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

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A Christmas tradition remembered by many high school students is the visit to Santa. The Sunrise Mall is decorated for the holidays with the display of a lighted Menorah.

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School calendars are mail- ed out every August, and if students can force themselves to look at them, they do so for one reason on- ly, to count the number of holidays. It is amazing how grey squares with the words “Schools Closed” interspers- ed frequently enough among the white squares can restore students’ courage to face the upcoming school year. Of course, everyone enjoys the week-long vacations, but one and two-day holidays are appreciated as well, especial- ly when they fall on a Friday or Monday and thus extend the weekend. “With three- day weekends you can go away or do whatever you want,” Beth Rosen, senior, remarked. Thanksgiving They Do holds double appeal; students can leave school on Wednesday afternoon with the mouth-watering prospect of the next day’s meal, plus the welcome thought of four days rest before returning to school. Without a doubt the spirits of students and teachers alike are at their highest dur- ing the Christmas-Chanukah season. Although the last week of school is often crowded with tests and major assignments, and the frantic and exhausting process of shopping begins to wear peo- ple out, there is an uplifting feeling of eager expectancy in the air. “Christmas vacation means joy and relaxation, and just thinking about it makes everyone feel hap- Principal John McLennan Terri Cloonan holds a carnation carves a turkey at the FBLA given to her by John O'Neill for Thanksgiving dinner. Valentine’s Day. A field full of pumpkins is a com- mon sight once Halloween approaches. Wonders for Morale pier,” John Dellis, senior, commented. Clubs are busy planning parties and charity events. Students are seen carrying gifts for and from friends, and the Commons and front lobby are strung with garland. The last day of classes is marked by a carefree atmosphere which culminates in the festivities seventh and eighth period. A week and a half off for Christmas seems like plenty of time when it’s just start- ing, but New Year’s Eve comes and goes too quickly. After that it seems like no time before students are back in the classrooms, wistfully reflecting that a few days earlier they weren’t out of bed before noon. After two years with only two days off, the return of the week-long February vacation this year was a relief to almost everyone. “I think I would have gone crazy without that week off,” Rosie Zipper, senior, exclaimed. A cold weather vacation isn’t universally appealing, however, and some enjoy the spring break more, especially since the important Easter and Passover holidays mean a great deal to many students. Holidays can be religious, . political, or seasonal, and dif- fer accordingly in their significance to students. All holidays, however, are eager- ly welcomed as temporary periods of relaxation in the long school year. 20 Holidays

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Let the Paychecks Roll With an increasing infla- tion rate and the purchasing power of the dollar rapidly declining, more students are finding it necessary to obtain a job. Whether saving money for college, or just being able to afford the many “necessities” of a high school student, the number of peo- ple leafing through Want Ads has increased dramatically in the last few years. For many, a part-time job can give one first-hand ex- perience in the “real” world. A job interview alone affords a person valuable practical knowledge on how to procure a job, giving a student an edge in the business world later in life. The thrifty stu- dent uses the money from a part-time job to save for col- lege expenses. With the ever-increasing price of tui- tion, that added sum could prove invaluable to an undergraduate. “I like work- ing because I like to be busy and don’t like to be broke,” commented senior Rosemary Zipper. Part-time employment would seem ideally suited for the ambitious student, but this is not always the case. For some, it is a crimp in their social life. Schedules must be juggled to suit the hours of employment. As with any job, there is a cer- tain amount of boredom which accompanies the week- ly paycheck. There is also the familiar lament that many students must work at all hours or they are afraid of losing their jobs. Many of the jobs require unskilled labor and a person could be easily replaced. In spite of the cries ol boredom and the hassle with schedules, the regular paychecks somehow make il all worthwhile. There is alsc a feeling of accomplishment and independence in having earned the money rathei than taking it from a parent A part-time job can prove tc be very valuable, and can alsc serve as an eye-opening ex- perience for some students. Sales background from her job at Wing Hing's provides Jeanne Jef- fers with valuable experience. After-school employment at the Merritt Bakery gives Christy Williams some extra spending money. One of Danny Collins' tasks at the Farmingdale Meat Market is to stock dairy products. 22 Working