Walker County High School - Black and Gold Yearbook (Jasper, AL)

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Preparations for the floats start long before the day of Homecoming. As early as a year before, class sponsors begin discussing design and construc- tion ideas while keeping the expected budget in mind. Many decisions must be made concerning the float before actual construction begins. The first, and possibly the hardest step in the building of a float is com- ing up with a theme. Sponsors act like conspirators when discussing ideas because each wants the honor of hav- ing the winning float. After the theme has been decided upon, the next step is how to portray it on the float. Once the theme and portrayal decisions have been made, the rest is relatively easy. Color scheme is a very important part of building a float. An eye-catch- ing design can be meaningless unless enhancing colors are used to portray the theme. After the theme and colors have been decided on, a little waiting has to be done. A couple of months before Home- coming, sponsors begin collecting money to finance the float building efforts of their class. While this is going on, many other things are tak- ing place. The classes scout the com- munity to find a vehicle to -construct their float on, someone to drive it, and a place to build it. All of this is done in secret because each class is compet- ing against the others for the prize- winning float. Although there is a lot of hard work and concentration, there is also much fun and enjoyment that goes into building a float. But when each flower was stapled, and the floats were ready for competition, the sense of pride and companionship that the students felt couldn ' t be ignored. Walker Construction Companies The Seniors captured second place with the theme: Golden Gophers Dance to the Viking Beat, and a special memorial for Callie Sue Brakef ield. The space theme Close Encounters of the Viking Kind, brought the Freshmen third place. The Sophomores produced the winning float with their theme of Vikings Gopher Gold. Student Life 21

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Rick Patenella was only one of many Juniors who worked long hours on their float. -.. S-r: - w - ' .»; - Yards and yards of crepe paper had to be stapled to form the skirt of the Junior float by Nay Satterfield and Cindy Drummond. Coach Barker is a valuable asset to the Freshmen, because he not only comes up with ideas, but also helps with the actual construction of the float. This paper mache Viking shows that he is ready to carve some gopher meat. 20 Student Life

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The finished product Mrs. Franklin was one of the Junior sponsors who gave up a waek of thwr free time to help with the floats. Cynthia Barton and Connie Bridges quickly learned what building a float was all about. Mr. Brown was a sponsor who would senie tor nothing less than perfection. 22 Student Life