Columbus High School - Discoverer Yearbook (Columbus, NE)

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The 1980 presidential election campaign started long before election day. At first there were many can- didates. Some of the Democrats were Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, and Jerry Brown. From the opposing party, Republicans George Bush, Philip Crane, Howard Baker, Robert Dole, Ronald Reagan, John Anderson, and John Connally stepped forward. As the campaign progressed, few stayed in the race. Anderson switched over to the Independent party and Bush gave up the bid for the presidency to become Reagan's running mate. Jimmy Carter, the incumbent President, and Ronald Reagan, the Republican candidate, took part in a debate one week before election day. The debate was shown on nationwide television. The candidates each were given a chance to answer the same questions in a limited amount of time. Later, they were allowed to give a rebuttal to the answers of their opponent. The questions were asked by a few appointed reporters. The main topics debated were the econ- omy and what the candidates would do on certain war and peace issues. After the debate, ABC News independently took a telephone survey. This was the first time ever that such a survey had been taken. ABC gave a number to which one could call to say who he thought had won the debate. The results of this poll showed that Ronald Reagan had won the debate. The phones were busy hours after the debate had ended and many people did not have a chance to voice their opinion. This was not a scientific survey, since callers were charged fifty cents for the phone call, and only those who could afford it could call in. Until election day there was no cut and dried winner. It appeared that the election could go either way. Slowly the votes came in and by evening, news stations were projecting Ronald Reagan as the winner. Many voters were upset, since those living on the west coast who had not voted yet were getting reports on television that Ronald Reagan had won. Some didn't even bother to vote, thinking, Why should I bother? I already know who won. Ronald Reagan was elected the fortieth President of the United States of America. Reagan felt that this election victory would be the start of a 'crusade to rebuild a strong America, a New Beginning.' TOP: Former President Jimmy Carter walks to the helicopter at Plains, Ga., on his way to Wiesbaden, West Germany, to meet the hostages released by Iran. The Iran crisis was top priority for Carter during his last days in office. LEFT: President Ronald Reagan tries out his new desk in the Oval Office of the White House. Summer, Election 11

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Summer! To CHS students, this word means not only three months' relief from school's unending activities, but the promise of fun and excitement as well. Many head for either the Loup River or Lake North to catch the rays, swim, or just sit and talk. Frisbees provide hours of fun and also the chance to show off all the stunts that are impressive enough. Sports provide summertime activi- ty for many students. These include organized baseball and softball, which involve regularly scheduled league games, or, on the other hand, a bit of tennis or a few rounds of golf with a friend. For CHS Band members, the summer of 1980 was a very special one. It started towards the end of school with rigorous morning-long marching practices. Then, on the night of June 9th, the band left CHS for Omaha to catch the 3:05 a.m. Amtrack train for Portland, Oregon. The train ride was an experience not to be forgotten, with many a blackjack game and numerous good-natured pranks filling up the long hours. While in Portland, the group experienced a genuine volcanic ash shower when Mount St. Helens erupted. Many band members arrived home with a sack of ash as their most prized souvenir. Although the band did not place in the Rose Festival field marching competition or the parade, it was agreed that its perfor- mance was excellent and that every member had done his best. After the performances were done, the group relaxed with a trip to Seaside, Oregon and its Pacific beach. They arrived home, tired and happy, complete with a police escort, to a cheering crowd of parents and friends early on the morning of June 17th. Other school-related summer ac- tivities that proved enjoyable to CHS students included Nebraska Council of Youth meetings, Student Council and journalism workshops, and music camps, such as the one sponsored yearly by Wayne State College. TOP: The 1980 Nebraska Association of Student Councils' summer workshop was enhanced by the presence of (front row, left to right) Mark Wagner, Diane Wunderlich, Scott Goering, Karin Bennett, (back row) Nancy Bloebaum, Ann Powley, and Diane Staroscik. ABOVE: The CHS band enjoyed their visit to this Pacific Ocean beach at Seaside, Oregon. RIGHT: Karin Bennett and Nancy Bloebaum do some splashing around at Lake North. 10 Student Life mm

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The 1980-81 school year brought many off-the-wall convocations and pep rallies to CHS. This year's school gatherings had differences that made them a bit more diverse than in years past. The pep club and student council got together and thought up ideas that would include people from all activi- ties, as well as those not involved in anything extracurricular. Stu-Co put on the first convoca- tion of the year. This convocation got the year going with a skit about Stu-Co's future plans. Some members of the club put on sheets to promote the Toga Dance, while another did a somersault on stage to promote Stu-Co's button sales. One ran out in a Lakeview jacket hugging a green bag dressed in a Scotus jacket, with another member holding a sign saying, Hug A Bagger. These plus other wild and crazy things went on during the convocation. An example of teamwork was shown in the Cong Show convocation. Members of the football team, pep club, Stu-Co and faculty helped to put on this project. Football team members put on cheerleading uniforms while the cheerleaders portrayed the singing group The Chipmunks . All of these performances were gonged by the faculty. Finally, Scott Goering and Chris Gellerman came out as the Blues Brothers. This duo did an outstanding job and received the grand prize. These were just two of the convocations that went on during the 1980-81 school year. Others like them were well received by members of the CHS student body throughout the year. TOP: Todd Robinson makes sure everything is going O.K. as he refs the arm wrestling finals between Gerry Poison and Sonya Mueller during a convocation. Gerry eventually won the match. 12 Student Life ABOVE: Sue Van Dyke presents the wrestling team with a victory cake for their successful season. Rick Podraza, Bob Wilhelms, Kelly Person, and Tom Woodward look on as Leroy Kreuger receives the cake.