Okemos High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Okemos, MI)

Page 30 text:

Mock Election Registration, Voting Procedures Students Choose Johnson, Romney Dems Hare, Hart, Kelley Elected The 1964 presidential election witnessed one of the most vicious campaigns in history. On a smaller scale, OHS held its own election October 30, less vicious but equally intense. The results of the mock election paralleled the national polling which followed, President Johnson defeating Senator Goldwater 272 to 159, although Ingham County has never before gone Democratic. On the local level, however, Governor Romney overwhelmed Neil Staebler, and excepting Senator Hart, Secretary of State Hare, and Attorney General Kelley, all Republican officials were elected. The mock election, sponsored by Honor Society, received support from social studies classes studying the candidates. To complement material taught in the history and government classes, Honor Society handled the election realistically with compulsory registration for voters and actual ballots and voting boothes. A campaign assembly was held where Dr. Charles Adrian, chairman of Michigan State’s political science department, discussed a political scientist’s view of voting, German exchange student Marlies Immler offered the European view of the election, and seniors Mark White, Brock Hotaling, and Jay Guertin gave campaign speeches. Politically-minded from all grades joined Gold-water Teens of Okemos (GTOs) or Johnson Association for Good Sense (JAGS) to back their candidates in one of the most fanatical exhibitions of loyalty and competitive spirit noted at OHS. Seniors Doug Richer and Henry Koch muse over validity of assembly speeches during the campaign. Students wave signs, cheer wildly during speeches. Loyal Democrats and Republicans contributed extensive vocal support to their parties. American History students discuss altitudes and abilities of Goldwater and Johnson in Mr. Ron Mott’s third hour class.

Page 29 text:

OHS students reverted to the archaic practice of slave-buying on Community Services Day, sponsored by Student Parliament October 29. Slaves Maureen Baker, Marilyn Martin and Doug DeLind were sold singly at the Community Sendees Assembly. Kirk Campbell and Chuck White carried their buyer to class on a stretcher, while Bob Graham was bought outright for $7 by counselor Dorothy Peterson for the senior girls. Staunch Republican Jay Guertin was sold to the democratic JAGS to publicize President Johnson all day. Student Parliament collected $105 for Community Chest from the slave sales and class skits. Senior boys paraded in a chorus line, juniors impersonated the Beatles, and freshmen presented a wrestling demonstration. Mr. John Bjorquist, Mr. Dan Cahill. Mr. Ron Westrate and Mr. Joseph Walbridge provided musical entertainment with a guitar-harmonica-voice ensemble. Under the leadership of President Dick Hill and sponsors Mrs. Betty Goldstein and Mr. Walbridge, Student Parliament also sold OHS sweatshirts and sponsored the annual Homecoming dance. Mr. John Bjorquist plays electric guitar as a part of a skit. Freshman Maureen Baker awaits day of drudgery as a slave. Slaves were sold by Chinese auction. 25 Bill Breckenfeld. Dave Premoe and Dennis Zuver display “feminine” charms in senior skit.

Page 31 text:

Duplicate State Regulations Healed debate and spirited campaigning of national election are reflected in school life by JAG and GTO publicity. 27