St Marys High School - Purple and Gold Yearbook (St Marys, WV)

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Generates Spirit Mascot Alicia Hackathorne and cheer- leader Karen Stewart provide a cheer at a basketball game. Cheerleader — defined as one who generates spirit and enthusi- asm. SMHS cheerleaders are a spe- cial pride students and others could not do without. Compiling the six member varsity squad are Karen Stewart, Lora Po- laska, Kris Bullman, Robin Coker, Barbara Canterbury, and head cheerleader Vicki Shull. These stu- dents put time and great effort to make St. Marys the best possible. Long hours and hard work are only the beginning of a school year filled with a large array of football games, basketball games, and especially thuses. Each one must be carefully planned out to capture the student body and the other spectators at- tention and to, most importantly, raise spirit. A long awaited and important week of the basketball season is Spirit Week. The cheerleaders are the soul coordination of the event and schedule activities to create enthusiasm and excitement during the week. But, the varsity cheerleaders are not alone. The J.V. Cheerleaders are always there, practicing and also working dutifully for SMHS. Missy Seago, Sheila Malone, Tanya Renner, Tina Dunigan, and Dawn Hall developed new chants and cheers to aid in the project of rais- ing spirits. Beginning this year, a new addi- tion was added to the cheering staff. Senior Alicia Hackathorn was chosen to be the new Blue Devil Mascot. Dressed in purple and gold with horns and a tail, Alicia made her debut during football season. SMHS Varsity Cheerleaders, Barb Canter- Polasko travel in Tim Byers' jeep during the bury, Karen Stewart, Robin Coker, and Lora Homecoming parade. Beginning this year a new addition was add- ed to the cheerleading staff. Senior Alicia Hackathorn was chosen as the Devil Mascot. 14 Cheerleaders

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Leading the student body in a cheer are the cheerleaders, Spirit Week coordinators. Freshmen Steve Meanor and Gary Flanagan take Friday’s Dress- Up Day a little too seriously. Spirit Week To build school spirit was their goal. Each day provided activities to generate enthusiasm and excitement. But would it work? That was a question easily answered — of course. Beginning Monday, February 2, the drive for spirit came from Purple and Gold day. The student body showed up early that morning proudly dressed in their school colors. Tuesday, Hex day came about when students wore the opponents colors, green and gold. Wednesday, rolled around with the masses portraying cowboys. Boots, hats, and vests surrounded the school with a western look for the scheduled Western Day. Hair in curlers, pants cuffed, and rolled up sleeves were part of the spirit scheme on Thursdays, roll 'em-up day. Finally, Friday came when Sunday-go-to-meetin' clothes were pulled from the closets for Dress-up day. Besides the daily dress activities, there were also class competitions going on throughout the week. Members of each class spent free time in and out of school making posters and collecting change. Posters were painted and designed with phrases stating support for the Blue Devils and their class. Each class hung its posters on its own designated wall of the gymnasium. The seniors walked away with first place in the poster competition, while the juniors close behind with a second place award. Also the seniors captured first place cash prize in the chain link competition. Paper links were sold by cheer- leaders for a penny each. All the links were put together forming a chain which was hung on the gym walls. There was just one thing left to bring the week's activi- ties and school spirit to a peak — the thuse. The cheer- leaders began the long awaited thuse with several cheers and a dance to '‘Stomp”. An appearance was also made by the great Swami Tommy”, who gave his predictions for the win of the night's basketball game. A touch of comedy prevailed when cheerleader Lora Polasko, and head coaches Auxier and Venderlic were hit in the faces (or in the general vicinity) with cream pies. The thuse finally came to an end with the announcements of the winners of the poster and chain contest, the class of 1981. Later that day, the basketball game with Ravenswood ended Spirit Week. Although the varsity team lost, the J.V. team was victorious. But Spirit Week had achieved its goal, along with a sense of pride and success from the student body. Spirit Week 13

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Robin Coker, Vicki Shull. Kris Bullman, and Barb Canterbury raise spirits for a thuse. Taking a short break from cheering, SMHS cheerleaders and the away teams cheer- leaders stop to talk and get a drink. A familiar face during games and thuses is Senior Joe Webb. Here he aids in generating spirit and excitment for a football game. Cheerleaders 15