Ames High School - Spirit Yearbook (Ames, IA)

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Me Y 2 ё 25 yt he + a me E Ue TH [4 Above Left: As at all Ames public schools, a special flag is flown each day. Above Center: Karen Willham, Steve Huston, Owen Herrnstadt and Julie Carey, student representitives, meet to discuss upcoming events. Above Right: Items as this ba nk, have become essential souvenirs. Lower Left: Mark Fredrickson, choir representative, presents the first copy of their album to Governor Robert D. Ray. Below Center: An elementary school child solemnly pledges allegiance to his country. Below Right: Decked out in Bicentennial finery, Julie Gilman and Julie Herrick flaunt yet another example of commercialism. vie just don't seem to pect the | EUE im

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eventy-six emerged as а heyday for historians who basked in the limelight of public attention, gloating over secretive stockpiles of information, and juicy tidbits of historical | controversy concerning Ben Franklin’s sex life. We've seen brides abandon the traditional and turn to the red, white and blue for their processional array, while store owners cashed in on a universal, unseasonal theme, and thousands trek to the East, righteously paying homage to marble monuments and grassy battlefields. Squalling babes are commemoratively christened “George” or “Martha”, whichever may be the case, and even vanilla ice cream has been outmoded with red, white and blueberry serving as a contemporary successor. We’ve found ourselves surrounded by thematic unification, tossed into a tumult of “burning”’ patriotism and reverent tribute, but has AHS’s reaction been one of celebration or rejection? Ames High had an early start two years ago, complying with a request to supply student members to the soon-to-be-meshed Ames Bicentennial Commission. A special flag also displayed occasionally, as it was at most Ames public schools. But, within, there were no evident signs of | patriotic regard, no halls or rooms TT бы -e ТТТ Vi mad ace CRT C dS EQ REM SM NM қинаса M ge оиы FAIT Алған et E 470€ 5) | OS 7 E ТҮНДҮ фа revamped in accordance with the red, white and blue trend. For many students the idea of celebration was sadly subverted by the overpowering intrusion of commercialism. It became apparent to many, that the Bicentennial was concocted solely for the purpose of making a quick buck. Owen Herrnstadt, a member of the Bicentennial Commission, reverberated this attitude saying, “The Bicentennial is great and we have reason to be proud of our nation, but we shouldn't have to wait 200 years to feel this pride. À nation such as ours should be insulted by the exploitation of commercialization. Julie Gilman echoed this response commenting, “Гуе noticed the Bicentennial means a lot more to older people than younger. They are very conscious of the various projects underway in the community, for example. Kids just don't seem to get the full impact. One admirable exception was the colossal project undertaken by the choir, band and orchestra. In their undying efforts to obtain a grand piano they decided to produce an album consisting of Bicentennial selections. After endless hours of rehearsal and apprehension, their masterpiece was completed. Encouraged by favorable reactions, they ordered 2,000 copies originally for door-to-door sales and proceeded with a robust campaign. But even this project had ulterior motives — it's primary objective was to raise money, not arouse loyalist sentiments or provoke a flag-waving revival. Perhaps our nonchallant regard for the Bicentennial is actually a positive consequence, reflecting an undiverted concentration upon the future — a future which capriciously holds our unpredictable dreams and yet another inevitable centennial celebration. Bicentennial 11