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

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i . X F L X 1 9 Sr 2 -'At . , I E P' Q f I e ek . 41, W-4: K nf! fO'FuS W What better way to learn how the participants of a trial feel and what they are thinking than to experience it? Here, Mrs. AlIison's government class stages a mock trial with Mike McCotter acting as judge, Osama Elshamma as defense attorney, Lois Carpenter - -sq at ,. 'ts as defendent, Brian Leschorn as a witness, and Tom VanHoomissen and Katie Neidhold as the prosecution. Such mock-ups teach students how courtroom trials are conducted and provide for a better understanding of our legal system. Guest speakers highlighted the year for the Social Studies Department and here two of our most illustrious guests speak with government classes. Don Young and Pat Rodey, candidates for U.S. Congress both presented their views and answered questions during their campaigns for election.

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WITH SPEAKERS AND FILMS, Ufiimngaiafiefy.,f...chi.gmethod.,M.. THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT OFFERED AN UNDERSTANDING OF Dun SOCIAL SYSTEMS tm, Preparing young citizens to be effective members of our political and economic system is the major objective of West's social studies department. Through required courses, students are introduced to basic economic concepts, the American political system, United States history and world cultures. The department also offers elective courses in particular areas including psychology, recent Russian history, comparative world religions and the American legal system. Accelerated courses in government, economics, and United States history also are available for indepth study. Films, filmstrips and guest speakers often augment social studies courses. In the '78 election year many political candidates spoke to West classes. Various representatives of the judicial system visited the American Legal System class and economics students were able to converse with experts including a hiring and labor specialist and a local banking executive. A forum with knowledgeable panelists was held at the University in November enabling students to discuss Fairbanks' boom- and-bust cycles and the future job market. Government students attended school board and borough assembly meetings, observed court proceedings and re-drafted the Constitution. All of these activities enhanced the students' understanding of the social systems in which they work and live. Us .,.,,. Reminding us of the days when knights were bold is Mrs. CopeIand's bulletin board. Ray winds up a lecture with a film 'WY A+' , ' 4 ,an - as., j 'A ,L T ax T K I K lvqa.. Taking charge of Mrs. AIIison's history class, student teacher Heidi Hyser prepares to show a filmstrip.

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If an annual prize was awarded to the high school possessing the most outstanding English program, West Valley, due to the superhuman efforts of its English Department and its extraordinarily diversified, high quality English program, would have certainly won the 1978-79 prize hands down! English Departmental Head Mrs. Francine Mears met with other teachers in the department frequently throughout the year in efforts to upgrade the curriculum and to plan activities that would supplement and correspond to the English program. Mrs. Mears was pleased with the progress already made and had special praise for the variety of English electives available to West students and the many interests represented by them. ln addition to keeping the already fantastic program rolling, the department went one step further and provided many students with additional educational opportunities, inlcuding films, plays and field trips. During the first semester, many of the English classes attended a special showing of Great Expectations, a film production of Charles Dickens' classic novel. Soon after the start of the second semester, English classes comprised of Juniors and Seniors were privileged to see the film production of John Steinbeck's East of Eden . Other special in-school activities included the palys Twelve Angry Men attended by the Survey of Literature classes and a special Christmas production of A Christmas Carol that was open to the entire student body. Throughout the year, several English classes ventured to the U. of A. Concert Hall to see the first Alaskan production of Shakespeare's Hamlet . While most of the English classes used our school library, the Advanced Composition classes occasionally trekked up the hill to make good use of the U. of A.'s extensive library. Even though there may not be an English departmental prize, with an FOCUSING ON A DIVERSIFIED PROGRAM AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES CHARACTERIZED THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT'S SUPER YEAR Searching for valuable information, Joni Discussing departmental affairs, Mrs. Brent Papp, Steff Compeau and Jim Roth employ Mrs. Thayer, Mrs. Burnside and Mrs. Madsen the microfilm projectors at the U. of A. participate in a meeting English program like West Valley's, who needs one? Checking for proper organization, Mrs. Webb goes over Toby Green's outline. i '?'w..,a.,.4va N.