Austin High School - Comet Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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Senior Jeff Sanders, the emcee, opened the program noting the celebration closely accompanied Veteran's Day, and Missi Brandes, senior, introduced the present armed forces representatives. Todd Bland, Lane Brindley, Iohn Greenway, Dana Hanslik, and Susan Stoltz, organizers of the memorial service, introduced and welcomed visitors from Porter junior High, Lanier High School, Westlake High, and Churchill High School from San Antonio. David Davalos was one of the several students visiting from Churchill High who had been touring the school in order to find out more about the other Texas high school named exemplary by the U.S. Department of Education. He said that he was g ad to share the honor with as fine as institution as Austin High School, and he hoped that students from SFA would consider a return visit to Churchill Hi h. After Lisa Goodman, senior, read a brie? biography of Stephen F. Austin, Tom Prentice, journalism teacher at SFA, gave the audience an inspiring speech on the importance of personal and institutional heritage. He traced Austin High's links to the past and his own links to American history, challenging students to learn of their own personal heritage and to act to shape living history rather t an to sit on the sidelines and observe history being made, Prentice criticized the nuclear arms race, asking whether the nuclear age will shape us or will we shape the nuclear age. Alluding to Iohn F. Kennedy, whose death profoundly affected Austin High some twenty years previous, Prentice criticized Ronald Reagan's handling of the Grenada crisis, especially censorship of the press. The most memorable speaker was Col. James Lamar, a veteran of the Vietnam war who had flown in more than 80 combat missions before being taken prisoner from 1966 to 1973. Lamar told the audience how he parachuted out over North Vietnam in his 84th mission and was captured by local peasants. His captors broke him only after he thwarted their plans to interrogate him, set him up as a flak trap for rescue missions, and held a press conference with him as their hostage. Lamar said he learned the meaning of freedom, and that when a country is taken over by communists the first thing that oes is the freedom of the media and the next is the educational freedom. He concluded by explaining his present occupation of selling America to Americans. As the colorguard from Fort Sam Houston provided a closing demonstration, Martelle Luedecke-Klier senior, announced the annual placing of the wreath by the memorial stone, which has been a Maroon tradition since 1920. Once the wreath was put in place, Rosendo Sanchez, band director, sounded Taps from the third floor balcony, as it began to rain again. Some of the students had tears in their eyes while others silently thought about the service. When the bell rang everyone briefly saluted and returned to their classes. Southern Association evaluates SFA During the week of Nov. 7, the school was evaluated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools QSACSJ as a part of a district wide inspection designed to determine if individual high schools are to par with the majority of the nation's schools. Austin High, Crockett, Travis, McCallum, Lanier, Reagan and Johnston were all accredited by SACS for another 10 ears. y The team of about 50 evaluators analyzed segments of Austin High's curriculum including Art, Business Education, Driver's Education, English, Foreign Language, Health and Physical Education, Industrial Arts, Math, Music, Science, Social Studies, Special Education and Vocational Education. Other elements of the evaluation included student activities, administratorlteacher cooperation and support services. The task force was made up of education professionals from the South West Education Lab, and the Texas Education Agency as well as other educational agencies. The study involved a comparison between a self-education and a week's worth of observations by the evaluation team. Separation of church and state affects Fellowship of Christian Students The separation between church and state became a definite reality to the Fellowship of Christian Students. They were not allowed to announce meetings over the school's P.A. system or to put up numerous posters about their fellowship in the school. Even though the group did not have an official mission, they met weekly to have fellowship before school. On Nov. 8, Thomas Cogldell, Sophomore, invited Christian Scott Puffer to speak. He c allenged the students to show their Christian commitment in their aily lives at high school and in their relationships, The meeting ran similar to an informal service. Throughout this year, the Supreme Court studied the nation's question about minor mixtures of religion with school, Some issues announced were Bible study courses, spiritual meditation during school hours, an religious group involvement. However, the US Senate refused to pass a constitutional amendment supported by Pres. Reagan which would have authorized organized, voluntary prayer in school. we .'i': Coach Bill Harper awaits his team's recognition at a it 4 , r 2 1 1 . I ' f O f f 2 v , I r , , t , . . , in WW ' . S 'wif' ' V Z ii.: W 'E'-f+m:,.,, . , '9! fLf ? l'W-e 'T We , -if-lin 1 - . V .V , - 'ug r'm:q,,g ,.., .. l ,rf . ,,,,,, , 1 . ,, I 1 ...,, . Q-9. Q ze 1. f .1 Q' '24 if 7 2 4 e rf During the week of Nov. 7, Jerry Thomas ot th pep rally. 'ss ' Wx . . , I: 1, .fi mfs f. ' 4:44 . . 2 .li V 2' V ,Y . 2 ,2 as ,fa , , . .,, ' , g Association of and Schools observe Wayne Brumley, Drew Tate, and Randy Tolbert watch their teammates play during a disappointing season 0' disqualification from UIL records. Beth Simpkin wins in AAAA Diving Competition The AAAA Diving Invitational for high school divers was held in San Antonio on Nov. 18-19. Divers from the Austin area competed together as a single team. Beth Simpkin, freshman, not only participated in the competition but brought home fifth place awar s for the high three meter board and the low one meter board. After fouryears of gractice, Simpkin's best dives on the low board were t e front 112 and the back 112 pike. On the high board her favorite dives were the front layout, front dive with a 112 twist, and the front 2 112 pike. At the end of her high school education, Sim kin hopes to receive a college scholarship for her divin skills. During the academic year the Austin higi school area team competed in five meets, ln the summer another five meets are held, but the competitions enjoy the outdoor diving scene. ABC's 'The Day After' stirs nuclear war discussion Devastated. Kansas City, Middle America, and the nation has been destroyed. The buttons have been pushed, the missiles have been launched, and the bombs have fallen. A shattered world remains: a society of the dying, a civilization in ruins, ' During social studies, science, journalism and other classes on Nov. 21, which followed showing of ABC's 'The Day After' movie about nuclear war, teachers held discussions with students who had viewed television's nuclear nightmare. For the first time in visual history, viewers were forced to graphically experience the ground-zero agonies of ordinary pegnle from nuclear war. nlike movies such as 'Wargames' and 'Missiles of October' which deal with nuclear war merely as a possibility, 'The Day After' showed the grim reality of Armageddon on 3 human 1 -,Guam fly!!-f0401'G'!

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it E ii .ws sfo c During the University of Texas' Centennial Parade on Sept. 15, Michelle Grodsky, Paul Von Wupperfeld, Eric Meisner, Paul Pennington, Jody Hart, and Mike Curtis ride a float crafted by some of the SFA faculty members. junior class shows monstrous spirit during a pep rally for the varsity football team on Sept. 16 after a victory over Travis. 15 ftee , J , lf'-:ann Tami Monte Ezell, Doug and Johnson lead the seniors duringa battle between the guoniors during the Homecoming Parade, on Sept. classes. - jam with the Through the Years. Once all the marchers and their tloats reached the west parking lot, the participants joined an outdoor pep rally beside t e west side entrance. The Homecoming Dance featured a special effects company, Whiplash, which provided a disc jockey, lights, videos, mirrors, and a fog machine. This comcpany also played requested songs. The students danced an partied until the clock struck twelve. A student ID was required of all students and the admission was 51.50 for a single ticket and 52,50 for cou les. This year the Student Council sent invitations to the parents of students to visit Austin High on Homecoming, All alumni were welcome to the parade, football game, and dance. U.S. Marines killed in Beirut terrorist bombing Flags were flown half-mast all over the nation in response to the deaths of more than 200 U.S. Marines in Lebanon on Oct. 23. A suicidal Lebanese terrorist rammed a truck carrying explosive cargo into the four-story Marine headquarters buildin . Its result was the largest non-nuclear explosion in human iistory. I The goal of the attack was clear: to drive out the U.S. troops. ' The American military was present in Lebanon with France, Italy, and Britain to promote peace. The terrorists wanted them out, but who was behind the attack? In his nationwide address on television the following Thursday, President Ronald Reagan made a strong statement in favor of the continuation of the U.S. presence in Lebanon: We cannot and will not dishonor them now, and the sacrifices they made, by failing to remain as faithful to the cause of freedom and the pursuit of peace as they have been. Throughout the week, the site of those sacrifices was slowly pulled apart in the search for marines, dead lor alive. As bulldozers and cranes grumbled back and forth in attempt to pull away the crushed slabs of concrete, other volunteers searched throughout the ruins. Eventually the hope of finding survivors diminished as the wreckage search ended. Following stepped up criticism of the presence of the Marines from Congress and from Democratic presidential candidates, Reagan ordered a withdrawal of the Marines from the Beirut airport in Feb., 1984, a move Reagan exkplained was simply redeployment of the Marines to ships o the coast of Lebanon. US invades Grenada For the first time since the Vietnam War, the U.S. committed troops to a combat attack Monday, Oct. 24. The invasion of Grenada immediately drew a worldwide choms of protest. The assault took place on the island 80 miles off the Venezuelan coast in the Carribean's Windward Islands. President Rea an's decision to invade the tiny island was conducted wits the declared purpose of protectin the lives of 1,000 Americans who were retained on the isiand after a militarly coup had togpled the left-wing government. On uesday, Oct. 2 , two days after t e death of more than 200 Marines in Beirut, the U.S. sent 650 armed Marines and hundreds of U.S. Rangers to rescue the Americans on the island. Although six of Grenada's worried Caribbean neighbors had requested the U.S. action and supplied 400 men to the operation, many nations accused the U.S. of violating international law. But the administration produced evidence which it said showed that Grenada was becoming a Soviet-Cuban base that threatened U.S. stategic interests in the Caribbean. When the U.S. Army Rangers met heavy resistance from Grenada military and from Cubans on the island, an additional 5,000 U.S. paratroopers were sent to the island. By Thursday, Oct. 27, all major military objectives were declared secure. The final American toll was put at 18 killed and 91 wounded. From Cuban records captured on the island, it was established that the Cuban and Soviet compacts with Grenada had been more elaborate than the U.S. ad thought. Fidel Castro had planned to send 341 officers and 4,000 soldiers to the island, increasin the total of armed Cubans to the force of 6,800. Later six wareiouses north of the Point Salines airstrip had been found with Soviet and Cuban ammunition, but the arms were recorded as ancient. Although the 1,000 Americans on the island were not in imminent danger, President Reagan said that being so close to such an inherently unstable regime could have put the U.S. citizens in jeopardy, and that the mission was necessary to protect them. Observance marks Stephen F. Austin's birthday Because preserving tradition wasa goal of the spring semester Student Council in 1977, they began a spirit focus day for the fall of that year known as the celebration and memorial service for Stephen F. Austin's birthday, For the past six years, students on a steeriigg committee have successful y produced such an event each ov. 3. This year, more than 300 of Austin High's students, teachers, and alumni braved the rainy morning of Stephen F. Austin's 190th birthday celebration. Visitors from other schools and representatives of each of the U.S. Armed Forces were also present. I if

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'X 'sr l , l W A is Susan Skaggs, Leah Stubbs, and Jeanett Villarreal listen to Student Council leaders. on Jeff Sanders emcees S.F. captures the attention of millions of lov. Austin's 19th Birthday Celebration on Nov. 3. we .V .,. ,,,, 3 I 5 , .. , K Q I -f..., , .fi .rip V? X 3 F . A My 5 T-HW 1 I sgbxgfyig 1' ,. W 4,1 .Sm .J . V, , . -tv.. ff 'W' V 'iv ' 4 ft? W. V 'r.:t e 1 ' V J gil , fl 4 'Q '- V f if f ! figs 'It ,7 f? ' i Z , , ., ,ug V .ls 'ff Ay. Z . , 3 'r 12 ef 1 1212. ..., 'Tw e ,, W- V Q ' . it J' f ' I V 1.l ii- - if s 1 A if ,fp V if ,QQ Freshman, Debbie Dodds, writes her opinion about the U.S. involvement in Lebanon on the second floor graffiti board. 'he sophomore class prepares their Homecoming float on iept. 30. Honors Assembly marks scale. It focused on the average middle-American going about their day - a farm family preparing for their dau hter's wedding, college kids registering for c asses - while offgin the background, TV bulletins report NATO armored troops breaking through . . . Soviets invading West German airspace . . . nuclear weapons in range over . . , Then came four minutes of the most frightening footage ever to be shown on TV, When the explosions, immolations, and mass vaporations ended, the starkest nightmare ever broadcast began. Even so, the aftermath in the movie was shown less severe than what would actually occur. SFA's exemplary honor In a special assembly held on Dec. 7, the day officially declared Austin High Day by the City Council, students had a chance to realize the significance of the national honor received by Austin High over the summer. Distinguished guests were present to address the school, American public schools have been subject to several critical studies which often conclude that education is on the brink of or plagued with mediocrity. Mayor Mullen felt that instead of SFA declining in education, it has just gotten better, proving the possibi ities that can be achieved. Con ressman Pickle, an Austin High alumnus, was thrilled with the school's success, and he commented that he often bragfgs about SFA to his colleagues on Capital Hill. A ter thetguests spoke, Princpal Jacquelyn McGee told the students an teachers that they should have a plaque of their own because it really belonged to them. I 'J l Attendance Problems Plague AISD Basketball Games Basketball game attendance was in a depression this season. The 23 varsity boyslgirls doubleheaders etween Dec. 20 and Ian. 6 averaged only 111 fans. Only 13 district games had more than 100 people and only one ame, Crockett vs. Travis at Buager Center, had more than 250 observers. hen Burger Center drew more than 100 paying customers, it was a rare occasion. Three San Marcos-Travis games in 1983 drew tremendous crowds compared to the 1984 total. The last playoff games, after the two teams tied for the district title, drew the largest crowds ever to see a 26AAAAA game: 4,250 at San Marcos' Strahan Coliseum and 3,300 for the game played at Burger center. Those crowds were attracted by two of the top teams in the state who had battled all year for supremacy in the district. Obviously the attendance was not typical because in 1983, boys' games drew an average of only 171 fans and girls' games drew around 57. Basketball did not make money for AISD in 1984. Out of the S376,550 subside AISD gave the athletic department, 581,515 went to basketball, even when the sport was the biggest money-loser in the 11 sports that the district teams play. The estimated expenditure this year for basketball was S114,515 and its income was just 533,000 Flu Epidemic lowers School Attendance The winter in Central Texas brought with it a flu epidemic that caused one of the most serious attendance problems ever at SFA. More than 10W of Austin l-ligh's students were out of classes beginning Ian. 23 and lasting through February. Attendance clerk Bertie Owen said that a lot of students were callin in with the same symptoms, but were returning to schoofbefore they were completely well due to the attendance oli . P Scclllool nurse Sandy Vinson said that teenaglers and adults were getting sick more than elementary kids, w ich is unusual. She sent plenty of folks home until the fever had come down for twenty-four hours. Many students and teachers returned to school once they felt better, but as they gradually started fzeling worse, t ey often have contaminated others around t em. Twenty years after the Beatles marked by Maroon The innovators of the biggest musical revolution arrived in the US in February, 1964. As this twentieth anniversary was marked, many survivors of the sixties treasured the memories of the musical and societal created by the Beatles. Although young people were we l restricted in style and thought, the Beatles rock-nfroll music had a major impact on the philosophy of the youth. To the older generation the group signified an outrageous fad that would soon die out, but the young adults believed that the band was God-send, and a connecting link between past innocence of youth. During their introduction to the US, the band generated mass hysteria from screaming fans and fainting females. Later the Beatles were associated with the social revolution that emphasized the freedom to criticize social customs, exercise freedom of thought without strict moral codes and rebel against the older generation. Some lpeople say they started out as entertainers, but became the po itical mouthpieces for the youth. The sense of identification with the Beatles unified the youth, but the older generation gradually became more alienated from the misguided kids 0 the sixties. The parents ' The movie either left fha viewers with 3 sense of including Hunter Harrison, special counsel to the Secreta of f h f , b d hopelessness and helplessness about nuclear war or made Edufahonf COHSYESSNSH Il lake PiCk1Ef Mayor Ron Mullen, D ' f youth fgere alfald slag the ml wgyld encourage Kewl., more aware gf ips dangers, pmducers 0f 1'he Day Affef ana AISD School Board President Ed Small who all elaborated ?Penme 'g0 Bemfsf 'BUS 'he Pgofnoglokf 0 'WE Utd PTC?- oped for prevention through understanding in future 011 5FA's excellence in education. owgvent e . Etssbecimet E I 0 So. t. eyouci dwnht en' generations, and that the images of the film would inspire the BEf01'9 Harrison presented a plaque to Principal Iacquelyn exginmenas Syl! Busty es' eastefn rehglog an rugs' nations of this earth, their people and leaders to find the means McGee in l'9C0Snifi'9n Of SFNS 3Chi9V9l'l16fll of academic h e Bea? es mlpact was revoluhogary an - extenslve' Theg fo advert the fateful day, excellence, he told the audience that they were purely and ed .3 Pm ound Ulfluence on todays Amencan Soflffv bo' Stuents for Nuclear Awareness a new student organization 5lmPlYfhe Very 595' in the nation- The audience f95P0nd9d in muslcquy and Pghhcauly' They encouraged people to open created as a result of the contemporary concerns about nuclear 3 sfafldmg Dvafion Once the Plaque was Pfesemed in behalf Of rfiyd Ideas - ang hchfl enge old values' but approved wa,-Iwasinspif-ed by fha movigs account-The group discussed President of the United States Ronald Reagan and the U.S. sec' fsffucfwf ehavaor' , . ' nuclear political issues, the scientific effects of nuclear war, and Seffefall' of Edufafion Teffel 3911- onsequerlt y' Q g fade? commltmem to love and Peace other aspects of nuclear warfare The award was given as Part of the Secondary School through their music ls still popular in the hearts of all Recognition Program, which recognizes outstanding schools Sllbsecluent genemhfms' of the four Beatles' three offhem are , to show that communities, such as Austin, can make education mu ahve and releasing records ' Paul' george and.Rm5o' The , work' SFA? award is meaningful to local educators because it fourth Beatle, Iohn Lennon, was killed in 1980 outside his New l -, I l reinforces support for the educational system as a whole. Today York apartment house' 1 l l l I3