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

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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

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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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With dimples that add cheer to the morning, Jim Roth hangs up his coat as Katie Fellows smilingly accompanies him. Perilously perched in the commons, agile Gretchen Kind observes the hustle and bustle. Cheerful and ready for anything Mr. Rogers arrives at school with a smile. 138 PHOTO STORY WEST STUDENTS BEGAN EACH DA WITH OPTIMISM A D RE EWED E ERGY Throughout the West Valley district, alarms are ringing and students are dragging themselves out of bed. Approximately an hour later they bundle up and venture out into the artic climate to fight with their cars or trudge to the bus stop and hop on the big yellow limousine. They arrive at West sometime after 7:30 a.m., some early enough to talk with their friends, and some don't quite make it before the 8:00 bell. 9 Another day has begun for the West l student. l Taking advantage of spare time Nathan Hawkins uses the library to catch up on the news.