Austin High School - Comet Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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WI-lITE'S INAUGURATION Democrat Mark White was sworn in as Governor ofTexas on Jan. 18. White succeeded Bill Clements who was the first Republican Governor of Texas in 100 years. The Governor's lnaguaral Parade marched almost unaware of the rainy weather. The Budweiser Clydesdales came to march in the parade, but were not taken out of their trailers because of the rain. SENIOR MEETING A Senior meeting was held Feb. 3 to take cap and gown measurements for Graduation. The robes were delivered May 16. BOND ISSUE Austin voters passed a S210 million dollar bond package on Feb 5 which allocated money for elementary, junior high and high schools. The package included money for the construction of new schools, and renovations, improvements, and additions for existing schools. Austin HighwillreceiveS638,280fromthebonds. The money will go for a science lab ventilation system replacement plus it will provide for the addition of more exterior lights around the school and parking lot. CAPITOL FIRE A fire in the Lieutenant Governor's apartment in the Capitol Feb. 6 killed an overnight guest and did extensive damage to the 95 year old pink granite structure. Matt Hansen, a horse trainer for Lt. GovernorBitt Hobby's daughter Katherine, was killed in the blaze, which was caused by faulty electrical wiring in a television set. Six firefighters were injured while fighting the early Sunday morning fire that caused heavy smoke damage to several senators' offices, and to the Senate Chamber. Damage to the building was estimated at over half a million dollars, and the Legislature appropriated seven million dollars to repair and restore the Capitol. KU KLUX KLAN A near-riot occurred near the Capitol grounds Feb.19 when 30 Ku Klux Klan members paraded down Congress Avenue. The afternoon Klan march followed a morning march for Black Awareness Month. Trouble arose when anti-Klan supporters yelled obscenities and threw objects at the marching Klansmen. Several people, including four law enforcement officers, were injured in the melee, and 13 people demonstrators were arrested. Four hundred law enforcement officials were on duty to protect the 30 Klansmen, and were instructed not to make any arrests. Despite officials' precautions, violence broke out towards the end of the 40 minute march when Mexican-American community activist Paul Hernandez assaulted a policeman. The police felt this action warranted an arrest. Klansmen submittedarequesttotheCityCouncil for another march in June. Yet, while many Austinites don't want another rally, they feel the Klansmen ought to pay for their protection, which cost Austin taxpayers over 870,000 dollars. MERIT FINALISTS A record number of 17 National Merit Finalists were selected from Austin High in March. The students represent more than one third of the finalists from the AlSD. The organization was established to identify and honor academically able U.S. high school students, and to provide college scholarships to many of them. SFA finalists were continued on page 15 Au tin Sen. Lloyd Doggett spoke to students at the Homecoming assembly on Oct. 8. Juniors Karen Becker and Susan Salinas enjoy refreshments during the Honor Fioll reception Dec. 11 Jeff Kelbly placed fourth in state UIL divin competition. Allison Collins and David Jobe place wreath Stephen F. Austin's gravesite in honor of his birthda Nov. 2. 'YV A .kg ff' 4. 'V , Qfl' if Pidge Smith places a carnation at the World War ll memorial stone on Nov. 2 during Stephen F. Austin Birthda celebrations. High Journal ! I i i- 2

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A-we-. 75 gifs Sponsors Sean McWhirter and Claire Breihan discuss an issue with Senior Scott Brown at a PRIDE meeting. T I r,: A4 K ,, 1, ' '----- f. .-,, J f ., 1 ,r M' fic' -,,, 5 ' 3 , M W , -1 f X f I Principal McGee welcomes the speakers from Huntsville. The prisoners spoke to students on various topics during their visit to SFA. - f'--I Qi 4 t if I etto . rf, , 5 J' qs 7. 2 I Q l Y ' i W I f,w'1f' , J, .. ,f r 'X ' gf 'T 22' 'gif' Q W, , rf 1 f fig 'gif ,. P' ' X A26 X 54 n 1 Q . .. . Q ... 1 A workman finishes installing a door in the English Barney Clark, the first man to receive a plastic heart, Department. lived for 86 days after the implant. Reasons for the cancellations varied from a low number of ticket sales to sickness of different band members. Most of the concerts were postponed until they could be rescheduled to fit the performer's bookings. WRISTBANDS The Frank Erwin Center implemented a new plan to aid concert-ticket buyers. The administrators developed a plastic wristband to hold a person's place in line for ticket buying. This new program eliminated the overnight check-in and camp-out procedure. Rather than forming a line prior to the sell of tickets, people receive a wristband with a number on it enabling him to get in line of the morning of the ticket sale. Officials said the procedure ran very smoothly and they plan to continue it. BREZHNEV'S DEATH Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev died of a heart attack Nov. 10. The death came as ashock to Soviet citizens who had seen Brezhnev at a Red Square parade three days earlier, although the Soviet leader had been ill for some time. Brezhnev gave many contributions to his nation, such as two decades of relative governmental stability. He negotiated the SALT I and Il treaties to limit nuclear weapons, but also continued the Sovietpolicyofstifling Soviethuman rights activists and other dissidents. SHEFELMAN'S CARTOON SFA alumnus Daniel Shefelman, former cartoonist for the !Maroon!, and Cometand forthe Centennial Yearbook, had one of his political cartoons published in the Nov. 15 issue of Newsweek Magazine. BARNEY CLARK Barney Clark, the first man to receive a plastic heart, died after 112 days with the heart. The heart was invented by a doctor named Jarvik who gave his name to it. Clark volunteered to receive the heart, and had an operation Dec. 1 to put in the heart. Clark died Mar. 30 because of multiorgan deterioration. Doctors said the heart was still in excellent condition. HONOR ROLL RECEPTION Reception acknowledging honor roll students were held on Dec. 9 and 10. The freshman and sophomore achievers were honored the first day, and the juniors and seniors were honored the next. The reception was the administration's way of showing appreciation to these achievers. ROACH'S FIRE The house of Connie Roach and her two daughters, SFA senior Megan. and SFA freshman Courtenay, caught on fire the night of Nov. 22. The blaze was caused by an arsonist who was later apprehended and jailed. Many of their personal belongings were destroyed in the fire. A Club Foot benefit for the Roaches on Dec. 19 raised over one thousand dollars for the family. WINTER BREAKIFINALS Winter break came Dec. 18 through Jan. 3. Austin, which saw no snow this year in sharp contrast to the snowy winter of 1981-82, had a relatively mild winter. Final examinations were held Jan. 10, 11, and 12. Unlike the previous year when snow forced scheduling of exams, this year's finals were administered on schedule. continued on page 14

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v 1 'K H. -. Vice Principal John Heath helps Lane Brindley and Carolyn Hooper decide on a company for their senior class rings. Outgoing Governor Bill Clements was defeated on Nov. 2. Mark White was elected to replace Clements as Governor. 7 HRC promotes friendship, understanding The Human Relations Committee promotes friendship and understanding among all students of the school, said HRC sponsor Anna Carroll. The HRC is composed of students who share the common desire to promote positive relationships among diverse groups and faculty, Carroll said. Carroll has been the HRC sponsor for three years and enjoys a chance to work with students from all over the school, and meet people I wouIdn't meet in my class, she said. I like finding out what people are thinking about nonacademic mat- ters, Carroll added. The HRC suffered from nationwide budget cuts this year. Melinda Maldanado, senior HRC member said of the budget Cuts, It's very unfortunate, because it sets restrictions onthe numberofactivities the HRC can have. The HRC members attend several workshops throughout the year. Such topics covered in their meetings are peer pressure, alcohol and drugs, loneliness, dating, and competition. When the HRC discusses the topics of their meetings, they divide up into smaller groups where the members can feel more comfortable sharing their feelings. The members also act out skits depicting situations in which there's a conflict between the group pressures and their own feelings about what's right, Carroll said. Carroll added that the Cultural Showcase on March 11, culminated the HRC activities for the year. Perhaps next year we will have to get involved with fund raising activities because of the district budget cuts, Carroll said. Andrew Alexander, Catherine Arnold, Cyndi Barbour, Sally Bernau, Carter Breed, Scott Brown, Khoa Bui, Joshua Calder, Amy Cogdell, Julie Fulton, Jaana Karttunen, Jon Luckstead, Dudley McClellan, Richard Merrill, Martha Moody, David Schewitz, Karen Tannert, and Amiel Willerman. CULTURAL SHOWCASE The annual Cultural Showcase assembly was held Mar. 11. Acts ranged from Mexican dancers to the Steppers dancers. The assembly closed with several teachers dressed in outfits of different cultures, such as English teachers Sandi Brinkman in a hiking outfit, and Phyllis Rothgeb in cowboy chaps and garb, dancing to We Are Family by Sister Sledge. Human Relations Committee sponsor Anna Carroll said that the showcase culminated HRC activities for the year. The purpose of the showcase was to highlight the diverse cultural heritage of the students of Austin High SPRING BREAK Spring Break came Mar. 12 through Mar. 20. The week was for rest and relaxation for both students and teachers. When students arrived back at SFA on Mar. 21, they had only eight weeks left of the school year. CHEERLEADING TRYOUTS Cheerleader tryouts were held Mar. 24, after a special session of practices for the candidates. All four classes were allowed to attend the tryouts, and Associate Principal John Heath felt the behavior of the students was good. The 1983-84 cheerleaders who were chosen are JeffSanders, Suzanne Schulze, Cara Briggs, Krissy Looney, Amy Frances, Tammi Johnson, Janet Crouch, John Greenway, and Grace Benavides. They will be under the direction of sponsor Jean McMillan. DWIIHARDSHIP LICENSES A growing concern about minors restricted drivers' Iicenses increased drastically following the fatal car accident involving SFA students Lana Tatum and Katherine Rodgers. Legislators had been researching the subject for several years, and felt that the issuance of these kinds of licenses had become too lenient. Many teenagers received hardship licenses when no condition existed to warrant one. Legislators proposed to make these restricted licenses harder to obtain. The Texas Legislator passed a bill in April restriciting hardship licenses from students who have not completed a driverls education course. House changes in the original bill included abolishing the general welfare category which allowed parents to ask for a hardship for their child if there was a family need. The need for the license must be verified before the license is granted. In the case of economic or short-term emergencies, the Department of Public Safety can waive the training requirement, and issue a 60-day provisional emergency license. Another reason for the increased involvment for new legislative actions was the increased number of arrests made for Driving While intoxicated KDWIJ. In conjuntion with the awareness of fatal DWI accidents, the Austin American Statesman began publishing the names of persons arrested and charged with DWI. The Legislature also passed strict new DWI bills in April that instigated programs and punishments for offenders. One program implemented called Weekend Intervention Program fWlPl was an intensive treatment program for problem drinkers. Ten DWI continued on pg. 16