West Valley High School - Aurora Yearbook (Fairbanks, AK)

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Unusual West Valley will miss the expertise of Gene DeWild, and anyone who has ever had his class will know why. He has that rare ability of being able to make class interesting. This ability comes from his many years of experience. He has acted on the West Coast and has held many roles in local productions. Much of his experience comes from the Pasadena Playhouse, a theater where he acted, directed, and taught virtually all facets of theatric production. He has received several awards for his work and professionalism, and a feeling of professionalism is evident in his classes. Gene DeWild has not only received praise from critics, many of his students have also sung his praises, and not only students who have become actors. Because of his long career of hard work and excellence, Mr. DeWild was selected as the Fairbanks and State Teacher of the Year. Mr. DeWild,s classes are dominated by his patience and his voluminous voice. lt's hard to imagine how a man who has acted with and directed great actors could have the patience to teach a freshman drama class. lt's classes like these where he adds new meaning to the phrase raising his voice. He can blow you right out of your chair. Gene DeWild's retirement will deny many students the opportunity to take a class from a man who has shaped many. Those who have had the opportunity find that they have learned a great deal. ln his speech and drama classes he brought students out of their shells, giving them a chance to look at themselves. We can never thank him enough for this. Best wishes, Mr. DeWild. 136 DEWILD il Our beloved James Walker feeds the proje with another educational biology 1 The Great Swami fMr. DeWildJ keeps the students spellbound at a mid-winter pep assembly. KTVF's interviewer Brian Kirkpatrick asks Thespian advisor Gene DeWild some questions about an upcoming production. Never giving up, last-place bowling team members Mr. DeWild and Mrs. Webb talk t strategy. 1-- 2 sr x X X X X s XXX' st s Vt - GONE BUT OT FORGOTTE , DEWILD A D W LKER WERE SCHOOL FAVORITES

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P 'HE SENIORS PRESENTED A EVENING IN THE TROPICSU IOMPLETE WITH A GENUINE AW IIA TMOSPHERE The 1980-81 Senior Ball truly was an 'lEvening in the Tropics. The atmosphere that prevailed was warm and romantic. After delicious meals at various restaurants in town, couples arrived at the spacious Eagles Hall in the mood for dancing. Blackstone, the performing band, kept the dance floor filled by playing sentimental tunes old and new. Friendly conversation flowed from those who remained seated. The handsome men and beautiful women of West Valley found it hard to keep from gazing at one another because all were dressed in their best. However, dancing and revelry were not the only items on the agenda. Tropical dancers performed, followed by the crowning of the Senior Royalty. Lovely ladies dressed in grass skirts danced delicate tropical favorites, and much to the delight of all Trent McNelly and Laurel Orand were crowned King and Queen. The 1981 Senior Class can be proud of it's Senior Ball. Everything from the lavish decorations, to the band and dancers, to the photographers were near perfection, and the evening went off without a hitch. During the royalty dance Laurel Orand and Trent McNelly enjoy an unforgettable moment. i Reigning over the 1981 Senior Ball are: FRONT ROW: Queen Laurel Orand, King Trent McNally. BACK ROW: Heidi Koerfer, Abbie Johnson, Diana Hall, Mike Romick, Randy Talvi and Tyrone Thomas. While the band prepares for the royalty dance Russ Talvi crowns radiant Laurel Orand and Julie Burud hands an unbelieving Trent McNelly his scepter. SENIOR BALL 135

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ways involved, Mr. Walker takes time out to fresh himself at the N.H.S. Faculty Tea. eacher's Assistant Randy Talvl jests with Mr. Walker. 44' 0 6' C6 fs The end of the 1980-81 school year saw the departure of the science department's mysterious invisible cat. Gruesome disections won't be as wickedly carried out since the beloved James Walker left the staff. lt is his kind of personality that makes West Valley an ideal educational atmosphere, and he will be greatly missed. Mr. Walker's teaching career started early in Altoon, Pennsylvania, where he was brought up. While still in the 8th grade, he taught the second, third, and fourth grade reading. He graduated from Altoon High School in 1950 and completed his education by attending Penn State where he became actively involved. He graduated with a B.S. in education, majoring in Biology and minoring in Geography. ln August of 1960, after four teaching offers, he chose Fairbanks. Teaching at Fort Wainwright, Mr. Walker transferred to Lathrop in 1966, and then to West Valley, which he describes as the best school l have had the honor to teach in. Mr. Walker is often thought of as just a Biology teacher but he has taught many other subjects including reading, algebra, history, poetry, general science, zoology, and botany. His advanced placement biology class was the first in Fairbanks. wever, it was not just his experience and how that has enabled him to teach so we sense of humor made the hard work asier to bear. Mr. Wa r urned to Pennsylvania last June but he 'l aws remember how good the state of has been to him. He didnlt sell his ho so hopefully he will come back and igiirbanks and the students at West someday. 6 Z AW. :rnvnrg ur um 4913 Q .1- gg WALKER 137