Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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Convocations: present sharp contrast to classroom hum-drum Were they just a 25$ excuse to get out of class for an hour or did they really entertain and educate us? Did they really pump up the athletic teams or just bolster school spirit a little? In any case, convos and pep sessions were all too few and far between for students, students. Although most students thought of convocations as simply once a month breaks from the daily routine of classes and study halls, Convocations Director Glen Ellis said that some convos were also used as another method of education. We tried to strike a happy medi- um between education and entertainment,” said Ellis. Certain convos, like the multi-media presentation CLOSE YOUR EYES and don’t move, were the instructions given to senior John Daras before karate expert Larry Daniels sliced a water- melon on his stomach, during a Karate convocation in October. 16 Convocations

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THE HIGH LEVEL of energy displayed by the crowd during the Valparaiso-LaPorte game was indicative of the whole week prior to Homecom- ing. DURING THE HALFTIME of Valpos 37-6 victory against LaPorte, Cindy Wood was named Home- coming Queen, and Jill Kauffman, Princess. SPECTRUM, LIGHT AND SOUND,” provided music for senior Jeff Rose and his date Kelly Mackey, of Portage. 15 Homecoming

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“Stampede” and a performance by The Canadian Brass, an internationally acclaimed musical group, were entertaining yet also educational. A purely entertaining Karate demonstration by the youngest fourth degree Black Belt in the world, Larry Daniels, caused several students to attempt to dupli- cate his amazing feats by “karate chopping” walls and tables after the show. Expert mentalist Craig Karges’ ESP demonstration also had many people attempting to duplicate his psychic powers on tests and quizzes. For the third consecutive year Geneticist Sam Rhine presented a lecture entitled, “The Most Important Nine Months of Your Life,” to all sophomores and new students. Dealing with the causes and prevention of birth defects, Rhines’ lecture has been heard at over 1000 high schools across the country. Unlike the multi-purposed convocations, pep ses- sions had just one goal: to get team members and fans excited before a big game or meet. Helping to achieve that goal, themes such as She’s a Valpo Girl,” (as opposed to a Valley Girl) tied the rallies together. Another new addition to the pep session schedule this year was the inclusion of a Spring pep session to build spirit for sports such as track and baseball. Pep Club President Jolene Zimmerman explained, This year we wanted to include all sports, not just football and basketball.” Even though many students weren’t always sure of the purpose of convocations and pep sessions, most people agreed that they were more than just a 25 t excuse to get out of class. — Mark G. Colin SOPHOMORE BAND MEMBER, David McMichael gets a chance to play The Twilight Zone solo during “Halftime High- lights and Haydn. on November 4. Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Vikettes participat- ed in this concert. THIRD CHAIR, FIRST VIOLIN Orchestra member Laura Hoffman concentrates on Stevie Wonder Sounds during the Half- time Highlights and Haydn performance. CREATING THEIR OWN FUN, VHS stu- dents boogie down at the Pep Club sponsored sock hop on September 24. The Homecoming Court was announced at this dance. 17 Convocations