Whitehall High School - Whitehall Yearbook (Whitehall, PA)

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While most law abiding citizens were busy with their Thanksgiving turkey over the holiday, a few unscrupulous characters were occupied at the high school. The vault in the main office was the target of the activities of these would-be burglars. They apparently entered the building by breaking a storeroom window. Then they proceeded to the main office where they broke another window to gain entry. Using axes from the buses parked in the garage area, they hacked an eight by 15 inch hole in the wall of the vault. Tony Fassman, head custodian, was the first to discover the attempt while making rout ine check of the building. “I was shocked,” he said, “and very disappointed to see the damage they caused.” Arriving just after Mr. Fassman was Thomas Sodl, director of transportation. “The police told me the burglars had used red axes with points,” explained Mr. Sodl, “and figured they were taken from fire trucks. I replied, ‘Heck, no. Those look like axes out of our buses.” Police on the scene were able to deduce much about the crime. Police chief Victor Talotta thought the job was obviously unprofessional since the burglars appeared unprepared by the crude method in which they committed the crime Also, they were probably unfamiliar with the layout of the school as indicated by the way they traveled from point of entry to the office. Detective Michael Holubowsky conducted the invest igation of the case. “If the alarm system had functioned properly,” theorized Detective Holubowsky, we could have apprehended the thieves immediately. They were definitely after the gate receipts from the football game.” He added that he connected this offense with drug abusers. “As a result of the burglary,” stated principal Clayton Northup, “we are planning adjustments in our security operations. It was a real disappointment that the burglary even occurred and the security precautions planned and practiced apparently failed to function in the time of need.” This attempt was reminiscent of a successful break-in three years ago. In that one, 21 typewriters were stolen. Six months later, the case was solved when the thieves were apprehended and the typewriters returned. However in this crime, the end of the school term saw no justice being done. Dr. George Steckel, superintendent of the Whitehall-Coplay School District, was the first administrator on the scene. “It is most unfortunate that something like this happened,” he said. “Plans are being formulated which we hope will prevent a burglary of this type in the future.” burglary 22

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LOCAL DISASTERS PRISONERS OF WAR To the person who is eager to digest the news, a real feast was set out. The presidential elections resulted in a landslide victory for Richard Nixon but the events leading up to the vote proved to be much more interesting. Longshot George McGovern won the Democratic nomination and then picked — and subsequently dumped — Thomas Eagleton for vice president. After Nixon was re-elected he finally ended our involvement in Vietnam. Henry Kissinger played a major role in negotiations which also brought home our POWs. Everything was not rosy for the president however. Watergate proved to be the biggest political scandal since the Teapot Dome. The tangled web of corruption seemed to pervade every facet of the Nixon administration, but was the President guilty? Wounded Knee suffered a relapse when militant Indians captured the South Dakota town. The plight of the Indian turned up at a very unexpected place, the Oscar awards ceremony. The man voted best actor refused to show and sent an Indian there in his place, who spoke of Hollywood’s treatment of the Indian. That best actor was Marlin Brando who won for the “Godfather.” This film grossed over 43 million dollars, an all time record. The last of the Apollo missions blasted off and the Skylab mission began. The might of the consumer was shown when housewives had their beef about rising meat prices but the complaints were largely unheard. In the world of sports, there were several notable achievements. Gordon Johncock won the misfortune plagued Indianapolis 500. The Miami Dolphins did what most thought impossible by winning all 17 games and the Super Bowl. The first triple crown winner in 25 years was super horse Secretariat. The tragic killings at the Olympic still did not blot out the brighter moments. Mark Spitz won seven gold medals and broke seven records along with it. The tragedies of the Olympics were pale in comparison with ravaging floods of tropical storm Agnes. It ripped throughout the eastern seaboard necessitating massive cleanup efforts. 21 news

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Bus driver Robert Buchman demonstrates the ease of breaking into an unlocked bus. Left: Trooper Eduard Kochenash points to area where burglars attempted to enter the vault to Rodney Altorfer, Owl reporter, and Mrs. Catherine Malast, secretary. burglary