Oak Park High School - Cambia Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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Kathy Meier spots one of her classmates as she does a fllp. Dance class is a fun break In the day for many students. Graduate Mel Taylor comes back to Oak Park to sponsor F.C.A. Mind, Body, and Soul 28

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Gymnastics ls a good WOY fo' students to keep In shape. FCA, One on One, dance classes 1 helo Oakies ro mpro Ind. Body. Soul. Oak Park offered people the chance to become what they may wanted to become with such groups as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, One .on One and dance and gymnastics. They simply created a harmonic mind, body and soul. For the first time in recent OP history, a religious group was begun that directed its attention prlmarily to athletes. We wanted Christian athletes not to strive for themseIves, said sponsor Mr. Mel Taylor, a 1981 OP graduate, but instead to strive for the Lord so he can put that much more into it. Many complications usually arise from organlzlng a new group, but those Involved felt it was well worth the effort. lt was the most exciting time in many students lives to come to an FCA meeting. We had guest speakers, activities and trlps scheduled throughout the program, said Mel. FCA was not only for athletes, but for anyone interested. FCA was open to anyone who wanted to come. We wanted to teach everyone not to strive for earthly glory but for the power that lies wlthln, Mel said. One on One, like FCA, was established to help others but on a different level. One on One was slmply peer counseling, said Jill Hensley. We have drug speakers, Alnon speakers, and people who have been through painful situa- tIons. One on One's main goal was to help students get acquainted, to learn from each other and to help others. A glrl came to a meeting and just sat there for a long time, Jlll said, then she started crying. She didn't have friends because she was afraid to talk to anyone. But after a few meetings she gained confidence. Later I saw her and she had plenty of friends. Mr. Joe DeGrado, sponsor, went on to say, I think we really have something going here. lt is still getting started, but I think the group is really helping. Dance, unlike FCA and One on One, was a way to be physically creative. Dance I was for beginners and Dance ll for the more advanced. Dance Il, with the aid of dance instructor Mrs. Nancy Hudson, traveled to elementary schools and nursing homes performing for special groups that requested them. Mrs. Hudson explained what she enjoyed the most about teaching dance. I like to create dances and I love watching dancers create, learn and progress. It is really gratifying to see progress. With the problem of scheduling, the enrollment for gymnastics has not been as large as in years past, but the quality has not declined. There is a lot of potential, said gymnastic instructor Mrs. Linda Jones, but with increased schedul- ing requirements, it's hard for students to take gymnastics. Many benefits arose for those who did take the class. I have learned that with practice there are things I can accomplish, Renee Enzor said. I felt healthier and more aIert. With the work FCA, One on One, Dance and gymnastics did, students found new ways to improve their minds, bodies, and souls. By Lisa Woody Dance Class: Front row - Fawn Stetson, Myllssa Yayel. Second row - Sharon Cain, Keith Cordray, Melissa Moline, Carrie Cook. Thlrd row - Cyndy Hlnsley, Janet Franklin. Lori Kress. Back row: Val Smith, Krlsty Donelson, Brenda Stalcup, Gayla Diebold. Karel Smith, Laura Sosa, Gena Reiss, Marla Glllesple, Llsa Eason, Amy Welch, Clndy Welch. 22 Mind, Bgdy ond Soul Mlke Keyhlll leads the group at One on One. A

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