Golden Valley High School - Viking Yearbook (Golden Valley, MN)

Page 13 text:

 i nnT r f in hi IP Mil CJ V- J 1' IMIO M y v r vuik, « • MU Hell no UJi vJori'j‘c|o! 5$ A The students activities became more obvious as the year progressed. Student concern for environmental controls prompted the administration sponsored Ecology Day program. Classes were replaced with seminars and demonstrations concerning pollution and ecology. Taking time from regular classes for special programs had become common during the school year, taking an entire day was the next logical step. The old form of soc-hops, pep clubs and yo-yo spinning was confronted by informal diversions, ecology and the Vietcong flag. The result was the dessimination of student attitudes, and the disintegration of the GVHS produced, sterotyped, All-American bore. The extent with which the school had altered its standards was reflected in the administration's response to the students actions against the U.S. intervention into Cambodia. 9

Page 12 text:

M the beginning of the school year, assistant principal Dr. Henry Snyder noted a lack of student awareness and concern for events and issues outside the school community. His observation may have been true at the time, but it was an anti-thesis of the resulting year at GVHS. When many students showed a lack of concern for events within the school community, it first appeared that many students didn't have other activities. Howev er, beneath the facade of indifference, student interest ap a thy (ap'e thi), n., pi. -thies. 1. lack of feeling; absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement. 2. lack of interest in things which others find moving or exciting, (t. L: m. s. apathia. t. Gk.: ra. apatheia insensibility) -Ant. 1. ardor.- was simply diversifying, i Time was used for less organized pursuits. Informal I touch football games would be organized whenever some guys felt like playing. Changing the sign on the it short-lived yellow florescent marquee was done by students, whenever someone thought of a good message. Students produced two plays without the aid of an advisor. A few became interested in the Up with People program, while others discovered the simple pleasures of the U. of M. west bank. 8

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The U.S. intervention into Cambodia in the spring of 1970 caused the undeclared Vietnam War to become the Southeast Asian War, bringing fear of continued and widening participation by U.S. troops. Student reaction against President Nixon's decision to widen and win the war took the form of student strikes. Over 400 universities and colleges were closed as students attended teach-ins and other forms of demonstration against the government's actions. At Kent State U. in Ohio, four students were slain by National Guardsmen who opened fire on a demonstration. First reactions at GVHS came from U. of M. and St. Louis Park High students, who used lunch hours to give soapbox orations that appeared to be more of an ego trip than sincere commitment. The Student Council was at first content to sponsor an assembly, presenting the pros and cons of the intervention. It was held Monday, May 11, but limited to one hour, ending with the matter unresolved. After the assembly the Student Council held a special meeting and asked for a day of introspection concerning the war. The administration agreed to let any student 10