Overton High School - Los Tejas Yearbook (Overton, TX)

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Exchanged Fun H -I I-On L-oan Erom Belgium '- creaming, yelling, hollering, uninhibited, and talking funny, these adjectives, according to senior Scott Campbell, introduced the ex- change student from Genk, Belgium to the student body. Of course, there was more to Tom Arts than his exu- berant personality. Going to school with Tom this year has been an en- lightening experience, said senior Kristen Hamilton who continued, t'His views on some subjects differ greatly from mine, but it's fun hear- ing different ideas. When the possibility of having an exchange student attend school leaked out, the first reaction was dis- belief. But as the time for his arrival drew nearer, almost everyone on campus joined in the excitement -- and maybe just a little apprehension. I didn't know what to expect. l had no idea how Belgium people acted or what sort of habits they had, said senior Jim White. But the surprises were not all on the American side. Tom, too, found his new environment a challenge, lt occured to me that I was something special in the beginning, and nobody can deny that that is a very nice feel- ing. ln fact, he continued, the first time l walked around in school, everybody looked real careful at me. They all seemed kind of disappointed that I didn't possess three ears or that my eyes weren't in my back. Before long, however, Tom was a part of every activity. He helped out in the concession stand for the senior class where he surprised a customer by giving her a glass of water when she asked for a soda water, and then charged her fifty cents! He was a popular figure at the Friday night dances, where he taught everybody dancing European style to his favor- ite kinds of music -- punk rock and new wave. A With his specialized knowledge of Europe, he could always be counted on for a geography lesson or a differ- ent view of history. His specialty in school was lan- guage, he spoke five fluently and learned Spanish while here. At the Pine Tree Invitational literary meet, he won the first place trophy for be- ginning Spanish. While here Tom's family became Mr. and Mrs. Richard Boyle. Their son, John, a senior, had mixed feel- ings about acquiring a new brother, When he first came, l was afraid maybe he wouldn't be a fun persong maybe he would be very serious and not mix in well, but l soon found things were not going to be difficult at all. He will probably be the best friend l'll ever have. All the students and faculty who have come in contact with Tom will have memories to cherish. Tom him- self said, Every day here is a mem- ory. The American way of going to school is funny. Everything makes it so excited -- pep rallies, Homecom- ing, football games, playing basket- ball, etc. lt gives a special flavour to going to school. lt's surprising how fast you can be a friend or have one. The newly instituted Spirit Club has art in abundance as sophomore Leann Jackson and seniors Tom Arts and Dewayne Phelps create posters and signs to decorate the halls - new experience for the Belgian import, Exchange Student

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Ecstatic over his birthday present, Tom Arts relishes the idea of a new cuddly friend to play with. ln his role as Homecoming escort, Tom Arts puts a smile on the face of senior Susan Sud' weeks at an after school rehearsal. Deep in conversation with senior Charles Long, Tom Arts tries to learn more about American traditions. 18 Exchange Student li, f The fine art of tuning and playing a guitar and the love of music provide a common bond as exchange student Tom Arts and senior John Boyle pause during a mini-jam session in Johns room.

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