Walterboro High School - Paw Print / Lair Yearbook (Walterboro, SC)

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 Bennie Hutto, Senior “This year was improved greatly by the interest of students and faculty in school activities. There was also a turn in the right direction in academics, as students endeavored to excell in every possible way. Sandra Reed, junior “Since we have Bob Pence, we have made more progress shown through more academic achievement and more em- phasis on school spirit. I hope the years continue to be a turn in the right direction.” Dexter Kelly, Senior “I hope to see more school support from students and see more faculty interest in school ac- tivities.” New Optimism Tempered With Reality One of the most important aspects of producing a year- book is choosing the theme which will determine the attitude and coverage of the book. During the summer vacation, staff members and advisors held brainstorming sessions for this purpose. A common thread that ran through all these discussions was a hopeful and confident optimism. The Football team, with it’s pack of returning seniors was ready for a banner year, the school was under the new and dynamic leadership of Bob Pence and the State's Education Improvement Act had sup- posedly been de-bugged. These were just a few of the many reasons 1987 was to be a turn in the right direction. But was it? Soon that confident optimism was tempered by reality. Competition was fierce for the football team. With several key piayers either injured or forced to play both offense and defense, the Bulldogs took a beating. Although they played with the spirit it required to win they didn’t have the manpower it took to keep it going for four quarters of play. (continued) A Turn in the Right Direction

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Opening Tim Benson, Chuck Levine and Louis Manigo listen to a college re- presentative discuss the advan- tages of his institution on Education- al Opportunities Day, These two characters have supplied many teachers and students with an ample supply of laughs. Coach Rus- sel Polk and Greg Fennessy often joked around during fifth period journalism. Long-time friends Janis Blocker and Virginia VonLehe discuss the achievements of the students they both have taught. As well as being friends, Mrs. Blocker was a student of Mrs. VonLehe during high school. Painting a sign for the football team to run through is Bernard Kennedy and Duval Adams. Bernard and Du- val design graphics for sweatshirts, hats and signs.

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Concern Brings About Improvement New Principal Bob Pence brought with him impressive creden- tials. Great leaps were made n areas like maintaining the school and increasing communications between students, administrators and parents. Another phenomenal task Pence completed was to lay the framework for a comprehensive program to improve the school in the future. The academic programs of the Education Improvement Act came together in 1987 with a multitude of positive results, but the finances this Act promised were never seen. At the local level, the conservative tax payers appeared to influence the Board of Educa- tion’s budget request of the County Council. Although a symbolic raise in taxes was passed, it came no where near what it would take to bail the school system out of its financial quagmire. On the other hand, perhaps the problems of this school year prompted what could become a turn in the right direction. Colleton County voters became concerned enough about the school sys- tems financial crisis to provide a more innovative group of repre- sentatives to the school board. It appeared to be a mandate for county officials to do what it took to get the school system on track. By Tim O'Briant Jarvlece McMillian, sopho- more I was anticipating im- provement, but nothing much has changed for me, Greg Hiott, senior “Mr. Pence has made a significant improvement in the faculty at WHS. Garland Sutton» junior The support of fans at football games, band programs and all school programs was im- proved. 4« Opening , 0