Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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hemistry labs, Spanish dialogues, and English reports claimed posses- sion of students’ minds from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Monday through Fri- day. Although teachers struggled to present such topics in an interesting fashion, they did not always stimulate production. Instead, the students turned their backs on the academic world to face the social political scene. While the 18-year-olds were not permitted to legally drink in Indiana, they could vote in the ’72 presidential election. For the first time, 18-year-olds cast ballots November 7 for either the incumbent Richard Nixon or his South Da- kota opponent, George McGovern. Events prior to, and directly after, Richard Nixon’s election shook the nation and the VHS students as well. Only weeks before election day, the Nixon administration spread rumors of a n end to the Viet Nam war. The actual cease fire came in December. Weary approvals of an act long overdue replaced ticker tape pa- rades of demonstrations. Although Nam was 8000 miles away, the senior boy with indefinite future plans feit some relief with its termination. The POW became more than a sta- tistic counted on the 6:00 news. For many, Capt. Anthony, 10 17 67, or Capt. James Shively, 5 5 67, were only two of 570 POW’s, students wished to see return. Enthused students checked lists of U.S. bound servicemen daily to see if ‘‘their’’ POW had returned home yet. When he finally did, students joined the nation in welcoming back the war’s only hero. Inflation entered the student’s vo- cabulary via his wallet. Skyrocketing meat prices caused steak to vanish from the family menu and chicken to appear. Even ham- burger went through the meat grinder. Mc- Donald’s and Burger King were faced with raising prices or reducing quantities. An energy crisis hit in the spring of ’73. As last-of-the-big-time-spenders, students were fi- nally justified in ordering 50 cents of regular at Lightcap’s. Social influences came in unisex fashion. To parents’ delight, jeans were left standing against the wall at home, while baggies, and body shirts took to the halls. Whether in a social, emotional, or physical sense, the VHS student has changed; dramat- ically. The evolution, beginning in the fall of 1872, is an non-stop process. 1973, its cen- tennial year, provided students with a chance to view where they had gone in the past 100 I years and where they would go in the next 100 years of evolution; it’s been a long time coming. Pages 10-14 written by Janet Bochnicka —

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Activities revolve Around additional space Advancement was inevitable. A new school had finally eliminated most of the old difficulties concerning school functions. A new stage, lighting equipment and professionally-equipped dressing rooms booked the auditorium throughout the school year. Down the hall, dance committees discovered a minor problem: usable space was limited, resulting in over- crowdedness and frequently, uncom- fortable conditions. However, stu- dents seemed to overlook the prob- lem, and still turned out in record- breaking crowds for dances. They had waited long enough for 1973 and dis- played approval of its arrival through successful activities. Excitement and enthusiasm hung in the air throughout Homecoming weekend. On October 20, highly-spir- ited Vikings rewarded spectators as they squeaked by I4th-ranked Plym- outh team with a score of 22-20. During the previous week, another battle raged, but on neutral turf. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors mounted tricycles, smeared on pea- green eye make-up, and donned green and white Halloween cos- tumes to display Viking spirit. The crowning of homecoming queen, Debbie Veselica, during half- time set the stage for Saturday night ' s homecoming dance. Two-hundred and eighty dancers were sandwiched into the south bal- cony christening its unmarred floor with the tunes of C.S. S. Six-hundred people streamed down gold-carpted aisles in a room smelling of fresh varnish for the inaugural per- formance in the VHS auditorium. Heavy velvet curtains parted 23 times for students to display their musical talent in the Folk Concert. Modern facilities eliminated much confusion. A three-part stage enabled two groups to set up while one per- formed. Better lighting equipment created various atmospheres for num- bers ranging from Day by Day, a Christian folk song performed by Amy Ackerman and Sarah Matern, sophomores, to Blues Jam, a piano solo composed by Jon Mitchell, jun- ior. In October, the VHS drama department successfully transformed 23 students into ancient dwarves for two performances of The Hobbit. Thirty-five determined crew mem- bers painted special back-drops, coor- dinated lights, and gathered materials for unusual costumes during the month-long preparation. Patty Lawrence, Elven Queen, com- mented, A fantasy is no harder to put on, it ' s how the audience accepts it. We had to let ourselves go and act like six-year-olds for a month. The choir department attempted a second production on December 3, 5, and 6. With songs guiding the moods, music students danced and sang their way into the 50 ' s. Spike-heeled shoes, wide lapels, and saddle shoes, domi- nated the stage for the musical, The Pajama Game. While actors in the musical pleaded for higher wages, choir was having its own financial difficulties. Although 1000 people saw the musical, choir suffered a loss of $200 from set and prop expenses. Included in the three-night per- formance of the musical was a 31- piece pit orchestra accompanying the actors. A string sextet consisting of five violins, one violo, and one cello gave the play a professional touch. During the holiday season, the annual Christmas • Dance was Hi-Y ' s present to the student body. Seventeen boys and Mr. Martin Miller, sponsor, worked for ten hours to create a Winter Wonderland for students. They wrapped the north bal- cony and cafeteria B in strings of bright lights, decorated trees, and miniature reindeer for 140 couples. A 25-foot snowman and cellophane snowflakes trimmed the walls with Christmas spirit. The holiday season also brought the annual Christmas concert. This year, the concert attracted crowds of over 1000. During the 2 I -number perform- ance, were two excerpts from Jesus Christ, Superstar. The first One-Act contest held at VHS ushered in the 1973 activities. On January 5, the drama depart- ment won a first-place with its per- formance of The Sandbox and Mela- nie Wellner received an excellent performance award in acting. Mrs. Paulette Grotrian, Drama Club sponsor, said that she chose The Sandbox because of its variety of moods. Merrillville High School placed sec- ond in the competition. Other con- testants included Chesterton and Hammond Clark. With Hi-Y ' s dance in the past, V- Teens also had a crack at the new gym. Members captured the hearts and pocketbooks of the student body with the annual King of Hearts Dance. Ticket sales and penny votes earned a record donation of $450 for the Heart Fund. Eighty girls persuaded the male population for dates to the dance. V- Teens president, Debbie Mundinger