Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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|| utting through the learning center I ft-J to B214, taking an “extensive” two- I story elevator ride, or toying with the | intercom replaced last year’s egging fl and Park St. drag racing. Yet, no one I bothered to think twice when such V | actions took place, since they affected only the doer. However, reaction grew as the offense wor- sened. When vandals dumped trash on the floor in several girls ' bathrooms, immediate comments were of disgust and frustration. Yet, girls proceeded to climb over the garbage en- route to washing their hands or combing their hair. Stealing library books from the learning center, mangling silverware, and slashing cush- ions marred the year. While the administration looked for ways to halt such acts, students themselves waged war on the vandals. Class officers held small group rap sessions to make students aware of what was going on in the school; good or bad. Students did more than rap; they achieved results. Officers collected more than enough money to pay for the damaged cushion. When cafeteria prices threatened to inflate, the amount of “sculptured sil- verware deflated. A drug bust opened wide the eyes of the administration to the presence of drugs at VHS. Three students were caught passing mescaline during school. Their immediate punishment was withdrawal. Farther reaching con- sequences included harassment by friends and relatives, a questionable future education and problems holding down jobs. Comments by fellow students varied. The act itself was insane. But, I do think the ad- ministration blew it by making the kids with- draw. A possible suspension would have helped them more,” Tim Rast — sophomore. “They have the right to an education, but they don’t have the right to hurt others. Maybe that’s the price they ' ll have to pay, Bev Struwin — junior. Students took more positive actions in areas where there was a definite need. Ecology club paper drives raised hundreds of dollars for organizations as well as individuals. Sophomore boys lost pounds and hours of sleep to gain $1275.37 for the fight against cancer. YARC members gave unselfishly of their time to pro- vide workshop members with special parties and dinners. Back to back, the positive outweighed the negative in sheer number and news coverage. When such acts did occur, students worked all the harder to erase the markings left on the new school. ■■■■