Suffolk High School - Peanut Yearbook (Suffolk, VA)

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What a day for a parade. Even the drizzle couldn ' t keep Heidi Kerns from watching the procession down North Mam Street. One-two, ready, go! In count with their pom-pom routine, the cheerleaders march on with spirit. Take me out to the ball park. Baseball great Brooks Robinson heads the parade as Grand Marshall. HARVEST FESTIVAL 21

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On the streets of Suffolk I t had been going on all week with luncheons and fashion shows, but it didn ' t seem complete until the clowns started to appear and the bands began to play. But to most Suffolkians, the third annual Harvest Festival didn ' t really begin until the parade on Friday, October 25. After all schools had been dismissed at 12:45 , students were off to their prospective spot to either watch or participate in the merry procession. There was an array of clowns, bands, floats, and pretty girls from all the area high schools. One of those beauties was Brenda Griggs, our reigning homecoming queen. She had the opportunity to ride on the float which carried the Queen of the Harvest Festival, Wendy Dawn Williams, homecoming queens from five other neighboring high schools, and Miss Suffolk, Joyce Roberts, It was an honor to represent my school , commented Brenda Griggs, still smiling. Despite the rain which began to fall at the end of the parade, there was a look of anticipation as to what was to happen throughout the weekend on faces both young and old. Cotton candy, hotdogs, candy apples, cokes, and peanuts were popular snacks while taking a break from the twisting, turning, and swirling rides. My only complaint is the prices of these rides, explained Barbara Knight, while reaching into her empty pockets. Parents, who considered themselves active citizens, were really trapped into paying for the $1.00 rides. They couldn ' t complain about the location, though, because if they left the house in any direction, a part of the carnival was there. A place at the Suffolk Plaza was set aside and a whole block of Saratoga Street and two parking lots were roped off just to set up rides and tents. There was something for everyone. For those who didn ’t care to swirl on the rides, they could sing a song or tap their toes to the latest tune in the Talent Show. The curtains opened, and there they were—ordinary Suffolk citizens turned instantly into celebrities. The talent was much better this year than last. Although it ran a little long, it didn’t deter or detract from the audience ' s enjoyment, explained Frank Roberts, Master of Ceremonies. For those who had a lot of energy left, they could perform some of the latest steps to the music of Daddy Jack Holmes at Birdsong Recreation Center. Moving to the beat, eating fresh steamed shrimp, waving from the ferris wheel, and singing a tune for the talent show occupied Suffolkians for one rainy October weekend. The next week they would again commiserate over the lack of rain which had caused one of the worst peanut harvests in the area ’s recent history. Rolling drums and tooting flutes sound. ' The Pride of Peanutland Marching Band ' ' steps proudly to Stetson, ' ' showing off the long hours of practice. Queens for a day. The cheerful waves and pretty faces of the Queens captured many eyes as their float passed along the parade route. 20 HARVEST FESTIVAL

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Wanted: Dollars Cents Inflation took a large bite out of pockets, and students found refuge in after school jobs. T he ring of cash registers, the swoosh of brooms, and the clang of file cabinets were sounds numerous students heard at their after-school jobs. Due to inflation, many people sought the extra money needed for outside activities through part-time employment. As Benita Rountree stated, ’It is a good feeling not having to ask your parents for money every time you want to go somewhereHaving a job built up a sense of financial independence which would later prepare students for the ' rat race.’’ Opening up savings and checking accounts was another benefit of being employed. Learning how to balance checkbcx)ks and deal with the maze of bank business was part of the experience gained through employment. A negative of having a job was the long hours spent after school. Sometimes I work until 10:00 p.m. and then have to go home and do homework and study for tests, complained Barry Hedgepeth. For these students it required more self- discipline and time-planning to keep up their grades. However the experience gained was invaluable and many workers felt it was worth the extra time and effort. Asserted Sharon Stephenson, I really enjoy my job at the bank because it gives me an idea of what my career will be like. With inflation reaching an all-time high, many students turned to jobs to help their parents make ends meet. It was hard for everybody, but especially so for one-parent families or those with a lot of mouths to feed. Since there’s just my mother and me, working lets me ' take care of my expenses and that’s a great help to her, asserted Marcus Ballard. Juniors and Seniors especially had to reach into their pockets, or their parents ’ pockets, numerous times. There were class rings and dues for the Juniors, and the Seniors were faced with a bill for three different portraits, announcements, and a long list of other momentoes. But whatever the reason, working students had acquired a valuable experience which they would someday benefit from. I’m saving the money I make for college, and what I have left over, I can spend on myself, stated Chris Chappell. Sweets for the sweet. Br an Bavens i duties, as an employee of Pinner ' s Florist, vary from greeting customers to making bouquets. Back to the old broom closet. Arthur Barrett takes a breather after giving that extra spark to the school floors. 22 JOBS