The group who showed up at the Fayetteville Hilton for the 20th anniversary reunion.
Tag: Steve Yancey
Large Group
High School Nap Time
To the casual observer, large group was a room full of 50 to 150 students — some sleeping, some taking notes, some reading day old assignments and others daydreaming the hour away.
For the students it was an inevitable part of the high school experience, since large group formed an integral part of all English classes as well as psychology, history and accounting.
Most students learned to place each large group session into one of four categories and looked forward to the class with anticipation or dread according to its classification. These were 1) the filmstrip, film, record category including W.C. Fields films and broken filmstrips, 2) the note taking period complete with the date Emily Bronte’s sister’s dog died, 3) the guest speaker, 4) the games, so aptly recalled by Nicky Gyles.
“I feel the large group system stands on a basically sound theory. However, one aspect of large group did cause me emotional anguish. Games involving singling out certain individuals and the social ridicule which followed was quite exasperating, especially when it happened to me.”
According to Mrs. Kathy Roy, senior English teacher, the purpose of large group was to allow speakers to talk to all the students at once as their schedules might not permit them to speak to each class individually. Large group also enabled teachers to shae the work load of offering lectures and showing filmstrips.
“We are not here to entertain,” observed one teacher.
Student opinions, on the other hand, were mixed.
“It’s a good idea,” said John Horn. “One advantage is that it breaks the routine. Students find it boring because it’s to formal and teachers often have uninteresting presentations.”
“Large groups are beneficial when they are used for speakers, film strips and things like that,” pointed out Kathy Bell, “But at times they could be very boring.”
— 1976 Amethyst
Mathemagicians
According to some of its members, Mu Alpha theta existed “to promote interest in math,” “to help someone get a scholarship,” “to get mathematicians together for business and fun,” “to look good on your transcript.”
But in the eyes of Mu Alpha Theta sponsor, Mrs. Marian Crum, the club was organized “to recognize and encourage outstanding work or scholarship in mathematics.”
At the annual Christmas part, Barbara Leeton was crowned “Sprouts” champion. “Sprouts” is a complicated dot-to-dot game of skill, logic and a bit of luck.
On the agenda for Mu Alpha Theta members in ’75-’76 was a field trip to Tulsa to visit the American Airlines Maintenance Center and Oral Roberts University. The group received reduced rates on Texas Instruments calculators, purchased a new calculator for the advanced math classes and attended the national convention in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
National Honor Society
One of the highest academic honors a student could receive was becoming a member of the National Honor Society.
The membership was composed of seniors with a maintained grade average of 3.25 or more. There were two elections in which the faculty voted on the eligibility of the candidates with each student judged on a one to five scale. Those receiving the highest rating were formally initiated.
The first group of seniors (pictured) were initiated in the spring of their junior year. Those initiated this fall were Sharon Ammons, Debbie Atto, Keith Banks, Robert Cate, Jody Tyson, Randall Hughes, Gail Davis, Anna Leichner, Brian McGreevy, Deanna Eden, Bob Storey, Melissa Upchurch, Jana Janzen, Cheryl Clinehens, Billie Bacha, Jerry Cox, Duane Dunn and David Evans.
NHS’s money making project for 1975-76 was the sale of candy canes at Christmas time. This project was headed by President Nicky Gyles. The other officers were Sue Stockton, vice-president; Helen Messner, treasurer; Nina Rolloff, secretary; and Hee-Young Kim, reporter-historian.
Reunion Photo 1986
The 1986 reunion was held at the old Elks Lodge on Zion Road. More than 100 alumni attended different events of the reunion.
Front row: Hal Poole, Steve Jones, Eddie LaClair, Mike Tribble, Gregg Parker, Steve Smith, Rick Witherspoon, Soren Kraemer, Gary Streigler, Dan Wickliff, Charlie Alison, Janet Sherman, Loree Treat, Paula Faires, Liz Reagan, ??
Second row: ??, Shelley Faddis, Liz Adam, Thyrsie Anderson, Linda Williams, Sue Stockton, Becky Riggs, ??, Barbara Kane, Linda Langham, Sylvia Blyholder, Kristi Corn, Phyllis Parham, Cathy Huff, Regina Strong, Nancy Dodson, Jackie Ward, ??
Third row: Tim Smith, ??, Bill Guirl, Jody Tyson, Billie Bacha, Lisa Beard, Deanna Edens, Susan Chism, Terry Miller, Karan Carpenter, ??, ??, Pam Meinecke, Pat Bryan, Cheryl Clinehens, Teensy Kirby, Teresa Garrison, Sherri Starr, Nancy Stanberry, Tammi Garrett, Linda Colwell, Amy Wilson, Brian Noland.
Fourth row: Steven Yancey, ??, Nina Rolloff, Judy Goff, Hugh Painter, Nathan McKinney, Stephen McGinnis, Brian Holt, Debbie, Drake, Jeff Ward, Rick Turner, Janice Fuller, Gail Davis, Vickie Talburt, Lisa Lashley, Karen Waite, Cathy McRee, ??, Kathy Peele, Ann Scarbrough, Suzie Jenkins.
Fifth row: Jeff Bailey, Dick Reese, Drew Phillips, ??, Gary Hall, Bill Watkins, ??, Jeff Hobbs, ??, ??, Mike Lyman, Phillip Brown, Kathy Trice, Jeff England, Anna Leichner, Betsy Stewart, Rachel Walters
If you recognize someone whom we have yet to identify, send a note to FayettevilleClassof76@gmail.com.
Standardized Tests
Testing 1, 2, 3
Testing 1, 2, 3, but it never stops there. The students were put through ever so many more. The were graded on their homework, given tests over it, and to top ita all off were given standardized tests to measure their ability to learn.
“Standardized tests, if used right by colleges, are a good thing,” said Susan Stephenson. “I don’t think the evaluation of the student should be based totally on the test, though. Academic records should be used, also.”
These tests were usually long and drawn out, last anywhere from all morning to all day. With the sophisticated forms that had to be filled out in order to apply for the tests, some people never got any further than applying for them.
“I don’t mind taking the tests, but I don’t like the hassle of registering for them,” said Mark Springer.
But there was definitely a good side to all those tests. What better way was there to get out of school all day, legitimately?
— 1976 Amethyst
Awards and Scholarships, 1976
Along with the Fayetteville High School honors and scholarships listed, we included the Livestock Report, illustrating the difference between Fayetteville and Springdale in terms of what the Northwest Arkansas Times deemed worth reporting.
Grade 6, Root Elementary
Mrs. Joyce’s class during the 1969-70 school year at Root Elementary.
Front row, from left: Debbie Easley?, Billy Long, Bill Guirl, ??, and Naoto Sekiguchi.
Second row: Howard Hayes, ??, ??, ??, ??, Linda Langham, and Steve Yancey.
Third row: ??, Bob Wilkins?, ??, Art Croswell, Mark McGuire, ??, and Mrs. Joyce.
Fourth row: Susan Chism?, ??, Chris Guinn, Pat O’Bryan, Brian Noland, ??, and Cathy Huff?.
Courtesy of Bill Guirl.
Upchurch to Youngblood
Fayetteville Class of 76 