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

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“It’s A Chance To Take My Mind Away From What Is Really Happening And Get Involved In Something Superficial . . Donna O’Leary, Senior Bowling is an exciting way to pass free time. Daren Garguilo spends a striking weekend in the fast lanes Many Farmingdale High School students find employment at the Sunrise Mall. Maureen Montgomery waits as an indecisive customer chooses from the thirtyone different flavors available at Baskin Robbins. There’s no place like the village of Farmingdale when one is looking for a good time. The movie theater offers entertainment for all Leisure Time 19

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IBS GREAT ESCAPE The monotony seemed to have reached a maximum, but yet there was more to come. Students trudged from class to class with thoughts only of the upcoming weekend. Each class seemed to go by at a snail’s pace. Fi- nally, the last bell rang, and masses of people made a mad dash for their long awaited freedom. However, escaping from school did not necessarily mean finding Gtopia. Many students found that every minute away from school was not des- tined to be one's own. Free time was still important even if it was dampened by nagging thoughts of those twenty- eight overdue art labs, the not yet started ten page report, and the 320 page book, due in two days, that was still nicely sitting in the library. Janet Gioia, senior, confided, Whenever I go out and have a fun time while my homework remains untouched at home, I always have a guilty feeling lingering in the back of my mind. Others didn’t let schoolwork burden their conscience. Free time is my time, a time when I’m doing things for me. Whatever I’m doing, I do for my- self and by my own choosing, posi- tively stated Jay Weinstein, senior. School and the activities that ac- companied it occupied a tremendous part of everyone’s life. Leisure time, although not always evident to overly active or employed students, allowed one to get away from the daily grind. Veronica D’Angelis, senior, comment- ed, Leisure time gives me an opportu- nity to breathe and to hang out with my friends! To other students free moments were non-existent; there was no time to think things out and rest. Diana Hibbard, senior, exclaimed, What leisure time? Between work and school there is none! Weekends for some students were planned to the second. Now the tele- phone changed from a weekday gossip grapevine to a weekend necessity. The phone was indispensable in order to find out what was happening. Without it I wouldn't know what my friends were doing or what was going on, said Janine Meunier, junior. For entertainment, the movies at the Sunrise Mall provided students with a wide selection of choices. Places like Pawnbroker, Whiskey Reds, and Mer’s often lured students who wished to be with friends and have a panic. If I didn’t have some time to relax with friends, I never would have been able to survive the upcoming school week, replied Paul Sheridan, senior. To get away from the hassles of school many students chose to be by themselves. Some preferred to blast out the rest of the world in a room with the stereo cranked all the way up, while others preferred the silence of curling up with a good book. A popu- lar form of filling up time was sitting in front of the tube escaping from the world of reality for a while with the ever continuing saga of soap opera characters. It's a chance to take my mind away from what is really happen- ing and get involved in something su- perficial, like if Luke will ever walk again or who actually killed Nora Ful- ton?” explained Donna O’Leary, sen- ior. The one major problem confronted by all was the question of money. Be- sides having to work to afford college, many students found the only way to pay for those Big Macs and fill the gas tank was to enter the world of work. I really enjoyed knowing that if I want to buy something, I don’t always have to run to my parents. Working makes me feel less restricted, remarked Mike Weisbrod, senior. The weekend and all the other pre- cious free time always seemed to fly past while everyone tried in vain to make every moment count. It was dur- ing the escape from school that we “hung out” with friends who will al- ways be remembered, and shared times that will never be forgotten. The phone is the next best thing to being there. By talking with a friend. Angela Maniscalco re- lieves the boredom of studying and keeps up with the latest gossip 1« 18 Leisure Time

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ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL In all sizes, shapes, and forms they share one's life completely. Some are cute, some are cuddly, some are beau- tiful, some are unusual, but since beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” all appeal to someone. They are all special to at least one person—they are pets. The majority of students with pets have either a dog or a cat. Rarely does one encounter pets as unusual as the one owned by the Munster family. Al- though their animal Spot’s species has never been revealed, it is safe to as- sume that he is not your ordinary poo- dle. From the outside the traditional pet seems very ordinary, but deep down unique qualities can be found. Cats on TV can dance the “Chow, Chow, Chow and dogs talk thanks to sub- titles. In the everyday world, in spite of having to be cared for daily, dogs and cats are a pleasure to have around. Nancy Licursi, freshman, comment- ed, My dog, Shadow, is really super and well behaved. Taking care of a pet is sometimes an unpleasant necessity. Some, such as dogs, require only feeding and walk- ing; others, like birds and gerbils have to have their cages cleaned—a less than enjoyable task. Serena Carter, a senior who lives with her parents, a sister, and nine cats said, “The cats are pleasant and really don’t take up space or require much care. Another household that was invaded by many animals—twelve rabbits—is that of Sandy Von Thadens, junior, They run around the house after my brother lets them out. They’re really cute!” Some unfortunate people can’t have pets because of allergies. The most common problem is a reaction to ani- mal hair. However, some allergies are bizarre. Kris McDonnell, freshman, re- veals, I’m allergic to goldfish gills!” All pets are friends whether they are common, like dogs and cats, or unique, like snakes and tarantulas. Many people swear their pets know their feelings. Most pets, after living in a home, take on people-like personal- ities and become as much a part of the family as a brother or a sister. Charlie Brown has served as an ex- ample to all of us, as he and Snoopy have been pals for years. Truly all pets are man’s best friends. Eye contact is important in capturing one's attention. Judy Mitchell and her parakeet. Joey, stare, mesmerized by one another Every rabbit enjoys nibbling on a good garden carrot. Sonya Kaestner helps Honey Bun satisfy her hunger pangs. 20 Pets