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

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President for another term, Ronald Reagan continued his controversial Star Wars policy after the election. Known for his witty responses during news conferences, the former actor is the oldest president the country has had. Photo by Newsweek Though tho Democratic ticket lost. New York Representative Goraldine Ferraro made political history as tho first woman to be included on a national ticket. Her 111 days as candidate for the vlce-prosidency paved the way for other womon politicians. Photo by Newsweek The faces of thoso children reflect the terrible dilemma they faced. Tho Ethiopian famine was deemed the worst human tragedy In history. Photo by Newsweek cDonald's, the best of all mily places, was the site of imos Huberty's rampage mo students aro arrested id escorted out of school for against society as he opened fire on the crowd, killing 21. Paramedics tend to a wound- drugs by officers. Several arrests wore made In the year od boy. Photo by Time for possession of drugs or a deadly weapon at Elsik. Current Events 29

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The snow-covered grounds of the ISC tako on an eerie effect resembling a lunar surface. The usually active grounds of the school wore empty this Friday as the school district closed at the last minute due to icy roads. Photo by L. Cates Reagan Re-Elected, Snow Blankets Houston Area Around the globe, there were human tragedies and triumphs. Most Americans felt a surging optimism despite the chaotic events around them. Renewed nationalism resulted from the XXIII Olympic Games and the presidential election. The United States swept through the events to emerge with 174 gold medals. The men's gymnastics team won the team competition and Houstonian Mary Lou Retton won the women's all-around gymnastics. Track star Carl Lewis streaked through to win four gold medals and the swim teams ran away with 27 out of 29 gold. After the glory of the games came another victory for Ronald Reagon who won in a ‘landslide' over Walter Mondale. However, this did not detract from Geraldine Ferraro’s achievement as Mondale's running mate and the first woman to run on a presidential ticket. Though inflation was down, unemployment remained high and over 35 million people lived at the poverty line, the highest number in 20 years. William Schroeder received an artificial heart, lived through a stroke, and did miraculously well afterwards. However, the controversial baboon heart transplant on Baby Fae was not successful, as the infant died three weeks later of kidney failure. Human tragedies devastated cities and killed hundreds. In Bhopal. India, a gas leak poisoned over 2.000 people and a gas explosion in Mexico City killed hundreds. In Ethiopia millions of people starved to death due to drought and famine. And in the United States, the McDonalds slayings in July shocked the nation. BandAid. the British relief group, inspired the likes of USA for Africa and similiar efforts from Australian and Canadian artists. BandAid's Do They Know It's Christmas? grossed over $12 million. In the Middle East. Reagan withdrew the marines from an unsuccessful military action in Lebanon. The U.S. Embassy was bombed on September 20. killing 20 people. India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own security guards and her son. Rajiv Gandhi, took over. On October 12, Britain's Margaret Thatcher escaped an attempt on her life, and after a little over 13 months as the Soviet leader. Constatin Chernanko died on March 10 leaving Russia with a younger, more dynamic leader. Mikhail Gorbachev. In Texas, retailers ignored the Blue Law and remained open on Sundays throughout the Christmas season. In the struggle for Texas state senator. Phil Gramm came out the easy winner over Lloyd Doggett. The Hermann Hospital Estate scandal inspired by Channel 13’s Marvin Zindler. led to arrests of several officials. Estate trustee John B. Coffee was indicted on theft and perjury charges, and former estate development director Charles Stricklin, on a theft charge. Real estate broker Susan Menke was charged with stealing $48,000 from the estate. The Gay Rights Referendum went to vote on January 19 and suffered a decided loss, almost three to one. A surge of teen violence in Houston characterized the nightly news. At Elsik, Gilbert Cuellar was arrested in January for allegedly murdering his mother and friend. David Porte, of Spring Branch I.S.D.. was found guilty of murdering a letter carrier and sentenced to 75 years. Elsik had a spectacular year in sports. The varsity football captured 17-5A District Championship. Because of their ranking, they were pitted against Madison in their first trip to the playoffs. The game ended in a disappointing 35-0 getting there was all important. ! Winter weather hit record lows all over the country and Houstonians were pleasantly surprised to find measurable snow in their yards. AISD closed its doors on February 1 due to icy roads. A year of change will be what most students remember. New graduation and eligibility H.B. 72 requirements, and no more Freshman Sale and senior exemptions, were just a few. By Christi Yang, Reporter 28 Current Events

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Legislature Forces H.B. 72 Reforms As school let out for summer vacation in May 1984. many students did not realize how tremendously the special summer session of the Texas legislature would affect their lives. House Bill 72, sponsored by H. Ross Perot’s Select Committee on Public Education (SCOPE), and H.B. 246, initiated many education changes. Seniors returned to school disheartened because of the loss of final exemptions. Senior government teacher Mrs. Brandt remarked. ‘‘I miss them (exemptions). By second semester I think you've done all the finals taking you need to do. I understand the intent of the legislation, but I don’t think it will necessarily prove anything. Even though exams are important, the Seniors have worked for the privilege of exemptions . . .’’ said Senior Ray Schmidt. H.B. 72 instituted the ‘no pass no play' rule which affected all extracurricular activities. It stated that if students were not passing all six classes at the end of the six weeks, they would be ineligible for the following six weeks. Girls Cross Country and Track Coach Liz Parke said. I feel it is a little harsh. Most coaches stress academics and agree that grades are important, but I feel that maybe we should be allowed to check grades after three weeks instead of six. The bill also stated that students would not be allowed more than ten school business” absences per year or over eight hours of participation due to activities per week.Teachers received a whopping state salary base of $15,000. Another issue of concern to students was absences allowed per semester. In the past. AISD students were allowed fifteen absences per semester. Statewide regulations changed this to a combination of ten excused and unexcused absences per semester. Although these are the most talked about changes, they are not the only ones. Graduation requirements were raised to 22 credits and students were allowed to choose one of three graduation plans to pursue. As a result, electives began to suffer a lack of enrollment of college bound students. Discipline policies were altered to comply with new state regulations. IBS became the Special Assignments Class - SAC. and students received 100% credit Junior Dorothy Kolb strives for the finish line at the District Cross Country meet at Bear Creek Park. Because of H.B. 72’s new attendance regulations. most cross country meets had to be held on Saturday and coaches watched eligibility carefully. Photo by M. Spillor for completed work rather than 80%. Junior Michelle Solomon remarked. It made me realize just how ‘lucky’ we were in AISD. The rules were fair but not overly strict.” Senior Scott McFarlane described Governor White wanted an education reform so much that he just jumped at the first thing that came along even if it was a bit extreme. By Rae Rabe. Editor-in-Chief Hastings Senior Tracy Page and Elsik Sophomore Sharon Moebos attend the Bejart Ballet along with other members of the French Club. The French Club was virtually unaffected by HB 72 because the majority of thelractivities took place on Saturday. Photo by M. Spiller Ready Or Not . . . 30 Education Reforms