Woodrow Wilson High School Alumni "Class of 1997 Memories"

The pictures are as represented in the Woodrow Wilson High School, Portsmouth, Virginia yearbook or annual of the year indicated on the page. The Memory pictures may not be complete and pictures and names may have been removed by request of the person involved. Also, it does not offically indicate the year of graduation and/or that the party in question graduated. This section of the website is dedicated to the memories of all alumni and are found in personal items that alumni have saved and were kind enough to allow it to be shared with others. Thank You. If you are not represented in your class, or have other pictures for the memories section you may submit a photo to be added. John “Eddie” Lee ’68.

Coach Joe Ladisic returned for the 1996-97 school year after making a

miraculous recovery from colon cancer. His return brought a smile to the faces of students and faculty. Coach Ladisic is well loved by all. He teaches biology, coaches varsity baseball and was the former coach of the varsity football team. Ladisic hopes that his story will inspire students to persevere through school and other challenges. His battle lasted 8 months beginning in January ‘96 when the cancer took a turn for the worse. The cancer began to spread to his lymph nodes; leading him through months of ongoing chemotherapy. Medical tests before the school year of 1996-97 didn’t reveal any cancer infected cells. Ladisic has recently regained the 40 pounds he lost and likes to point out that he still has his hair. News of the diagnosis led Wilson students and other community members to sponsor events to raise money for his medical bills. Students began visiting him so frequently in the hospital, that our former principal asked them to cease, so he could have peace and quiet. Coach Ladisic kicked off his first day back by telling his students his own biological nightmare. Wilson was excited knowing that Ladisic was back and well! Everyone hopes he will remain healthy for many years to come. COACH LADISIC, WE LOVE YOU AND

WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE BACH!

Reaching For The Stars

The Wilson Presidents have strived hard this year to succeed in all of its endeavors. We have “reached for the stars”, believing nothing to achieve. Through hard work, all sections of the school population has excelled. For the third year in a row, Wilson was recognized by the Portsmouth School Board as an outstanding, role model school.

Wilson’s faculty and staff, as always, encouraged its students to achieve and maintain a 2.0 grade average so that they could participate in sports and extracurricular activities. The school board has mandated that a 2.0 grade average must be maintained by all stu-dents if they wish to be involved in after school functions.

The Wilson Presidents experienced a new type of scheduling this year, known as block scheduling. This system gives students a chance to take eight classes a year, four per semester. Each class meets daily for ninety minutes. Students can “reach for the stars” by being exposed to more classes. As a result, requirements for graduation have changed from 22 credits for a reqular diploma and 24 credits for an advanced studies diploma. New students are encouraged to take more vocational courses along with higher academic classes.

Another new opportunity offered here at Wilson this year is the Excel credits and a diploma. Classes are held in the evenings from 3-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The principal of the Excel Campus is Ms. Briley, a former assistant principal at Wilson. There is no age limit to join Excel, but you must be over 17 years old.

Under the leadership of Mrs. Gail Silvasi, the Magnet Program is flourishing, It is a four year program for students interested in careers that may be of a global nature. Students in this enroll in honors courses, successfully complete magnet courses, and be willing to use current technology. This year the magnet program has taken trips to Washington, D.C. and New York. The program is currently researching grants that will pay for Wilson students to travel overseas and become exchange students. What a wonderful opportunity!

The 1996-1997 school year was a productive and successful year. The Wilson Presidents will continue to “reach for the stars”, leading them well into the 21st century.