Northeastern High School - Aerie Yearbook (Elizabeth City, NC)

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The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Electronics club helped stu- dents from all spectrums participate. With talk of career ladders and a new growing respect for the teaching profession, it was no wonder that teachers were “teaching the way” with new attitudes and morale. Under the new leadership of superintendent, William Symons, Northeastern emerged as a school COMING OF AGE in com- munication, dedication and education. The sophomores came “experiencing a change” and found that they fit right in. Dubbed “the most spirited sopho- more class” ever, they challenged the seniors during homecoming week and rocked right along with everyone else. The juniors just seemed to be “sticking it out” their second year. With the pressure of an awesome academic load and the selling of magazines and the preparation for the prom, they pooped out during homecoming as Williams got the pie-in-the-eye. The seniors, on the other hand, “left a legacy” that will be hard to beat. For three years they gave the most spirit and endured the twenty credits placed on them as soph- omores to graduate. Through it all they gave it their best even through the scientific and political upheavals and advancements of 1984-85. With politi- cal protests against nuclear space ar- maments as a negative, we also saw Sally Ride and Kathy Sullivan make history as the first American women in space. In the election year we saw mud-slinging tactics between Republi- cans and Democrats, and the Reagan- Bush team win, but we also saw a gi- ant step for women as Geraldine 4—Opening

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“Tell the whole darn world this is Ea- gle Territory” resounded off the gym- nasium walls as sophomores, juniors and seniors made the Eagle wings with their hands. For the first time in the sixteen years of Northeastern it had finally happened. We were at long last COMING OF AGE in spirit and unity as a school and as a student body. Since the consolidation of the school systems in 69-70 it was an uphill battle for spirit and unity, and constant changes of administration did not help. With the coming of principal, Paul Browning, the school took a swing for Above clockwise: During a break in the busy schedule of band camp. Thomas Taylor enjoyed one of his greatest moments as newly appointed bus captain. After the Edenton vs. Northeastern game. Cheryl Cherry made her moves on the dance floor. Sophomores. Anthony Reid and Shelton Spence got into the mood of homecoming as they rocked during break. Decked out in new white sweat suits. Ellen Newbold and Blair James encouraged the Eagles to F-I-G-H-T Back”. All-conference cross country runner. Lisa Thompson gave it her best in the All East conference meet held at Northeastern. the better, and just as the age of sixteen is the sweetest, so this six- teenth year has been the sweetest. The emergence of this attitude naturally fil- tered into all aspects of school life, and we saw a COMING OF AGE in not only attitudes, but also in curriculum. Students were still ‘‘hanging around”, but they were anxious and positive with the school process. In academics we emerged with an attitude that placed classroom achievement ahead of outside activities. Students clamored for better and harder courses such as French III and talked positively about the incorporation of advanced place- ment courses. In sports we were ‘‘go- ing for the gold” with another winning season in soccer and a chance at the state play-offs in football. Women had a chance to fine tune their bodies with the new course in aerobics and the new sport of volleyball. We were ‘‘joining the crowd” in organizations as more students participated in these ac- tivities than ever before. Formations of such new clubs as the Lettermen Club, (continued . . . ) of Age In Eagle Territory Opening—3

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Ferraro ran with Mondale on the Democratic ticket. As we celebrated the first Black woman to be crowned Miss America, we were abashed by her resignation for improper behavior, and her crown pass to Suzette Charles. Certainly, Miss Charles restored faith and trust back into the Miss America crown, and she, another Black woman, represented the American people well. But the ethical and moral questions did not stop with just a beauty pageant. With the scientific breakthrough of the implantation of a baboon’s heart into a human, more questions emerged. “Baby Fae” became a household word as everyone waited the outcome of this scientific wonder. Even movie theaters got in on the moral questions as a new rating of PG-13 donned the screen. The raising of the drinking age to 19 caused as much local controversy as the death of Velma Barfield in Raleigh, North Carolina —the first woman to be put to death in this nation in 22 years—caused nationally. Amid all of these upheavals and advantages in our society, Northeastern emerged intact. reflecting the positive moves of this country. The return to traditional atti- tudes of morality and patriotic pride rubbed off on the students at Northeastern High School. More social- ly aware and politically informed, the students took a look around them and realized that northeastern North Caroli- na was COMING OF AGE, and they were a part of it. They took their atti- tudes back into the school and with pride shouted, “Tell the whole darn world this is EAGLE TERRITORY. Far left: Northeastern High school was a school Coming of age” in 1985 as we found that our school was nominated as one of the outstanding high schools in the state of North Carolina. Bottom left: Changing the world of politics for the Black race. Jesse Jackson tried to run for the nomination for the Presidency in 1984. Although Walter Mondale received the Democratic nomination, Jackson showed that the world of politics was certainly “coming of age” in attitudes and in acceptance. Middle: During the Elizabeth City celebration, Walter Cronkite came to our fair city to wish us well as the Flotilla sailed to Manteo in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the landing of English settlers to the new world. Bottom left: One of the mcst popular figures. Pope John Paul II greeted the many people who came to see him. Above: Newly elected Presi- dent. Ronald Reagan and Vice-President. George Bush had a record victory over the democratic party in the 1984 election, as only the District of Columbia and Minneso- ta fell to the team of Mondale and Ferraro. Yet, just as Jackson changed the political scene, so did Geraldine Ferraro, as she was the first woman ever to run for the Vice- Presidency. The political scene was one that in 84-85 was truly changing and Coming of Age.” Opening—5