Stratford High School - Mnemosyne Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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of firsts Jtain, Texans were going fewer id fewer places. Gas lines :came long and gas prices ared to nearly 551.00 a gallon in alifornia while remaining ound 80 cents in Houston. gns reading, Sorry, no gas ere everywhere. A new development in the iergy situation was a major cident at the Three Mile Island uclear Plant in Harrisburg, lnn. The number two reactor ffered a series of breakdowns cooling March 28. This inci- ent, and the timely release of e movie, The China Syndrome, it many Americans on their lard concerning nuclear power la solution to the energy crisis. Another tragic event was the crash of a DC-10 as it took off from Chicago's O'Hare Airport May 25. More than 270 people died in the crash that was cited as the worst in U.S. history. On the social scene, palimony suits were the rage in California as Michele Marvin, live-in love of actor Lee Marvin, won a cash settlement in court. ln the Marvin tradition, rock stars Peter Framp- ton and Rod Stewart were promptly named in similar suits. ln Rome, Pope Paul died and Pope john Paul succeeded him. After a short two-month reign, TW T 'lNsn'ri.AN V... ,J 'D ,J-1' 4-ea. -C l , .r-Q -MN 'unch X - rut limp-1 fi 'QD' X515 M' W' Pope john Paul died and in his honor, the new Polish Pope selected the name Pope john Paul ll. Back in Texas, the first Republi- can governor of the century, Bill Clements, was elected with promises of cutting the state budget. Besides having a Republican governor, senators made the 1979 session of the legislature eventful by staying away from chambers in order to prevent the passage of a bill to allow primary elections in Texas. These 12 senators, dub- bed Killer Bees prevented the mandatory voting quorum, virtu- ally crippling the Senate until their return. In other Texas con- gressional action, the legal drink- ing age was raised to 19 as of September, 1979. Although 1979 will be remem- bered by students as a State Championship Year in football and tennis, no one could over- look the year as being one of national peace, tragedy, near tragedy and diplomacy. current events 35

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l'll always remember this year because of the State Champion- ship, Senior Robin Hazel com- mented. But several other national and international events also affected Stratford's students and the community. Pep rallies were dominated by themes taken from popular entertainment successes like the movie Animal House's toga party, comedian Steve Martin's wild and crazy guy , and television's Saturday Night Live's coneheads. Ballooning to France occupied a few enthusiasts, but another kind of atmospheric visitor enter- tained audiences-Mork. For entertainment outside of school Mork and Mindy became a favorite weekly series and the movie, Superman, was released to public theaters and sell-out 1979 - year crowds. Houstonians also had the chance to go the Dome and wave their pompoms for the Oil- ers as they approached the NFL playoffs. Despite the Oilers loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, fans greeted the late returning team with a giant pep rally in the Dome. It was Houston's thank you for getting to the playoffs. But life had a much darker side than just losing in football. ln November, 1978, the mass sui- cide of more than 900 People's Temple members in lonestown, Guyana shocked the world. lim jones' followers, men, women and children, drank koolaide laced with cyanide after a sur- prise attack on a congressman's investigative team. Iran bid goodbye to their Shah as unrest in the country forced him into exile and Ayatollah Khc meini assumed leadership. Tl' already strained relationship wil the United States became eve more delicate. With President jimmy Carts arranging the meetings, Premit Menachem Begin and Presidei Anwar Sadat signed a form. Israeli-Egyptian Peace Treat March 26. The world, via telev sion, witnessed the two leade embracing, confirming the determination to make peace i the Middle East. For the first time in history, communist Chinese leader, Del uty Premier Teng Hsiao-ping, vi, ited the United States, 'making stop in Houston to enjoy Texl barbeque and the Simonto rodeo. As gasoline became harder l T X l l UNLEA Sli l 34 current events Xlff u.lJ-Lv-fxizx

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Cool and thick, a frosty offers a nice relief from the hot Houston weather for Senior Cassie Curelop as she is fed by lunior Ruth Eddens. Many outings included afstop at one of the many local franchises which serve hamburgers, chicken, pizza, fish, or sandwiches. The last thing any student would want after a long day of school is more to do, right? Not quite. Students may have left their four-six hours of school with homework but most preferred the diversion that a trip in the car or a walk to the local job could bring. lust looking for something to do kept students busy. Sophomore Danny Stewart remarked, Mainly, I just listen to my stereo and goof off. But a lot of times on weekends there's Key Club work to do. Meanwhile Robbie Spo'ttswood, also a sophomore, spent his time around rodeos, bull riding or just riding his horse. Robbie says if he watches TV, he watches Gunsmoke and Bonanza. Spending money was a popular pastime as students bought ten-dollar concert tickets, six-dollar albums tdepending on which record storel, and five-dollar T-shirts at the concerts. Rod Stewart was 511.50 for the worst seats in the Summit, said junior Mau- reen Kuzik. When you're there fat a con- certl, they CT-shirtsl seem so neat. Usually people wear them to school the next day so everyone knows they went to the concert, continued Senior Leah Hippie. Senior loyce johnson added that she liked to go to clubs like Lovejoy's in Woodlake Square or to Chelsea's which is real radical. You bang mugs or tables and the loudest table gets a free pitcher. The guy to girl ratio is about five to one, too. lobs also occupied time, but according to Senior Bryan Boudreaux, the sacrifice of free time paid off, as he saved for a truck and gained experience. Bryan, who works at The Printery, plans to open a printing shop after college. The medical profession attracted students. Senior Betsy Bonvillain would wait on cus- tomers and hold animals for the doctor to treat at the Animal Medical Center. She helped run tests and assist in surgery, she said. Actually, l ran the whole clinic. Perhaps money provided the best incen- tive for taking a job, although those under 16 found most jobs unavailable for insurance reasons. The floating manager between two local Panjo's commented, however, I'd rather have a motivated 13 year old who can be a better worker than a 17 year old who just loafs around. Yet, some students under 16 have found jobs. Sophomores Chris Grant and Steve Strellor worked hooking cars to rented U- Haul trailors. Chris remarked, We usually worked only two to four hours out of a ten- hour day. We spent the other time playing football, listening to the stereo and drinking beer. Steve Strellor added, From meeting 'weird people' at work, I learned to commu' nicate with people. In the mood for music, Sophomore Simms Du ncun checks out the selection of albums at his favorite local record store. 36 work and play