HISTORY OF ZEPHYRHILLS HIGH SCHOOL

Highlights of 1980

ZHS Alumni and Friends Reunion Honors Classes of 1930 and 1955, Zephyrhills News, July 3, 1980, by Jaynell LeHeup

Each year it gets bigger and better—that is the general consensus about the ZHS Alumni and Friends Reunion! The 1980 Reunion was Sunday at the Community Center, Zephyr Park. There wasn’t just a full house—there was such an overflowing crowd that it was voted to try to obtain the larger Municipal Auditorium for the 1981 Reunion.

……Special thanks were given to ….Miss Zephyrhills of 1980, Joyce Stover-Statts and Wesley for exceptional entertainment with ventriloquist act…..

Class of 1980, Zephyrhills News, June 12, 1980

Class officers are Gayle Roman, President; Maria Spoto, Vice President; Mary Ann Hope, Secretary, and Todd Forrester, Treasurer. Faculty sponsors are David Camper, Ernest Wise, Harry Mortner, Jessie Puggelli, Gail Reynolds, J.C. Steele and Terry Turner.

Valedictorian is Michael Farrell and Salutatorian is Gabrielle Vincent. Commencement will be at the Zephyrhills Senior High School Activities Center at 8 P.M. on Tuesday, June 17, 1980

Honor students are: Michael Farrell, Gabrielle Vincent, Donna Wood, Sharon Hasting, Beverly Williams, Joselyn Cassidy, Loren Reed, Lauieann Reed, Raymond LaCour, Donna Greene, Pam Gore, Gayle Roman, Warren Lowery, Joe Cappucilli, Gary Boettcher, Pam Peter, Pam Madl, Tammy Peyton, Maria Spoto, Tracy Sauers, Amy Wilson, Rochelle Ramey, Kathy Williams, Becky Walters, Theresa Huskey, Lorraine Hoppenworth, Patricia Moyer, Ronda Ferguson, Rochelle Albertson, Susan Steuart, Lance Smith, Mark Natali, Lynn Evans and Tara Green.

Graduation Speeches Express Hopes for Future; Fun at ZHS, Zephyrhills News, June 12, 1980

The class of 1980 graduated from Zephyrhills High School last week with a mixture of feelings on the part of the 234 graduating seniors.  Feelings on ending one phase, while beginning another and excitement of new happenings, with fear of the coming unknown were common. Three seniors, speaking to the graduating class and their family, friends and relatives during the ceremony Tuesday night at the ZHS Activities Center perhaps expressed the feelings the best.

Following are the speeches given by Mickey Farrell, Class Valedictorian; Gayle Roman, Senior Class President; and Gabrielle Vincent, Class Salutatorian.

Valedictorian Speech by Mickey Farrell

We, the class of 1980, welcome you to our graduation. This night is the culmination of 12 years of education for most of us, and is one of the highlights of our lives. We’ve had many experiences at ZHS, some we’ll remember fondly, and some not, so fondly. The facilities here at ZHS have improved since we came here as Freshman. The track and football field were built, the stadium went form a dream to a reality, the baseball team finally got its long awaited field, and last, but not least, this new activities center we’re in this evening is finally completed. Yes, the facilities are growing and changing, but the heart of ZHS, its students, will hopefully remain the great group of people they’ve always been.

Each of these graduates must go forward from this special night, and shape our futures to the best of our abilities. For some of us continuing our education, either in college, the service or trade school will be the next step in the progression of life. For others, employment in a chosen field will be the next endeavor.

Each of us has already learned, to some extent, that life does not always treat us the way we want to be treated. As adults we will confront these situations time and time again. We must treat each seeming setback as a challenge on our road to success and with God’s help utilize these experiences to strengthen ourselves as individuals.

Challenges will face us in all aspects of our lives—home, work and play, and we must deal with each challenge as it comes.

Years from now each member of this graduating class will be able to look back on tonight and realize how little we actually knew about life and what the future held for us. We will only get out of life what we put into it and I pray that we will all do our best.

Fellow graduates, the potential of this class is unlimited. I urge each of you not to sell yourself short, but to go forward from this night and meet life head on.

Before I close I would like to make a request for two young men who are not here tonight. They are Joe Bednar and Scott Carver. As most of you know they were taken from us suddenly and we all share this great loss. Would you please join me in a moment of silence in their memory?

Thank you. I ask God to be with you all, to help guide you throughout life. May His blessings shower upon you. Thank you.

President’s Speech by Gayle Roman

Welcome friends, families and relatives. I want to promise you my speech will be like the latest Paris fashion. Long enough to cover the subject and short enough to be interesting.

I was talking to our Salutatorian, Gabrielle Vincent, just before we came out here and we were exchanging some ideas, and now my mind is a total blank.

But you know, there are some things these past few years that none of us will ever forget.

Like the days we would get peanuts in the lunchroom and there were more flying across the room than eaten.

And some I know will never forget which slip to bring to homeroom, the pink or the blue slip.

Or hearing the fire alarm go off and being happy to stop your test and go and exchange answers when hearing, when you’re halfway out the door, “please ignore the fire alarm!”

And how many of you realize what a romantic place Zephyrhills high School is? Where else in the world can lovers stroll down the hallways while being serenaded by the dreamy yet cherry voice of Mrs. Reynolds?

You see “happy days” does not just belong to the Richie’s and Fonzies of the 1950’s. I’m sure all of us can say we’ve shared some “happy days” here at ZHS. But along with the fun times, there was hard work too. We wanted to prove ourselves as underclassmen, always looking for the right moments to show our greatness. Finally our time came, we are the mighty seniors of 1980.

This is a class that has shown great unity, power, and personality which was presented throughout the years with homecoming floats, toilet paper wraps, spirit sticks, foghorns, screamers, and all other things.

There was nothing we wouldn’t try with success in mind.

But the great class of 1980 was not prepared for the epidemic of senioritis. What’s that? What’s senioritis?

Well, for those of you who don’t know–the major symptoms are missing homeroom, not doing homework, skipping and walking around in a daze or with a blank stare.

But somehow our class survived the epidemic.

Yes, our greatness prevailed and today we are looking forward to “meeting” the future with success. Ladies and gentlemen, may I now present to you, your future, the class of 1980

Salutatorian’s Address by Gabrielle Vincent

I would like to welcome everyone to the graduation of the class of 1980—parents, teachers, guests and especially the 233 people seated before me.

As I stand here preparing to deliver my speech, the finality of the last two weeks and of this occasion settle in. It’s hard to realize that we have reached this point in our lives. As our high school career comes to a close many of us look into the future with a variety of contrasting emotions.

At times setting a new direction seems to be an overwhelming task; something far off and distant that is difficult to grasp.

Unfamiliarity looms large as we consider new possibilities.

But then there are other times when we are consumed with feelings of anxiety as we impatiently await the passage of graduation so that we may finally pursue that which we desire. Independence can give quite an appealing image.

ZHS Graduates 234 Seniors; Many Awards Are Presented, Zephyrhills News

‘How wonderful to have a place like this in which to hold graduation!”

That was the universal sentiment of some 2,000 parents, friends, and seniors who participated in the Commencement of the Class of 1980 in the band new activities center on the Zephyrhills High School campus Tuesday evening.

A good air conditioning system had no trouble keeping the huge auditorium cool and comfortable, even though what was left of a 95 degree afternoon had not yet cooled the outdoors to much less than 85 degrees as the ceremony began.

An estimated 1,700 last year saw Commencement in the new Bulldog Stadium, and that was thought to have been the biggest crowd ever for a ZHS graduation. But Tuesday’s crowd surely surpassed all previous attendance figures. And did it in comfort.

Young women in the graduating class wore orange robes and mortar boards, while the young men wore black, creating a colorful processional in the school colors. Honor graduates wore a yellow satin yolk over their robes. Instead of the traditional double line entry, and as a way of easing the graduates through the crowded seating, they entered in two lines, one from each side of the stage, and everything worked with clockwork precision, thanks to the planning of faculty and the cooperation of seniors.

Rick Steuart provided an hour-long prelude and played “Pomp and Circumstance” as the senior processional, following which Dr. Lenton Turner gave the invocation to begin the ceremony.

Guests were introduced by Mrs. Terry Turner, Senior class sponsor and this year’s commencement chairman. The three addresses-by Valedictorian, Mickey Farrell; Salutatorian, Gabrielle Vincent and Class President, Gayle Roman—will be published in net week’s News.

Awards Presented

The annual presentation of awards was conducted this year by Dr. John Long, assistant superintendent of administration for the County School District. Awards announced and medals awarded included: School Activities—Sharon Hasting and Ray Lacour; School spirit—Maria Spoto and Timothy Wilson; Athletics-Teresa Huskey and Mickey Farrell; Citizenship—Donna Wood and Lance Smith; Best All-Around—Ronda Ferguson and Mickey Farrell.

Diplomas Presented

Diplomas were presented to the 234 seniors by Mrs. Agnes Deal, School Board Member from District I, assisted by Mrs. Turner while J.C. Steele III called out the names.

Principal Raymond Stewart, participating in his last Commencement after 16 years as administrative official of ZHS, shook the hand of each graduate and conducted the traditional tassel-switching ritual on each senior’s mortarboard.

After a closing benediction by Dr. Turner, the seniors recessed to the strains of “March of the Priests,” to meet in the school commons for an hour of kissing, hugging and tears, and to receive the congratulations of parents, relatives, friends and faculty.

School Daze by Sharon Hasting, Zephyrhills News, June 5, 1980

The Drama Department is busily planning its big end-of-the-year production, “Suitable for Hanging.” The tickets will be on sale today during first and second lunches for $1.25

Congratulations to the following students elected next year’s Student Council officers: Stan Stinson, President; Kirk Pomp, Vice President; Nancy Deboe, Secretary and Robert Briggs, Treasurer.

Commencement for 234 Seniors Tuesday in New Activity Center, Zephyrhills News, June 5, 1980

The largest senior class ever will graduate Tuesday during ceremonies held at the new Activities Center at Zephyrhills High School beginning at 8 p.m.

The class of 1980 comprised of 234 seniors will christen the new structure on the high school campus, as the class before this christened the Bulldog stadium. In a departure from last year, the ceremony will be conducted indoors.

During the ceremony, an organ prelude will be performed by Rick Steuart and invocation will be given by the Reverend Dr. Lenton Turner of the First Baptist Church. The seniors will march in to the music of Pomp and Circumstance.

Mrs. Terry Turner will introduce the guests and the Salutatorian address will be given by Miss Gabrielle Vincent. Mickey Farrell will give the Valedictorian address and Gayle Roman, senior class president will address the graduates.

Picture Caption–For the first time the public will make use of the new Activities Center at Zephyrhills High School when parents and invited guests attend Commencement exercise for the Class of 1980. The new structure is at long last complete

ZHS Grad Accepted in Pharmacy College, Zephyrhills News, June 1980

Robert Kretschmar, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Kretschmar, 403 4th Avenue, has been accepted to the College of Pharmacy at the University of Florida for the fall quarter of 1980.

He did his pre-pharmacy studies at Daytona Beach Community College and is currently employed as a Laboratory Technician at New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

ZHS Graduate Award Winner in New York City Art Show, Zephyrhills News, May 29, 1980

A Zephyrhills High School graduate of 1978 has been awarded a high honor in the field of portrait oil painting in New York City.

Thor Wickstrom, 20, was presented the Richard Seyffort Memorial Award and a $200 cash prize as the top honor bestowed at the opening of the Annual Scholarship Exhibition of the National Arts Club, Grammery Park, New York City, Wednesday evening of last week.

Seyffert, one of the nation’s top portrait painters died unexpectedly last October this is the first year the NAC has presented the Memorial Award and the youthful Zephyrhills artist was especially proud to have been given it.

Eight other student artists, all attending one of seven art schools in the New York metropolitan area also won prizes, six of them including cash awards.

Wickstrom is a second year student, studying portraiture, the School of Visual Arts, Fashion Institute of Technology, Cooper-Union School of the Arts, Brooklyn Museum School of Sculpture, the National Academy of Fine Arts and the Pratt Institute. Wickstrom submitted three oil portraits all of which were hung. The paintings are entitled, “Slavic Woman,” ‘Smoking” and “Myself: Saturday Night.”

ZHS Athletes Honored At Sports Awards Banquet, Zephyrhills News, May 22, 1980

Coaches and faculty of Zephyrhills High School, the Bulldogs Booster Club, students and members of the Zephyrhills community all gathered Tuesday evening in the high school commons to honor 26 top ZHS athletes in the All-Sports banquet.

Seven coaches were also given awards by their teams and the members of the highly successful baseball team were given plaques for their winning run to the regional tournament.

A special award for his service to ZHS was given to Principal Raymond Stewart who resigned to fill a higher post. Master of Ceremonies, J.C. Steele, introduced Zephyrhills Police Chief Bill Eiland who introduced the Booster Club officers for next year. The new football coach, Paul Greer, was introduced and Mickey Farrell gave the invocation.

The new Booster Club officers for next year are Bill Eiland, President; John Clements, Past President; Bob Howell, Vice President; Alice Furney, Secretary; and Bruce Schererman, Treasurer.

Lorraine Castro introduced the ZHS cheerleaders while coach, Sue Croley, began the awards presentation by presenting the Most Valuable Girl Tennis Player award to Leslee Newman. Dave Jones then awarded the Most Valuable Boys Tennis player to Mark Robinson.

Maria Spoto, representing the cheerleaders, awarded a special appreciation certificate to their mentor, Mrs. Castro while Steele awarded Buddy McConnell the Most Valuable Golfer trophy.

Basketball and volleyball coach, Duane Drewitz awarded the Most Valuable Volleyball player trophy to Rochelle Ramey while cross country Coach Bob Dodd handed the most valuable cross country athlete award to Mike Klaus.

Joe Galloway received the Most Valuable Soccer Player award from Coach Jones while Ann Crawford standing in for Tony Demma awarded the Most Valuable Softball award to Melinda Ashcraft. The soccer team awarded a special plaque of appreciation to Jones. Baseball coach Craig Milburn awarded the Most Valuable Baseball player award to Roger Geiger and handed out the most improved player to T.C. Prickett. Milburn also received an award from his team.

Coach Carl Summers awarded the most valuable wrestler trophy to David Hayner and gave a special award to his assistant, Coach Greg Chapman. The wrestling team answered with a special award to Summers.

The most valuable girl track athlete award was given by Coach Janie Roman to Laurie Ketterer while the Most Improved Girl Track athlete was awarded to Debra Tucker. Roman also received an award from her team.

The Most Valuable Boy track athlete was awarded to Will Patton by Coach Dave Gaffney who awarded the Most Improved Boy Track Athlete Trophy to John Ciccanese. Jeff Broeder received the Track Hustler award from Coach Dodd.

The most valuable girl basketball player trophy was awarded by Coach Gerald Newton to Teresa Huskey while Most Improved Girl Basketball player was given to Lisa Locke by Coach Crawford.

Coach Drewitz, awarded the Most Valuable boy basketball player award to Mickey Farrell and the best defensive boy basketball player.

Speaker Challenges Honor Students As Rotary Club Salutes 3.5 Grads, Zephyrhills News, May 15, 1980

“The world is full of challenges; the question you must ask yourself is, do you accept them?’

This was the theme of an address to 19 of the 22 honor students in this year’s Zephyrhills High School graduation class, delivered by Dr. Jerry Kandzer, provost of Pasco-Hernando Community College.

He was featured speaker at a luncheon saluting the honor graduates presented by the Rotary Club of Zephyrhills at Smuggler’s Reef Restaurant. The 22 honors graduates are those who have earned a scholastic record of 3.5 (B+) in their last three years of high school.

Certificates of Recognition were distributed to the students by Rotarian John F. Clements and Dr. Kandzer. “I have no fear over the future destiny of our nation when it rests in the hands of students like these,” Clements told the Rotary Club. He noted that the school formerly rated those with a 3.2 average as honor students, but said the figure was raised this year to 3.5.

After detailing in the opening section of his address the many dramatic changes which have occurred in the world around us in the past few years, Dr. Kandzer gave as his main advice, “in readying yourselves to enter the arena of the real world, you should stop, look, listen and prepare.”

He urged students to know the climate of the world they are about to enter, making note of their strengths, weaknesses and career goals. Know why they are your goals, and what methods you plan to use to reach them. If you have initiative and work experience, your strength will remain with you, and you can turn weakness into strengths by engaging in activities that will strengthen them. He cited as examples, shyness, etc.

Look and Listen

Kandzer advised his listeners to “look at what is happening around you; don’t enter a career which will become extinct in your own lifetime. Build a solid base by earning degrees in fields that will be around in the future. He suggested a good system might be using a career skill …

“Listen to senior citizens you know (those above age 30) and others who offer you advice, especially those you consider to be successful in life. But advice is cheap and plentiful, so learn to judge what advice is best for your goals. And make up your mind that once you begin working toward your goal, nothing will deter you from it.”

He urged the students to “prepare to be responsible citizens of the future.” Warning that the students come from a “spoiled generation which has had more money and freedoms than any other generation has ever had,” he said. “Those apron strings are about to be cut; you will be expected suddenly, to live, earn and behave as adults.”

Noting that it took parents of the students 18 to 25 years to reach the salary level where they are today, Dr. Kandzer said too many young adults expect to make a salary equal to that of their parent’s right from the start.

“That is a misconception; you need to prove yourself worthy. The best sign I ever saw was on a factory wall, It said: “our company has a fine incentive plan; those who work are invited to stay.” Employees still believe in the work ethic, although too many workers apparently do not.

Beware of Things

In addition the speaker warned the honor students that “too many young people today are crushed by the thing machine.

You can’t rush right out after you get your first job and buy a new car, new stereo, new boat, clothes, etc. You can’t forget that money also must go for food, rent, medical care, insurance, education, etc.”

He said the future of America is certain to be vastly different, noting that predictions are that in the near future, fewer than 19% of the population will reside in single-family dwellings, the majority will live in apartment complexes and condominiums.

Also in the future there will be fewer dollars available for recreation, and jobs will create personal stress above the level of today. So the only way to meet that stress will be to know where you are coming from, and where you are going to know your goals and that you are working toward them, he said.

“The challenge is to rise to the occasion and take advantage of all that lies ahead of you. It is alarming that so many drop out of high school before they finish and that up to 40% drop out of college before they earn their degree. This is because they have no goals or objectives to motivate them to study; or because they are offered too much freedom in the nonacademic programs offered by the college or they have to quit to work for money,” he said.

“In college you are your own boss; only you can learn and how to study is critical. Many find a course in college survival skills to be of value,” Dr. Kandzer suggested. He noted that the average person changes or upgrades his career three times in his lifetime.

“So in order to do that you must know yourself and your abilities, plan ahead and persevere and be prepared to make sacrifices to achieve your goals.

“Good Luck,” he concluded. The speaker was introduced by Rotarian, Bernard Wickstrom.

School Daze by Sharon Hasting, Zephyrhills News, March 13, 1980

Football season has long been over, but many students still have that “football craze.” This time it’s for Powder Puff football.

Petitions have gone around and around many students’ opinions.

Athlete Mickey Farrell feels such a game “is good for school morals and for the girls. Having the guys dress like cheerleaders is funny and entertaining.”

Lori Proctor: “If the guys can play football, why can’t the girls?”

School newspaper Editor Kevin Ziegler: “It’s a tradition. Being a cheerleader is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

“I think we should have it,” says Tammy Peyton, FBLA vice president. “It’s a lot of fun and a good way to raise money. It’s too bad that the administration doesn’t think so.”

“It’s about time that we concentrate less on what we can’t do and more on what we can do,” was the opinion of Raymond Lacour.

Guidance counselor Carolyn Moore coached Powder Puff for three years. “It should become an annual event,” she believes,

It should receive the same support and publicity from the students, faculty and public as any other sporting event. But unless its’ coached correctly and the competition is taken in fun, it becomes a fiasco.”

Sheri Swan feels “those who did not have a chance to play varsity sports should have a chance to participate in school sports.”

Whatever evolves out of this issue may not become effective this year. But it is hoped that Powder puff will be added to next year’s activities.

Twenty art class members will be traveling to Winter Park tomorrow (Friday) to attend the annual Winter Park art festival.

DCT had a morning breakfast at the Golden Triangle Restaurant this past Tuesday. Mrs. Cathy Micheau, guidance counselor, spoke to the club about body language. Following the discussion a club meeting was held.

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary visited ZHS Tuesday to do the final deciding on who will be this year’s Girl’s State delegate. Chosen as this year’s nominees were: Teresa Ashbaugh, Nancy Deboe, Diane Frost, Amy Kuusisto, and Joyce Stover. Chosen by the faculty, administration and American Legion to represent ZHS at next year’s Girls State was Nancy Deboe.