Parry McCluer High School - Parrimac Yearbook (Buena Vista, VA)

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CAMES OF CHANCE Weeks before school began, tie ay eae the football players were hard [Ry at work getting ready for the coming season. Also, prepara- tions had begun for the first school vacation, Labor Day. Buena Vista’s Labor Day celebration at Glen Maury Park annually provided a variety of entertainment and activities. For the first time ever, games of chance were proposed. There was much concern and publicity by local churches, citizens, and newspapers, which led to state- wide attention. As the controversy over pro- posed gambling continued, school began. The intense August heat wave subsided as the doors of school opened. Freshly painted walls and shiny polished floors welcomed students, some anxious to see old friends but most reluc- tant to end their summer vacation. After a long week of changing schedules, buying notebooks and pencils, and catching up on sum- mer gossip, a holiday was a wel- comed treat. Students flocked to the park for the Labor Day celebration. The heated contro- versy over the games of chance had guided the day’s activities away from the casino type games and towards good clean fun. AN EARLY MORNING | football practice finds Marty Carter, Ricky Fox and Mike Wheeler perfecting pass routes as Richard Kennedy looks on. THE AFRICAN DIP provides enter- tainment. Willie Coffey watches Larry Jones aim for the target, attempting to dunk band director, Phil Green. 8 Labor Day

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Viewing the school year and focusing upon the many hap- penings, one finds changes that were astounding at that time, but came to pass as normal events. School began with ex- citement in the air. With the feeling of fortune in hearts and minds, the students set out on an adventure to learn, to live, and to e njoy. The students returned to school and found it freshly painted, ready to kick off the new year with sparkle and shine. There was much of the old left but some of it had disappeared. When it came to the high school, the ‘rats’ were no longer a part. Returning from their break, the enrollment found a member of the cast was no longer a part of the scene. Although it was not unusual to be greeted by Mr. Flint, a noticeable change had occurred when Mr. Flint took Mr. Leadbetter’s place as prin- cipal of the high school. Mr. Leadbetter was now principal of the midd le school. From June until late August it was far more than a three month step. The population of the school found themselves not only in a new time but also in a new year. Ideas were different. aspects of life had changed. There was new work to be done, and a new way to do it. Steadily pacing headfast into the new scene, the students felt the promise of a good year. Indeed, a fine year it was. Act One: Student Life Division 7

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CHALLENGED LABOR DAY activities at Glen Maury Park included music throughout the day. Dennis Sandidge, Carson Irvine, and Steve Slagle relax as they listen to the live broadcast of radio station WREL. OPENING DAY of school closed with an assembly in the gym. SCA secretary Patti Ayres addresses the students as Garry Kidd prepares to introduce new students and new faculty members. THE SCHOOL SONG closes the opening day assembly. Rhonda Fields and Jane Cox are among the cheer- leaders leading the day’s finale. Labor Day 9