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

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WHEN THE SUMMER ENDS. SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS ARE BACK IN BUSINESS. Those who are not lucky enough to drive, but lucky enough not to walk, are dropped off by the pool each day. 8UMMER DAYS AND NO SCHOOL ARE TREASURED BY MANY BUT THE HEAT IS NOT. Nevertheless, good friends and a big pool are the remedy for the uncomfortable weather. STUDENT LIFE START OF SCHOOL 1 1

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Back to Basics It was hotter in the days before the start of school than it had been all summer long. There were few signs that an entire season had come and S o enough of the beach, hot weather, getting up late and no homework. gone. Students abandoned their sum- mer jobs and started thinking about quadratic equations, term papers, ex- ams, school supplies and college ap- plications. It could have been any September. It wasn't. Nothing ap- peared to have changed. In truth, more changes had occurred in one summer vacation than had taken place in the past 10 years. After practically building and then running the high school for two decades, Principal John McLennan retired last February. Finally, the seven-month search for a replace- ment ended as Dr. Steven Kussin was officially appointed on September 6, and officially began work on October 17. Though rumors quickly spread of no more “free periods'' or early dismissal, Dr. Kussin seemed to have an entirely different approach. The trouble with too many regulations is that people will ignore them. You have to keep it to that important few so that these will contain a certain respect. He was enthusiastic and eager and had many innovations in store for the school. Although many liked to ignore pro- blems and hoped they would go away, that wasn’t the case concern- ing last year’s racial disturbances. Throughout the summer, meetings were held, programs introduced and advice offered all in hopes of ensur- ing continued peace and stability in the high school. The input from out- side was surprising. So enough of the beach, hot weather and getting up late. It was time to get going. It was time for a year of intensive work and activity at the high school. — Melissa DeSimone HOMEWORK 18 OFTEN THE DOWNFALL OF MANY. Sal Lagano explains a difficult assignment to Timmy O'Rourke and Jose Negron before going to class UPON FIRST ENTERING THE SCHOOL. FRESHMEN ARE SWAMPED WITH MANY LECTURES AND RULES. Dr Kussin takes the time to meet everyone while making the traditional speeches. STUDENT LIFE 10 START OF SCHOOL

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Just Big Kids Silver creatures, guns, balloons, funny glasses. Russians and more — no, this wasn’t one of the latest movies, it was October 28 and time for Dressdown Day. Ingenuity, imagina tion and creativity were just a few ingre dients necessary to provide costumes for an exciting and spec tacular Halloween weekend. For those who participated, it was a chance to ex- press themselves and just simply have fun. “It took us a while to think of what to be but once we did it was easy to do. explained senior Doug Walata, a Russian air traffic controller. The privileged seniors recaptured activities of their younger days. As the Commons filled with decorated seniors showing off their costumes, underclassmen looked on with wishful faces. It’s really fun to see all the costumes and ideas. I can’t wait until it’s our turn,” said freshman Maureen Graf. As the Arab band began their tunes, the parade started on its way. Down to the elemen- tary school they went, frightening some children and making others laugh. “One of the best parts of Dressdown Day is the little kids; they make you feel important,'' com- mented senior Marybeth Daniels. The rest of the day was to be spent by the seniors as they wished. Off they went to relax, have fun and par- ty. But the excitement remained in school as some underclassmen wore simple costumes or painted hair. When it was all over, some felt it had been a hassle to get ready but the memories of this Dressdown Day and Halloween would not be easily forgotten. Melissa DeSimone The privileged seniors recap- tured activities of their younger days. w f DRESSDOWN DAY IS THE TIME FOR SENIORS TO EXPRESS THEIR INNER THOUGHTS. Colette Foley. Lisa Hill and Lucy Crosby happily skip off to join the circus. ORIGINALITY IS ONE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD COSTUME. Darlene Scalice. Wendi Leisenhamer. Jeanmarie Young and Stephanie Schneider took this consideration before final- ly deciding to be the Fruit of the Loom trademark PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD TODAY MADE THE COSTUME CHOICE EASY FOR ONE GROUP. Seniors, in this case, decided to take matters into their own hands. STUDENT LIFE 12 DRESSDOWN DAY