Ralph Poteet High School - Treasure Chest Yearbook (Mesquite, TX)

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iVervously adjusting her choir dress, Jennifer Stanberry listens to director Georgeanne Truitt. Everyone got a case of the jitters before a performance. Choir members perform during the choral test in early Novem- ber. The concert was held at North Mesquite. CHOIR. Row 1 Jennifer Stanberry. Lindsay Christian, Cassandra Smitti. Joy Edy. Alexis Slocum, Tracy Forde. Holly Eves Row 2 Tammy Pope. Melanie Hill, Lisa Cromere, Maybelle DeGuia, Mary Anne Trujillo, and Melissa Turkus Wof Pictured Tonya Blakemore Instead of singing, Cassandra Smith takes a test. Choir mem- bers learned more than hovi to use their voices. They also were expected to know music.

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Alter representing the choir in the punt-pass-kick competition at the indoor pep rally, choir president Tracy Forde takes her place in the band. She practiced her musical abilities In both or- ganizations. ■ Epitome of Perfection From the beginning of fifth period until the end, the fif- teen girls of the choir prac- ticed for their concerts and contests of the season. This group of girls did very well with the help of practice. They received high ratings in the U.I.L. contest and solo and ensennble contests held in winter and spring. Practicing for these con- certs and contests makes us the epitome of total vocal perfection, Mary Ann Trujil- lo said. The choir also sung at con- certs throughout the school year. They joined with all Mesquite school choirs at NtVIHS in early November for a choral fest. Besides a Christmas con- cert at NMHS in the evening, the choir was the highlight of the special assembly held the day school dismissed for the Christmas holiday. Solo performances were given by Tracy Forde, Maybelle DeGuia and Melis- sa Turkas. The student body got sur- prised when the faculty joined the choir to sing We Wish You a Merry Christ- mas for the grande finale. Choir president Tracy Forde said, Most people do not think about the choir as being any thing special to the school, but I hope that after the Christmas assembly we changed their minds. (Cathy DeBoo)

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ft takes a great deal of respon- sibility to take care of a stringed instrument properly. Scott Shir- ley always took care in casing and uncasing his violin. Practice til ifs perfect Practice makes perfect, it ' s often said. This old truth came to life with the orchestra. Practice was the main ingredient for its success. Ten students made up the orchestra, and each had a special place, whether it was playing the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Under the direction of Charles Sheets, all or- chestra members scored the highest of all other stu- dents from Mesquite schools after participating in the All Region Orches- tra on Nov. 25. Tryouts were scary at first, bass player Carisa Hogan said, but I finally calmed down and did my best. Practicing an instrument was not just sitting down and playing for an hour or two. Each of the students had to have the drive and discipline to work toward accomplishing their goals. Students not only had to practice during class time, fourth period, but the ma- jority of the practice had to take place at home. After I practiced my in- strument, I felt that I had learned all of my music better. Then I felt better about playing, bass play- er Melanie Mank said. After a delay because of a winter storm hitting the; weekend of Feb. 4, ox- chestra members partici- pated in the solo and en- semble contest on Feb. 25. Even though they par- ticipated against juniors- and seniors, they held their own. The extra time was to their advantage ... it gave them more time for prac- tice. {Eiicka Wells)