Ward Melville High School - Retrospect Yearbook (East Setauket, NY)

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The Class of 1983 is proud to dedicate this year- book to two outstanding teachers, Mr. Donald Palmer and Mr. David Rood. They have been not only instructors, but also friends, counselors, and confidants to many of us during our high school years. Both in the classroom and on the golf course, Mr. Rood's animation and exuberance prevaili His enthusiasm rarely dwindles, whether he is lectur- ing on American foreign policy or mediating an intense game of I-IollyRood Squares. He has the special ability to bring to life for his students the characters and events of the past about which he has such incredible knowledge. Mr. Palmer's good nature and his attitude towards teaching have allowed him to develop a very special rapport with his students. Rather than simply instructing them, he instills in his students theidesire to strive for personal excellence. They are encouraged to experiment with all of the various artistic alternatives available to them without fear of failure. In this way they expand their capabilities both musically and personally, and are better human beings for having done so. We feel extremely honored to have been associated with these two men during our years at Ward Melville. They have been a positive in- fluence on our lives. Mr. Palmer and Mr. Rood should be as proud of what they have given us as we are proud to receive them: the gifts of an in- creased knowledge and understanding of our own humanity and of those around us. 'C l

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Dear Students: I hope that when you reflect on your days at Melville, the memories will be rich, happy and fond ones. This yearbook will help you to recall many events of your high school years and the people who shared them. The final event, your graduation, is also called a commencement, a time of beginning. You will be chartering new courses and assuming new duties. I hope that among those duties will be the responsibility to be an informed and active citizen. During this past year, a number of abbreviations have made news. The most easily recognized are the letters, E.T. These letters represent a personality that has brought enjoyment and pleasure to millions around the world. Another set of ab- breviations, MX represents a weapon of mass destruction. These letters represent man's ability to destroy millions around the world. The news headlines have also reported that: The unemployment rate has reached its highest figure in forty years. The Social Security System, which provides income to our elderly and disabled is threatened with drastic reductions or collapse. The funding for student scholarships and aid to educational institutions have been drastically reduced or eliminated. The annual Federal budget has been approved with a record deficit in excess of Sl80,000,000,000. Why have services to our citizens been reduced while at the same time the annual budget has set a record high? President Reagan has begun a rearmament program. Weaponry and military needs have become the national priority. ls our country preparing for war? In the past, wars have had their victors and their vanquished, but with the massive destruction power of modern weapons, the next war can only have victims. Should we accept ignorance, unemployment, and starvation as the price of the potential ability to destroy our fellow man? Do we have the intelligence to build weapons to destroy this planet, but lack the intelligence to make it a bountiful world? I would urge you, as your graduate in a few days, to dedicate yourselves to being informed and active citizens. I don't believe that there is a more pressing problem facing our citizens today than the quality of life in our country and the con- tinuity of that life for generations to come. I wish you every success and hope that you will have a long and fulfilling life. Sincerely yours, si Mm Thaddeus E. MacKrell, Ed.D. Principal