Memorial High School - Reata Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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Housrolys pRidE By Bobby Lapin Historians and scholars will always marvel at the outstanding achievements of one of historyis greatest centers of cultural and philosophical freshness, the civilization of ancient Greece. Embodied in these Greeks was a zest for living life to its fullest, and there is little wonder that so many of the arts flourished in their day, and why not, for the Greeks were surrounded by an envi- ronment that offered the most elaborate cultural events of the era, and they merely had to join in the activities to become aware of their importance. This sort of environment offered culture, fun, and opportunity that allowed the Greeks to take their place in history as superior achievers. Just as the Greek civilization flourished with the arts, a vibrant, modern-day metropolis evolved to continue this ancient tradition. Houston, with 1.5 million inhabitants, barely allows its people to scratch the surface of trying to see and do every- thing in the city. Over 140 high schools serve over 250,000 area students, each with their own taste buds which can be satiated by this great city. Whereas most students thrive on music to live, walk, and dance by, Houston strikes a chord to suit everyone's pleasure. Classical lovers thrive on listening to the beautiful Houston Symphony in Jones Hall, and enjoy peaceful sidewalk sympho- nies in the early spring on the steps of the Ten- neco Plaza.- Opera lovers are annually treated to the renowned Houston Opera company, which recently won acclaim for its Porgy and Bess in early 1977. Equally outstanding is Houston,s pro- fessional ballet company which usually seats a full house for each performance. Concert patrons of a different kind, those who rock to everything from progressive country to punk rock were treated to an incredible billing of top performances at the Summit, Music Hall, and Hofheinz Pavilion. Houston, as a major stop on any performer's tour, brought in groups and acts to suit the pleasure of any avid music fan. The giant TV screens in the Summit provided the audi- ence with excellent close-up views of the perform- ers in action, and occasionally some of the audi- ence themselves in action during the breaks. Jack- son Browne, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Led Zeppe- lin, and even Houston's own Z.Z. Top continually return to Houston because, as David Crosby put it in the middle of his show, these are the nicest people around. Theatre took no second billing to music in Houston, and an equally varied group of theatre performances awaited all Houstonians who enjoyed such activities. The Alley continued to host the best America has to offer on a live stage, and this dedication to quality performance contin- ued all the way down to many various dinner thea- tres and small stages that scan the city. Echelon, a Russian masterpiece, chose to make its Ameri- can debut in Houston, and record crowds flocked in to applaud the Russians on a stage where poli- tics is unwelcome. Those who did not specify live performances were equally treated to Hollywood's best. and over 100 area theaters highlighted movies on their mar- quees from Star Wars all the way back to mar- vels like Casablanca and lt Happened One Night. No avid movie buff could be dissatisfied in what Houston had to offer, and the city itself even began to make debut appearances in feature movies also. When the high school football season had passed, even those Houstonians with little or no interest in sports had to marvel at the incredible variety of sports that Houston had to offer. With the Astros, Oilers, Aeros, Rockets, and even the new Hurricane, Houstonians had a team to cheer for 365 days a year. City universities also provided an outlet for the best in NCAA action, and beyond this, the city played host to several special sports events such as the crazy antics of the Harlem Glo- betrotters. But perhaps what Houstonians loved best was the ever-exciting Rodeo and Livestock show. Truly elegant diners used to take off for the weekend and head to New Orleans for the really fine food, but that is an era that has long since passed in the Southwest. If anything, immigrants from the Jazz City itself now find it fashionable to come to Houston for the best food at Maxim,s, Tony's, and a host of other top quality restaurants. Even people with considerable fewer bills could find anything in the way of cuisine in this area, for everything from Vietnamese delicacies to the ever popular Big Mac was served to hungry Houstoni- ans every day. Houston has built itself a firm and fine name in quality food, all topped with a variety that cannot be topped anywhere in the country. If the previously mentioned activities seemed far too noisy and active for a most passive native, an even bigger treasure of entertainment and fascina- tion rested nearby. Not an hour's drive away sits both the incredible NASA facility and the peace and quiet of the Galveston shoreline with an entic- ing beach hideaway. Spring opened up with the beautiful Azalea Trail, various flower displays, and the famous Cezanne exhibit which bypassed many cities. to appear in Houston. Because Houston's primary industry is oil, one would assume that only shrewd, businesslike peo- ple are nurtured there. However, the city spawns numbers of the warmest, most cordial. and most amiable people to be found anywhere. and the high school student reared in this majestic city should consider himself fortunate for having such a wealth of opportunities set before him, available only for the asking. ' No doubt, some of the satisfaction that the ancient Greeks felt for their existence has no time barrier, and their zest for life has certainly tran- scended all time limitations and reappeared in the form of a new, equally wealthy and prosperous people who proudly call themselves Houstonians. - 30 - AFTER ANOTHER BUSY EIGHT-HOUR WORK DAY, downtown Houston remains relatively serene and uncrowded at dusk. The city's skyline can be seen reflected off Buffalo Bayou. Photo by Trent Rosenthall.

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pw '.r ,xx is i N, ax gl, 1 ,,, i f-' ,. Vmyf AFTER VIEWING SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Sara Browning, Beth Snell, and Debbie Amarso stop at Town and Country Burger King for a quick bite to eat. Photo by Tom Leavens. DRINKING THEIR STRAWBERRY DAIOUIRIS, Cindy Williams and Tom Doughit enjoy dinner at the Strawberry Patch. Houli- han's, Harlow's, TGI Friday's, the Park, and Chili's were other small restaurants enioyed on weekends. Photo by Trent Rosenthal. FROM HIS RECENT MEAL AT PANJOS, a popular pizza hang- out, Sophomore Grant Gillum prepares to move elsewhere. Gillum's status as a sophomore allowed him the added advan- tages ot driving mobility. Photo by Tom Leavens. S2 WAITING IN LINE TO SEE THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, Joanne Chaltry, Katy Bremer, David Downman, and Virginia Smith anticipate bizarre scenes. The transvestite- centered midnight movie attracted swarms of students. Photo by Trent Rosenthal, Nightlife 59

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