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

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No single factor spelled out success for the West Valley Rifle Team, but rather it was an extremely favorable set of circumstances that triggered the West shooter's competitively strong season. The fact that the team gained a new coach and conducted the longest after- school practices of any West athletic club, combined with their inherent ability to work well together as a single, powerful unit, contributed to their victory in the long-drawn season. A new teacher at West, Mr. Lee Solis was also new to the game of coaching rifle team but he obviously possessed what it took to guide the team through the long, tough season Coach Solis was as willing and as capable of learning fast as were his sharpshooters and it was not long before he was forking out generous zigwsitw' fs- ' The West Valley Rifle Team is: Dale Chapple, Joan Scarborough, Coach Mr. Lee Solis, Troy Valentine, Jennifer Tomany, Kathy Eyth Allan Coty, Diane Caldwell, Brian Scarborough, Scott Spencer, Janice Trumbull, Kurt Cooney doses of shooting savvy to both the team in general and to his individual shooters. Said Varsity member Jennifer Tomany of Solis, . .we had a great coach and l'm looking forward to coming back and shooting for him next year. Practices extended from September through April and ran for two and a half hours each Tuesday and Thursday evening. As if these taxing practices were not enough, some shooters logged additional shooting time at the U of A range on weekends. Concerning practice, Solis remarked, we practiced longer than any other athletic club at West and it showed. The darkness of the firing line contrasted with the brilliance of the range lights to establish an atmosphere of apparent tranquility, while in actuality, each shooter exercised his or her utmost concentration. Elaborated Solis, the sport requires ninety percent concentration and ten percent skill. Above all, the fact that the team members worked very well together and in harmony with their coach, is what their success can be attributed to. The team was both young and small, Cthe Varsity marksmen included one Senior, two Sophomores and one Freshmanj. The team was, a quality team because we didn't have quantity. Although most members agreed that the '78-'79 shooting season was a long one, most will be returning to shoot it out for West again next year when Solis will, plan on a shorter but more concentrated season and will hopefully develop a highly organized and professional team with a dedicated outlook.

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O A RAINBOW OF ACTIVITIES KEPT WEST VALLEY BUSY AS SPRING APPROACHED. Q9 fiillfi iff? fi. ITLI .1 1.-f - Ili ..i!' X ilk? x Enthusiastic Cheryl Wilhelm engages an unsure Brian Leschorn as the Justice O' the Peace Mike Wien gets them hitched in a fun The same warm, sunny days that brought us the promise of a golden summer, also transformed West ' Valley into a humming hub of spring activity. The Sadie Hawkins Dance, the Almost Anything Goes competition, the art showfauction, a mock wedding and the West free- skate night, set West's spring thing in full swing. The Sophomore-sponsored Sadie Hawkins Dance was especially well received since it was the first real spring dance of the year and because the Sophomores barred nothing when they established the dance's hillbilly atmosphere. Feudin' hillbillies were thrown in the slammer to be closely guarded by the sheriff and his deputies. A photographer was on -Xt and kneeslapping wedding ceremony at the Sadie Hawkins Dance. hand to take weddin' portraits of those who became hitched . The Almost Anything Goes competition represented the final test of class unity. The Seniors played as if they were fighting for the Holy Grail itself and upon winning the competition, finally wrested the coveted Spirit Cup from their closest competitors, the Freshmen. The final standings of the contest placed the Seniors in first, the Juniors second, the Sophomores third and the Freshmen in fourth. During an intermission of West's first-rate musical production Carnival , theater goers took part in an art showfauction which raised funds for West's Art Club. The West Valley free-skate night at fr, X V, Teachers Diadre House and Hiedi Hyser appear to be all wrapped up with the Almost Anything Goes competition. the Northern Lights Roller Rink was attended by a great many West students and teachers. The springtime affair for West's Cheapskates kept the school year rolling right along. The in-school mock wedding performed by the Family Living class, familiarized students with the procedures and preparations involved in a marriage ceremony and reception. This wide variety of spring functions provided special opportunities for student involvement and allowed those smitten with spring fever to let off steam in a constructive manner.

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Appearing as lf his day is shot, dedicated coach Lee Solis prepares to take his punishment like a man. Employing the mind over matter approach, Varsity member Diane Caldwell lines up a shot from the kneeling position. Prone to success, Varsity shooter Kurt Cooney concentrates on breath and pulse control. QUGDQEBES SHOOTING TO WIN REQUIRED CONCENTRATION AND UNLIKE SOME SPORTS, FAST ACTION WAS REPLACED WITH BOLT ACTION ........,.. . W., --.ww