John F Kennedy High School - Universe Yearbook (San Antonio, TX)

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013 SPECIAL MEMGRIES Hz QV, 2- 414 f'- ,J Students present wreath at the Kennedy Memorial in Dallas, 1976. during ef'- her visit to the campus. 'A 'A Q Q 4 5 ln rn .. :- 2 75 fb :J :v FD sn. -4 D3 n. Q. 51 FD Ui U7 fb U3 Q I SL 1 w - C ' ? :s .. ln 2 ' Anniversary

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CELEBR TI G 2.5 YEARS Kennedy Family Visits Among Eondest Memories ohn P. Kennedy High School opened its doors for the first time in September of i g 1963. After years of seeing an open field overgrown with weeds, the lot becamethe site of the newest school in the district. The community wait- ed and watched anxiously as the foundation was laid and the building began to take shape. Students waited for the new borderline to be drawn up deter- mining who would attend classes at the new builds ing. The selecting of the Rockets as the new mascot, and the school colors of green and white had special significance. Since the space program was one of john F. Kennedy's main concerns, it was deter- mined that this would be an appropriate theme to inspire the proper school spirit and pride needed. For this was the New Frontier , an age of missiles, satellites and astronauts, and an age that would require great courage and determination. And the school colors reflected the true Irish spirit of the president, a spirit that was evident during his short term in office. Two months after the opening of the school, the students were anticipating a visit from the asth president, He was scheduled to visit San Antonio on a. whirlwind campaign tour of the state ofTexas. The board had requested that during his visit he dedicate this first school in the nation to be named after him. His schedule did not allow for this, but he promised to return the following spring. Two days later, in Dallas, the president was shot while cam- paigning in the city. He died on November 22, 1963. It was not until 1981 that the late presidents brother, Senator Edward Kennedy, was able to ful- fill that promise. It was a glorious day for the stu- dents andthe community, and one that will long be remembered. Through the years, the school has had a long history of special celebration. Being the first school in the nation named after a president while he was in office, brought much notoriety and publicity to the campus. The Kennedy family charisma that gripped the world in the early 196O's, lingered for many years afterward, and affected life on our carn- pus. i Many of these events received nationwide public- ity through the years. On November 22, 1975, a group of students and teachers visited the Kennedy Memorial in Dallas to commemorate the anniversa- Anniversary f A2 . at Senator Edward Kennedy arrives on campus for dedi cation ceremonies. ry of the death of the president. In 1976, a delega- tion visited his tomb at Arlington National Cerne- tery in Washington, D.C. 1.980 brought a vissitijfrorn Mrs. Ethel Kennedy, and the same year saw several students present at the dedication of the Kennedy Library in Massachusetts. Needless to say, JFK has had its share of publicity and has been inthe limelight through its 25 glori- ous years. For thespirit and pride that began with the first school day back in 1963, has continued and made of our school one of the best.

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TGP EWS STCDRIES The Vietnam War The Vietnam War began in 1957 when forces supported by Communist North Viet- nam began attacking the government and its officials of South Vietnam. These forces con- sisted of guerrillas and terrorists commonly called the Viet Cong or V.C. The V.C. were opposed by the South Vietnamese Army which received military assistance from American advisers. In 1965, combat units of US. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard began to take part in this war. Although the U.S. never officially declared war, the number of American troops in South Vietnam reached a peak of more than 543,000 ln 1969 the U.S. began limited troop with- drawals. in january, 1973, a cease-fire agree- ment was signed by the U.S., North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and Viet-Cong. The cease fire ended U.S. involvement in the war, About 303,700 Americans were wounded and about 780 were missingi First Teacher In Space They passed the surely bonds of earth to touch the face of God. These were the inspiring words spoken by a soldier in World War II, and again on January 19,1987 after the tragic and fatal end of the most publicized and awaited trip into space. As the world looked on and cheered the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe and her fellow crew members of the space shuttle, Chal- lenger, exploded two minutes after takeoff leav- ing the world in shock. The cheering of the crowd witnessing the takeoff suddenly went dead. The famous teacher's students in Concord, New Hampshire watched from their school as the Shuttle's flight came to an end. Christa McAuliffe committed herself to a dream that not only became reality but a nightmare. Anecdotes Missiles Of October ln October of 1962, several U-2 spy planes succes fully photographed the construction of Soviet nucle. missile bases on the island of Cuba. On the 22nd of tl same month, President John P. Kennedy immediatel imposed a sea and air blockade of all offensive mili tary equipment headed for Cuba. On the 25th the U.E ambassador to the United Nations confronted the So viet ambassador with the photographs taken by spj planes. An ultimatum was given to the Soviet Unior by the president, and both nations readied themselves for war. Reluctantly, Soviet Premier Krushchev backec down and ordered the removal of the missiles and the dismantling of the missile sites. This was the closest the world had ever came to nuclear war. Nation Mourns Fallen Leader While campaigning in the state of Texas on Novem- ber 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy's life was ended tragically by an assassin's bullet. Two days pri- or to this incident, the president had visited San Anto- nio, where he had promised to return to dedicate the first school in the nation named after him. The country and the world mourned the fallen lead- er who had captured the hearts of an entire nation. Throughout his short three years in office, john F. Kennedy succeeded in many areas of government and in establishing a rapport with the leading nations of the world, His charisma and charm made him one of the most popular presidents in the history of our na- tion. . He Had A Dream Martin Luther King Jr., the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, will long be remembered as one of our great Americans and defenders of human rights and free- dom. ln 1963, he led a march on the nation's capitol, and opened the eyes and hearts of millions across the nation in his pull forequality and freedom. As a result, in 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed by Congress. It was made to ensure and protect the constitutional rights of black citizens. The movement continued un- til 1968, the year in which Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.