Shady Side Academy - Academian Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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. 'rwumsfa U Qtr, ,wap iff 4 1 2 Gi y 4. . fi ,. f gk,-P Sitting in the new computer center, Terry Chay works studiously at his terminal as Matt Majewski looks on. In the background, Ed Mitre carefully inspects a computer print- out. 9'.,' ff, 1755 Ah., rf Surrounded by clutter in the Tuck In the Ellsworth Basement, Wendy Shop area, Maria McMahon at- Munroe enjoys one ofMr. Hender- tempts to combine studying and shot's upperform English electives. snacking. -W. 5

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cademics here at SSA are on ev- eryone's mind at all times. There is no denying that academics is heavily stressed by faculty, students, and parents. This is not stated in a negative tone. It is beneficial to all and prepares the student well for his college education. Al- though there always are gripes about cer- tain courses, most everyone survives and continues their Shady Side education the next year. In the freshman year, the basic English, math, and language courses are enrolled in, with a combination of biology, I.S.S., or the infamous M8cM. This is the most struc- tured year of the four for the students. The courses offer the basic building blocks on which the higher, more complex courses that the upper formers take can be built upon. The sophomore year offers a little bit more variety for the SSA student. He often enrolls in one or more elective courses like a third year language or a second laboratory science. The IV former starts to pursue his own interests and begins to blossom in courses that he enjoys. The junior year, as all SSA students know, is the most important academic year. Why? There is only one answer. It is so that he can get into the college of his choice. The junior year is the year for the student to shine. It is not made easy by the Academy. Courses such as U.S. History, Advanced Biology, and Physics are the top three difficult courses that juniors are enrolled in. Most juniors rise to the occa- sion and do well. For the seniors though, it can be a different story. If one asked the typical student what he 1 , .,,g,... Dressed in school colors, Jake Ploeger, By his locker in the Tuck Slwp area, Joe Tommy Worrall, and Peter Wymard Charlson flashes a smile as he reaches for prepare to start their academic day. mvre books. Seated in the background are Larry Ja- cobson, Phil Joyce, and Stephanie Salmon. 4 was doing academically in his senior year, he would probably laugh in the inquisitoris face. This is a sure sign of the disease, sen- ior slump. After the first term, the bulk of the college applications are in, and the sen- iors do not have to worry about their high school grades. College is on their minds. It is a trying time for seniors, faculty, and parents during senior slump, but hopefully, the student will be rewarded for his work during his previous years, and receive ad- mission into the college of his choice. Shady Side's academics are recognized by all to be a very demanding program. It is one of the finest college prepatory schools in the country if the student puts the time and effort into the school to receive the most out of SSA's curriculum.

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P' FQ rr- CJ -JIll?I'.'.'I'I'l'lf N F uture world leaders stepping on each other on the athletic field and on the academic ladder is not always a pret- ty sight. However, competition can also add spice to the life at SSA. It can lift little, everyday events from the depths of the mundane to plateaux having status equal to Wimbleton, the Nobel Prize, or The Gram- mies. SSA is often criticized for being too com- petitive academically. While it is true that the pressure to make Cum Laude as a fresh- man, to get accepted to all the Ivies by the end of sophomore year, and to be Valedicto- rian of not only your own class but the ones ahead of you and behind you as well can be l During a competitive Powder Puff game, Shelley Schulze Sprints for a touchdown. 6 somewhat stressful, competition is really not a complete negative. It is responsible for bringing us the infamous stress lectures and for producing an occasional fifteen year old millionaire. Competition is what creates the tension and the cut-throat attitude that are pre-requisites to survival and success here and everywhere. Athletic competition can also be fierce. The look on the eyes of a runner before a race, a wrestler before a match, a gymnast before a meet, or even a P.E. stud before a tough wally-ball game show the intense concentration produced by competition and the drive to win. Although some feel that the competitive atmosphere can be too in- tense, it does result in the rewarding exper- ience of putting forth an all-out one-hun- dred percent effort. Athletic contests are also responsbile for giving a charge of ener- gy to an often otherwise dull campus: Ath- letic competition is the force behind the dynamics and spirit at Homecoming. fNot to mention the mohawks, painted faces and cars, and victory signs that are products of the overwhelming desire to Crushl un- knowing and innocent opponentsj 6 The competition at SSA may be tough, it may even be gruesome. But, it is both a cause and an effect of the energy, strength, and motivation of the SSA student body. un, U...-V.--v Jvw. -.V -- .,,. .. ,.., ,..Y S Y Y J ,,