Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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Senior Sandy Lawrence's car was parked in front of her house at 13015 Bassfc in Bcckford South when rain started on September 18. After the rain stopped, t car was filled with water above the seats. Photo by S. Lawrer Alicia, Floods, Winds, Extreme Cold Prevail Tornados, hurricanes, floods, wars, deaths; the list seems never ending. Vet, every problem or unfortunate incident that oc- curred inspired hope. A pessimistic attitude might have been adopted throughout the world, but everyone kept push- ing on for tomorrow - the future. In the Middle hast, Iran and Iraq continued to fight over the Persian Gulf. Fighting also continued in Lebanon between Israel and Palestine. On October 25 at 6 p.m.. President Reagan decided to invade Grenada in order to prevent a coup. Despite the fact that unemployment rates were still high, inflation decreased 3.8% in 1983. In local elections, Kathy W h i t m i re was re-e lected to se rve a second term as mayor and Houstonians approved a plan to construct a $175 million convention center in the down- town area. The presidential elections drew nearer and the three leading democratic candidates for ihe nomination were Reverend Jesse Jackson, former Vice President Walter Mondale and Colorado Senator Gary Hart. President Reagan was the unopposed Republican nominee. The issue of school prayer gained attention as a proposed amendment that would have allowed prayer in high schools but was defeated by the Senate. In a special session in the summer, the Texas legislature will decide on the controversial Perot committee recomenda- tions to lengthen the school days to eight hours, to make extracurricular activities and athletic classes after school and to limit the number of field trips that a group is allowed to take in one year. Teacher salary raises will also be considered. House bill 246 was passed to raise graduation requirements to 23 credits, to limit off campus and to create college and non-college bound tracking. A1 Hook replaced Robert Burch as AISD's new Superintendent of Schools. Also, construction adding onto the administration building was completed. Women took another step forward even though the ERA did not get a second chance. Vanessa Williams became the first black Miss America and Astronaut Sally Ride was the first woman to go into space. Several Elsik students participated in the Annual Lyon's Club Queen Contest. Those placing in the top ten included Senior Beth Gillam, Junior Diane Shrout, Junior Kim Adams, 4th runner up; Senior Betty Strong, 3rd runner up; Senior Dondra Dunaway, 2nd runner up; Senior Teresa Wagner, 1st runner up. EDB was linked to cancer in animal studies and put many bread and muffin mixes, which contained the substances, on a list warning consumers. Michael Jackson grew rich with record-breaking sales of Thriller and Pepsi TV spots, but donated Beat It to fight drug abuse. David the bubble boy died on February 22, at the age of 12 after living most of his life in isolation. Soviet General Secretary Yuri Andropov died on February 9 after being critically ill; Konstantin Cher- nenko replaced him. Severe weather pounded on Houston and the U.S. all year. Hurricane Alicia blew through Houston on August 18, 1983 with winds up to 94 mph. Sixteen deaths were attributed to the hurricane. Forty-two thousand people fled from their homesand 750,000 were without electricity. Heavy rains on September 18 and 19 flooded many areas that had never flooded before and also provided a day off from school which was made-upon April 23. In December, many new weather records were set. The average temperature was 45.7° F as compared to the normal average temperature of 54 F. Christmas day was also the coldest day of the month with a low of 11° F. Also, the lowest high temperature ever for one day was 27 F. on the 26th. The unexpected, e, tremely low temperature causj many pipes to break, wati damage, and high bills fro- H.L. P. The XIV Winter Olympi took place in Sarajevo, Yuge lavia, on February 7-19. G©! medal winners included: Ph Mahre, Men's Slalom; Debb Armstrong, Women's Gia Slalom; Scott Hamilton, Mer Figure Skating and; B Johnson, Men's Downhi Silver medal winners includi Steve Mahre, Men's Slaloi Christian Cooper, Womer Giant Slalom; Peter and Kit Carruthers, Pairs Figure Skatii and; Rosalyn Sumne: Women's Figure Skating. The U. of H. basketball tea lost a heartbreaker in the NCA Championship game Georgetown University (84-7 after winning their clo semi-final game against Virgin in overtime. Mike Sciba was appointed tl new head coach when Coai Wes Bryant resigned after fi’ years as Elsik's head coac Coach Sciba also reinitiated mandatory study hall progra for off-season football playe who had either a D or F in ar class. By Rae Rabe, Assistant Edit- 22 Good Timcs Currcnt Events

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)hn Taylor, Somon LeBon, and Andy Taylor, otherwise known as Durjn Durjn, lasted the Summit on February 13. Originally from England, the band has roduced three albums in the last two years: Durjn Durjn, Rio, and their latest, even jnd the Rjggcd Tiger Photo by R. Law .ndy Summers, lead guitarist for The 'olice, is not only an accomplished musician but also has published a book f photographs titled Throb. Photo by R. Law Rolling Stone Mjgjzine voted The Police the group of the year for 1983. Drummer Stewart Copland formed the band in '77, and they peaked in popularity in '83. Recently, The Police decided to pursue separate careers, yet they will still perforin together. Photo by R. Law Phil Collins, lead singer and drummer for Genesis, acknowledges a fan before his encore medley of Satisfaction, Twist and Shout, All Djyjnd All Night, and Pinbjll Wizjrd. The Houston Chronicle's concert reviewer, Marty Racine, felt that the computerized light show at theconcertservedonlyasa backdrop to Collins'unique personality. Photo by R. Law Concerts Good Times 21

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he deep water of the flood sent many trashcans and trashbags afloat yet, two oungsters, Mark Rabe and Ryan Pratt at the corner of Sharpcrest and Kirkwood, re undistraught by the problems that the deep water brought. A1 Hook replaced Robert Burch as the superintendent and initiated the Student Advisory Council to improve student - administration communica- tion. Photo by R. Law The newest item in thecafeteria this fall was Rambucks. The coupons replaced the use of actual money. Because of the long lines they caused, the system was labeled a failure and, to many students' relief, discontinued. Photo by S. Lackey Hurricane Alicia devastated not only Houston but many other coastal cities as well. This section of 1-45, near Texas City, depicts only a small portionof the damage that was inflicted upon many costal cities such as Galveston. Current Events Good Times 23