Stafford Senior High School - Indian Legend Yearbook (Falmouth, VA)

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Taking Sides Academic competition was very important to ambitious students, especially those planning to go to college. S.A.T.’s the National Math Test, S.R.A.’s, and even grades themselves all were great anxiety producers and frustration among students. They were competing against themselves, to see how well they could do: but also against other students, who they would be compared to at colleges. Also, for academically inclined students, there were clubs that students had to be chosen to get into. SCENE and the National Honor Society both chose applicants on the basis of grades and teacher recommendation. For people skilled in musical, dramatical, or vocational arts, there were many chances to compete against others, both in a team or alone. Both were nerveracking, usually involving weeks or months of practice and worry. Common symptoms reported before a competition included sweaty hands, severe trembling, and intense fear. However, it was agreed that the rewards were great for those willing to go through it all. Students wanting to be cheerleaders, flag girls, and majorettes also had to put up with a lot. The rivalry to be chosen was fierce. Most groups had workshops for those that wanted to try out. At the workshops, they learned routines and practiced until the time to be chosen came. Trying out for a team was much the same. Students practiced up to the last moment, hoping to be picked. Once the team members were chosen, there was even more practicing to be able to beat other teams. There was a great deal of rivalry going on at Stafford. Not everyone felt that this was a good thing; however, Diana Loving felt that ‘““There is too much emphasis put on it.”’ Others disagreed, as May Devan put it “I think it’s good, because it gives you something to work for and be proud of.” Sing a song. During Madrigals tryouts, Teresa Timmons looks on while Mrs. Carolyn Seay plays the piano and Jenny Phillips and Melanie Nini sing. 22 Rivalry

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Friends regardless. Becky Cannon shows the other side of rivalry as she hugs a player from North Stafford after a game. Competitive spirit. The varsity cheerleaders practice for a competition at King’s Dominion sponsored by the Golden Eagle School. It is a cold, dark night. The wind whistles through the bleachers, where masses of shivering people sit huddled against the cold. In front of the bleachers, cheerleaders are slowly turning blue. They are too cold to cheer. Suddenly, there is a stir in the crowd. The excitement grows as a Stafford player runs, until ... TOUCH DOWN! The crowd goes wild, and for a few moments they forgot the cold and were caught up in the game. Rivalry was an important aspect of school. Football was the most obvious example, but there were many different kinds. Competition against other schools was the one most people would think of first, but there was also rivalry against other students, and even against one’s self. ‘Rivalry was more than a competition on the football field, it was a way of getting back at the other schools,’ observed Richard Hodge. This year there was a new twist, for the first time North Stafford was an opponent. Many students felt strange competing against former teamates, but this feeling soon passed as North Stafford became the “enemy.” Closer to home, the rivalry between classes was intense. Pep rallies were enlivened by student’s attempts to prove their class the greatest. The floats at Homecoming were an example. The class of ‘82 won, with the sophomores a close second. Taking Sides Rivalry 21

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Strong opinions. During a school pep rally, George Hogge, Billy West, and Pam Johnson show their school spirit and enthusiasm. Left-right-left. At Randolph-Macon, Diana Herron, Valerie Cook, and Lisa Newton lead the band as it marches. Bad news. During the game against Garfield, Mike Johnson is tackled by an opposing player as he runs with the ball. Rivalry 23