Westlake High School - Ram Ler Yearbook (Westlake, LA)

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Tonian Creatures invade Westlake There is a new sound in Westlake. It is not the sound of a car horn or radio blasting. It is the new music of ka-boom, c-r-r-unch, and bleep-blip coming from the Tonian Empire. Video games, such as Pac-Man, Centipedes, and Asteroids, have swept across Westlake, making the Empire a popular handout for high school students. Many students spend a great deal of time and money there, after a visit to Hardees or after a school activiy. Students spend hours either in or out of the Empire, playing games and exchanging gossip. Some students become skillful at playing these games. This skill has demanded hours of practice, not to mention many dollars. Although many students spend many dollars at the Tonian Empire and may seem to have little to show for it except their initials on the machine when they score high, the Empire serves as a great place to be while high school memories are created. Top left: Jimbo Ingram polishes up his skill. Top right: Franky Edwards is one of many students that enjoys fighting. The summer of 1981 proved to be a great learning experience for Dana Canik, Cheryl Watson, K. K. Onxley, and Jeff Snyder. Dana and Cheryl attended Girls State, while K. K. and Jeff attended Boys State. The process under which Girls and Boys State works is based on the way all types of government within our state work. Each student learned the responsibilities and tasks of governmental officials, on the city, parish, and state levels. Each individual worked hard to achieve a goal after the long week of hard work. Speeches were made and campaigns went on for those who were running for a specific office. Dana and Jeff were elected to City Council positions; K. K. was elected to a Parish Council where he served as vice-president, and Cheryl was elected a State Representative. According to the students, they learned a great deal about leadership. New friends were made in spite of a very busy schedule. All agreed that they learned very much and had great fun. Cheryl summed it all up when she said, It was a terrific learning experience and we learned a lot about Louisiana government.

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Some work, some play before school starts Although the school year began August 24, 1981, many students were participating in school activities prior to this date. Many worked long hard hours while attending Ramette, band, or football practice. Other clubs had window washes, car washes, and other moneyraising projects. On July 27, many students attended an autograph party held when their yearbooks were given to them. Friends were reunited for a time and exchanged news and autographs. While many worked hard throughout the summer, including school-related work, all found time to “jam when the weekly dances rolled around. Westlake students had a great time doing everything from the good ol' two-step to some punk rock to Whip It. All of the work and fun could only mean one thing — the new school year was right around the corner. Classes began and students began following schedules for the new year, a year that was certain to bring many memories. Top left: Faculty and students work to prepare schedules for the new year. Left: Taran Menge and Mike Lewis got a head start this past summer collecting money for the band. Above: When the yearbooks came in everyone met in the halls for a yearbook autograph party. Student Life 11

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Snow and freezing temperatures chill Westlake Freezing tempertures had a great deal to do with the school year of 1981-82. The cold weather brought good things as well as bad. Probably the worst thing that came with the cold weather was the tragic fire that burned Sam Houston High School to the ground. Many families went without electricity for days. This was especially hard on those with central heat. Although there were many incoveniences because of icy roads and loss of electricity, students of WHS enjoyed a 3-day vacation from school on January 12, 13, and 14. All Calcasieu Parish schools were closed because of the terrible weather conditions. Snow fell Wednesday night, the 13th, and early Thursday morning, the 14tn. Although not much snow fell, residents of Westlake had their fun building small snowmen, having snowball fights, and sliding on ice-covered pavements. Most students enjoyed the fact that six-weeks tests were postponed because of the closing of school. Many made good use of this time to catch up on homework. Although the snow only lasted a matter of hours, many enjoyed its presence because we seldom get to see snow in Southwest Louisiana. Every other Wednesday, my afternoons are free . . . In September, 1981, the Calcasieu Parish School Board made a change in the school schedule. Teachers were allowed a half day off for in-service activities. These activity days fell on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. The first Wednesday students attended their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hour classes then dismissed at 12:25. The third Wednesday students attended their 4th, 5th, and 6th hour classes. This procedure was changed when the platooning with Sam Houston High School began Student Life 13