Lawrence High School - Red and Black Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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The newspaper headlines told it all— Nuclear protestors appeal convictions, Anti-nuclear protestors hold rally. The papers were filled not only with the news about a near catastrophe at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania but also about what some feared and others supported—the construction of a nuclear power plant approximately 75 miles southwest of Lawrence. The Wolf Creek nuclear power plant near Burlington was viewed by many of the local residents as a boost to their economy rather than as a source of possible destruction. According to a story in the Kansas City Star, not many of the Burlington minds were changed by the dramatic events at Three Mile Island. Three Mile, however, did hit home here. The Lawrence Residents for a Radioactive Free Kansas, in existence since May 8, 1978, began finding more and more concerned citizens at its weekly meetings. Anne Moore, a full-time volunteer for the organization, said, 'The accident in Pennsylvania is a tragedy and it's not over yet...the impact has been very considerable. The impact at Lawrence High School was impossible to determine. Although students did not unite in any form to voice their opinions, many discussed the situation with their friends and teachers. Students heard about the pros and cons of nuclear energy in classes such as Survival in Today's Society, which should have helped them to de- cide their stance on nuclear energy. Such a decision, however, was not easy for anyone. Benjamin Friesen, chairman of the University of Kansas radiation and biophysics, said it was difficult for scientists as well as citizens to decide their positions on nuclear energy. In an attempt to educate the public, he and other supporters of nuclear power were guest speakers at a public forum in Lawrence. Obscenities from anti-nuclear protestors disrupted the meeting and kept Friesen from explaining why he was mildly pro-nuclear. Every incident or problem with one nuclear reactor affects all other reactors, and Wolf Creek was not immune. Although authori- ties announced in 1973 that the plant would be built, no organized opposition surfaced until the Sunflower Alliance was formed in Feb- ruary of 1978 and the Kansas Natural Guard in September of 1978. On Jan. 12, 1979, some Lawrence residents were among the 34 per- sons arrested for criminal trespassing when protestors temporarily blocked the arrival of the 385 ton reactor vessel. Con- struction of the plant continued, but after the . Three Mile Island crisis in March others began to take notice. Kansas Gov. John Carlin and Attorney Gen- eral Robert T. Stephan inspect- ed the $1.1 billion energy com- j plex, which covers 10,500 acres ly'JjC, of land. ThG KanSaS le9islature P,an- necj to app°int a spec'a| com- mittee to investigate the safety of the plant, and a proposal BKpSy t0 ban radioactive materials from the made.

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Coronafion-a fime for fears, o time for changes Homecoming 1978 was a year for changes. Vicki Barbee, senior, was the school's first minority student to be crowned Homecoming queen. I was very honored to make the six finalists and sur- prised to be crowned queen, she said. Starting the Homecoming festivities was the Rally 'Round the Lion, emceed by Brian Watson, class president. The queen candidates gave speeches and received autographed footballs with the team's signature on them. Also at the rally the Pep Band played and raising speeches were given by Bill Freeman, head coach, and John Hadl, a Lawrence High The morning of homecoming class were judged by the division principals time of the football game against the class of 1979 learned that it hall decorating contest. At the end of the school day, a Home coming parade featured Shelley Senecal, 1978 Homecoming queen; the six queen finalists; LHS and Topeka West marching bands; class officers; and school clubs. o of joy shine on the face of Vicki Barbee whilo her father, the Roverond Loo Barbee, congratulatos her. All tho quoon candidates' fathers escorted them onto the field boforo the coronation. Homocoming Queen Vicki Barbee and her attendants-Sarah Waugh, Mary Kay Blubaugh, Anne-Marie DeGeorge, Debbie Nyo and Diana Falen. Barbee was the school's first minority Homecoming queen and for the first time there wore five attendants instead of two. Photos by Kont VanHoosen 11