James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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ithe JMU community lived, thought and leamedMthe ' small Harrisonburg microcosm that made up our surroundings, occurrences elsewhere shook and shocked the world. The year was marked by surprises and stories as we experienced 1994 and 1995. One of the biggest news stories of the year was the O.J. Simpson murder case. Simpson was a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend, Ron Goldman. After an absurd highway chase led police and T.V. viewers over miles of California freeways last summer, the entire fall was devoted to pre-trial deliberations. When the trial finally began on January 23, 1 995, most T.V. programs were pre-empted as the country waited to see what would happen to this former football star. With war as an obvious possibility in Haiti, an American military invasion was prevented when Hai- tian militar) ' rul ers finally bowed to United Nations requirements. Fortunately, peace was maintained when the duly elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was reinstated. U.S. troops still landed on the island to help keep control while Aristide regained power. Civil strife continued to destroy both Rwanda and Bosnia as factions fought over religious and politi- cal issues. In Rwanda, over 500,000 people were killed and another 2 million fled to refugee camps. The United Nations attempted to control the violence in Bosnia with sanctions and peace talks, but the conflict COM MON Worlds did not resolve itself. Although we hoped for peace in our world, conflicts still exists in many places around the world. There was a glimmer of hope as President Clinton played host to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan. The two leaders, enemies since the 1948 creation of Israel, shook hands on the South Lawn of the White House and agreed to find peace in the Middle East. President Clinton said that the two men gave their people a new currencs ' of hope and the chance to prosper in a region of peace. It was also a year of surprises in the social world, as Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley were married. Heather Locklearand rocker, RickieSambora were another couple to tie the knot. Break-ups in Hollywood included Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, Kevin and Cindy Costner, and Roseanne and Tom Arnold. The 68th Miss America was crowned in Atlan- tic City when Heather Whitestone danced a two-and- a-half minute ballet performed to music she could not hear. The deaf woman from Alabama promoted her slogan, Youth Motivation: Anything is Possible. The year was one of excitement as the world neared the end of the 20th century. As we looked to the next century, the JMU community joined our brothe rs and sisters everywhere with anticipation and hope for our futures. Mlia iell 1 his infamous picture of O.J. SiApwjn and Nicole Brown has beenonthecoverof tabloid maga- zines and flashed on the news. The trial of the ex-football star be- came a national infatuation as the media trailed Ihe episode from he beginning. v fighters work to control Sb fires that spread across the woodland of the Western States. The battle against the scorching lire took place over the entire summer of ' 94 for the pro firefighters and the new recruits. 390 Current Events

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Closing ■ year came to a close and students could reflect upon the paths they trekked and where those hem. During the year, thewonren ' s Field Hockey team brought home JMU ' s first NCAA title, covered their voice as concerns about restructuring emerged, and organizations impacted the community through events such as blood drives. As the year closed, change was an inevitable factor for each student as seniors prepared to enter a new world and as freshmen prepared living arrangements . The years to follow provided an element of uncertainty and excitement for each class. Thoreau wrote in Walden, I left the woods for as good a reason as I went there. Perhaps it seemed to me that I had several more lives to live, and could not spare any more time for that one. It is remarkable how easily and insensible we fall into a particular route, and make a beaten track for ourselves. Like Throreau, students were able to look back at the path they followed, only to discover the man - paths JMU offered them in academics, sports, and organizations. The ground students shared around Harrisonburg and on campus united them, but each was walking with a different purpose and goal. Closing Divider 389

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I uban refugees fled Cuba ' s ptrCertv ' and hunger in rafts made of oil drums, inner tubes, and wooden planks. The United States reversed a 28-year-old policy of not granting Cubans asylum, letting in at least 20,000 a year. I | ' il war in Bosnia was de- structive, withmore than200,000 people dead or missing. Even vqth NATO air strikes and U.N. sanctions, Bosnian Serbs rejected international peace plans while receiving war supplies from their allies. sot Japan experienced js earthquake on J 17,1995. Hundreds of buildings ' toppled to the ground starting fires and killilng more than 5,000 people. before the the public con- cern about the direction America ' s health care plan was taking. The First Lady led the health care task torce.