Bethpage High School - Blue Book Yearbook (Bethpage, NY)

Page 139 text:

News was made during October both here and abroad, with Russia ad- vancing in the space age by taking pictures of the far side of the moon -- the side never before exposed to the view of man. ln England, the Conservative Party victory headed by Macmillan will un- doubtedly influence to some degree the world of politics of this critical era. On the home front. the President invoked the Taft-Hartley law to effect a temporary truce in the four-month old steel strike a strike that could cripple the economy and defense of this great nation. On the brighter side, the new Gug- genheim Art Nfuseum, devoted to con- temporary painting and sculpture opened in New York City, thereby en- riching Amt-rica's culture and way of life. The Dodgers won the traditional October lYorld Series by beating the White Sox in a six games series. The power was missing from the Yankee Power-House, and'they had to settle for a third place position. November was marred by a tele- vision quiz show scandals and the re- moval of many such programs from the air. This resulted because the winners were pre-determined. to best serve only the interests of the programs. thus per- pertrating a gigantic fraud on the American public. Then the word Payola,' carrie un- der Congressional and public scrutiny for the first time and the unethical and dishonest practice it symbolized was linked to disc jockeys throughout the country. The new line of 1960 cars was shown and Detroit made its big gam- ble to compete with the challenge of small foreign cars infiltering the American market in increasingly larger numbers. If this is possible. collegiate football became even more popular during l959, with Syracuse enjoying an unde- feated season to become the number one team in the country. Nfississippi captured second place with L.C.U. following in third place. Sword Dancer was the horse of the year in racing circles with Round Table being the all time top money winner and the sport drawing record attendance throughout the season. December. the exciting holiday month. arrived with the good news that President Eisenhower was receiv- ing an unprecedented warm welcome in the I3 nations he visited. The visit terminated with a Summit Meeting of the Western Big Four in Paris and it is top level diplomatic relations of this type that might eventually bring the peace on earth and good will toward men that is so desperately needed. On the political scene, Govemor Rockefeller announced he would not run for the presidency. leaving the Republican door wide open to Vice President Nixon. john Kennedy an- nounced his intention to try for the Democratic nomination. The Baltimore Colts took the Pro- fessional football championship for the second straight year. The gsm of the new school opened late in December for basketball prac- tice and the first gym classes were held immediately after the Christmas vaca- tion.

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History of the year The beginning of the 1959-1960 school year was an exciting and interesting experience. commencing with our introduction to the new High School and continuing through the months which were to follow. with the opening of new wings and classrooms. The scientific world also appeared to be revealing it's wonderful secrets to this age and generation. On September l2th the Russians succeeded in reaching the moon with a rocket weighing 858 pounds called l,unick II. and appropriately enough this occurred on the eve of Khrushchev's history making visit to the United States. in which the Soviet Premier toured both coasts ancl the interior of this great country. International peace was the priceless spoils of the Camp David discussions between President Eisenhower and the present master of the Soviet Republic. September will also be remember for the United Nations inter- vention in Laos. where North Yietnan was charged with ag- gression. As October must follow September. so did the growing pains of the new High School become apparent. bitt these were taken in stride hy both faculty and students and accepted as the price tag which is placed on worthwhile growth and expansion. There were many heated discussions concerning school policy over a wide variety of subjects. with the parents of the students showing as much enthusiasm as the school oflicials. In the democratic man- ner. the problems were subsequently happily resolved to the satis- faction of all concerned. YN'hile the Elders concerned themselves with the practical and material elements of school life. the students were making feverish and necessary adjustments. even to the inclusion of extra- curricular activities such as fraternity and sorority organivations. The lack of heating facilities during the first two months of school would discourage any 'tendency that a few students might have to hibernate. and the order of the day was to keep moving.

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, HISTORY OF THE YEAR It was january and our new school was now in full swing. Phys. Ed. classes were conducted on schedule in the gym for the first time. The Little Theatre came into it's own with a sweep of theatrical drama as Shakespeare's plays were perfonned in their finest tradition. 'l'he English 12A and IIA classes. along with students from various other sections, perfonued Othello, Hamlet. Merchant of Venice, The Tanning of the Shrew, King Lear, and King Henry to capacity crowds during four periods of each day. Conden- sation, costuming. casting. programs, and direction were all accomplished by the students themselves. 'l'he Little Theatre was set up in Globe Theatre arrangement. On the international scene we watched a crisis arise in Algeria - f the decade old struggle for home rule. President Deflaulle was able to bring the insurrection to a temporary close with the use of his high political and military powers.