Westlake High School - El Paisano Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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TOUGH JOB With crayolas in hand, junior Missy Deal colors teddy-bears while taking a break from her homework. With the final days of school, seniors took much- needed breaks. During a college day, seniors Shannon Toothman and Kathleen Bcynon inquire about housing expenses at Texas A M University. College days brought representatives from colleges and universities across the nation to an informational seminar for students in the cafeteria. Down to the wire Registration opens up new ' possibilities ' As the red closed signs went up around the old gym, hundreds scur- ried to the nearest coun- selor ' s desk in hopes of filling their schedules. I think everyone should be more helpful with new students. People seem to think that we know our way around and we don ' t. In registration, I got so confused and only one counselor would help me. I didn ' t even get to pick my own teachers, freshman Patrick Blanton said. Close campus After touring The University of Texas campus on one of his college visitation days, senior Paul Herbert rests in the courtyard. Seniors received three college days throughout the year. Approximately 430 students changed their schedules after the spring walk-through so for next fall, the administration has opted to register with the assistance of a com- puter and eliminate the on-site registration. I registered last and none of the classes were open that I had in mind. So I had to just grab a class I didn ' t even want. But I did get my schedule changed after the new semester started, sopho- more Tana Zebelsk said. While some manag- ed to .solve their own pro- blems, others got stuck . I picked a certain teacher because he was the only one open and then the counselor said that just because I didn ' t like the teacher was not a good enough reason to get out of the class, junior Scott Gates said. National Merit Semi-finnlist James S. Hall Finalists Craig Dial Charles Hargrove Karen Lowe April Pearson David Wright Financial forecast An oral presentation to class enables senior Stephanie Koons to explain the economic aspects of her make- believe business. Edited by Patrick Blanton I FOUR TO G0|

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Perfect practice Late registration procedures for the SAT forced senior Mazcn Defillah to send his sign-up forms by rush mail. For quick results, some stu- dents applied for rush-return service. Students face costs of college as well as Harsh reality Tuition, books, hous- ing, transportation— dis- tant college jargon for most— until the senior year when UT ' s $6593 a year to Harvard ' s 817,695 a year suddenly became a stark reality. My parents encour- aged me to go to in-state schools because out-of- state tuition is so expen- sive, senior Wendy Grossman said. With UT ' s yearly rates for a non-Texas resident jumping to 510,163 (reflective of those across the nation), stu- dents more carefully weighed their decisions on costs as well as oppor- tunities. I could use the mon- ey not spent for being a resident on a car or something, senior Diana Boyd said. That ' s why I ' m going to UT. When students faced the financial facts of a college education, many looked at out-of-state op- tions, but most decided to stay right at homc-swcct- home . Heads above the rest College-bound seniors try to get a head start by completing advanced level, college courses Lectures. No busy work— just listening, taking notes and passing tests. With the exception of small class sizes, college-bound students in honors government, economics, honors English and other like courses prepared themselves for more education by taking coUege- likc-classes. I took economics because it was a really great way to ready myself for college. The course helped me get a grip on myself about what college may really be like. I also took it because it ' s easy for me, senior Carl Dallcy said. In addition to the idea of self- improvement and preparing for college, those interested in higher education discovered that these same courses made the required course list. Because I had to take gov- ernment before I could graduate, 1 learned a great deal about how college will be like. I am grateful that I was forced to take it instead of taking something else, senior Isabel Wilson said. During the course of the years, seniors took advantage of college visitation days and travelled to in and out-of-state campuses while others initiated their college experience early by taking courses at local colleges and universities to get a head start. I take courses at UT during school hours because I am fortu- nate to be a real smart person. I ' ll be able to take another course that normally I wouldn ' t be able to take because I will have already taken the course in high school, senior John Blanton said. Chit chat Not just for information, senior Julie Beal visits with counselor Mr. Bruce Campbell in his office. Counselors cn- ouraged student appointments. SATisfaction With three short hours on a Saturday morning determining the next four years of their lives, seniors prepared themselves for the pencil- chewing experience by taking SAT prep courses. 1 took the course of- fered at Westlake High School by Mrs. Shelton and Mrs. Glanz. It cost 560, but was worth it, se- nior Liz Falbo said. The course improved my SAT scores considerably. Others relied on self- preparation or the assis- tance of tutors to improve their chances of scoring high on the SAT. I was tutored for it last year after school, se- nior Dana Weedon said. I ' m not sure that it helped my score, but it made me more aware of the test ' s importance. Test TALK During an after school computer tutorial, junior Jason Watkins prepares for his SAT on a specialized program. Various SAT courses, books and computer programs fa- miliarized students with the test. Catch 22 1 2 In counselor Jon Ratcliff ' s office, junior Scth O ' rell re- ceives information about sche- dules, college visitations and career day. Where DO YOU WANT TOGO TO COLLEGE? Ivy League 30% Big university 46% Small college 24% 1 Th ' m Take a Number J ' M ACADEMICS

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What are the most popular honors courses? v -- © ART IV us Government English s Oo : . ' Take this job and get to work Improvement makes rewards even sweeter As the student fixated on the television set, in- tently blowing on her wet nails, a shreik suddenly broke the silence as mom adamantly screeched the best known of all com- mands- Cet to WORK! I get restrictions if I do not get good grades- like I can get my car only so many weekends a month, and they will watch mc to sec how much 1 use the phone and they will cut down on how much I can get for my monthly allowance, ju- nior Brad Duncan said. If the cutting of priv- ileges and fun outside activities did not result in the improvement of grades, isolating students from anything but school work most often proved effective. If 1 don ' t get a B av- erage, I can ' t watch TV, visit anyone or read books outside of school until the next report card, junior Jeff Little said. Take a Number ACADEMICS W f z Regrets Students view honors classes as stress -filled For two extra grade points, students, who en- rolled in honors courses, often found themselves regretting the move after these classes demanded countless hours both in school and out of school. I had to get out of Honors English simply because the pressure was getting to mc. I never had time to do the things I enjoyed more because I had to concentrate on the English, ex-honors junior James Fcnclon said. Stress, resulting from the added workload of honors courses, took its toll on those students who enrolled in them with ex- pectations of a problem- free experience. The only thing that 1 don ' t like is that whenever you have problems with class work, they tell you ' It ' s an honors course, you have to expect it, sopho- more Anne Woods said. TO THE BEAT Outside in the courtyard, senior Thor Arnibruster finishes his homework assignments. Spring weather provided a warmer cnviroment and an incenlivc for studies. In the case of honors classes, these students applied themselves to the task of working hard with personal and parental approval as the ultimate rewards. I ' m interested in En- glish and my mother real- ly wanted me to take Honors English, but it was more for me than for my mother, junior Kristy Es- teppe said. For one reason or an- other, students completed homework, survived tests, pleased Mom and Dad, kept teachers off their backs, got to work... TirsY Relaxing in his room, sophomore Mark Raster reads aloud hi; German assignment Students in foreign language courses rcac dialogues in class for grades and needed the at-home practice for improvement on accents, rhythm and confidence.