Woodward Academy - Phoenix Yearbook (College Park, GA)

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OF WHITE WHALES, BLACK COFFEE AND EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING 1984 PHOENIX TRIBUTE - CAPTAIN BOB BALLENTINE Since his appointment to GMA in 1959, Bob Ballentine has served the Academy suc- cessfully in many areas of responsiblity: teacher, Director of Public Relations and Alumni Affairs, Public Information Officer, English Departmental Chairman, and Princi- pal of the Upper School. In 1971 a grateful senior class, in dedicating the yearbook to him, stressed an even greater role which he has consistently played: a friend. Following his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Ballentine obtained an ABJ from the University of Georgia and continued gra- duate study at UGA, Emory and Jackson- ville University. Mr. Ballentine was responsi- ble for the introduction and development of Woodward ' s successful AP Program in Eng- lish. Former students associate Captain Ballentine with an inveterate attraction to a certain white whale and his love for that monumental work — Moby Dick: an unsur- passed ability to deliver interesting class lec- tures; the regularity with which his debate teams won state tournaments; and the ex- pertise which he contributed during the years that he served as yearbook advisor. The Ballentine affinity for the white whale and his enthusiasm for excellence in teaching remain undiminished. Fueled, one is almost certain, by the ever-present cup of black coffee. Mr. Ballentine has brought an old- fashioned devotion to each of his positions at the academy. It is to all of these qualities that the 1984 PHOENIX proudly and grate- fully pays tribute to Captain Bob Ballen- tine. (Reprinted in part from The Academy In Review) Quiet, with an underlying Irish twinkle; cooperative, without words but with intense loyalty; thoughtful, but never reticent in good judgement; One superlative cannot say it all. Captain Bob will be missed by all As Tevye said to Golde After twenty- five years its nice to know. We love you — Dr. Gary M. Jones A master teacher with a flare for literature person oriented in decision making for twenty-five years of transition and change in the life of our school, Mr. B has stood like a rock of calm and positive influ- ence toward lasting policy and procedure. His loyalty and dedication is unequal and we can truly say he has always provided Every opportunity for every student. - Don A. Woolf Although former students and present colleagues invariably associate you, Cap- tain Ballentine, with an inveterate attrac- tion to a certain white whale, you once told me, in a moment of reflection, that perhaps the work of literature which you have most enjoyed reading and teaching is Paradise Lost. With no apology to Milton, may I say. Dear Friend, that by pursuing boldly and successfully things (previously) unattempt- ed in the programs and progress of GMA- Woodward, you have been able to bring forth infinite goodness to both stu- dents and staff of the Academy. Some nat- ural tears (we) dropp ' d at news of your retirement, knowing full well that Day and Night, Seed-time and Harvest, Heat and Hoary Frost Shall hold their course before we see your like again. - Bobby W. Alford An interesting metaphor for human rela- tionships occurs in Chapter 72 of Moby Dick, my least favorite classic until Bob Bal- lentine taught me to appreciate its power and magnitude. In this chapter, entitled The Monkey-Rope , Queequeg, the har- pooneer, dangles over the side of the ship as he strips the dead whale of its blubber. Around his waist is a rope which is attached at the other end to the waist of Ishmael. The welfare of each man depends upon the faith- fulness and vigilance of the other. As Bob finds his own well-deserved insular Tahiti, those of us left aboard ship are humbly grateful to have been tied to his monkey- rope. — Carolyn Haldeman Compassionate supportive un- derstanding personal concern for my well being easy to talk with A true friend — not just my boss. I ' ll truly miss Bob — he ' s like a second right hand to me. — Mary Walker Robert D. Ballentine retires in 1984 after 25 years of imparting in liberal doses liberal education to thousands of students and scores of teachers. Yes, his intellect is a clear cold, logic engine which is daunted and inspired English students as well as nov- ice debaters. Certainly, his mind is stored with a knowledge of the great and funda- mental truths of the universe — How could it be otherwise for a man who has traveled and traveled countless times in the splendid passages of Paradise Lost and the beloved Moby Dick. But the essence of the man and the imperative under which, I believe, he has lived his life, under which he has sought to educate liberally (abhors a split infinitive) his fortunate charges, and under which he has related to students and colleagues alike is, stated simply, to be kind always. Patience piled on patience and a benign smile, when others would be justified in their railing — these are the graces of the man. Mr. Ballen- tine, Captain Ballentine if you prefer, has always been the servant of a tender con- science. lee Vincent In a day when it ' s hard to find heroes and perhpas even harder to keep them, I ' m glad to say I ' ve got one. All too often, it seems to me, those whom we put on a pedestal end up having some major flaws which ultimately cause us to lose respect for them. Bob Bal- lentine, however, is a notable exception as he has maintained hero status with me for more than ten years. Certainly, just as we all do, Mr. Ballentine has a few imperfections; he invariably keeps his office too hot; his articles for the parents ' club newsletter are usually a day or so late; and, frankly, he smokes too much. The key word with Bob, however, is few; the Good Captain has pre- cious eiv imperfections. Furthermore, I sus- pect that Mr. B. displays those minor vices out of a form of graciousness to allow the rest of us to feel less inferior by comparison. Both as a teacher and later as a colleague, I ' ve come to appreciate the amiable nature and scholarly abilities of Captain Bob Ballen- tine, one of the South ' s true gentlemen, - R.L. Slider Some years ago — never mind how long — I met a man in love with whales and students and things — but ideas mainly. For- tunate students knew well this mariner — I never sailed his course — only a lubber in his mind. Now while I luff — he reefs — his mark recorded. Gus Dearolph

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1984 PHOENIX 1 ' % Deborah A. Newman Editor Phenizee F. McElroy Assistant Editor Jeffrey A. Wood Business Manager Susan S. Sanders Advisor EDITOR ' S NOTE Upper Editor Pam Coleson Middle Editors . . .Arladean Arnson Betsy Moomaw Lower Editor. Anna Mathis Busey Editor Beverly Buhl Sports Editor . . Jeff Higgins Asst. Sports Editor . . .Scott Ward General Staff Gayle Askew, Chris Bailey, Michael Brown, Sheila Childers, Shelly Crooks, Walter Ernest, John Hudson, Susan Kim, Karen Mallard, Clark Peklo, Sonny Rule, Scott Shaffer, Dixon Sor- acco. Special Thanks: Dan Troy and Allison Clouser, American Yearbook Company; Marshall Eubanks, Olan Mills; Sandra Pounds, for all her help; The Waverly Hotel; Sun Belt Limosine; Collages; loAnne Berry; Roy Brady; Mike Murphy; Linda Freeman; Tom Howick; Debbie English; Janie Routledge; Errol Sanders; Rusty Slider; Howard )anke; Toni Wallace, for the tyewriter ribbons; Kathy Sheesley and Betty Hatzo, for the use of their phones, scissors, heaters and copying ma- chine; Nancy Miller, for the cookies; Lisa McDonough, for your idea of 40 sleepless hours. Tab, peanuts, and encouragement; S.M., for mo- tivating us; CQ, for design ideas; Mrs. Bobby Al- ford, for the sympathy of another journalist; Scott Shaffer, for being there; Johnny and Wendy; Boy George and a selected few recording artists. As editor of the 1984 Phoenix, I, as well as others, have sacrificed many days, weeks and months to produce this Book. Needless to say, all that we experienced — long hours, endless nights, fatigue, depression and what seemed to be an inconceivable goal — became irrelevant when the first box of yearbooks was opened. Seeing, for the first time, the object that has been an integral part of your life for the past ten months is indescribable. That moment, one brief second, cancels every scream and every tear which stemmed from the frustration of producing this year- book. Afterwards, three words, It looks good, makes the time we have spent on this Book priceless. Being editor of a book such as the 1984 Phoenix has, by all means, proven to be a challenge. Many of my day- dreams and nightmares have revolved around this Book. There were times when I wondered if it was really worth it. An editor ' s job consists of 90% emo- tion and 10% skill. Through the pages of this Book you can see the 10% skill; what you cannot see is what it took to get it there. I have been very happy, very angry, very frustrated and most importantly very determined. My sen- ior quote states, Success is not mea- sured by heights attained, but by obsta- cles overcome. I have faced many ob- stacles this year — some were easily overcome, yet others took everything I had to overcome. Through it all I have had my determination; without it 1 would have never made it. Then, I go back to the question, Was it really worth it? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!! The production of this Book has in- cluded many, many contributions from various people, some of which are ob- vious, and some of which are less obvi- ous; yet, each contribution from each person has played an important part in creating the Book you see before you. First and foremost, I would like to thank Susan Sanders, my advisor, and Phen McElroy, my assistant editor, for their help and dedication. Without them, the Book would have never gotten fin- ished. To Susan, thanks for believing in me; to Phen, thanks for the support. To Sandra Pounds, I would like to say thanks for everything — your ideas, and most of all, the time you gave up for the Book. To Marshall Eubanks, thank you; your expertise and encour- agement made my job worthwhile. To my parents, thanks for understanding why I spent so much time in the year- book room. To Bev Buhl and Sheila Childers, thanks for listening; I don ' t know what I would have done without you. To Lisa McDonough, thank you for caring so much; I tried to make the most of it! To Jeff Wood, Scott Shaffer, Pam Coleson, Jeff Higgins, Anna Mathis, Walter Ernest, Dixon Soracco and Scott Ward, thanks for the help. To everyone who encouraged me, I say thank you; you gave me hope when everything began to seem hopeless. I hope you enjoy the Book. 348 PHOENlX