Santa Teresa High School - Compendium Yearbook (San Jose, CA)

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The New World Audrey J. Sadler A gentle gray haired man stood in front of a small passageway check- ing off peoples’ names as the guests made their way through. No one was allowed to bring anything along with him, 'only the clothes on their back.’ Hello Mike, what’s all this about?’’ one of the young guests politely asked the gentleman as he was checking for that person’s name on the computer read out sheet. The seemingly kind souled man graceful- ly flipped the pages with his very wrinkled hands. On his left hand he wore a very simple gold band — a long lost symbol of an outdated tradition that had started before computers recorded history. Under artificial lights, the ring did not shine as brightly as it should have. Well, David, you will find out soon enough. You will come to realize that you are a very lucky man. The gentleman checked off his name and asked him to go into the auditorium. Somehow all the guests had the impression that they were attending a seminar or maybe a day lecture. Mike had tried to prepare himself for this day and felt that he was handling the situation very well. After he checked in almost all of their chosen guests, Mike had a sud- den surge of panic. 'Am I the only person checking in people. Did I have the whole list — or just half?’ Mr. Thomas, take over for me, I have to make a phone call!” Who can I call, who would know? His thoughts raced. He found a phone and called the President. Sir, this is Mike Conley. Was I the only person checking in the elected guests? Why, what’s the problem?” “Sir... Mr. Conley had a feeling of great failure; he had such loss in his heart. Sir, who was in charge of the computer selection? There was a long silence. The president put him on hold and went to find the name that was in such great need. Why hadn’t I checked it myself. I should have called my wife. The day that Mike had decided not to tell his wife made him disgusted with himself. Because of the conversation with the President, it appeared as if it had been a good choice. Now he was positive that he had made the wrong decision. He had been checking over his figures when the president had entered. Even though he had been selected, he still turned his voice to say — Mr. President, production will be finished next week. The computer has elected the persons to .. . ’’ Yes, the President cut him off, very good. How much time is left before the ozone layer is completely diminished?” Mike’s gentle nature was very ap- parent. He got up from the leather chair and somberly walked toward the book case. While facing the shelves, he dropped his head and rubbed his face. His face was filled with lines that had only come with time and experience. The gold band on his left finger was bright; Mike pulled his hands away and with his left thumb he fingered the ring. The scientist said at the most three days. He let out a large sigh. Minutes seemed to go by like days. Sir, may I ask you something . .. Something personal? He did not give the President time to answer. How did you keep the world's sad ending from your wife and son? How can you look them in the eye and know that they are not of the chosen? He turned slowly to face him. Mike’s facial expression showed great despair; one could tell that he was not worried about the Presi- dent’s wife and child — but about his own. Mr. Conley, I won't allow it to af- fect me, I have to make decisions. You may not agree with my manner or my method but I am doing what I believe is best. Let me make one thing perfectly clear, the President went on to say that he loved his son and his wife. He had no compassion in his voice. His explanation left Mr. Conley numb. The President interrupted Mike’s thoughts with the name of the computer programmer. “By the way Mr. President, you’ll need to address the elected in 45 minutes. Mr. Conley found himself lost in the dome city, frantically trying to find the programmer. There seemed to be many people in the halls, which made Mr. Conley’s lost feeling deepen. He recognized Mr. Tomas, the man who took over while he made the phone call. Is everyone in? Mr. Conley asked. Yes sir, Davis almost missed out, but he made it — the doors are sealed right on time. There was a cheerful note in his voice. Mike thanked him and asked for directions to the restroom. Once there Mr. Conley got sick. What will become of this city — our New World? All of the elected members were led into the auditorium. The President walked up to the microphone. “None of you know why you are here, but you will all serve as a vital unit for this city’s survival. We have shocking news, more shocking than you can imagine. He took a deep breath, The Earth’s ozone layer, which pro- tects us from the sun’s destructive rays has been destroyed — the dome city started construction Mr. Conley sat in the audience only half listening to the Presi- dent’s speech and half suffering with the obvious fact that he seemed to be the only one who had noticed. He looked down at the dulled ring, and began to weep. The man who programmed the computer had failed. The most valuable, necessary ingredient was missing — females. Legerdemain

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he infamous Matt. It is not un- mmon for the boy campers to icome very attached to the girl aders, thus was the case with att. My little “born-to-bea- amatic-actor” camper had been clinging vine all day, and when it ime time for all the campers to averse to the opposite side of e playground for an exciting iw game, I was overjoyed; I Duld be able to breathe. My little end, however, did not view the situation similarly and did not want to leave me. After he was told that Battle for a Baked Potato” was probably the funnest game he'd ever play, or he’d ever hope to play, he replied that he’d leave my side, But only after a kiss!” I told him no. All of a sud- den his face contorted, his walk turned to a limp, and he said with a deep throaty goran, “But Heather, I’m going off ... to WAR! Legerdemain 245

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For I Will Return Heather Dillon Rising illuminated she stands and faces me radiating motherly love. She calls my name ever so softly and whispers: You belong to me, as all earth does on a night like tonight; I and my flickering friends shall reign forever, (or so it seems); Until my brother, prouder and more daring than I, Lifts his head and shouts his glory. You belong to him now, children, And as I slowly attire my sleep-laden eyes, I know you will not resist him, but will go to him in peace; For I will return, when he grows tired. Kindness Eileen Unger Sometimes the words we say are scratches deep, Upon the surface so very bare. We can remove the varnish, but The markings are still there. Some things that have happened we cannot mend, Or restore to former glow. For once the grain is scored in pain, The scars will forever show. The Words We Say Eileen Unger A little word in kindness spoken, A motion or a tear. Has often healed the heart that's broken. And made a friend sincere. A word, a look, has crushed to earth, Full many a budding flower. Which had a smile but owned its birth, Would bless life’s darkest hour. Then deem it not an idle thing, A pleasant work to speak. The face you wear, the thought you bring, A heart may heal or break. Legerdemain