Weldon E Howitt High School - Hi Life Yearbook (Farmingdale, NY)

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Below: Students cluster in jock corner. Middle Left: An exhausted student takes a quick snooze in the Commons. Below: Terry Lester, Mario German, Robert Berstein, Carol Bernaudo and Harroula Angelinas do their homework before going to classes. Above: In the Commons. John Booth catches up on some last minute studying while Pat Patrera finishes his lunch. Left: As Donna Camerano crams for a test. Donna Vaughn looks on. Left: Ready to leeave the Commons, Sue Domni has one last word with Karen Moore. Commons 11

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Commons: A Showcase For Students There is no debate that the Commons is both the architectural and social center of the school, but it also has another more in- teresting role. It is the school’s biggest showcase, where the students, wheth- er they are conscious of it or not, are constantly on display to one another. The art of people-watching thrives in the Commons more than anywhere else in the school. Many students are reluc- tant to walk through the Commons because they feel they are being scruti- nized. Ann Marie Grief, jun- ior, admitted, I feel a bit insecure walking through because everybody is look- ing at me.” For the most part this examination of passers-by is not done to intentionally bother people, but rather to catch up on the latest romantic devel- opments. observe fashion trends, or make private ap- praisals of personalities. This can be so nerve- racking for the subjects, however, that some of them go out of their way to avoid crossing the Commons. Of course, there are other stu- dents who don’t mind being inspected. “It’s fun walking through the Commons; it makes me feel important knowing people are looking at me,” Tom Gennaro, jun- ior, stated. It is just as easy to stare at someone on a bench in the Commons as it is to stare at someone walking through, but most students don’t feel scrutinized when they are just sitting or standing around. The atmo- sphere is open and relaxed, and students can talk with friends, do homework, eat candy and pretzels, or pitch pennies across the floor. Yet, if anyone drops their books or laughs too loud, something normally only mildly embarrassing, sud- denly all the eyes in the Commons turn, and sinking through the floor becomes a very appealing idea. A few years ago, the Commons was character- ized by extreme segrega- tion, which increased its psychological effect on people. Different groups such as the Rockos, Freaks, Jocks, and non- conformists each had their own corners. Fortunately, however, this stereotyping has been on the decline in recent years. “Some people think they have an image in the Commons, but they really don’t,” Bruce Eisen- berg, senior, commented. The only obvious segrega- tion which exists today is in the corner by the boys’ bathroom where all the ath- letes and their friends gath- er, the spot Harry Jackson, junior, calls, “Jock City.” After school hours, when there are no students around, the Commons seems like just another large room. During the school day, however, it be- comes the most fascinating room in the building. There is no other place that at- tracts as many students, nor is there any place that plays on the emotions of the students the way the Commons does. Above: A new student in the school makes a new friend in Andy Kramer. Above: Joe Perettine observes Ronnie Heller as he enters the Commons. 10 Commons

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Below: A meal of French Fries and Below: Mark Demus studies the Wise Potato Chips is a typical Middle: Pizza, the cafeteria s most composition of his cafeteria teenage lunch enjoyed by Andrea tasty and popular lunch brings a hamburger. DeMayo and Debbie Hein. smile to Audrey McNulty’s face. When asked what their favorite classes are, stu- dents’ answers will vary, but many will immediately respond, lunch.” Whether they are serious or not, the fact remains that when the school day is dragging on endlessly, a lunch break is a welcome and needed re- lief. Back in elementary school, students either brought their own lunch or had the meal specified on the menu. The high school cafeterias, however, offer a wide variety of a la carte foods that can be combined to make a satisfying lunch. Rolls, bagels, cheesebur- gers. heroes, pizza, french fries, and farm eggs are available. There are fruit drinks, milk, and except during periods four, five, and six, soda and coffee. There are also cookies, cakes, potato chips, do- nuts, and ice cream for stu- dents more interested in taste than nutrition. If you’re a junk food junky it’s terrific,” Kara Dougherty, senior, commented. Many students find the choice of three places to eat very convenient. Cafe- teria B is usually busiest, while Cafeteria A has a rep- utation of being a quieter place to eat. The snack bar is popular among students who want to eat quickly and then go on to do something else. There are also those who say the food is superi- or. I always eat at the snack bar because the hamburgers and french fries are much better there, Rosemarie Kenney, senior, said. The faces at the tables may change from year to year, but the comments on the food are always the same. Although, some stu- dents insist it isn’t bad at all, quite a few refer to the food as awful, terrible, stale, and the pits.” You never know what you are going to find in it,” Laura Eberling, senior, stated. For those who don’t have time to eat at home, the cafeterias are open before homeroom so a quick breakfast can be eaten. And during lunch periods, there are always plenty of students eating, relaxing with friends, catching up on work, and restoring their sanity before heading back to classes. 12 Cafeteria