Flowing auburn hair, flashing hazel eyes, and 5'4" of pep is the description of Barb Matula, '66, this year's feature twirler in the Maine West Twirling Corps. Barb especially likes people who are friendly and easy to get along with. One of her pet peeves is people who "walk down the hall like they have all the time in the world when I'm rushing to see Bud."

This vivacious twirler feels that school spirit "could be better" but that the "kids at Maine West are great." Besides being the feature twirler in the Twirling Corps, this active leader participates in Senior Leaders, V‑Show, and Pegasus Club.

This lively personality shouts her favorite expression, "Hay de mi' (Spanish) while she eats her favorite Italian foods.

The greatest thrill for her was when she heard her name announced for the first time at a football game as the feature twirler for Maine West. Marching in the parade at the band festival in South Milwaukee counts highest as the most interesting moment in Barb's life.

This baton enthusiast feels that in order to be a twirler one should have "coordination and personality" and that being a twirler helps one gain "poise, self‑confidence, and the ability to perform with ease in front of great crowds of people." Her advice to all girls is "to try out for the Twirling Corps only if you are interested, prepared for hard work, and want to have a lot of fun."

When asked about her future, Maine West's spirited batonist became serious as she replied, "I dislike the worry of getting up in the morning and reading in the papers about how the wars in Viet Nam are getting worse instead of better, and this scares me because it could ruin everyone's future." As for her own immediate future, "I want to work for the airlines, either on the ground as a reservation agent or in the air as a stewardess."

One thing that this remarkable senior has observed as a twirler is that "There's a lot more close cooperation between students and teachers. I have also learned that the good things in life aren't free. You have to work for them!"

"Make the most of high school years, because when you're a senior you look back on them and wish they weren't over. Now as a senior you face college and the making of all new friends." These words are the advice from Drum Major, Mike Gordon, a senior at Maine West.

The word MUSIC best suits Mike. Leading the band, wearing a tall white hat, and blowing the whistle that snaps the band into action is Mike's greatest honor at Maine West.

This fall Mike tried out for Drum Major along with five other contestants from the Concert Band. Mike now holds the honor of being student director. Mike is also a member of the 1965‑1966 Maine West Show Band. He plays trombone and the organ and composes songs on the piano during interviews!

This is Mike's first year at Maine West. He moved to Des Plaines this June from Oklahoma.

Mike's ears redden and his temper rises to a sizzle, girls, when stood up on a date or called Flash. Mike seems to be teased about the names Mickey Mouse and Flash Gordon.

Illinois has already been the setting for Mike's most embarassing and funny incident. A couple of weeks ago, Mike was out on Channel Lake in a cabin cruiser. When it ran out of gas, Mike had to paddle to shore. During one of his fancy tricks off Rand Park's high board, Mike seemed to have some trouble keeping his swim trunks on.

When asked what he likes most about Maine West, Mike replied that he thinks that the Music department is the GREATEST. Harmony and music theory is a chance to prepare for college. "I think in college this course will benefit me greatly." Mike has been offered a music scholarship at a college in Oklahoma, but his tentative plans are to attend Eastmond in New. York.