Poquoson High School - Islander / York Chronicle Yearbook (Poquoson, VA)

Page 24 text:

Bonsai. Ring Dance night is the time for doing new and exotic things. Junior Barbara Hol- land and her date, senior Matt Mendez, per- formed a Japanese ritual before their dinner arrived at the Nara of Japan restaurant. 20 Ring Dance Next, Please. The day that every junior looks forward to is finally here. Juniors Danielle Or- rack, Robin Struck, Shayla Swank, and Holly Umstead waited for their turn to see the Herff Jones representative and receive their rings. Patience Is A Virtue. Upon their arrival at the Nara of Japan restaurant, juniors Sherry Baugh and Teri Van Meter wait patiently for their dates, Travis Rice and Jamey Diggs, to check their reservations.

Page 23 text:

Think. Think how much more you know now than you did four years ago. Most students barely recall the 1984 election when former President Ronald Reagan defeated Democrat Walter Mondale. However, the re- cent election, Bush vs. Dukakis, hit closer to home for most students. “The mock election was interest- ing and it made me aware of the real election,” said junior Tommy Rew. For every national election, the high school holds a mock election. However, for this election, both Poquoson High and Middle Schools joined schools across the peninsula and the results were broadcast on WHRO-TV. Junior Michele Kolet acted as phone captain. Republican Candidate George Bush and Dan Quayle, his running mate, defeated Mike Dukakis and Got A Minute? Recruiting is senior Becky Bradshaw’s specialty. Becky’s job was to try to get students to the mock election polls and get them to vote for the candidate of their choice. Lloyd Bensen by an overwhelming margin. In the high school alone, the students voted 89% Bush and 11% Dukakis. These results paralleled those of the community and the na- tion. Students were permitted to vote only if they had registered. They registered in their history or govern- ment classes or during lunch. Many government students made posters and announcements in order to publicize the event. Senior Mel- issa Rohrer said, “I made a poster and we carried them around lunch encouraging students to ‘Vote Bush’.” Juniors Brian Sander and Amy Long dressed up as the candidates and paraded around the school cap- turing votes. “Oh Say Can You See?” The band performs outside the school on the morning of the elec- tion. “The Star Spangled Banner” was one of the songs played by senior trumpeteer, Larry Grigg and the rest of the band. Suffrage It’s Your Right to Vote “This is the first year that I’ve ever paid attention to or really even knew who the candidates were,” con- fessed senior Cheyenne Hoadley. “T was unusually surprised at how conservative the student body voted...with the exception of para- mutual betting, which the students voted for. The whole mock election was very successful,” said Ms. Bar- bara. Keech. This was the general feeling among the students. Sophomore Beth Jones agreed, “I thought it was very well organized and got a lot of people involved.” This election year proved valuable to the students. “I believe I’ll be more prepared to vote in the next election — it was so realistic,” said junior Don Joyner. Mock Election 19

Page 25 text:

89...And 90! The locking of a class ring is a tradition that has been handed down for many years. Junior Jenni Bowden turned Neil Lambiotte’s ring for the 90th time and “locked” it. There You Go. Flowers are a common sight at most formal dances. Junior Bobby Carter gently slipped a corsage onto the wrist of his date, junior Jill Alexander. Tradition It’s Time To Turn Class colors of emerald green and silver streak through the commons as juniors strategically place deco- rations on the wall. Darkness domi- nates — but only for a moment — then the DJ’s strobe lights flicker and flash across the dance floor. The class of 1990 dances to the latest musical sensations before the ring turning ceremony. Refreshments are served as still more juniors file in to join the fes- tivities. This marks the start of the Junior Class ring dance. The Com- mons echoes with the giggles of girls as they gaze at their class rings awaiting their turn to cross the bridge. Excitement fills the hearts of all anticipating that special some- one, who will “lock” their rings. Ten o’clock and the ceremony be- gins. The DJ announces the arrival of the big moment. Numbers range from one to one hundred and even more as the couples assemble into lines. Junior class president Bar- bara Holland and her escort, Matt Mendez, set the standard by cross- ing the bridge first. In reference to the occasion, Holland remarks, “It was a lot of hard work, but after it was all done I felt like it was worth it. The dance really went well.” Next comes the junior class vice president, secretary, and treasurer, followed by the other guests. Each couple hears their names announced by senior class president Vinnie Gal- lerani, steps onto the bridge, “locks” rings, and exchanges a congratula- tory kiss or hug. Upon exiting the bridge, each cou- ple receives a white rose and scroll from junior class co-sponsor, Mrs. Debbe Goddin. After hours of gruel- ing work Mrs. Goddin comments, “I thought the ring dance was beauti- ful. The junior class was very orga- nized and did a fantastic job of deco- rating.” The sweet sound of Whitney Hou- ston softly singing the junior class song, “One Moment In Time,” con- cludes the ceremony. Don Ward’s picture taking re- sumes. Personal camera flashes light the dim room as friends frantic- ally try to capture memories. Junior Tyler Howard says, “I like this dance better because there are less people — it’s mostly juniors and seniors.” The final song of the dance is an- nounced. Couples head for the dance floor. As the last notes linger from the DJ’s stereo speakers, guests be- gin to leave. The dance is over. A group of juniors scatter across the commons snatching loose decora- tions in preparation for the even- ing’s later activities. Ring Dance 21