Rock Island High School - Watchtower Yearbook (Rock Island, IL)

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Expressions Rocky Love During the past four years. Rock Island High School survived nu¬ merous setbacks. Due to the lack of state funding, the community in 1981 voted to pay an increase in tax¬ es. As 1983 rolled around, the state faced yet another shortage of mon¬ ey. This time, however, the schools did not ask for increased taxes. Teachers, administrators and other employees lost their jobs. Class size increased while class choices de¬ creased. Several extra curricular activities no longer existed. As the situation looked bleak for Rocky, members of the community began donating funds to support the sports and other school activities. Although students were required to pay a minimal participation fee, the contributions allowed clubs and ac¬ tivities to exist that had previously had no hope of returning in 1984. These contributions proved to be the strength behind Rocky. The com¬ munity lent its support at a time when Rocky needed it the most. These citizens, along with the sup¬ port and understanding of the Rocky student body led to the theme of the 1984 Watchtower. The harnessing of energies, which saved the high standards of Rock Island ' s educational system, required a spe¬ cial feeling, not only of pride, caring and understanding, but also an extra special feeling — LOVE. The Watchtower chose “I Love Rocky” as its theme because of these feel¬ ings. The Love for Rocky not only ap¬ peared during the school ' s desperate times, but also appeared in the ever¬ yday events and activities at school. Rock Island offered many ways to be loved and its students found these ways: — I Love Rocky because the sports are so intense and there is good competition. The fans show great sportsmanship. David Carr — I Love Rocky because you get to meet new and exciting people. You learn a lot of different ways of life. Tina Hoskins. — I Love Rocky for the amount of school spirit we have. Everyone takes pride in our athletic achieve¬ ments. Scott Young — The thing I Love most about Rocky is the school bell, I wait all week to hear it ring at 2:30 on Fri¬ day. Pat Carroll — I Love Rocky because it’s my school. I have team spirit and I love to watch the Rocks play and win. We have a good school, and we’re always trying to improve it. We have high-spirited fans who come to see every game regardless if we win or lose. Chris Dasso — Big laugh. Ha! ha! ha! William Clay — Everyone knows Rocky is number one so why should we have to tell anyone? Anonymous — Rocky is the kind of school where all people have someplace where they can enjoy something. Rocky offers new friends, new plans and future ideas to everyone. Rocky is in a class by itself. Charlie Christensen — I like the people who do not shove me around in hallways. Sharon Renneke -I Love Rocky because they treat you like an adult. They trust you during lunch by letting you go anywhere you want to eat. Ben Algeo — I Love Rocky because the sen¬ iors do not pick on the freshman like other freshman told me they did. Dave Martin I Love Rocky because the students and teachers are great, and you nev¬ er get bored. Suzanne Gibbs — I Love Rocky because “Rocky” means pride. We have had to put up with a lot from people of other towns and schools. We have man¬ aged to prove those people wrong with our excellent academic pro¬ gram. Our sports are also something of which to be proud. We have a lot of talented students at Rocky. It is a great school, and it shows through the quality of the students. Ann Townsend — Why we Love Rocky: 1. The girls 2. The girls 3. The girls By the guys — At Rocky you can take care of yourself. Anonymous — I Love Rocky because you meet all kinds of people. But they all have one thing in common, which is when it comes to school pride we all have a BIG HEART for Rock Island High School. Lisa Anderson — I Love Rocky because it has given me everything I could not have had at a private school: inde¬ pendence, a social life and some¬ thing of which to be proud. Larry Harrison — I Love Rocky because of the spirit each student has at Rocky. When we put all of our spirit togeth- i er we can accomplish anything we put our minds to accomplishing. Heather Dunsmoor — The number one school on my list has got to be Rocky. I Love Rocky because everyone is so awe¬ some and cool. Even though we are the little guys people say “hi” to us freshmen. I also like it because the teachers are very nice and under¬ standing. Last but not least, I like being around my friends all day. If that does not tell you why I Love Rocky, then what will? Gina Block — Fun, fun, fun, that is why I Love Rocky. There are more people to meet and a lot more friends to talk to all day long. Larry Snider — What I Love about Rocky is the ba nd. In the band you will meet many people and go many places. Kevin Dennis — What is Rocky pride? Rocky pride is the backbone of the student body-the center of the High School. We, the student body are fortunate to take part in such a great learning experience. The atmosphere sends off a positive charge throughout the school. Throughout Rocky’s exis¬ tence nobody has fully realized what a great school Rocky really is. But the 1984 Class has opened the door. We have uncovered the miss¬ ing theme, I Love Rocky! Anonymous — It is not because of the over¬ crowded hall, or the abundance of students. I really cannot say it is be¬ cause of the overcrowded class¬ rooms. I want to believe it is the de- | termination of the athletes. It could be because I went to another school and disliked it, but it is none of those reasons. The reason I Love Rocky is because we are all so much a part of each other’s lives and our memories of it will last forever. Keith Rapp — I Love Rocky because it is full of pride and spirit. The school some¬ times acts like one big family. Ev¬ eryone likes to huddle together on a cold Friday night cheering for the team that they love. Win or lose the pride holds true. Anonymous I 2 Opening

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Rock Island High School - 1400-25th Avenue — Rock Island, Illinois 61201 309-788-0484 ■gyL - r nr ?

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Rocky is full of spirit. Every student, teacher, or worker who has anything to do with the school shows spirit. Some people may choose to make negative remarks about an athletic team, but you know that when our quarterback is run¬ ning that last fifteen yards with the defense on his tail, everyone will be up and cheering for Rocky. When our basketball team loses that last game there are always people around to pat the players on the back and tell them they played a good game. Rocky people will forever be full of support for any other student in any competition. Sherry Stotlar Rocky’s support showed through not only in sporting events and in the contribution drive but in the everyday life experienced at the Rock. The Rock faced loss and sur¬ vived by gaining additions which far surpassed the loss. The Rock acquired a student pro¬ duced Group W Cable sponsored television program, study skills groups, new faculty and new exper¬ iences for students and faculty alike. As 1984 came and went, each stu- dent-whether touched by those gains and losses or not - received lasting memories allowing each one to honestly proclaim — I Love Rocky. Table Of Contents STUDENT LIFE 2 SPORTS 31 ORGANIZATIONS 55 ACADEMICS 89 PEOPLE 107 CLOSING 165 After a summer long separation, Kim Robinson and Sharon Hall embrace. Aside from coaching Freshman Football, Mike Resler aids students in the classroom. Mr. Resler is a welcome addition to the Rocky family. Opening I 3