Weaver High School - Portal Yearbook (Hartford, CT)

Page 10 text:

Beavers find many activities to satisfy variety of interests Activities at Weaver this year were so diversified that all students could find outlets for their extra time. Many seniors filled the ath¬ letic teams’ ranks and Weaver reaped so many awards that a whole assembly was set aside to honor athletes. For those with mechanical minds, students were given a chance to work on actual cars in the automotive shop; for the intellectually inclined, various speakers such as Steven Spender, Paul Engle, and Ann Petry provided inter¬ esting insights into writing. New classes exposed Weaver students to various experiences. An Afro-American study group was formed for students to learn more about African culture. The program highlighted various speakers including some who had been to Africa with the Peace Corps. An¬ other program involving many students was Humanities, in which audio-visual aids such as movies, records, and tape recorders gave them an opportunity to learn by the newest teaching methods. With the numerous problems of society being very real in Weaver, the doors of communication had to open between students and teach¬ ers and between students and students. This was done through open dialogues where any student who wished to voice an opinion was heard. In this way, problems could be solved nonviolently. Freddie Matthews, Minnie Terry, Sharon Gomes, and Joyce Lewis concentrate on the teacher’s lecture, while following along in their books. Gary Johnson receives special trophy from Mr. Knurek at awards assembly.

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Foreword 1968-1969 has been a year of change, a period in which many new faces and programs have appeared at Weaver. In the administration, the most notice¬ able change was Mr. Samuel H. Gang, who became principal; Mr. Coracci, Mr. Fish, and Mr. Thomas assumed the title and resonsibilities of vice-principal, and Mr. Hurley became administrative assistant. Standard curricula were supplemented by the latest learning techniques, as the Humanities Program, LAP and HIP added contemporary books, films, and learn-at-your-own pace methods to the English and History Departments. Lecturers brought in from sur¬ rounding universities spoke on African culture as part of a History pilot project. To the delight and relief of senior students, the J.C.C. pushed through a lower exemption grade for final exams. New port¬ able classrooms helped to relieve the overcrowded schools. Yet, the most significant change has not mani¬ fested itself in an external manner. Rather, it has been shown in the students’ attitude, marked by a growing concern for Weaver and its future. In an age when the “I don’t want to get involved” cry is heard entirely too often, many Weaverites have ig¬ nored this trend and have become involved. They have added their voices to the plea for fast decisions as to a new building; they have called for pride in the school as it exists now. The following pages of the 1969 Portal try to capture the spirit of Weaver students as these changes begin to take effect. Weaver fans including many alumni, cheer the football team to victory.

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Poet Steven Spender, speaking to Hartford high school students, tells them why he is inspired to write and how he expresses his ideas. Mr. Larry Shea indicates the trouble spot in the carburetor and offers an explanation to its solution.