Upper Arlington High School - Norwester Yearbook (Upper Arlington, OH)

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Reaching her breaking point. Laura Childs loses control, and daughter Julia Brown tries to pull the knife aw as Laura's character. Mrs Gordon. had difficult accepting that her son Charlie was retarded Confidently taking credit for medicine's latest breakthrough David Dickey prepares to explain his intelligence-boosting operation to a convention of doctors •V small wiggle of his nose is all Sam Newman's mouse Algernon has to do to win the heart of landlady Lauren Ciurosko. Ordinarily. Lauren would not have allowed pets in her apanmcnls. Student Life 13

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F A (L (L F L A V plT@ ITH MINDS How many times have we thought. “If only I were smarter, all of my problems would disappear?” The fall play. David Rogers' Flowers for Algernon. proved that intelligence can be the beginning of even more problems. Based on the novel by Daniel Keyes, the play spanned several months as it depicted the saga of Charles Gordon (Sam Newman). Charlie, a mentally retarded man. underwent an experimental operation devised to increase one's intelligence tenfold. Following the success of Algernon, a laboratory mouse. Charlie became a super-genius who read pages in one glance. However. Charlie’s troubles began anew. He saw the derision he had once been subjected to and the alienation his sudden change had wrought. Tortured by dreams of rejection and a vision of his former self who wants the body back. Charlie wondered if his newfound life cost him his humanity. The ending was intense. Algernon's death left Charlie to conclude that artificially-induced intelligence decreases at the same rate of increase. Reduced to his former IQ of 68. Charlie was still tankful for a second chance at life. Director Dave Hammond commented. It was a difficult play in every aspect, from the acting to the staging to the lighting. Tech Crew member Dave Sharpe agreed that the unorthodox set required different techniques. Rehearsals remained standard. however, taking place every night for five weeks. I really had to work. noted Sam. My character was like playing three or four separate roles. The production received much praise from audiences. The performance was so emotionally charged, said Mrs. Jo Ann Davis, it was impossible not to cry. Intelligence answered no questions in this show but raised more instead. Lead actor Sam Newman tries to understand when his employer. Melissa Papp. tells him he is not needed at work anymore A special operation increased Sam's intelligence level, and Melissa wants him to take advantage of H by finding a better job 12 Student Life

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SHARPER A year of advancement sharpened our image not only of ourselves but of events and situations elsewhere.” IMAGE Although many modifications and changes were introduced, there was a definite feeling of stabilizing, of refining the look and attitude of the school and also of the student body. The momentum began on ( c-tober 17 when an “Excellence in Academics' assembly commemorated the school's national award from the Department of Education. Held in the stadium, the event drew the entire student body and members of the community. Three bell schedules were introduced to make the school day more productive. Homeroom took place on Mondays with morning announcements held at tnc beginning ol second period the rest of the week. Thursday became activity day through shortened afternoon classes to allow for an extra period. Club meetings, make-up tests, or assemblies took place during “A.P. Instead of the traditional valedictoncans., seniors graduated cum laude (3.SO grade point average), magna cum laude (3.75). or summa cum laude (3.95). Weighted grades for advanced placement courses gave students incentive to enroll in the most challenging courses while rewarding their efforts with higher grade points. Aware of the progress needed in technology, the school in- stalled a computer lab. Located in room 211, this resource enabled students to learn basic and advanced programming skills. Improvements also came to the building and grounds. The offices received facc-lifis with carpeting and computers for the main office and a new area and design for attendance secretaries. The student parking lot received a black tar makeover, and the football field was reseeded. In an effort to help students score higher on college board exams. the English department developed the College Entrance Exam Course. Groups met two times per week and concentrated on test-taking skills as well as mental preparation. Students experienced live performances and focused attention on learning from within and outside of the high school. The Cultural Arts Commission brought several dance and thes-pian troupes to the school. Sponsored by the PTO, the James Stewart Lantz colloquium provided speakers who discussed topics ranging from terrorism to Beethoven. Administrative changes such as the addition of unit principals Jay Powell and Jim Hamilton strengthened student-faculty lies A year of advancement sharpened our image not only of ourselves but of events and situations elsewhere. Refurbished and refined, ihe main office no longer contains teacher mailboxes, thereby reducing unnecessary traffic. Supervising his computer applications class. Mr. Michael Sullivan watches a student practice word processing skills. Adults also utilized the nineteen Apple He terminals through nightly seminars 14 Student Life