Thomas Dale High School - Reflector Yearbook (Chester, VA)

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Blazing Spirit An ebony blanket covers the field. No life exists, and stillness reigns over a kingdom of nothingness. Invisible sounds lurk behind objects created only by a vivid im- agination. Time seems frozen by cool October chill. Instan- taneously, a spark basks the area in fire-light, revealing forms previously obscure. In- tense heat thaws the air, melting frost into the at- mosphere. Individual flames leap higher into the sky, reaching hopelessly into the heavens. Striving toward a common goal, blazes collide, merging together, strengthen- ing the bond. Unit ed, this natural furnace attains its long sought for ambition and stands proud. In the few minutes required to start the blaze, many people arrive for the festivities. Members of all the classes come to see what the bonfire is all about. A new event, the Thursday evening affair was designed to promote school spirit for the homecoming game. Leaving hall decoration worries behind, seniors and underclassmen alike join together to give the football team support for the Varina matchup. Others gave their homework an hours break to attend the social event. Both the cheerleaders and the band prepared long and hard, planning a program for the event. With chants to yell and music to enjoy, these organizations provide at- tenders with non-stop enter- tainment. Also adding to the excitement, the “Burn a Blue Devil’’ contest attracted replicas of the Varina Blue Devils, made by various school functions, to be tossed into the fire. However, the most action revolved around the students. First turning the field from a lifeless mass into a body of abounding energy and heat, the spectators join in the cheers, even creating some of their own. Joining in one voice the group proclaims its faith in the team. One group of students originally expresses their team devotion. A pyramid, growing higher into the sky, seemingly competes with the altitude of the neighboring flames. With the lone peak in place, the design complete, a unified “Thomas Dale Number One!” reigns over the land. Cold embers scatter the ground, the bonfire, ex- tinguished hours earlier, is on- ly a memory. The air, once again frosty, clings to the memory of warmth it once knew, while darkness remembers the light. Blackness envelopes each object, making detection among its surround- ings impossible. The goal reached, the world has gone to sleep, dreaming of new days, new heights, and new goals. Bon Fire 7

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NOS MD HH AR et Lillie 6 Bon Fire

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Diving blindly into the crowd, Her- mitage’s forward movement comes to a halt. Aggressive defense by the Knights prevents Hermitage yardage gain. Showing the foot has power, Mike Hevener gives it his all. 8 Opening Football Game Underdog Upset Judging by pregame evalua- tions, the varsity football] team was a decided underdog for the Hermitage football game. Predicted to lose by fourteen points, the team set out to prove itself among both district and nondistrict foes. The first half of the game roved to be a defensive battle; owever, the half time break brought new life to the offense. Early in the fourth quarter, Dame DeShields, sophomore, came off the bench, leading a drive and eventually scoring the first of two touchdowns. With the defeat of this AAA powerhouse team, the Knights gained ample respect for future district match-ups.