New Castle Chrysler High School - Rosennial Yearbook (New Castle, IN)

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COURAGE CONQUERS Senior Pat McWhorter walks out of his wheelchair, with the aid of a walker, to receive his diploma. The stand- ing ovation given by his peers show their pride. COURAGE Nothing could be more exciting to a senior than walking across the stage at graduation and receiving a diplonna, but for Pat McWhorter, the excitement was an emotion mixed with fear and determination. During the summer of 1987, Pat was Injured after diving Into shallow water. Although some were skeptical about Pat ever walking again, he proved them wrong when he walked to get his diplo- ma. The applause and tears shed by his family and friends showed the pride and enthusiasm they felt as they rose to give Pat a standing ovation. The con- finement of a wheelchair was only one barrier Pat was to overcome, but with progress he has shown, it was definite- ly not his last. A MOMENT LONG AWAITING Senior Pat McWhorter is all smiles as he waits out the last few moments before the graduation ceremony begins. A PROUD MOMENT Graduating seniors Gail Griffey and Kim Guffey anxiously await their mo- ment on stage as the rest of the class march in. Photos by Matt McGraw. A HUG FOR THE ROAD Seniors Beth Kinser and Scott Semler embrace before commence- ment exercises begin. Graduation presented the last time the seniors of 1988 would be together as a class. Graduation Thoughts Graduation from high school is the key that opens the door to adulthood. The present plans of seniors may or may not pan out for the future, but the foundation has been laid and all we ' ve yet to do is start the construction. Immediate plans may consist of a summer job or just messing around, but one thing seniors must not lose sight of Is what follows this short break. There comes a time in every per- son ' s life when he must make a deci- sion on what he or she Is going to do with the rest of his life. High school cannot make that decision for you. but it does help you navigate that difficult fork In the road. As each approaches that fork, he must make the decision to either take the path that leads towards a college career or the path that will lead him into the work force. The majority of the students will choose the college path, but still oth- ers will go directly into a job. marriage or a military career. Whatever decision he chooses, he must keep in mind the class motto of the Class of 1988: Live each day as not to fear tomor- row or regret yesterday. Graduation 19

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Seniors say farewell May 26. was the night all seniors looked forward to. Twelve years of school had finally ended as seniors walked across the stage to receive their diplomas from a member of the school board. During the 112th annual Commence- ment activities, 343 students graduat- ed in front of a crowd filled with fam- ilies and friends. After the invocation, graduating sen- ior Brenda Bishop gave her speech, ■Sand Castles in the Tide. The speech told how students have yet to reach the top rung in the ladder of success. Graduating senior Karen Weaver spoke on making your dreams a reality in her speech. ' -Dare to Meet the Challenge. Following the commencement speeches, the Class of 1988 officers. president Don Ditty, vice president April Roberts, secretary Michelle Cun- ningham, and treasurer Natalie Walls, began the presentation of diplomas. Following commencement, students attended the annual post-graduation party of night club. Night club, held from 11;00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m., was a gift presented to the graduating sen- iors by their parents and the school faculty. The decorators worked months to develop the decorations that were used to transform the cafe- terias, the hallway and the girl ' s gym into a European cruise. The east cafeteria was transformed from a room full of tables into a Las Vegas style casino full of betting tables and video games. Each couple was giv- en tickets which they could exchange for money to be used to place their bets. Parents and staff members acted as the dealers for the casino. The west cafeteria was transformed into a Chinese restaurant beautifully accented by a mural painted by Connie Donnell and Annetta Smiley. The hallways depicted the charac- teristics of each country that appeared on the travel of the cruise. The dance held in the girl ' s gym played up the theme of a European cruise. Row boats and life preservers helped add to the decor of the dance floor. The music, provided by Lights and Sounds, offered a variety of new and old tunes. Graduation and Night Club were fit- ting conclusions to an illustrious high school career. T

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Henry County schools get drug smart thanks to Toma ' s efforts A silence fell over the crowd of 5,500 teenagers as a man walked out to the floor. Was it his self-assured stride? His appear- ance? Or maybe an air of authority about him? Whatever it may have been, it held the attention of his audience. David Toma began speaking about his crusade against drugs. Toma is a former middleweight boxing champion and professional baseball play- er. He spent 21 years as a cop in Newark, New Jersey — 16 of those as a detective. While on the force. Toma earned a 98 per- cent conviction rate and never fired his gun at anyone. However, he was injured many times. He hated the first five years as a cop, Toma admitted. At this time he became a detective and a master of disguises. Within a matter of seconds and with the addition of a beard, moustache, wig of change of accent, Toma could become a minister, doctor, hippie or even a bum. He said he is not satisfied with his imitation of a female because, 1 just don ' t make a good-looking woman. Although Toma is now against drugs, at one time he was addicted to tranquilizers. At the height of his addiction, he said he was consuming over 100 tranquilizers a day. What started his addiction was a story difficult for Toma to share with his audi- ence. On October 22 at 3:15 p.m., Toma saved a young black child from choking to death. He went with the child ' s mother to the Newark City Hospital where doctors took over. In an elated state, Toma went home to share his joy with his family. Dur- ing dinner, Toma ' s five-year-old son David strangled on food. His son was rushed to the same hospital where the same doctors that saved the young black child an hour before could not save Toma ' s son. Toma and his wife Patty both had ner- vous breakdowns. Toma was prescribed tranquilizers which began his addiction. Two television shows were based on his life, Toma and Baretta. Four best-selling novels were published and the after school special, the Drug Knot, was produced. Toma said he has had many traumatic events enter his life, as well as the inspiring times. By giving over 15,000 lectures in places all over the world, he has changed many people ' s lives for the better. Accord- ing to Toma, Take advantage of now. Tomorrow ' s too late. DAVID TOMA . . . Speaking to teenagers all across the United States, Toma details the effects of drugs on the body and the mind. Photo by Mike Bond NCCHS PRESS CONFERENCE . Following his presentation, David Toma takes time out to answer questions from school and local media. When asked if he thought his speech got through to the kids, he calmly replied. I got a standing ovation: you tell me. Photo by Mike Bond. THERE ' S A KIND OF HUSH . Students remain quiet and attentive during David Toma ' s explanation of the tramatic effects drugs have played in the lives of his family and himself. Photo by Mike Bond. 20 Toma