Sayreville War Memorial High School - Quo Vadis Yearbook (Parlin, NJ)

Page 31 text:

 West Side Success Story ABOVE: It's a solemn moment as Tony and Maria ex- change everlasting vows. BOTTOM LEFT: Tomboy Anybodys ' played by Rosanda Strika shows she ain’t no lady. BOTTOM RIGHT: Caught in a moment of comic relief, Sean Dunn calls on Officer Krupke to provide help for fellow Jets. Other gang members provide support. With the final drop of the curtain, a lengthy but rewarding period of hard work and dedication for all those involved in the pro- duction of the spring musical was completed. While it didn’t boast the proverbial cast of thousands, “West Side Story” did utilize over 300 cast and crew members, helping to make it not only the most elaborate, but as Mr. Cunliffe said, the best musical he had directed in his six years of working at SWMHS. Although “West Side Story” was difficult to bring to life, outstanding performances by Jeanne Rogers as Maria, Kevin Ferguson as Tony, and Laurie Unkel as Anita, helped make the event a grand finish for Mr. Cunliffe, who left the school at the close of the year. “I was very pleased, very proud of the students for their fine performance,” he commented. Separating this year’s production from past presentations was the predominantly male cast and the hiring of professional violinists who added the necessary finishing touches to the musical scores. The departing Mr. Cunliffe, who had con- sistently directed all of this school’s musicals in fine style, summed up his feeling in saying, “I would definitely do it again.” Spring Musical

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The hard guy side of Ed Melee shows through in Lieute- nant Shrank. Jet leaders Sean Dunn and Glen Lazo meet with their girlfriends, Valerie McVeigh and Jamie Unkel, for a night of relaxation before their upcoming rumble with the Sharks. Pre-fight bravery is expressed in song as the Jets make their power known by taunting the Sharks. The Sharks are ready for battle! Sure that they will win, the gang sings of their rumble strategy before confronting the Jets. The Shark girls' enthusiasm for their adopted country overflows into an energetic dance. 26 Spring Musical

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ABOVE LEFT: The smiles of Peter Kalamaras and Diane Koprowicz express the overall emotion of the Junior Prom. ABOVE CENTER: Highstepper Margaret Green shows off her latest dance steps as the band, Northern Lights, performs a Doors medley. ABOVE RIGHT: After a long night dancing, Cindy Pfeiffer and John Piserchia lead the way to the Junior Prom smorgasbord. RIGHT: “Eight is enough for John Mininno BELOW RIGHT: The uniqueness of the Junior Prom cake captures the mood of the evening. Starry, Starry Night Glimmering stars, subtle lighting and the music of Northern Lights helped set the tone for the 1981 junior prom. With “Stairway to the Stars” chosen as a theme, the prom committee was faced with the task of transforming the hectic atmosphere of the cafeteria into the formal setting of the occa- sion. After eight months of preparation, the committee met the challenge, as the evening of May 9, saw more stars and more couples on the dance floor than the past several years. Adding to the occasion were the traditional favors, flowers, tempting hot and cold dishes and an exquisite four-tiered confection which, ironically, was left uneaten. The response to the band was very favorable, as it satisfied the students’ mixed musical preferences by performing both rock and disco songs. Miss Lamprecht, who spent a great deal of time planning for the occasion, said, “I was very pleased with the turnout. Although there were the problems of selec- ting a good band, good food, and the right decorations, the kids overcame the pressures, and put together a terrific evening.” 28 Junior Prom