Redondo Union High School - Pilot Yearbook (Redondo Beach, CA)

Page 15 text:

Today: attempting a fusion We are Sea Hawks. Not all of us planned to be, some of us don't want to be, and there are those of us happy to be, but what we are beyond being Sea Hawks is a privileged group of young people. We got the best in the deal: we got a campus that is as spacious as we'd wish, we got to bring most of our favorite teachers with us, we met a new faculty whose administration counsels individual instruc- tion and care, and we got honesty in appraisal of what we are. We surprised everyone by launchin a new sports tradition which was superb, we started new clubs as diverse as Croquet and as challenging as Astron- omyg we jazzed up our pep groups and brought in an exciting drama program, we kept the High Tide weekly, and the yearbook staff worked to view both sides of the situation as clearly as ossible. We became as diverse as any high school in Southern California, tolerating and even occasional- ly talking to punkers, new wavers, preppies, surf- ers, stoners, rockabillies, jocks, rah-rahs and low- riders. We welcomed handicapped and Aphasic stu- dents on campus, we rebuilt many of our facilities and we learned to adjust. And, there were problems. The whole district was shocked by a drug bust in November, when 10 students from RUHS and 2.6 from Mira Costa were arrested as suspected drug sellers. There were dis- trusting arents, some of whom even came to school to be sure it was safe There were unhappy forced transfer students who had given false ad- dresses. Sooner or later, however, things began to change. Because teachers allowed classes to become forums of discussion when necessary, because the adminis- tration was willing to keep doors open and talk with anyone who wanted to say something, and because students worked extra hard to blend and accept, the whole school atomsphere slowly began to improve. By the end of the year, this fusion of elements had created a new outlook: one of promise and excite- ment for the years ahead. 'lf' .ll I i 4 I .A if aff 4+ -I I r' .. ' A 4 'Y' ,J 4 'I SN. , ,. .V Q Gig-il4'7f 'l ' - 3.5 ae, o 1, ' L' 'if',l,-.fnpeifljlfffizf '51 Y , eg: 'vs -fmt' Q , D . ' Q- ' 34 - - ..... .....l11 fusion 11

Page 14 text:

1. LONG WAY HOME-The RTD bus lines took on new meaning for stu- dents. It was the only way to school for about 113 of the RUHS student body. Ready to board are Pam Morris and Eric Juliet. ON TO VICTORY-ln the athletic split between Mira Costa and RUHS, it was figured that Mira Costa got the better deal. So far, not so! For the first time in 23 years, RUHS won Pioneer League outright, and beat Mira Costa in the new crosstown rivalry game. Here, in another big win, Dino Marzulli gains yardage against Miraleste. CROWDS OF STUDENTS-The latest look on campus as the crowded eating areas where students flocked to get lunch. The AL Young Center, formerly a meeting place, now hosted kids at mealtimes. ALONE ON CAMPUS-Mahlon Fish, Aviation principal, stops at his favorite campus spot to recall watching Falcons socializing at lunch. Fish retired in December.

Page 16 text:

'tu J, 12 student life X 'i'K as kj DIPPUSIO Student involvement grows V Imagine if you will, being happy, secure and safe in a situation you know and understand. Not one student at RUHS this year was able to make that imagination a reality, at least as far as high school was concerned. However, with the blend of students and faculty, the influx of a class of 600 freshmen, and some pretty hurried work by maintenance department workers, the outside image of the school projected a normal, functioning educational institution. Therefore, life went on, clubs picked up the pieces, sponsored dances. Some traditions like Sadie Hawkins remained, and new ones, like the winter formal, were introduced. The band had renewed spirit, as did drama, dancefdrill, and High Tide. French Club put on another giant banquet, the syn- chronized swim show was produced as usual, but new ASB president Sharlene Murdock was waiting for somet ing to to break the ice and unify us. It wasn't to be, it was a year of diffuse interests and exploration. It was a time to see what new events would occur and what old ones would disap- pear. Students waited to see which faculty sponsors would continue to work for them and which ones would burn out. S irit leaders liked the good atten- dance at games, but weren't sure that fans were following the Sea Hawks or favorite individual players with varied backgrounds. As the end of the theme section says, the year was an attem t at fusion. The beginning was diffuse, but not divided. The ending, with graduation of a class forced together by school closure, will set the theme for next year's Pilot!