Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 31, 1990 TAG: 9006010609
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRISTINA A. SAMUELS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"A lot of students have known each other since junior high," said Larry Brown. "People are very close."
The students can greet each other by name in this 366-member class because they've had many opportunities over the years to come together.
This was the first class to enter Fleming under Principal Alyce Szathmary.
Also, last year the whole school was brought together when Fleming became one of 218 schools in the country to win a National Excellence in Education award.
The class has had senior get-togethers and breakfasts, and Brown is already planning his ownpost-graduation block party.
The students are also united in their love for Fleming and their admiration for Szathmary.
"She's really pro-student," said Andrea Brown, speaking of Szathmary. Andrea Brown said she has gone to see Szathmary on several different occasions about problems and always found her receptive.
Carla James, vice president of the Fleming Student Government Association, agreed. "I think William Fleming has undergone some excellent changes and we can attribute those changes to our principal and our senior class."
The praise for Fleming was just as profuse. The seniors credited the magnet schools for the performing arts and for technology with having excellent classes. "High school is what you make of it, and all that William Fleming asks of you is that you be the best that you can be," said Andrea Brown.
"the teachers are more than teachers, they're friends," said Eric Anderson, treasurer of the Student Government Association.
And, said Chris Azar, who plans to go to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to study physics and engineering, "You can really get a broad education at William Fleming."
Ann Parker, valedictorian, said her experiences at Fleming "have really prepared me for life."
Not many of the seniors, however, are planning to stay in Roanoke. Parker will be attending Roanoke College and plans to become a teacher, but others don't see many opportunities in the Roanoke Valley.
Azar said his classmates are going to college or the military; relatively few are immediately entering the job market.
"If they consolidate I might come back," said Terri Smith, SGA president. Consolidation would mean more jobs, Smith said. She is going to attend Emory and Henry College and probably major in accounting.
by CNB