Pinellas Park High School - Occurrences Yearbook (Largo, FL)

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- 08811462 Ss tudents on the track team weren't the only ones who struggled over hurdles. Every student faced daily hurdles . . . some were steeper than others. Overcoming these obstacles, either the temporary inconvenience of a broken bone or the permanent condi- tion ofa physical disability, built strength. Students learned to compensate for weaknesses by developing strengths. There was no way to com- pare the obstacles of a blind student to those of a left hand- ed student, to compare the steepness of their hurdles. The physically impaired students' A FOOTBALL INJURY was an obstacle for Frank Gorski, who broke his nose playing in the away game against Riverview. The metal and tape made breathing a little difficult. 46 I OBSTACLES successes using braile books, sign language, and motorized chairs were indescribable and uncomparable. These students were pillars of strength, an in- spiration for those working to overcome smaller obstacles. These smaller obstacles were more universal. A large number of students wore ar- thodontic braces and endured the rubber bands, which got in the way of talking, and fre- quent orthodontist visits, which got in the way of going to classes. Broken bones were another of the common, small obstacles. Physical education and typing classes were virtual NOT ONLY BRACES but also orthodontic head gear was o nuisance for Dale Summerford. Braces and rubber bands mode talking and eating difficult for many students. Summerford used a straw to bypass the metal bar of his headgear. ly impossible for some injured students. Left handed students faced daily inconveniences. Desks, pencil sharpeners, and water fountains all seemed to be constructed backwards. Amazingly, most students overcame their obstacles. The hurdles didn't seem as steep when others were overcoming larger obstacles. That was the success of a large high school. Students were able to see all kinds of obstacles overcome, from hearing impairments and blindness, to broken legs and left handedness. NO HURDLES were in the media c for visually impaired students Ani room filled with volumes available. twin'- . , .ts- L ntl, f msrip. . rv-'V

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t was tough to choose a favorite day of the year. Holidays transformed or- dinary Mondays, Saturdays, Thursdays, and Sundays into birthdays, Christmas, Hanuk- kah, Halloween, and St. Patrick's Day. Finding one favorite day was hard to muster. Labor Day, first of the fall holidays, was celebrated by teachers and students as the first day off. Many headed for the beaches for a last bask in the sun. Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kip- pur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah occurred on beautiful autumn days. These Jewish holidays were set aside for banquets, fasts, and services. The cafeteria personnel and newspaper staff dressed up in funny and frightening costumes on Halloween. The Friday night football game was followed by a dance with an especially spooky haunted house. A few awaited Thanksgiv- ing and the two days set aside for feasting and relaxation. Holiday shopping began in early December. Many counted the days until the two weeks of winter holidays, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Hanukkah, the Feast of Lights, was eight days long. Menorahs were lit, one candle each night, games, parties, and seasonal dishes were paralleled with the Christian Christmas holidays. Christmas, was characterized by Christmas trees, stockings, and wrapping paper. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were celebrated with Hanukkah and Christmas gifts which were still brand new. Parties, New Year's resolutions, hats, horns, and the Time Square count- down made this holiday special. Carnations, cards, and hearts all appeared on Valentines Day, the first of the spring festivals. Purim, Feast of Lots, is the carnival festival of Jewish life. Shamrocks and leprechauns and lots of green surfaced on St. Patrick's Day. Many hoped April would roll around so they could head for the beaches once again. Passover began the eight day celebration of the Feast of Freedom. Easter was remembered for its bunnies, lilies, and eggs. Every student counted the days till their birthday, one of the favorite holidays of all students. Receiving presents, having cake and ice cream, and going out to dinner made it a fun occasion. Meals, merriment, and mirth were never forgotten rain or shine. Holidays were the best days of the year. SURPRISE, SURPRISE was on Kim Lan- dry's birthday wish. Students astonish- ed friends with balloons, cards, and presents on their birthday. A WHITE CHRISTMAS? Students on the sun coast didn't celebrate one. Flori- dians Tommy Eldridge and Laura Crowell looked at trees on a hot, December day.

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I A LITTLE EXTRA WEIGHT from a leg cast and crutches made walking in the crowded halls a feat of strength for Mark Schneider, who decorated his weight with friends' signatures and original artwork. NOTHING GETS IN I-EES WAY from doing what he enjoys: football. Despite his physicai handicap, 'Mike Pino, assistant trainer, wrapped' and taped football players to prevent injuries. He rode on the team buses to every away game in addition to being an the sidelines at home events. Pino also enjoyed piay- ing foatboii, using his canes to block passes. 'S f -.Si 5 .Q me Q.: ' R 1 JP DEVELOPING HER OWN METHOD of hand' writing was Sue Rolsron's way to battie discrimination against left handers. Noi only desks, but door knobs, wafer fountains, and pencil sharpeners all seemed ro be backwards to lefties. COMMUNICATING WA5N'T A PROBLEM for the hearing impaired students, who used sign language with friends and teachers, Louis Banks and Robin Boniface sign duirng one of their classes. M be OBSTACLES I 47