Abilene High School - Flashlight Yearbook (Abilene, TX)

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Lights create exciting nightlife Driving into abilene with the glaring headlights lighting the way, anyone could easily recognize the bustling city by the sparkling lights. Watching for a city limit sign was never needed since the steady ribbon of lights served as an official welcome. Many of these travelers were headed or returning from enter- tainment centers which included thriller movies, fast-moving disco- theques and stylish restaurants. The theaters added their own bright- ness and thrill through the illuminated marquees and excited theater- goers. Special lighting effects and loud, fast music cast the overall atmosphere for dancers and spectators at the crowded discoteques. The attractive neon signs of restaurants and fast-food places contri- buted to the evergrowing mass of lights in Abilene as each establish- ment sought to attract more customers. Of course, special seasons brought added illumination. As usual, the West Texas Fair highlighted the skyline. The splendor of its appearance at night was largely because of its lighting. The revolving rides threw off multicolors and blended them with the carnival atmosphere to create a happy and jovial spirit for all to share. Probably the most expressive season of the year was Christmas. The downtown area shopping malls, office buildings and residential areas all participated in decorating for the season as Christmas trees were seen through windows and giant snowmen and Santa Clauses were placed around homes. Tinsel was strung to continually remind everyone of the holidays and the returning traditional Christmas spirit. The lights of Abilene dehnitely served a dual purpose. They not only lit up normally dark streets and attracted the nighttime traveler but also gave an aura of excitement to the normal humdrum daytime life of the Abilene citizen. A 2 18-Nightlife

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Coexisting lives in a biased municipality Abilene schools have long been known as fierce competitors. Since the instigation of Abilene's other high school, the intense desire to excel has been divided into two opposing forces, Abilene High and Cooper. Rivalry continued to grow. Finally oppo- sition has increased to include not only sports but academics as well. Whatever the activity, AHS students maintained as their goal the outclassing Cooper. The most prevalent area of rivalry existed in football. The Eagles had sustained thirteen consecutive losses in the heated battle. Their supreme goal was to break Cooper's winning streak. Though futile in their valiant attempts, the Eagles anticipated victory in the various sports confrontations to occur throughout the year. Eagle basket- ball players were among those striving to conquer Cooper as they prepared to repeat last year's victory over the Cougars in which AHS continued on to the state playoffs. Competition was not limited to sports however. A report by the National Associ- ation of Secondary School Principals stated that National Merit Scholastic Aptitude Tests scores were ranked among 34 schools in the nation and the only one in Texas as unusually high. Once again, the Eagles had displayed their talents and had superseded those of the students across town. Another facet of cross-town rivalry existed in community supporters. A com- mon complaint heard among Eagles was that news media reporting continually favored the South side of town. Booster Club members worked in the community to build up support for their respective schools, each claiming that theirs was the best. Former students lent enthusiastic support in various ways. ln all areas of Abilene, friend- ships and an intense rivalry co-existed because of the fierce competition between the Abilene Eagles and the Cooper Cougars. Carolyn Childers Sandra Chism Angela Chittum Tracy Christiansen Michelle Christopher Debbie Cisneros Herbert City Mike Claspill Stephen Claunch Lynn Clevenger Nelson Coates Cindy Cole 20-Seniors 1-ef 3 4