Natural Bridge High School - Span Yearbook (Natural Bridge Station, VA)

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As the clock struck eleven, two ex- hausted directors and a very tired cast trudged home in the dismal mist, inter- tupted by occasional thunder and light- ening. Dress rehearsal was over, and a long night was ahead. Nerves were worn to a frazzle, and everyone was on edge. One month of practices after school, night practices, and hours spent studying and memorizing lines were behind them. Approximately nineteen ho urs were left before opening night. Stage fright set in. The hours seemed to whirl by. Six o’clock-time for make up, seven-thirty - lines were quickly run through by each character, and finally eight o’clock-the Curtain went up on the Drama Club play, “Ask Any Girl.” “But I can’t marry you, I am in love with your brother!” Gina Cross excitedly exclaimed as she portrayed Meg Wheeler, a girl from a small town who moved to a big city of New York. That was the cli- max of the three-act play of which there were three performances-two evening performances, March 26 and 27, and one for the student body, March 31. Meg fell in love with Miles, (Jim Sperka), instead of the playboy Evan, (Barry Funk- houser), and the extravagant dresser Vince (Robbie Cantanio), ended up with Ada, (Sherry Chittum). After the initial Opening night jitters, the cast, composed of seventeen mem- bers, fell into the swing of putting on makeup, making quick changes and get- ting their cues right. Everything fell into its proper place as the curtain opened and the first lines were spoken. The student body was the most recep- tive audience, and the cast thoroughly enjoyed this performance because of their positive reaction. Every actor likes to be appreciated, and like they say, laughter is the best medicine. As the last prop was placed on the trucks, after taking down the set, a faint smile could be seen on the faces of the directors and cast. Everyone was ab- sorbed in his own thoughts. Perhaps each was thankful that it was over or maybe wishing that it had taken a little longer, but on every face, one could see an ex- pression of satisfaction for a job well done. You Can “Ask Any Ging Overwhelmed by the gaudiness of Vince’s “artwork”, Jeanie Boyden (Margaret Raynal) steps back from the painting and falls backward onto the sofa. These residents of the Madison Avenue Girls’ Ho- tel, Ruby (Heather Bumstead), Terri (Cindy Moore), and Heidi (Lisa Agnor), entertain themselves by playing bridge in the last scene of the play. 12-Play

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From Falklands To Fads The question seemed no longer to be whether one could use the car but whether one could put enough gas in the tank to get from home to the ball game at school, to Lexington or B.V. to get something to eat, and to get back home again. Gas prices were still high, and unemployment was getting worse. As the school year began, many families found that the chief breadwinners were no longer employed. Temporary and permanent lay-offs reached new heights in the fall and winter months as the recession dragged on and on. There was international turmoil- Poland, El Salvador, and the Falkland Islands made headlines daily. Everyone wondered about the threat of nuclear attack. There were even demonstrations and protest concerts con- cerning nuclear activities. Frequently news- papers carried s tories of nuclear power plants being closed temporarily because of leaks of nuclear waste. The community was shocked in the fall when Buena Vista police officer Billy Oyler was shot and killed while on duty. The new year brought the death of W L professor Gary Dobbs, Jr., who had taught hunter safety to physical education classes in the fall and was the guest speaker at the 1980 gradu - ation. Deaths of national interest were those of John Belushi and Natalie Wood. There was more conversation about the use of alcohol and drugs, and the state police took trained dogs to area schools to search for drugs. Students began to think that NB was not on their list, but late in May, th school and parking lot were searched. Speaking of searches, the county resident were appalled when the Lexington polic force became the subject of a theft rin search. After all, if policemen can’t be trust ed, who can? In the midst of local, national, and inter national turmoil, students found it necessar to escape by reading a good book, listenin to the stereo, or going to the movies. Song that were listened to over and over wer “Endless Love’, “Bette Davis Eyes’, an. “Always on My Mind.” Po pular movies wer “Porky's,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” an “On Golden Pond.” When going out, a main concern of stu dents was what to wear. Designers jeans an Izod were still very popular, and OP an Saddlebred attained a degree of prominenc in the wardrobe. The emphasis, however was on accessories. Bandanna headband and braided barrettes were popular, as wel as tiny ribbon earrings. The wet, wintn weather prompted students to add ducks o hiking boots to their shoe collections. Shoe strings with everything from alligators to Pac Man were much nicer than the strings thai came in tennis shoes. Although there never seemed to be enough money for new clothes because of the recession and national and internationa news was gloomy, students were able tc enjoy activities with each other. Being with friends always made things seem better. When warm weather arrived after the long, cold winter, everyone Couldn't wait to get into their shorts and T-shirts. Here Barbie Camden is shown at the ninth grade car wash on ‘‘Boost-the-Band Day”. Athletic jackets were one of the many fashions proudly displayed in the halls during school hours as Penny Gibson shows here. Socializing in the cafeteria is a favorite past-time for many students. Wearing three very popular fashions are Cherry Tolson in her oxford cloth shirt and blazer, Rhonda Shiley in her comfortable sweat shirt jacket, and Wanda Huffman in her every-popular alligator turtleneck.

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tiilbilllllines OO “Maybe I could brighten up one of your evenings - some evening.” With an air of confidance, Vince Schmidlap (Robbie Cantanio), senior shipping clerk for Doughton and Doughton, tries to interest Ada (Sherry Chittum), a resident of the Madison Avenue Girls’ Hotel, in going out with him. In the first act, Aunt Fern (Penny Gibson) and Aunt Lettie (Wendi Hill) scramble for the phone to hear how their niece, Meg Wheeler (Gina Cross), is doing since moving to New York. Mr. and Mrs. Wheel - er (Randy Nixon and Lisa Shields) look on in eager anticipation. During dress rehearsal, Miles Doughton (Jim Sperka) and Meg Wheeler (Gina Cross) laugh together at the prospect of his teaching her how to dance to impress Evan Doughton (Barry Funkhouser). “Did I hurt you? Here, let me kiss it.” Evan Doughton (Barry Funkhouser) kisses Meg Wheeler (Gina Cross) in apology for colliding with her as he entered the room. Play-13