Robert E Lee High School - Legend Yearbook (Tyler, TX)

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“The Year of Change” 1980-81 truly became a year of change—Change for our school, our city, our country, and even our world. As we began planning the 1981 Legend early in the summer, we felt the theme “A Year of Change” could be an interesting, yet appropriate subject. We were aware that the elections would take a major place in the national news. We all probably were more than a little surprised to find that for the first time since 1932, Republicans outnumbered Democrats in our Senate. Many Lee seniors voted for the first time. Inauguration Day will go down in history as unforgettable, for as President Ronald Reagan was taking the oath of office, 52 of our American countrymen that had been held hostage for 444 days in Iran were boarding a plane to return home. January 20th certainly began “a year of change”. Americanism continues to run high. Countless miles of yellow ribbons helped to draw our country together again. All over our city change was apparant. Many old familiar places gave way to progress. Downtown Tyler took on a new look. J We stood and watched as the old Citizens First National Bank fell in ruins, to be replaced with a beautiful, modern structure. The People’s National Bank added Tyler’s tallest building facility that, along with Tyler Bank and Trust, revitalized the downtown area. The change that had the greatest impact on our lives occurred on Valentine’s Day when the beautiful John Tyler High School was destroyed by fire. In only a matter of hours the true impact was felt. After surveying the damage, the TISD board recommended sharing Lee’s campus with our former cross-town rivals. There were many unspoken fears that this situation might not work, but we were pleased to hear Mr. Hall say that the entire student body had promised its cooperation. Although the new schedule meant that we would have shorter class periods and our afternoons free, it also meant more homework and an extra effort in getting to school on time. The fire not only affected the two schools but the entire city. For instance, the split schedule meant that employers had to reschedule their student employees. Robert E. Lee took on a dual look hoping to make the John Tyler students feel at home. All over the campus one could see not only red and white, but also the addition of J. T. Blue. Welcome signs in rooms and hallways and red and blue ribbons on campus trees were waiting to greet the new students on the first day. One of the first joint activities was a concert by the two bands. The proceeds were given to John Tyler to help them replace the Lion mascot that was destroyed in the fire. Mr. Hall summed up the loss by saying that “together we have made the best of a bad situation.” The “Year of Change” was especially significant to the seniors, for it was the beginning of a life on their own, leaving the security of home and school to face the world of college and career. Francie Batten Editor Q AOyrL(L JL SoXZlxJ i

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THE 1981 LEGEND Volume XXIII Robert E. Lee High School Tyler, Texas Editor—Francie Batten Photography Editor—Ron Wright Photographers— Associate Editor—Becky Taylor Jim Bob Barber Writer—Dena Anderson Les Clayton Advertising—Karen Battles Kevin Cooper Secretary—Dale Dresser David Green well Accountant—Jeanne Farr Tammy Hughes—Printer Lay Out—Lemesa Price Richard McLarty Writer— Wendy Weigman Cynthia Wong Sponsors— Frances Coker, James Jack

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“The Year of Change”-Table of Contents Administration......................................5 Classes............................................25 Favorites..........................................97 Honors............................................109 Hometown........................................ 115 Candids...........................................127 Athletics.........................................137 Academics.........................................175 Organizations.....................................211 Choice Graffiti...................................239 Advertisements....................................257