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

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Below: Set in elaborate brick work Middle: Graffitti on the pool wall the school's name stands out emphasizes students' musical proudly on the front of the building. tastes. Campus Provides Aesthetic Atmosphere. The little red school house may still exist in some tiny rural commu- nities, but in Farmingdale it is gone forever. The stu- dents here have the privi- lege of attending one of the most modern and spacious high schools on Long Is- land, situated on a large piece of very scenic proper- ty. The building itself has many special features, the most prominent being the Commons. The arrange- ment of the halls, although confusing at first, is really very simple to follow. It isn’t as hard to get around as people think. From the Commons you can get any- where, Patti Pennino, sen- ior, stated. And almost everywhere you turn there are windows, most of them with a pleasant view of the surrounding grounds. The courtyards between wings provide an attractive view for students more in- terested in staring out the windows than at the black- board. They are also among the areas where smoking is permitted. Even on very cold days, the courtyards are full of students catching a quick smoke while talk- ing to friends, and anyone crossing from one wing to another is very likely to en- counter a great deal of smoke. The pool is probably the most interesting aspect of the school's architecture, but it has a reputation for something other than its design. The phrase, be- hind the pool” is familiar to all students of Farmingdale and brings to mind thoughts of pot smoking and drug dealing. The pool is also the one spot out of the whole exterior of the school where there is a lot of very noticeable graffiti. This has become a part of the pool’s image by now, and most students accept it as such. The adminis- tration persists in having the cement wall sand blasted each year, but their efforts are in vain; for the graffiti always returns im- mediately. The grounds around the building are probably the best part of Farmingdale High School’s appearance. The school has a nice set- ting in the woods, Ronnie Heller, senior, said. In pleasant weather many stu- dents like to go outside for a little fresh air and a change of pace. There is plenty of room in which to relax, and the fields provide ample space for athletics. Behind the football field is the lake, something some students don't even know exists. I was really sur- prised by the size the first time I saw the lake, Donna Swift, junior, admitted. I hadn’t even known it was there.” Although it is slowly becoming polluted and overrun with marsh reeds, the lake is a very peaceful spot, and few high schools have anything like it. Of course, many students don’t notice the school’s appearance, and to anyone who really hates school, what it looks like won’t mat- ter. As long as so much time must be spent within the school grounds, how- ever, it helps boost the spir- its of at least some students to be in a pleasant environ- ment. 14 School Grounds

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Left: Chris Studdert observes Barbara Begeal's reaction to a buttered bagel before she tastes her own. Below: Tom Myer is skeptical of Matt Cambell s hot lunch. Left Bored with the taste, Peter De Above: Billy Quinn. Pat O'Brien. Szalay casts a cold stare at his and Robert Bernstein enjoy a Farm Egg. conversation over orange drink and french fries in the sunny cafeteria. Cafeteria 13

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Top: The circular paved courtyard Above: The Commons roof peeks provides an interesting view. over the Administration wing. School Grounds 15