Williamsport High School - Guneukitschik Yearbook (Williamsport, MD)

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C'jive me four tired, four poor, yOUr k uddled masses fearning to hrea the free, I Jhe wretched refuie of four teeming ihore. diend these, the h ometeSS, tempest-tost to me, 3 k ft mg tump he side the go fden door! The New Colossus — Emma Lazarus These words are inscribed on a bronze plaque inside Liberty's Pedestal. This year, 1986, marks one hundred years that Liberty has welcomed immigrants coming to America to seek a new life. The Statue of Liberty has stood in New York Harbor pointing the way to the promised land of America for untold thousands yearning to breathe free. The Statue of Liberty, formally called Liberty Enlightening the World, was a gift from France to the United States, symbolizing friendship, unity, justice, and above all, liberty. It was designed by Frenchman Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. Bartholdi supposedly used his wife's body and his moth- er's face as his model. The seven spikes on the statue's crown represent the seven seas and the seven continents, while the over-throw of tyranny is symbolized by a broken shackle at Miss Liberty's feet. The Statue stands 151 feet high, not including the base, and weighs 450,000 pounds. Its frame- work is made of iron and is covered with copper. Originally, the Statue of Liberty was to be a centennial birthday present from France in 1876, however, due to the political turmoil in Europe and to the lack of funds, the presentation did not occur until ten years later in 1886. At the Philadelphia Exposition in 1876, the Statue's torch and arm was exhibited followed by much adoration and praise. The people of France presented the Statue of Liberty to the Ambassador of the United States in Paris, on July 4, 1884. It was then shipped to the United States and assembled on Bedloe's Island now called Liberty Island). The formal dedication was performed by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886.

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RAGING FLOODWATERS Usually the first week of November means football games, apple cider, and raking leaves; but this year, the first week of November meant rain— and lots of it! The Potomac River began its rapid rise shortly after 10:00 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 1985, warning people who lived near the river to “anchor down” or else evacuate. Some people didn’t have time to do either and found themselves watching helplessly as countless trailers, boats, and docks sailed down the racing river only to wind up on a muddy bank, many miles away, shattered, beaten, and unuseable. Williamsport wasn’t the only area hit with this terrible disaster. All of Washington County and its surrounding area, as well as portions of West Virginia and Virginia, were stricken. The river crested at 36 feet in Williamsport, 37 feet in Hancock, and a tremendous 53 feet in Paw Paw, West Virginia. It was thought to be the worst disaster since 1972’s Hurricane Agnes. There were reported 20 county roads closed. Some homes were completely covered in muddy water and thus the residents needed a warm place to stay. In Williamsport, our own Williamsport High School was that place and people did take advantage of its shelter. Elsewhere, entire towns required assistance, both financially and from the National Guard, Red Cross, and able volunteers. After weeks, and in some cases months of restoration, many homes and businesses recovered with minimal damages thanks to the work of volunteers from various churches, civic groups and other organizations. It was in fact a terrible disaster, but peole managed to find, through the goodwill of oth- ers, the strength to get through till tomorrow. Opening 13

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After one hundred years of standing watch over New York Harbor, she slowly began to de- teriorate. Many efforts were made to restore the damaged sections of her weather-beaten body. In 1984, Lady Liberty was enclosed in 151 feet of scaffolding. The restoration started with the replacement of 1600 rusting iron ribs with new ribs of a modern rust-proof alloy. Next, the 200,000 pounds of hand-hammered copper ex- terior were cleaned. Strengthening Liberty's arm and replacing her torch with one covered in gold was the last step. The gold covering will make the flame appear to burn even in daylight, a tribute to the hope she has given to all who have passed through freedom's golden door. July 4, 1986, marked the unveiling of Lady Liberty. The widespread interest in the Statue of Liberty seems to assure us all that her torch will TOP — The skyline of New York City pro- vides the backdrop and home of the Statue of Liberty. ABOVE — The Statue of Liberty en- veloped by a web of scaffolding, stands proud as workers clean her copper covering and reinforce the inte- continue to burn brightly for many years to rior metal ribbing. 1986 come. marks her centennial anniversary as the cherished symbol of freedom. Opening 15