Page 8 - 1996.Milard.North

Working for the benefit of oth-

ers, participating in class spirit, and finding ac-

tivities to express their individuality directed stu-

dents in their quest for. ..
by Mary Peterson

ticipated in various
unusual hats, events in the commu- Returning to
MNfor
P,ierced body parts, and nity. By volunteering yearbook
supplements
silver glittered shoes their services at the hu- areMW
sophomores
were the means by mane society, home- Brian Carter
and Joe Cass.
which students ex- less shelters, nursing MN junior
Michelle Lee
pressed their individu- homes, political cam- supplies them
with memories
ality at school. Since paigns, and telethons, of their old
the opening of MW, stu- students took the op- school. photo
by Kimberly
dents had to find a way portunity to support Swartz
to stand out from the their community.
crowd and go their These services encour-
separate passages. aged students to en-
Separation hance their indepen-
from old friends re- dence.
quired students to grow independently. No longer By working in the community rather than
looking to the same people for guidance and in the school, students often acquired a variety of
acceptance, students modified their opinions jobs. A steady job enabled students to gain
and lifestyles. They slowly learned to let go of or responsibility and much needed cash . Students
strengthen old relationships. soughtajobwhich fittheirunique personality and
Even though old friends could never be allowed them to break away from people who
replaced, students sought new friends who normally surrounded them for several hours.
shared the same interests. Since there were If students weren't working in their spare
fewer students, teenagers got a chance to meet time, they patronized local businesses. Each
more people within their class and throughout student had a favorite shop such as an ice cream
the school. place, a used CD store, or a department store
The reduction of students not only al- which suited their character. These hot spots
lowed for a closer-knit school, it lessened the gave students a place to meet new friends and
intense competition. More athletes had a chance gossip about school.
to play the sports they loved , more thespians Once students developed their own
tried out for school plays, and more students took individuality and discovered the community
the edge in class rank. around them , there was no turning back on the
Besides school activities, students par- path to finding their separate passages. •

Opening