Oak Grove High School - Hornet Yearbook (North Little Rock, AR)

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FIGHTING Pom A cAusE Issues of Concern veryday after school at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. the news came on. Some news issues hit close to home. Hands Across America on May 25,1986, was a na- tionwide event that took place on a grand scale. Making a human chain across the country in order to raise funds for the world hunger crisis was one event students eagerly participated in in Arkan- sas. The chain went through Little Rock across the Main Street Bridge. My dad works for the Coca-Cola Company and he was in charge of a whole block. I participated in it not only for him but for myselfbecause I felt like it was a good cause. I met several people who were concerned about the hun- ger situation and felt this was the best way they could express their con- cern, said Eric Tolbert. Other students also par- ticipated in the fund rais- er. Hands Across Amer- ica really hit home with me because there are hungry people right here in Arkan- sas, too, said Holly John- ston. Even closer to home was the consolidation issue. After four years of gruel- ing court battles between the Little Rock and Pulas- ki County School Dis- tricts, Judge Hem'y Woods demanded reforms made which would result in bus- ing as far as twenty miles. At a meeting held in the school auditorium on Feb- ruary 2, 1987, potential busing assignments were made for both grade school and secondary schools. Mr. Charles Stratton, President of the Pulaski County School Board, and Bobby Lester, Superinten- dent of the PCSSD along with other board members presented the maps for fu- ture plans. With the ex- ception of the Crystal Hill area, the majority of junior and senior high students would continue school at Oak Grove. On the other hand, grade school stu- dents in the Maumelle and Oak Grove communities did not fare so well. While some students were al- lowed to stay at their pres- ent school, others were go- ing to be bused to schools across the city. Upset parents, students, and teachers attended the meeting to ask questions as well as let off a little steam. I would hate to be in the school board's po- sition because of all the parents' gripes and com- plaints, said Tracy Green. Involvement by the students, faculty, and community in the issue created a feeling of uni- ty. Some vowed to the of- ficials that they were not going to let it pass with- out a fight. But board members exhausted ev- ery means of alternative in a vain attempt to avoid the busing problems. I feel like my dad CCharles Strattonj tried his best to suit everyone but that's impossible. So did the other board mem- bers. They all worked hard, said Shawna Stratton. Many issues of impor- tance pervaded the news telecasts each night. But perhaps none affected the students more di- rectly than consolida- tion and Hands Across America. Issues that would affect their lives were cause for active in- volvement to insure a better future. 1 1. Current Events A

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Shirts displaying a hammer and sickle were worn by a few students and parents to show their disapproval of the student assign- ment plan. .lim Hansard wears his sweatshirt to the public meeting deal- ing with the issue held in the school au- ditorium. 7 f ffl-7, ffiiifg f 7 ,,,, A V Participating in Hands Across America was an honor for many students. Cathy Cook admires Eric Tolbert's shirt that he received for his partici- pation. Huge maps set up on the stage in the auditorium were on display for the pub- lic to see. They represented poten- tial busing plans. Student Life L

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40 aww XVAN Clubs are an exphclt way for the students to show thexr Interest m todays worldly trades 9 Clubs