew who he was or where he came from...” runs an old folk legend. Almost the same can be applied to Mr. Tanton. We do know that he is a graduate from UVA and has been teaching at Monacan for four years. This thirty year old teacher relates to his classes the fact that he is obviously a proverbial ‘‘man of the world,”’ aware of the problems of young people, and willing to lend an ear to help them cope. His dry (or maybe just a tad soggy) wit is often over the head of many a senioritis-in- fected government student, and his words, ‘‘Does anyone know a good joke’’ often serves to break the tension of class. Lest any lower classmen begin saying his bedtime pray- ers to be thrown into the graces of this man, it is our duty to warn the public that be- neath this charming exterior lies a person whose goodli- ness comes from a few steps lower than heaven. Mr. Tan- ton’s tests are acknowledged even by Honors students as bordering on the impossible. A’s are seen in his class about as often as Bigfoot is sighted Strolling through Chesterfield Mall. A myrid of tests, papers, and projects are the rule rath- er than the exception in Mr. Tanton’s course. Do not count on sympathy either: a good time is a good time, but you had better do what you have to do. Even the days when his classes get a chance to listen to politically motivated sixties music serve a particular pur- pose, a definate goal (and don’t you forget it). Underclassmen! Do Not pull out your Mr. Tanton voodoo dolls just yet. He does take steps to convince humanity that he is ‘‘one of the guys.”’ He is, of course, the Legend’s hardworking sponsor. No, really. He sometimes is seen out on the town doing things normally considered almost classy and certainly at least respectable. Finally, out of the goodness of his bizarre little heart, he seems to take year- ly, a pilgrimage to Europe with an eager group of (paying) Monacan students. He goes free, of course, but one must admire the sacrifice. Some questions remain un- answered: For example, where does Mr. Tanton disap- pear to for days on end, leav- ing a harried substitute to watch his classes? Exactly who is this man, and what does he want with us? As class after class tries to solve the question, they find what he is the most: A slightly unortho- dox teacher who cares greatly about his students. Susan Raynes: Algebra |, Geometry, Algebra II — Trig, Pre-Calculus Janice Reese: Algebra |, Geometry Elizabeth Ridolphi: Marketing and Fashion Mer- chandising, Distributive Education Clubs of America, Homecoming Court Charles J. Schaefer: Physics Carol Schmidt: Sheila Schnitt: English Fundamentals 9-12, Study Skills, Special Education Department Robert Sears: World History The Head of the Class. Leading the class in intelligent discussions of per- tinent issues, Mr. Tanton exhibits his talent as a teacher. Faculty 137

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Kathy B. Lewis: English 11 Larunatta B. Lewis: Algebra Il — Trigonometry, Calculus Nancy A. Linkous: Englihs 10 Sydney Luebs: English 10, Colorguard English 10, Colorguard Elizabeth Ann Mannen: Algebra II — Trig., Ge- ometry, Algebra | pt. | Shirley Marshall: Joyce M. McDonald: Typing |, Office Services |, FBLA Alexandria McGrath: English 11, Monacettes Gladys Miller: Algebra |, Algebra | pt. | Ramona B. Miller: Junior Class Co-Sponsor, Head Librarian Sandy Morgan: Special Education Roberta North: Elizabeth L. Norvell: Reading Skills, Reading for the College Bound Roseanne Odum: Martha Parker: Biology Nancy Parker: Biology Nancy Parish: English 11, 12, Field Hockey Diane Pendergrass: Kathy Pendleton: Earth Science, Freshman Class Sponsor Frances Pentecost: Angela Pickels: English 9, 12, J.V. Cheer- leaders Shirley Pittman: Guidance Secretary Lynne Poulos: Photography, Art Jill Quinley: Lyne Raible: 136 Faculty

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Barbara M. Seay: E.D. 9-12 Aggie Showalter: Pat Shumate: Assistant Principal Bill Sizemore: Ruby Slayton: Barbara Snellings: Joyce B. Soto: Spanish | Il Denise Spears: Office Services Il, Accounting I, Typing |, FBLA Rusty Stadler: U.S. VA Government, Asst. Football Coach; strength and conditioning pro- gram Debora C. Sweaker: Geometry, Honors Geome- try Jennifer Sweeney: Thomas Tanton: US VA Government, Legend Sponsor Nancy K. Thompson: Spanish V, Advanced Placement, Spanish Il, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society Emily Turner: Linda Hart Wagstaff: Latin I-IV, Latin Club, Latin Honor Society, Freshman Cheerleaders Michael R. Walker: Physical Education 10, Head Basketball Coach Rosalie Wallace: Physical Education 9, Girls Basketball JV, Girls Track Loraine Wilkinson: Physical Education 9, Varsi- ty Field Hockey Matthew | Williams: Donna M. Woods: Guidance Counselor Jacqueline Wootten: Earth Science Ann M. Zentmeyer: Guidance Counselor 138 Faculty