George Rogers Clark High School - Powder Horn Yearbook (Whiting, IN)

Page 26 text:

To bring further attention to their cause, some Clarkites protested in front of the Administration Building. The announcement made during a School Board meeting that Football Coach Voris was not recommended for a contract renewal caused great concern among students and parents. The following morning, March 21, some students planned a walkout on Mr. Voris ' behalf. They arrived at 8:00 a.m. with signs and pins saying Retain Voris or Clark needs discipline and staged a sitdown just outside the principal ' s office, blocking traffic, gathering a crowd of onlookers and bystanders. As the morning classes began, these students proceeded out of school chanting We want Voris. After marching around school, they headed for the Administration Building. The day ' s disturbances subsided, school ended, and Clarkites headed home fo r Spring Break with time to ponder these new events. Returning to school, students were greeted with the news that at the coach ' s request a hearing had been granted. These hearings customarily held at the Administration Building were moved to Clark ' s gym so all interested public could attend. The hearings were held three evenings, April 14-16, during which time members of the School Board listened to testimonies of students, concerned Adult Booster Club members, and Administrators. Over 1,500 students and parents showed their concern by attending. At the beginning of each of the evenings, several students and parents gave Mr. Voris a standing ovation. On the final evening of the hearing. Board members conducted a one-hour executive board meeting to deliberate on all testimonies given and to decide whether or not to renew the Coach ' s contract. A one-to-four vote in favor of renewal of his contract resulted. Students, parents, faculty, and the general public left the gym at 3:30 a.m. on April 17, without having any regrets.

Page 25 text:

Doug Sfleets sfets i during the homen Precision and timing, shown by Jon Toops, are both important factors in bowling technique. Renee Zubay takes everything in stride during intramural tennis semi-finals. Campaigning for votes, Mayor Richard Lugar spoke to Clarkites about his political aims. Gilbert Lozano gets ready to block a spike from Mr. William ' s homeroom.

Page 27 text:

Cheers and standing ovations during hearings expressed the public ' s support of Mr. Voris. Student Life Controversy 23 One of the many students testifying on Mr. Voris ' behalf was George Grabovac. With the aid of his lawyer, Mr. Voris was able to have his contract renewed. An estimated 3,000 people crowded into the gym on the final night of the hearing.