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

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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.

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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.

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Much time was exerted by expanded curriculum committee members as they hashed out problems, cut all necessary red tape, and planned classes. Hours were spent thinking of interesting classes and obtaining teachers and guest speakers for them. It meant handing out surveys, talking with teachers about their avocations, asking if they would be willing to share them with students, and mak ing several phone calls. Additional time was spent finding materials and rooms necessary for each class. Expanded curriculum, ready for student sign up the Friday before Spring break and due to large absenteeism, was cancelled until the Monday after break. Sign up was then held in an orderly fashion during the students ' English classes. Inadequate numbers of signatures on the part of uninterested students during sign up, caused Expanded Curriculum to be canceled. Food-Fun Fair the annual PTA fund-raising project held around Halloween for many years, was rescheduled to January 21, due to conflicting school activities. Renovation forced the Fair, traditionally held in the basement, to be moved to the first floor and into the new wing of the building. These moves affected the placements of booths and the selling activities at the fair. The Student Council dance previously held in the old gym, was moved to the new gym, initiating a first and a new tradition. The dance featuring Urizon highlighted the evening activities. Handing out prizes for the basketball toss game booth, Marybeth Bereoles helps raise money for the Band. Committee members help interested absenteeisms sign up for classes.