Chicopee High School - Memini Yearbook (Chicopee, MA)

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We established a little more finesse as Juniors. Our confidence as individuals grew while we seemed to be in another era of adolescence, unlike that of a Freshmen or Sophomore. By the end of the year, most Juniors were on the threshold of getting driver ' s permits and eventual- ly, licenses. This status symbol, definitely an asset, proved its fruitful benefits on weekends, that is, until the Arab nations imposed an oil embargo against the United States and prices for gasoline jumped from about 28 (t gallon to 57 c gallon. Long lines formed in front of gas sta- tions, that were only open a certain day or days, and more than once, these lines blocked the way of ambulances, in which persons died because of panicky people who were afraid there ' d be no gas . Even Christmas, which brings out the best in everyone, proved to be dimmed by the energy crisis. Lighted trees were only seen at night while outdoor decorations didn ' t even exist. It was one holiday season that people would not forget. Eventually, things did worsen. Between the lowering of thermostats and cutting down of speed limits on highways, the history of Watergate gradually strangled Nixon ' s neck. Resig- nation rumors flew around Capitol Hill but were crushed by Nixon himself stating and insist- ing he would not resign, that he was elected to do the job and the job he would do ! The United States se emed to be in a demoralizing state of affairs as a special three judge panel recommended that Vice-President Agnew be disbarred from office for tax evasion. This resignation was the first in the history of the country. Gerald Ford, minority leader for the House of Representatives, became the 40th Vice-President. Aside from the fact that America was splitting at the seams with Nixon, the energy crisis, and the Middle East, the cultural arts of America still remained successful and still brought a smile of appreciation from people. The Metropolitan Opera, according to Newsweek,” is an unprecedented orgy of cultural activity. Museums still headed the list of educational places where school children are taken on for field trips. The movie business seemed to have it made. Pictures became more relevent due to the controversial subjects depicted, as compared to movies years ago. The Exorcist” became one of the most talked about fil ms and gave to viewers of all ages the satisfaction of seeing the devil in action. Robert Redford became one of the male sex symbols of America. Redford-Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were” struck a note of romance and nostalgia while Redford-Mia Farrow in The Great Gatsby disappointed movie goers, although put- ting in a plug for fashion designers as the Gatsby” era moved into clothes circles. The Sting packed movie houses across the nation as Redford-Paul Newman made themselves a bundle. American Graffittee, another nostalgic and popular flick, had audiences coming back for more. Trends in fashion seem to change year after year. Jeans were still the American craze. Den- ims by Levi rose from $11 to $13 in a matter of months where at one time, jeans were consid- ered slovenly and bought only by those who couldn ' t afford anything else. Around school, snuggees (sweatshirts that zip up the front and sport a hood) were popular. Sensations in sports, changed almost as fast as fashion. Billie Jean King and Chris Evert, American tennis buffs, brought on a tennis mania, at least to the local area. Young and old alike took up the sport that increased the lines at the courts and gave people the exercise they needed to keep physically fit. Towards the end of Junior year as the weather became warmer, streaking across campus or down the main drag replaced the anti-war demonstrations on college campuses in the ' 60 ' s as the thing. Athletically, the Valley League Title bore the inscription COMP for three sports: football, basketball, and baseball. The outcome of athletic teams left an insight to others that Comp would be the team to beat Senior year. Not only was our country in a period of change and turmoil, but as Juniors, and soon to be Seniors, we had our share of frustration. S.A.T. ' s, college plans, and careers were slowly bumping into our lives. Decisions had to be met soon, and though confusion seemed endless, Junior year provided a tiny ripple of hope.

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As we entered our Sophomore year our first days at the main building were shadowed by news of the Terrorist attack at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Eleven Israelis were held hostage and seventeen persons died as a result of the assault. Prior to this event, American swimmer Mark Spitz emerged as a wet sex symbol, winning seven gold Olympic medals and setting seven world records in swimming. U.S.A. ' s Cathy Rigby, and U.S.S.R ' s Olga Korbut starred in women ' s gymnastics. One of the most striking developments in ' 72 was the continued emergence of black moviemakers. Shaft, Come Back Charleston Blue, and the most popular Superfly packed audiences in theatres around the nation. Entertainment-wise, the U.S. had progressed, but as one reviews the political scene, cor- ruption seemed to be predominate. There was swindling behind the ballot, fighting in Asia and Northern Ireland, and bombing in Viet Nam. Was this a sign of progression? While Senator George McGovern, Democratic nominee for President, campaigned across the nation, supporting U.S. withdrawal from Viet Nam President Richard Nixon through Henry Kissinger signed a truce in Indo-China, but it was nearly three months before the treaty took effect. A week before the end of the Vietnamese war, the U.S. lost their 37th President — Lyndon B. Johnson. Many felt his death was hastened by this unpopular war. The first group of prisoners of war was released by the North Vietnamese in February, an event which sparked the interest of Americans throughout the world. Many more were later released, uniting men with their families all over the country. To many people ' s dismay, Life announced it would cease publication after 36 years of service. Fashion, politics, people, Hollywood, culture, and sports headed the contents in this nationally famous magazing. In his bid for his second term as President, Richard Nixon was reelected in a landslide victory over George McGovern. Massachusetts, the only state which remained Democratic in this campaign, could only shrug with a smile and say Don ' t Blame Me, I ' m from Mass. As inflation worsened the cost of meat skyrocketed fast. Although a control of the price was planned, stores still had to contend with angry housewives who boycotted the sale of meat. Even television was a new phase. The true-to-life figures of Archie Bunker in All in the Family and the amusing characters in Sanford and Son caught the laughter of many. On the softer side, John Boy and his family in The Waltons presented a more idealistic side of the rotting structure called the family. Staging this year as the year of involvement, the idea of being an organized class molded us into the realization that this was only the beginning of our future. We proved our involvement as our class kicked off its candy sale and netted $3,000. Choc- olate bars seemed to be floating all around the building, especially at lunch. It almost seemed that this money raiser became a way of life after a while! The fight to change the Chicopee-Comp. football game to a Thanksgiving Day Match, something to which Alumnae could look forward to, proved fruitless once again. As students were ushered to first period class, one could have only predicted this to be a day of ordinary activities until all classes were interrupted by an invasion of Freshmen from the Annex, in protest to the Teachers ' Slowdown. In an effort to obtain a new contract Teach- ers refused to do anything which was not covered by their present contracts including extra- curricular activities. A few hundred students felt that their rights as students had been infr- inged upon and took it upon themselves to try to resolve the situation by congregating in front of the building in protest. Although it had no real effect on the outcome of the slowdown, the incident did make local news. And so . . as the Class of ' 73 was herded into the ranks of the alumnae, a half-hearted re- alization of being almost there hit us. To a large portion of the student body it meant mov- ing to the other side of the gym at rallies, but for those sentamentalists, the best years of our life were almost coming to a close, quickly and abruptly. As the door shut behind our Soph- omore year we would hold it high in our memories, knowing that with Junior and Senior years ahead, maybe the best had yet to come. 1972 - 1973

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Senior year . . . sentiment . encounter . . new experiences . . involvements open- ing the door to the outside world . . . recognition . . . Was it only yesterday that we were looking up to the Class of 72? The voices of teachers repeating, when you ' re in college no one will ask if you did your homework and make the best of these four years remain within us. A few of us may feel sorrow in leaving C.C.H.S. Others may be glad these four years have finally passed, but at least the year ' s events will provide us with memories that we shall never forget. Not only was this an educational year in school, but all over the world, people were learning and opening their minds to knowledge, living each day is an education. President Nixon ' s resignation headed the year ' s events as he and his family bade a tearful good-bye to political life, while newspapermen termed the national nightmare over. Reac- tions varied from relief to disappointment. Our new President, Gerald Ford speaking before the East Room audience at the White House following his inauguration, explained his position. If you have not chosen me by secret ballot, neither have I gained office by secret promises ... I am indebted to no man and only to one woman, my dear wife. Betty Ford, wife of the President, was hit with her first crisis, breast cancer. A few weeks later, Happy Rockefeller, wife of Vice-President designate entered the hospital for the same reason. Doctors are becoming more and more anxious to find a cure for this deadly disease which is hitting closer to home every day. Senator Edward Kennedy, taking past and present family crisis ' into consideration, an- nounced he would not run in ' 76. Friends and family breathed a sigh of relief, since he is the last surviving son of the Kennedy clan. The abduction of Patricia Hearst still was suspiciously unexplainable. Miss Hearst was kidnapped by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army. Although their demands of millions of dollars of free food to be given to the poor were met, Miss Hearst was not returned and later, in a recorded message to her family, stated she had joined the S.L.A. As election time approached the American people proved their mistrust in the Republican party by increasing the number of Democrats in Congress, in state houses, and in Governor mansions. President Ford, in his first duties as President surprised the nation as he granted Richard Nixon a free, full, and absolute pardon. Protests flew from all directions as citizens voiced their opinions against Ford ' s act of contrition. While Arkansas Congressman Wilbur Mills was seen carousing with the dancer the Argentine Firecracker Fanne Foxe, in Boston the city ' s south end was struck with racial tension mounting to brutality. It was an old time Southern lynch mob with a Boston accent. The school desegregation plan, which required the bussing of about 18,000 pupils caused more anger and hostility than Mayor Kevin White could handle. Injuries were inflicted on many and so the city ' s Tactical Police Force was called in to guard the schools. Evil Knevil created a sensation as he decided he would attempt to jump over the Snake River Canyon while riding a motorcycle. A crowd of 50,000 came to watch this feat but were disappointed to find that the daredevil ' s parachute had opened to quickly, cutting short his flight. k us. f . : Once it was musical comedies, westerns, and love stories. Today it is disasters that draw the crowds as Earthquake, The Towering Inferno, and Airport ' 75 are viewed by thousands across the nation. While here at home Comprehensive draws admirers too. Our various sports teams and academic honors bring our school the recognition it deserves. So, the day has come for us to go on our own, to take the many different paths available. Maybe, somewhere, sometime, in the least expected situation, our paths will meet but no matter where may end, our roots can always be traced back to Chicopee Comp. And so, as the final minutes remain, will you remember this year, or even this moment, tomorrow? The relationships . . . struggling for personal achievement . . . trivial encounters . . . experiences that left us with a budding air of maturity . . will you remember 1975? 1974 1975 27