Newcastle High School - Blue Racer Yearbook (Newcastle, OK)

Page 9 text:

The Economic Stabilization Program meant regulated gas prices much of 1973: to some it meant only regulated gas price increases. Charges flew that the gas shortage was really only an oil industry plot to boost profits, leading to a highly publicized but incon- clusive Congressional investigation. Profits were up, some 50%, all over the industry. Oil company spokes- men tried to off-set the claims, saying in- creased profits were being spent to explore for more oil to satisfy an energy-hungry, energy-short country. The Arab oil em- bargo was one factor accounting for oil shortages. The out- break of another Arab- Israeli conflict strengthened the Arabs' position, and they boldly imposed the embargo on oil shipments to most Western countries who had supported Israel. The events stunned the nation, including the stu- dent body of Newcastle. Although most of it de- veloped during part of a school day, news leaked into a thoroughly surprised student body, word spread- ing quickly throughout the school. The whole affair became the talk of the school by the time the stu- dents boarded the buses for home, and spilled into the next morning. Many felt Agnew got just what he deserved, while some felt he had been handled too lightly, that he should have served some kind of prison sentence. Those who had believed his statements of innocence, and admired his courage in facing his problems, were most bitterly disillusioned. Table of Contents Album: 52-103 Scrapbook: 6-51 Ads: 106-114

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Possibly the very freakiest of all happenings in this freaky year was the story of Spiro Agnew, once folk-hero to millions of Middle Americans whom he championed. With Pres- ident Nixon's popularity slipping and the possibility of impeachment being openly discussed, it seemed likely that Agnew might well become Presi- dent. Early in the fall that situation changed drasti- cally. News leaked out of grand jury investigations of Agnew's activities as Governor of Maryland, an office he held immediately before becoming Vice- President. Accusations that he had extorted funds from contractors in return for political favors while he was Governor and even after he became Vice- President finally formed. Agnew angrily, self- righteously denied all charges, declaring he would fight this through to the end. A stunning re- versal resulted when he pleaded no contest to reduced charges, paid a fine, and resigned the Vice-Presidency. The 761st U .S . Air Force Band came all the way from Sheppard AFB, Texas, to wow the student body with their big-brass sound. ‘Yesterday at 2:00 My Spiro Annually the FHA initi- ates the freshmen mem- bers of their club with all sorts of unusual rituals. One inventive method to harass the girls was dem- onstrated by Mars hah O'Donley to Terri Dobbs. The girls were forced to chew licorice without swallowing, grossing out many of those participat- ing, not to mention those watching. 4 OPENI NG

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ScrapB k Activity-wise the gas shortage interfered mainly with people enjoying the activities, as gas short- ages and prices made it difficult to get to away games and the like. High school music en- rollment leaped up to 150 the first semester, but dropped to 130 the sec- ond semester with higher gas prices and the threat of gas rationing. Athletically the high school girls' basketball team and junior high foot- ball team proved the most successful, the latter win- ning the district champion- ship, and the former ranked as one of the top girls' basketball teams in the state. Skits like this one were performed at pep assemblies held week- ly during most of the football and basketball seasons, helping stress school spirit.