Okemos High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Okemos, MI)

Page 12 text:

 Through Perseverance, School Support, Zany Caricatures Symbolize Spirit Although the Chieftain football team was unable to meet the challenge rendered by its opponents, OHS spirit reached its peak this year. Pep signs dotted school walls urging the team to victory. Many of them, humorous Chieftain caricatures, became the school’s pictorial mascots during the football season. The unquenchable spirit culminated at the final game of the season, when the Chiefs were finally victorious, defeating archrival Haslett 25-20. Senior Tom Keller proved a powerful asset to the Chiefs, gaining over 100 yards rushing in each of the last three out of four games and completing 56 tackles. Junior Russ Boykin and senior Jay Guertin also proved valuable, each completing 39 tackles, while junior D.J. Drake executed 38 4. Other outstanding players were seniors Dave Premoe and Chuck Noth-stine and juniors Dick Vary, Rick Noblet and Kurt Hoysradt. American Government teacher David Jones, spending his first year at Okemos, coached the team, keeping spirit alive in spite of continuous losses. Coaching in collaboration with Mr. Jones was assistant coach Ken May, also teaching at OHS for the first time this year. The team elected Jay Guertin, Dave Premoe and Tom Keller tri-captains. Unusual perseverance of players in a losing season caused both players and coaches to be commended by the school board. Of 46 boys going out for the team, 40 remained playing despite the losses. Junior linebacker D.J. Drake prepares to tackle oncoming offender as Holt Hams defeat Okemos 13-34. Okemos and Mason line up for play, but the Chiefs effort proves fruitless, the Bulldogs winning 27-7. 8

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3. School competition officially began September 14, the first day of school for 612 Okemos High School students, an increase of over 55 high-schoolers from last year. Competitive events began immediately, the first football game occurring the Friday after school began. Cross Country meets were also held immediately after the opening of school. Members of both teams had competed for several weeks before school began for positions on the teams. Scholastically, seasoned OHS students faced new challenges through revised programs and a force of ten new teachers. Freshmen were confronted with new forms of teaching and class experience, competing with students older than themselves. Over 45 courses with over 130 sections were offered. The English Department provided an original English program not existing anywhere else in the state to challenge students. The courses were ungraded, members of different classes competing against each other. Students based course choice on reading and writing abilities. Advanced writing, the most advanced English course, allowed competition between 24 students from the freshman, junior and senior classes. In the sciences the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) and Physical Science Study Committee (PSSC) challenged biology and physics students through new approaches to scientific material. Chemistry classes were also taught by a new method, based on several approaches of chemistry programs similar to BSCS and PSSC. The various “looks” for the year competed, also, the English look generally winning out at OHS. From the beginning of the year, boys grew their hair longer, and girls wore theirs in soft, easy, sometimes straight styles, as opposed to last year’s “ratted” look. The English “mod” look came in for girls with textured nylons and small-heeled shoes, and the “rocker” influence was evident in the tight white levis worn this year by girls and the boys’ boots. As students began the year, they eagerly faced the competition, plunging into what the school had to offer scholastically, socially and athletically. 7

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Okemos Chiefs Conquer Haslett in Final Game Scoreboard Opponent Okemos St. John’s 37 13 Howell 18 6 Mason 27 7 O’Rafferty 7 6 Holt 34 13 Eaton Rapids 18 13 Gabriels 21 13 Haslett 20 25 The impact of junior Mike Guthrie's tackle forces Eaton Ilapids player to fumble the ball. First row: Assistant coach Ken May. Chuck Nothstine. Pat Daily. Mike Baker. Dave Premoe. Jay Gucrlin. Tom Keller. Russ Boykin. Mike Guthrie, coach David Jones. Second row: Doug Ilittenger. John Pearson. Lee Decker. Jim Westwood. Bob Graham. Stan Adams. Jim Oade. David Kitsmiller. Dick Vary. Third row: Sam Hughes. John Phillips. D. J. Drake. Kurt Hoysradt. Gary Russell. Bob Schirmer. Bob Olds. Tom Burke. Bill Breckenfeld. Jeff Caldewey. Fourth row: Doug DeLind. Chuck Gaa. Dave Hussel. Rick Noblet. Robin Linton. Larry Beebee. Butch Brown. Wayne Pearce. Steve Scnzig. 9