Columbia High School - Mirror Yearbook (Maplewood, NJ)

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u—'lip

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introduction 2 north house 1 2 south house 42 east house 72 west house 102 CONTENTS activities 134 jocks 190 ads 228 index 246 staff 254

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When you think of the spirit of '76, what comes to your mind? The three marching men? George Washington and Thomas Jefferson? Yes. They are the spirit of their '76, but we are the spirit of ours. We are Columbia in '76 and have a spirit all our own. During the American Revolution half of the population was under the age of sixteen, but there was no such thing as a teenager.” There was no separate teen culture with its own music, literature, styles, and fads. Treated as adults, teens were expected to work hard and to conduct themselves as adults. In 1976, Columbia is a microcosm of the separate and accepted teen culture. Looking at us today, you might think that Columbia's dress code is jeans and Wallabies, but in taking a closer study, you will see a wide range of fashion. Our varied fashion choices reflect our individuality and give the visitor a clue to our broad spectrum of interests. At Columbia in '76 we have the opportunity to pursue these interests and inclinations. For those with a love for sports, there are teams and clubs to join. To root for Columbias' teams, we have spirited cheerleaders and song leaders. For those interested in languages, there are lan- guage clubs such as Le Cercle Frangais, the Italian Club, and Forum Romanum. There are also art clubs, orchestra, band, and math clubs. As for curricular interests, we have a myriad of courses to choose from, including the recent additions of photography, psychology, and transcendental meditation. For those who wish to explore an interest even further than the limits of a classroom, we have the option of the independent study. We have been influenced in 1976 by a trend toward communication. This communication includes committees where the students take part in decision-making such as the Coordinating Committee, Tripartate, and the Student Faculty Administration Committee. Students interested in planning school activities may also join the Fire or Assembly Committees. Participants in these groups have an opportunity to work on problem solving within the school. The year 1976 has been a year of immeasurable growth and change for all of us in the graduating class. However, this year has been a crucial one for the world outside the Gothic walls of Columbia High School. Would we have ever dreamed of New Jersey's precarious taxation plans or of headlines describing New York's pending bankruptcy? Ths statistics of massive unemployment across the nation are also startling. The world is in a state of change, and we the class of '76 believe that we are preparing ourselves to cope positively and construc- tively with the problems which will confront us as citizens. As seniors, we are faced with important decisions. This is the year that shapes the rest of our lives, for we must decide on where to put the final focus on our future. We have dreams of college, ideal occupations, and ultimate happiness. Louisa May Alcott wrote, Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. At Columbia in '76 we have our own styles, responsibilities, pleasures, opportunities, and goals. We have a spirit all our own! Catch the spirit of Columbia in '76. i ( 76) f I CP 00 r r{ . 9- 76 2