THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, March 12, 1995                 TAG: 9503110123
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON    PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY TONYA WOODS, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Medium:   53 lines

OFFICIALS HELP OCEAN LAKES HIGH CELEBRATE ITS DEDICATION WEEK THE CEREMONY PUT AN UPBEAT CAP ON A YEAR THAT BEGAN WITH CONTROVERSY FOR THE NEW SCHOOL.

The first time Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf walked into Ocean Lakes High School, she said, it reminded her of Nauticus, the maritime museum whose modernistic gray hulk dominates the Norfolk waterfront.

``This is a magnificent edifice that holds wonderful opportunities,'' she said.

Oberndorf joined other city and state dignitaries and nearly 1,500 Ocean Lakes students, staff members and parents Tuesday to celebrate the school's Dedication Week. Ocean Lakes opened in September.

Keynote speaker William C. Bosher Jr., state schools superintendent, aimed his remarks at the students.

``I visit so many different education facilities, but I rarely get a chance to meet the students,'' he said. ``You all are very special because you're a crucial part of this event.''

The ceremony put an upbeat cap on a whirlwind first year for the school, which opened its doors under clouds of controversy. Students and parents at the city's older schools criticized the cost of the 304,000-square-foot building, nearly $28 million, including a $42,000 electronic flagpole they said was extravagant.

Students said they are proud of their high-tech school.

From a specialized greenhouse to ``The Firm,'' a computer program that allows students to run a mock business whose clients are teachers, Ocean Lakes is striving to live up to the slogan: ``Catch us if you can.''

``Here at Ocean Lakes, we have it all,'' said Student Council President Theresa Cazares, a senior.

On behalf of the student body, Cazares and Carolyn Thompson, the school's 1995 Teacher of the Year, presented Principal Jerry F. Deviney a check for $2,500 to be used to buy a sculpture of a dolphin, the school mascot.

Laura Despiegler, a junior, said she feels confident that she will be ready to pursue a career in engineering when she leaves Ocean Lakes.

`We have so much technology here,'' she said. ``We have computers for each person and we do hands-on activities in our engineering classes.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS

School Board Chairwoman June Turner Kernutt presents the ``key'' to

Ocean Lakes High to Beach Schools Superintendent Sidney L. Faucette,

right. Daniel Keever, center, was the master of ceremonies for the

school's dedication on Tuesday.

by CNB