Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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Music students from VHS and surrounding area schools attending a “special convo” by big band leader Woody Herman, gave him a standing ovation for his rendition of “Four Brothers.” Soonja Masters (Del “Mastodon” Pitman) “gives five” to Erica Reggie (“Bubba” Birky) as fellow Pep Club members, Dana Redmon (“Ar- nie Brown) and Kim Walls (“Doc” Keller), cheer on. b uzzing throughout the classroom, news of an upcoming convocation rouses excitement among students tired of routine classwork. Students look forward to the unique learning experience in addition to stealing away from class. A wide assortment of performances was planned in hope of appealing to the high school audience with subject matter of educational value. As Convocation Di- rector Glen Ellis explained, “We attempt to put together a schedule that is enter- taining yet also educational. According to Principal Garth Johnson, the convos were intended to provide the student body with a variety of educational experiences. “Whether or not the stu- dents feel entertained is not our primary purpose,” he said, “we can’t compete with television.” Accordingly, Johnson added, they should attend with an attitude for learn- ing. During these convocations, students receive a knowledge of things not normal- ly found in the classroom. Music performances included the sounds of Crossfire, a local group. Jazz band leader Woody Herman presented a 45 minute show attended by Valparaiso music students and students from Ho- bart, Merrillville and other area schools. In addition, students enjoyed Freedom Jam a patriotic musical arrangement. To give students a better awareness in drama, Claude Kipins mime troop enter- tained students with its dramatics. ‘Ben- jamin,’ a mathematical wizard baffled the student body with his calculating trickery. In order to provide a variety of learning experiences, students were given an op- portunity to see the wrestling meet be- tween VHS and Lowell, an event aimed at giving more awareness to individual athle- tic performance. Since accomodating the 1400 students and staff was impossible in the 1000 seat auditorium, two convos were arranged, or only a select group was invited. In addition to the professional presen- tations, the high school’s A and B bands and choirs, orchestra and Girls’ Glee Club performed their annual Christmas and spring concerts in the VHS auditorium. In order to bolster school spirit during sport seasons. Pep Club sponsored after- noon pep sessions for the student body. According to pep session chairman Paula Blanco, “We tried to make the programs more interesting by including more crowd involvement.” Instead of a pep session immediately prior to the Homecoming football game, one was held the Friday before the game. At this time the seven queen candidates were announced and presented. — Kim Ferrall 16 — Concarts Convoa

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Dining with the town floosie, Ernestine Money (Jackie Moore), Horace Vandergelder turns away mortified by the forwardness of his blind date. Attempting to dissuade Horace Vandergelder (Brent Bennett) from looking in the closet for Cornelius, Dolly Levi explains her “stand as for a patriotic America. Embarassed to find only $1.34 to pay the bill, Cornelius (Eric Brant) and Barnaby (Kevin Lubke) connive while their dates Mrs. Malloy (Mary Webb) and Minnie Fay (Susan Roberts) chat. F ew people admit they live life to the fullest. Fewer are willing to take matters into their own hands to get what they want. An exception to this rule, how- ever, is Dolly Levi, a kind- hearted but determined widow who makes the musi- cal “Hello Dolly a celebra- tion of life. Presented by the VHS Dra- ma, Choir and Band depart- ments on November 14, 15, and 16, Hello Dolly,” based on the play “The Matchmak- er, by Thorton Wilder, is the story of Dolly Levi’s pursuit of a second husband. Through her contagious spirit, she draws the other characters out of their dull, meaningless lives to seek happiness, adventure and love. Drama Director Alice Noble explained, The show had a very important message and a definite theme. We have to live life to its fullest and enjoy every moment of it.” The characters were filled with a love of life and positive attitudes despite adversi- ty. Even as a bleak future loomed before his eyes, Cornelius HackI announced, Even if I have to be a ditch digger for the rest of my life. I’ll be a ditch digger who once had a wonderful day.” Noble ex- plained that with only four and one half weeks to produce the most difficult show we had ever attempted, a great deal of patience and team work were required of the directors, cast and crew. The 75 students involved in “Dolly” en- dured intensive music practices, rehears- als that lasted until 10 p.m. and those that began at 9 a.m. on vaction days and some weekends. Yet no one minded the paint covered jeans, lack of sleep and reheated dinners. Music Director Rick Hein commented, “One of the greatest things I saw was all the different groups in the school coming together. Directed by Dan Pritchett, the 27 mem- ber Pit Orchestra also spent long hours perfecting the numbers, then coordinat- ing the music with the actors. Unity continued as students and direc- tors worked together to choreograph the dances for the 25 member chorus. Attending the musical was not a com- pletely passive experience as the audi- ence too, was drawn into the story for the auditorium entrances and exits were used by the actors. — Jackie Moore Drama Production — 15

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Under the direction of Mr. Daniel Pritchett, the B-band in its Christmas concert performs “Great Songs of Christmas.” Mr. Stanier’s goat, Hershey, VHS’ “Good Luck Goat,” surprised students and faculty upon her entrance onto the gym floor at the afternoon pep session for Homecoming. Members of the band Freedom Jam in their reenactment of the American revolution, pa- rade around the stage singing their own ver- sion of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Convos= monotony cure-all 17