RIHS Watchtower 1997

224 Pages·1997·222.1 MB·English

by  Rock Island Public High School, Rock Island, Illinois

Recording one revolution of. ..
world of our own
S udent Life
1-22
Sp rts
23-62
Organizations
63- 108
Academics
109- 126
People
127- 184
Closing
185- 200

In A World Of Our Own
WATCHTOWER
Rock Island High School
1400 25th Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
[phone]
FAX [phone]
Surrounded by trees and open playing fields, Rock Island High School gives students more than
academics or sports. Rocky represents the entire world, making it a world of our own.
Walking down the hallways, the artwork on the
walls gives Rocky more personality. The
grinning globe on third floor brings a smile to
everyone's face.
Rocky is the only place on earth where teachers are
crazy enough to pose with dead bats. Math teacher,
Mr. Wood brought out his friend, Albert for the
occasion. Global Biology teacher, Mrs. Moline shows
off her "dead friend", and English teacher, Mr. Milton
flaunts his new Elizabethan hair style.
Jr. ROTC, a program unique to Rocky, gives Brian
Lamb, Henry Davis, Samantha Thompson, Jonathan
Douglas, Elkie Ramser, Brad Whitcomb, and Jonathan
Mueller an opportunity to learn something about
pride and self-esteem through their actions.
This year football games got a pep band too! The
trombone section waves a big hand at the crowd and
makes the game a little more upbeat.
2 Student Life
Rockman returned this year and made parades,
games, assemblies, and other school events
more uniquely "Rocky."
Student school board members, Tammy Ve
Our school is amoung the few in the Quad Cities area that offers Japanese in their foreign
sey, Carrie Blanchard, and Brooke Jackson help
language program. Sensei Shimizu and her Japanese IV class experience the difficulty of
make Rocky students part of the administrative
chopsticks.
decisions.
Unique staff, students and classes make ...
cky a world of its own
To the people at Rocky, our school repre ing from individuals who also received a
"Rock" solid education makes our high school
sents a microcosm for the real world. It
shows glimpses of what the entire world experience more unique. There are 35 to 40
staff members who are Rocky alumni. By
experiences, but certain characteristics make
working with lots of people who graduated
this place unique. No one else in the real
world has Rocky's classes, teachers, or stu- from Rocky we are creating a tradition that
will last generations.
dents.
Without a doubt the most unique aspects
For the first time ever, Rocky offered Jr.
ROTC as an alternative to gym this year. The at Rocky are the people. The students, the
class teaches aerospace and military training. ones getting their educations, the ones who
160 students chose to commit themselves to drag themselves out of bed to make the 8 a.m.
the new class, not to mention wearing their bell, are the teenagers who make a difference.
Students can become involved with jobs, ath
official ROTC uniforms to school every Tues
day. Rocky is also one of the few high schools letics, clubs, drama, and organizations. Rocky
in the Quad Cities area that offers a Japanese students show the integrity and ability to
juggle many activities, still shine academi
language program. Learning Japanese al
lows the students to try something new or cally and give their school character.
We're the only school locally with a 3:13
study a culture and language that is not well
p.m. dismissal. For seven hours and thirteen
known in our country.
The staff at Rocky also gives this school minutes, the students and the teachers inter
act in a small community that transcends the
character. Where else could a man in a wig or
a woman with a dead bat teach eager stu educational sense. Rock Island High School
dents about a wide range of subjects? Learn- is a world of its own!
Student Life 3
Here Mr. Miller smiles for the camera, showing his
school spirit by dressing for Wednesday's "Farmer
Dressing up and lunch activities make up ... Day."
week of fun and games
Thanks to the Student Senate, this year's Thursday afternoon, the junior and senior
Spirit Week was a great success! girls participated in the annual tug-of-war
Each day the students dressed up and and shaving cream fight. The seniors won
participated in lunchtime activities. Monday without a struggle, and most of the juniors
was Slob /Plaid Boxer Day and egg races. ran inside for cover. Later that evening was
Tuesday the students dressed their best for the annual football team bonfire and pep
GQ Day and participated in a mummy wrap rally. Many students and faculty joined the
ping contest. Wednesday was Farmer Day, team and helped support our Rocks towards
and some students got a little wet during a victory in Friday night's game.
water balloon tossing. Thursday was Class Throughout the week the students built
Color Day with seniors in black, juniors in their respective class floats. Each class came
blue, sophomores in purple, and freshmen in up with their versions of the theme, "The
orange. During lunch many students partici Streak Stops Here." Students had a great
pated in the famous pyramid building con time building their floats; creating memories
test. The winners from each lunch were then that will always be remembered. The floats
asked to compete in the assembly. On Friday were displayed in Friday's parade for all to
the students wore Red and Gold to display enjoy.
their school spirit. "Hoopy" was the lunch Friday summed up an exciting week of fun
activity for the day, with students squeezing and games. Spirit Week was definitely a great
into large hoola hoops and racing around the success, and many of the students are looking
courtyard. forward to next year's activities!
Once again the senior girls managed to tug their way
to yet another win over the junior girls during the
annual tug-o-war.
The winners of this year's pyramid building contest:
Luke Wilson, Nick Nourse, Robby Myers, Matt
Quinones, Randy Lyon, and Chris Saunders.
4 Student Life
Many students take part in the special GQ Day as
they enjoy dressing in their finery a a change of pace.
Jamie Winter, }ami Congdon, Meghan Spero, Tanja
Gunther, and Jesi Dierickx squeeze their way to a
victory in hoopy.
Here Seniors Erica Muller and Ashley Voss kiss their
"creation" after constructing the Roadrunner head for
the Senior float.
Senior football player Ryan Gordon helps light the
annual bonfire on Thursday night.
Student Life 5
The cheerleaders get into the Homecoming groove
with their '96 Homecoming routine.
One of the favorite homecoming presentations always
includes the drummers. Senior Nick Nourse shows
his skills as the group ends their routine.
As court members Marissa Cantu and David Hass are
introduced they give the large crowd in the
fieldhouse big smiles.
The 1996 Homecoming Court included, front row: Lamonte Nimmers, Nikki Garcia, Ashley Voss, T.J. The Homecoming Court members were introduced
Erica Muller, Shareese Banks, Renita Hunter, Amy Jacobs, Luke Howell, Ryan Styre, and Mason one more during the halftime of the football game
Hammond, Christa Prather, Caroline Walker, Earnest Budelier. Friday night. Mason Budelier and Erica Muller
Bea, Todd Foulks, Justin Carter, Ronel Muskeyvalley, Christa Prather cannot help but show some emotion showed their pride in being a special part of the
David Hass, Jacob Carroll. Back row: Marissa Cantu, as she holds back the tears while the princess' crown activities.
6 Student Life is placed on her head.