Thornwood High School - Thunderbird Yearbook (South Holland, IL)

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Diverse students ublend inn Psychologists have found that one's environment affects his per- sonality. If this is the case, Thorn- Wood houses an enormous amount of diversity in personal traits due to the fact that nine different commu- nities filter students into the high school. As a result of worlds collid- ing stereo-types develop regarding students from certain areas. Social- ite, burnout, and jock are com- mon catagories teenagers are placed in by their peers, though these pi- geonholes may be inaccurate. It seems like girls from one communi- ty are stuck up and people from an- other are burnouts, observed one freshman. Like a painter who mixes colors to produce the correct hue, Thornwood blends the many diverse people into one unit. Although everyone is dif- ferent in his own way, school be- comes a place where young people with common goals and interests can work together to achieve their goals. As a girl in the band described it, We're all one big family. We have to be to play together as well as we do. We're all very different but all share a common love: our music. Sports often brought together groups of athletes who might never have played together. Coaches com- bined the talents of athletes from all parts of the school district in hopes of finding that winning team. This team spirit proved evident with the football team's victory at Homecom- ing, and the baseball teams' S.I.C.A. championships. It's really an excit- ing feeling to have the whole school behind you, commented a team member. All the people in the stands supported us and made us want to win! When students disregarded the various stereotypes they often found that high school gave way to many new friendships. Prejudiced opinions often stopped many teen- agers from becoming friendly even though they shared many similar qualities. As one girl explained, If you don't try to get along you're really, missing out on so much. There are so many great people to meet and have fun with. QW' FEATURES 153

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Designer craze invades TW Brooke Shields seductively poses on a floor boldly exclaiming that nothing comes between her and her Calvins. Deborah Harry of Blon- die struts through the streets of New York in a pair of Gloria Vander- bilts and a Canadian hockey team skates around singing, Oo, la, la, Sassonf' Years ago designer fash- ions were only worn by the very rich and very chic. Bill Blass, Pierre Cardin and Givenchy created dress- es, suits, and shoes for those who wanted to stand out in a crowd. Lately names like Calvin Klein and Gloria Vanderbilt have worked their way into our vocabulary by sticking their trademarks on the backs of jeans, the cuffs of shirts, and the fronts of sweaters. The designer craze has caught Americans by the seat of the pants and has a stronghold on the clothing industry. Prices of clothing have doubled due to the surge of designer fashions and new names a-poppin' up everyday in New York's gar- ment district. This designer craze began with the production of designer jeans. Calvin Klein put his name on the back pockets of a pair of pants and the trend snowballed. Since then names like Jordache, Bon Jour, and Sasson have filled the stores. Many W consumers have no qualms about paying double the cost even though they can purchase a pair of Levi's for around S16.00. 'tl think they look and fit better, explained one girl who boasts a closet filled with six pairs of Calvins. Designer infatuation has spilled into other areas besides jeans. Gloria Vanderbilt has developed a whole line of women's sportswear and the Jordache Company has recently in- troduced a pair of tennis shoes. Even Calvin Klein has developed the denim diaper for toddlers. This trend is also found in eyeglasses, co- lognes, and even women's lingerie. The desire for these special fashions appears to be for status and sex appeal. Campaign ads portray attractive men and women leading exciting lives in designer clothes. I think it's stupid, explained a junior male. lt doesn't make you any bet- ter if you have a pair of designer jeans. Nevertheless the designers are earning multi-million dollar profits and the amount is growing each year. Fashion-conscious teen- agers are filling their closets with all types of designer apparel. So the next time you bump into a student clad in designer jeans, just turn and say, Oh, I beg your 'Chardon. ' x x 152 FEATURES

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Board problems cause tensions Immeasurable tensions seemed the primary words to express the feelings between the Board of Edu- cation and the teachers. The situation began in the fall with a nine-day strike. Contracts, programs, and monies concerned both teachers and board members. An amicable agreement finally end- ed the strike, and, on the surface, things seemed calm for the moment. Then, the referendum for an audi- torium again came into question. Teachers, students, and various con- cerned parents met with the School Board and placed the referendum on the ballot. A few weeks before the voters were to cast their ballots, the Board withdrew the referendum. An insufficient amount of funds and ris- ing inflation caused this action to be taken. Our students deserve a bet- ter place to display their talents, and with costs the way they are, it seems almost impossible, remarked Mrs. Celeste Mazor. A policy concerning field trips then rose into the picture Not one of my classes took a field trip all year, stated Al Minne. The new dis- trict policy created by the School Board decreased the number of field trips in each department. The policy stated, The class that wishes to go on a field trip cannot raise their own money for bus transportation and for the trip itself. As a conse- quence, educational experiences dropped to a minimum. Those and other minor items kept the Board busy until spring. The Board then decided that due to in- creased expenses and declining stu- dent enrollment, fifty-four teachers in the district should receive RIF notices. Again tension mounted. Parents, students, and teachers met with the School Board for a possible reevaluation of the dismissals. Mr. Larry Brandon, a chemistry teach- er, felt The administration is not telling the Board everything, they're revealing only what the School Board wants to hear. Some teachers expressed their displeasure with the Board's decision and wore black arm bands in mourning for their fellow teachers and for the pro- gram cuts that would severely affect the curriculum for students. Tangled communication lines throughout the year caused many bitter feelings on all sides. It's sad that cooperation and communication lines were not at their best during this past year, stated one faculty member. T In We i E ' sn.. 154 FEATURES