FYI:
For Your Information

by Lynn Radnedge

Eighteen-year-old Liane Pearce and Tony Morgan, 21, a recently returned missionary, have joined the brigade of traffic wardens, or “yellow peril” (referring to the stripes on their uniforms) as they are more commonly called, assigned to traffic control on London’s busy streets.

It’s hard work—long hours trudging the streets in all kinds of weather—and they are the targets for abuse, both verbal and physical, from angry motorists. But they both say they love their unusual job.

Because they are the only members of the Church in their brigade, they have plenty of opportunities for missionary work. As far as rough language of fellow workers is concerned, Liane says, “Tony and I turn a deaf ear. People know we are members of the Church and, strangely enough, seem to be respectful to us.

“People imagine all we do is hand out parking tickets,” she continues, “but that’s only a small part of it. We consider we are doing a public service by directing the traffic, keeping the roads clear for other motorists, and working school crossing patrols.”

The U. S. Air Force Academy has announced a new policy which will allow LDS cadets to leave the academy for up to 18 months to serve full-time missions. Previously, a cadet who wanted to serve had to resign his appointment to the academy and then reapply for nomination following his mission (New Era, June 1982, p. 22).

Now, however, the academy has expanded its one-year “Stop-Out Program,” which allows cadets in good standing to take time away from the campus for worthwhile purposes. The program will include six-month and eighteen-month periods in addition to the traditional one-year period.

In a memo dated June 10, 1983, Major General Robert E. Kelley, then superintendent of the academy, said, “These new periods would allow special categories such as cadets competing at Olympic or international levels or church mission groups, such as the Mormons, to leave without resigning. It is in our best interest to encourage the high caliber of cadets who participate in these activities to return and graduate.”

Rene Sue Davison of Cave Junction, Oregon, was named winner of the annual Bausch and Lomb Science Award at her high school. The award is given to the senior student who has attained the highest scholastic standing in science and mathematic subjects.

Rene also played varsity basketball, was Ski Club president, and was president of her Laurel class. She also does volunteer work caring for animals of Woodland Wildlife Park. She attends the Cave Junction Ward, Grants Pass Oregon Stake.

Shawna Lee Taliaferro from San Bernardino, California, was awarded the John Philip Sousa band award for her achievement and interest in instrumental music. Shawna has been playing her trumpet for five years in the marching band, jazz band, the concert band, and in a Dixieland band.

She is a member of the San Bernardino Fourth Ward, San Bernardino California Stake.

Matt Haire makes music wherever he goes. He is an excellent flutist and was selected as first flute in the state of Alabama high school competitions. He went on to take his seat as first flute in the High School Flute Choir performing at the National Flute Association Convention in Philadelphia. His score was the highest of the auditions submitted, 99 out of a possible 100.

Matt has served as Primary pianist and pianist for priesthood meetings in the Auburn Ward, Montgomery Alabama Stake.

Susan Rowell, 15, recently represented her Nevada Union High School as a clarinetist in the honor band made up of students from eight area high schools. A multi-faceted musician, Susan also plays the violin, flute, and piano; and she likes to sing.

Susan also was one of two participants receiving a superior rating in piano in the Certificate of Merit adjudication at Sacramento State University. This is significant since she has only had one year of piano lessons.

Susan is a Mia Maid in the Grass Valley Second Ward, Auburn California Stake.

David Miles and Kim Van de Wetering, both members of the Santa Rosa California Stake, were honored as the outstanding senior boy and girl athletes of the year at Montgomery High School. They were two of seven LDS seniors in their graduating class.

David achieved distinction in football as a quarterback, wide receiver, and safety. In addition, he placed first in the discus.

Kim excelled in both volleyball and basketball. She was awarded all league recognition in both sports.

Both David and Kim were selected by the high school faculty and received unanimous votes on their selection from the senior class.

A little bit of Broadway came to California as the Simi Valley California Stake staged a production entitled, “Let Me Be on Broadway.” The show was a selection of numbers from half a dozen Broadway musicals. With 200 in the cast and 700 people involved, interest in the Church was sparked everywhere. The production was extended to nine performances and played to approximately 4,000 with rave reviews from drama and music critics in the local media.

Ten-year-old Laura Baker, who starred as “Annie,” already had experience with the part. She is fresh off the New York Broadway stage as the understudy to Annie and as a regular as one of the orphans. Her father, bishop of one of the wards and a local physician, played the part of “Rooster.”

Other leads were superb. Scott Roper was mesmerizing in Music Man and took a turn as “Che” in Evita. His brother Matt, 16, had a voice that silenced the crowd as he did a number from Westside Story. Children such as David Jacob as “Dodger” in Oliver soared in their confidence as did Paul Ritchie as “Oliver.” Richard Thomas as “Curley” was popular in Oklahoma, and Barbara Luke, who toured Europe in musical productions, was extremely versatile.

Only Simi Valley residents, both Church members and nonmembers, were allowed to participate in the show. Entire families were involved, and talent permeated each scene. In fact, Mayor Gallegly struggled with words when asked to describe the production, “I’m not much for musicals, but the show was just … just, well, it sweeps you away.”

Simi Valley Stake’s “Let Me Be on Broadway” was a success behind the scenes in the spirit of cooperation and oneness that prevailed, on the stage in professional quality talent, and in the community as the Church’s pursuit of excellence became recognized.

Shauna Bart of Logan, Utah, loves to dance. She is so good that she received a “Special Distinguished Dancer” award in a Miss Utah Drill Team competition. But the thing that makes Shauna different is the fact that she is deaf.

Shauna loves to listen to music, although she only hears and feels the beat. She started taking dancing lessons as a child and enjoys dancing with a group so she doesn’t get ahead or behind the music.

During the last couple of years she has been working on developing her sign language skills since she already is an accomplished lip reader. She finds signing a tremendous help in communicating with her deaf friends, and it also provides her with a way to fully understand meetings and programs at church and at school. After the first sacrament meeting she attended with an interpreter, she said, “I didn’t realize sacrament meeting was so neat.”

Shauna has a strong testimony and has been an active member of the Logan 21st Ward, Logan Utah Cache Stake. She has taken part in meetings and programs, given talks, been in road shows, and participated at girls’ camp and at youth conferences.

Shauna’s goal is to attend college and major in special education. She hopes to work with deaf children someday.

Superior Branch of the Missoula Montana Stake put on its very first road show. With only five active members in the Mutual, the youth recruited members of the branch presidency and a couple of Primary children to participate with them. With the help and confidence building of their leaders, they wrote their own script, made their costumes, and found help with providing live music. Those participating were Vince Price; Shaleen, Lane, and Deana Morgan; Rick, Buffy, and Grant Seemann.

Juliet Taylor from Naperville, Illinois, had her own set of priorities, and no teacher or coach was going to persuade her to do less.

Juliet led her high school basketball team to the state finals. Her coach wanted her to devote more time to basketball, but Juliet wouldn’t agree to give up music, early-morning seminary, or spending time with her family.

Juliet has won many piano competitions and serves as accompanist to her mother’s French horn students, often writing original accompaniments. When her music teacher wanted her to avoid the risk of hurting her fingers by giving up athletics, Juliet declined.

Early-morning seminary was a priority, as well as academic excellence. For Juliet they were all important, and she has succeeded in each, receiving recognition for her musical ability and a college scholarship for basketball.

A new Camp Manual and Young Women Campcrafter Certification Manual are now available from Church distribution centers.

The Camp Manual (PBAC0103, $1. 10) contains basic camp information which may be used as a general resource by families, wards, stakes, or youth groups.

The Young Women Campcrafter Certification Manual (PBAC0227; $.75) is designed for the individual girl to use in the Campcrafter Certification program.

Both manuals may be ordered from the Salt Lake Distribution Center, 1999 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104.

Leah Boni, Monongahela Ward, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Stake, was selected as the Most Outstanding Freshman Girl in her high school. The award is presented to the student with the highest scholastic achievement and is selected by the faculty.

Leah, one of two LDS students at the school, is a member of the band and is a cheerleader on the junior varsity squad.

The Laurels of the West Weber First Ward, Ogden Utah Weber North Stake, were pleased to discover that they all, including their leader, received their Young Womanhood awards at the same time.

During the year, the girls learned to make quilts and gave four quilts to the bishop to distribute to members of the ward. They organized an adopt-a-grandmother program where the girls chose an elderly lady to visit, care about, and bake goodies for. The girls have learned skills, shared talents and hobbies, and learned more about life.

Two youth from Louisiana had a great year. Jay Huckaby and Denise Poole, both from the Winnfield Branch of the Monroe District, Jackson Mississippi Mission, were straight-A students in school.

Denise served as student-body president. She was active in several clubs, played on the women’s basketball team in the state play-offs, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She served as president of the Laurel class and as the organist and pianist for her branch.

Jay was valedictorian of his class. He was selected as outstanding vocational agriculture student as well as outstanding mathematics and social studies student. He served as vice-president of the student council. He played varsity football and was named to the state all-star team. He served as the deacons and teachers quorum presidents and is assistant to the priests quorum president.