Tokay High School - Tokay Yearbook (Lodi, CA)

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by extremist students in Tehran. The mirage of potential release had come and gone three times, one being an unsuccessful rescue attempt that cost eight American lives, but after 440 days, the courageous men and women returned home. They cap- tured the emotions of Americans. Yellow ribbons were tied everywhere possible, and parades soon trailed through Washington, D.C., New York City, Detroit, Milwaukee, San Diego, and Sacramento, with still other parades and celebrations to come. One reaction was at Tokay, where a special assembly gathered students to sing, shout, and honor the 53 returnees and the eight who died. For the nation this was the most humbling experience since the Viet Nam conflict. It was incon- ceivable that the strongest nation in the world could suffer having embassy personnel held by a weak government of fanatics for more than a few weeks. Instead, it had lasted for over a year. But President Carter was well aware of the dangers involved, as the crisis dragged on while continuous efforts were made to settle with a shadowy Iranian government. Reportedly, 52.2 billion in gold and currency was transferred to London so it could be turned over to Iran as soon as the Americans left Tehran. Iran still wanted S475 million worth of previously or- dered arms, including F'14 fighter parts, a submarine, helicopter parts, trucks, radar equipment, spare parts, and am- munition shipped. Iran wanted this material released as soon as the hostages were free, but Alexander Haig, new Secretary of State, said that the arms would be sold and the proceeds would go to Iran instead. Maybe this event, with over a year of struggle and patience behind it, was what the country needed to bring it together. Once the hostages were really safe, the terror, emotion, and agony no 1. Raging flames rise toward the top floors of the nation's largest hotel. 2. Former hostage Richard Queen walks off with Edmund Muskie, former Secretary of State, after Washington's welcome-home gathering. 3. longer needed to be felt, the page needed to be turned. Reagan, with full confidence in America, an- nounced, Let terrorists beware. When the rules of international behavior are violated, our policy will be one of swift and effective retribution. America, sometimes down and with prospects for success often slim, always pulls through with an optimistic rebirth. As demolished as St. Helens was, American op- timism showed through. Farmers found that the ash would enrich their soil, producing even better crops. When Reagan was elected, floats bannered A New Begin- ning. And with captivity as barbaric as could be seen and with the nation's spirits down, the hostages returned, bringing from Americans a spontaneous outburst of affection, unity, and patriotism. A new American chapter was about to begin with 1981, and we watched it happen. by Carol Harris Teammates swarm around Buzz Scheider af- ter his second Olympics goal against the Czechs. 4. President Ronald Reagan is inter- viewed after being inaugurated. 5. Casually posing are john Lennon and his wife Yoko. Nation Essay 0 253

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America is a part of us and we are part of it, even students at Tokay High, only one of thousands of high schools in the nation: and we are all drawn into this coun- try's triumphs and tragedies. Beginning the 1980 year, when hope was slim for any American Olympic triumphs, the United States' ice hockey team battled to the gold medal in the final game against the supposedly invincible Soviets, who had won five straight ,,.. . - . .-,.. ,. - -ww 31 - ' -sf. -Mgqvg ,fm-5. .v X sz . A 'Si q' - .i.:1i3 . . 1. , if 1 1 R ff' .rx Q 1. , gg r by is . 15 i m g ,..' 3 . 31 ,-.. V. . - ss W ix. in iti if Q 's-- 5 - y ', 2 ' '-f- Q se-3 ER, s 1 if C f 1 ii 2 it s ' f 3 ss was if 1. sw 1' is f it E my ...gsm Si W 0' K, . golds. The Soviet, Czech, Swedish, and Finnish teams all had veteran players in depth, but what they lacked that the Americans proved they had was heart and youth. They proved they not only had speed but the spirit and brains to match. As one source commented, ...the skaters from the United States had so little international experience that they didn't know they weren't good enough to beat the top European teams. They used this to their advantage, relying on their intuition. The out- come was victory in the final 4-3 game against the Soviet pros. Following that awesome victory came devastating destruction, a blast as powerful as a hydrogen bomb. Washington's MountfSt. Helens blew its top, leaving the worst mess from an eruption in modern times. Over 44,000 acres of fir trees fell like matchsticks, 6,000 miles of roads and highways disappeared, and farmlands were buried under tons of boiling mud, leaving 18 people dead and 88 missing, mostly loggers, local residents, and miners. Some ex- plained it as Biblical wrath. Said one survivor, You felt like falling down on your knees and covering your face. As 1981 was about to uncover its face, other calamities heated up -- and fire was exactly what raged in Las Vegas, Nevada. The MGM Grand fire in December, when 84 people were killed, was followed bythe Royal American, the Dunes, and the Hilton fires, which took eight lives and injured another 200. All were deemed possible or positive arson. Another shock, this one on the other coast in New York City, was a deliberate killing, bringing a rock hero to an untimely end. john Lennon, the wit and soul of the Beatles, was shot four times by a supposed admirer. Mark Chap- man stunned the nation as he destroyed a man who was finally at peace with himself. Ronald Reagan summed it up as a great tragedy, while jimmy Carter claimed Lennon died by violence though he long campaigned for peace. Within minutes of his death, the news had spread around the world with memorials in New York City, Dallas, San Francisco, and countries everywhere. Lennon's death marked the passing of an era. Not too long before this jolt, the nation saw the election of Ronald Reagan, former actor and Gover- nor of California, as the President of the United States. Throughout the campaign, Georgia Democrat jimmy Carter and California Republican Ronald Reagan were reportedly neck and neck. Polls never showed more than a few percentage points of advantage for either one, but many predictions proved wrong as Reagan won by a landslide. As Inauguration Day declared Reagan President, the streets also shouted excitement about the release of the American hostages in Iran. Over a year before, 53 Americans had been taken hostage 1 Pride over ha dows disasters 252

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Soph activities, part1c1pat1on net increased level Sophomore Class officers got a good start this year as their Vic- tory Parade float won the S100 first prize. Other fund raisers on the schedule consisted of a dance, car wash, carnation sale, and a See's sucker sale, which had a very good turnout, according to officers. Most of the participation came from homeroom representatives and officers, but we also had help from a lot of other eager sophomores, stated Lorna Cari- cio, vice president, who added that Susan Heberle did another outstanding job as class adviser. 1. Sophomores Matt Cerney, Susan Fried- berger, Camille Kazimi, and Michelle Todaro participate on their Victory Week float, which won first prize. 2. Lisa Herbst, secretary-treasurer, Lisa Mino, president, Lorna Cancio, vice president, and Susan Heberle, class adviser, discuss details of the See's sucker sale. 3. Homeroom represen- tatives are front row Lorna Cancio, Tim Katzakian, Marianne Mendez, Ted Bacani, Kimm Nayer. Row two Shirley Harrington, Valerie Vannoy, Lisa Mino, Sheri Lornson, Sue jackson, Patti Dawson, Sandy Vaca. Row three Cindi Moyle, jeff Fraumeni, Matt Cerney, Kristi Patterson, Bill Van Oss, Brian Thompson, Brian Crawford, Sean Kelley, Marjorie Nishizaki, and Andre Ford. 254 0 Sophomore Class 2' , 1 QI r-4 ri' ha ,Q at