Austin High School - Comet Yearbook (Austin, TX)

Page 31 text:

f al Mrs, Mary Adkins gives a speech on historical ties of the school. el Greg Talley, Tim Gibson, jesse Contreas and Eric Williams were both stu- dent organizers and participants of the ceremony. cj The Placing of the Memorial Wreath and representing the student body was Tim Gibson. dl Rueben Garcia of the stage band played the trumpet in the Colors and Taps ceremony. el Brian Sauls helps in the Forty and Eight Society of Travis Post 1276, American Legion. fl This plaque is on the Memorial stone of the W.W. I dead.

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BIRTHDAY PARTY The program was called An Observance of the Birthday of Stephan F. Austin, It was the annual event of the Student Council, which takes this day every year to recognize a tradition or historical tie to the school. This year the objective was the rededication of the World War I Memorial. The monument is dedicated to those students of Austin High who died in the first World War. It was purchased by the class of 1920, and displayed at the original Austin High at 9th and Trinity. When the school moved to its Rio Grande location, the monument remained behind until 1956. When the original Austin High burned down, it was then ceremoniously moved to the Austin High on Rio Grande. When Austin High made its third move to West 1st, the lakefront campus in 1975, the monument was moved also, however, this time without ceremony. So this day was chosen as the re- dedication of the monument. The ceremony was held on November 3, 1977, during second period. Students of the 2nd period social studies classes were allowed to attend. lt began with Mr. Brian Scheck giving Welcome and Introduction. Following was a letter from A. N. McCallum, a graduate from the class of 1917. This was read by Student Council President Greg Talley. Mrs. Mary Adkins, who has been at Austin High for more than 25 years and is herself a living tradition, gave the next speech. lt was entitled Ties to Our Austin High Traditions. The re-dedication itself was done by members of the Forty and Eight Society of the Travis Post 376, American Legion. A speech was given, expressing a hope that a memorial of this kind would never be needed again. The ceremony ended with student Tim Gibson placing a wreath on the monument and the Color Ceremony and Taps.

Page 32 text:

POETRY AND PRIDE We celebrated Black History Week with poetry, drama, and dance. Drawing on the arts of the past and present to both entertain and educate the student body, the activities were held in the Little Theatre. Outside English and Social Studies classes were invited. Presentations included tribal dancing, poetry recitals, a short dramatic production, and guest speakers. This day was sponsored by the Human Relations Committee and was the result of much work by the teacher- sponsor Sandi Brinkman and many students here. Most of the activities were led by students. lerome Coe and Sharon Hudspeth emceed the majority of the events. Poems were recited by Karen Yerkes and Veronica Shealy. Karen read the poem Nikki Rosa by the modern black woman poet Nikki Richardson, and Veronica recited a traditional favorite Mother to Son by Langston Hughes. Three students, Andrea Peres, Millicent Richardson, and Reggie Richardson gave a dramatic presentation. It was a cut from the play O'Fellow, a parody of Shakespeare's O'Thello, written by a local black playwright. Also included in the activities was guest speaker johnny Dee, a disc-jockey for a soul music program on KUT-FM. He spoke of how far black people have come. And we were all reminded of how far we all need to go. 2 . 5, Q - - .K .,, Wit., ,Nw wf,,,,.t 5 3 'fr 1,L,f'5 ,vjtfa 'vx A