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

Page 18 text:

Dana Canik and Mr. Green welcome Mr. Kirkendall All that remains of SHHS. and Suzanne Sutherland. The new year of 1982 seemed to bring tragedy and changes. The greatest tragedy involved students of Sam Houston High School as their school turned to ashes because of a fire Monday, January 11. Many students stood across the street and watched with tears in their eyes. Luckily, all 14 Student Life Moss Bluff schools were closed that day because of heating problems. The fire began around 11 AM and lasted approximately two hours. Students here at Westlake watched during lunch as the smoke from the fire filled the air. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday all schools in Calcasieu Parish were closed because of extremely cold weather and ice storms that left Southwest Louisiana with icy roads and inadequate heat in many buildings. School resumed Friday, January 15, and an assembly was held to inform Westlake students of the changes that would involve them because of the fire at SHHS. Plans were made for Sam Houston students to be “platooned to Westlake High School for the

Page 17 text:

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

Page 19 text:

Bruce Broussard, Murray Reed and Kyle Landreneau slop to read These are the remains of SHHS after a destroying fire, the welcome sign. remainder of the year. The plan went into effect Monday, January 18 as Westlake Students attended school from 7 AM to noon. Sam Houston students attended school from 1 PM to 6 PM. Although WHS and SHHS are known for the traditional rivalry which has grown over the past years, Westlake Students sympathized with Sam Houston students because of the loss of their school. Rivalry was set aside and Sam Houston students were warmly welcomed with signs and posters by faculty, students, and various organizations of Westlake High School. Sam Houston students responded by posting a huge purple and gold sign that read, Thank you, WHS. Adjustments were made by everyone from both schools, but everyone eventually got used to them. Many enjoyed the shorter school day. Events such as this prove that even though there may be rivalry in the sports area, we put those feelings aside, and help our fellow man when he is in trouble. It was a time we felt proud of ourselves. Student Life 15