Patrick County High School - Archive Yearbook (Stuart, VA)

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STUDENTS IN SCHOOL A LOOK AT LIVELIHOOD FROM 9:00 a.m. to 3:02 p.m. Sometimes “school” leaves an image of hard nosed teachers, stuffy classrooms, and exerting classes in the minds of students, however, some Patrick County High School students have found ways to combat the spiritless atmosphere associated with the institution. Each individual has infiltrated personality in the various aspects of school, which seem to make each day bearable and even exciting. Traces of uniqueness can be What makes a class lesson exciting? According to sixth period Sociology students it is Mr. Mike Larsen and his creative teaching methods. “I think the more a student participates, in the classroom, the more he will learn.” Mr. Larsen interprets, “ 1 he student should be able to see it, hear it, touch it, smell it, and taste it — use all the senses.” Bobby Eckenrod agrees with his Sociology teacher and comments that by getting physically as well as mentally involved in lessons, facts and information sticks in one’s mind. Here Bobby displays his involvement in class by modeling a robe and turban which is customary in Arabia. seen throughout all areas of P.C.H.S., small evidences that reflect the desires of students to make school enjoyable. They are described by one student as “the flare that distinguishes P.C.H.S. from all other schools.” What exactly composes this “flare”? What characteristics set Patrick County High apart from other schools? They are simply the attitudes, styles, moods, and general “ways” of the people there. Teachers frequently try to develop excitement and desire to learn in their classrooms. Walking down the hall, one may gl ance into a Latin class and find students sporting togas and wearing ivy in their hair. Further down the corridor, the Spanish speaking students are bursting a traditional pinata and scrambling in the floor to gather the scattered candy. “Academic life at Patrick County High is not bounded by the uniform black print of a school book. Instead, students are introduced to learning through illustrious films and slide presentations, vivid photographs and maps, and detailed demonstrations,” senior Carolyn Clark comments, “Patrick County is indeed alive with education.” Individuality shines not only in the classroom, but also in the halls, during breaks and lunch, and in special prearranged periods. Sophomore Tara Martin smiles when she affirms, “P.C.H.S. is neat. I love it and I am glad it’s my school.” 14 Student Life

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Jon and Sharon Helms enjoyed a quick ride on the Merry- go-round at the Patrick County Fair. Edd Martin feeds an injured chipmunk displaying his in¬ terest in nature. Pat, Martha, and Edd Martin join Carol Barnette in strapping up for a day of ice skating. ; Nelson McConnell spent numerous weeknights in addition f to weekends hammering, sawing, etc. to build his own I house. One of the disadvantages of living in a small community is a certain limitation on the availability of entertainment. Students’ first solution is to leave the boundaries of Patrick County and drive 30 or 40 miles to neighboring Martinsville or Mount Airy where movie theatres, Pizza Huts, and other recreational facilities are located. However, with the in¬ flating costs of transportation, this solution soon loses its luster and students are forced to find alternatives. If it’s eating or simply socializing that one desires, there is no better known place in Patrick County than Tex’s Drive-In in downtown Stuart. Hordes of tee nagers con¬ gregate in the circular parking area each night of the weekend and occassionally on weeknights. Some people have found a friend in the beautiful scenery about the county. Fishing or canoeing at Kibler; hiking the Pinnacles, Bull Mountain, or Rock Castle Gorge; picnicing on the Parkway; hunting and camping almost anywhere—these are some of the ways folks enjoy the natural beauty of Patrick County. Others have followed an interest in the folklore and traditions of the area. Bluegrass musicians thrive, playing with the old pros and newer bands, or performing at local Fiddler’s Conventions. Some students and faculty mem¬ bers participate in apple butter and molasses boilings. Others enjoy visiting those people stocked with the history of the area. Some weekends can be spent at the famous Fairystone State Park outside of Wooline, or the newer Alice T. DeHart Memorial Park in Stuart. The new park offers swimming, picnic¬ ing, tennis, or basketball. Fairystone offers swimming, various kinds of boating, picnicing, hiking, camping, horseback riding and more. Available sports activities vary from par¬ ticipating in a local softball league to watching the go-cart races in Lawsonville. Some people spend hours fishing during the warmer months and sledding in the winter. Ice skating is pop¬ ular in areas of the county where ponds and rivers frequently freeze over. Some enjoy par¬ ticipating in the Junior Bowling League or roller skating at the local rink. Patrick Countians are richly surrounded by opportunity and traditional history, yet many often fail to see the valuable benefits of such an environment. Those who do, prove it with a true zest for living, typical of those truly ALIVE. Beverly Dillard thoroughly enjoys a visit with her younger brother, Blaine, as they discuss one of Blaine ' s latest pranks. Student Life Outside of School 13

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The athletic department of P.C.H.S. offers its athletes the opportunity to condition in the weight room during one’s study hall or other prearranged periods. The facility is open to all athletes and provides equipment to strengthen all areas of the body. The athletic department has remodeled the room with new carpeting, a fresh paint job, and wall to wall mirrors. “Having such a facility has been a great help to me during my particular athletic season,” one student replies, “I am grateful that our coaches and involved administrations care enough about the athletic program to provide such equipment. I hope that more of our school’s athletes will take notice of the facility and use it to their advantage.” Jimmy Smith (right) and William Clark (below) find time during study hall to do a little conditioning before football practice. The lunch lines sometimes seem endless for Kaye and Faye Nichols (or is it Faye and Kaye?) These two seniors (above) have served hundreds of grumbling, complaining, restless, and obviously hungry students every day since the eighth grade. They agreeingly admit that the job frequently gets tedious, nevertheless, it is fun. There is one table in the cafeteria which hosts only students in the 12th grade. It is appropriately named the “SENIOR TABLE” and life there gets pretty exciting from 11:5 a.m. to 1:12 p.m. “It is one place where the class of ’81 can congregate and simply ‘be seniors’!” Gary Corns (left) notes. Student Life 15