Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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Attitudes Survey 1. In your opinion, is the U.S. gov- ernment doing a fairly good job of running the country? Yes 47% No 31% No comment 21% 2. Do you condone the use of any drug stronger than alcohol or marijuana? Yes 15% No 69% No comment 16% 3. Do you think that anything can be done to bring down the high crime rate in the U.S.? Yes 81% No 12% No comment 5% 4. Are you looking toward the future with a positive feeling about America and the world in general? Yes 74% No 14% No comment 12% Two elementary school children gather with 5000 other Valparaiso Community School stu- dents for the Bicentennial Convocation in October. (Photo by Bob Koenig) 1. Bill Neuffer 2. Don Maiers 3. Allen Ligocki 4. Paula McAleer 5. Kurt Jamison, Brian Stombaugh, Michele McGaffic, Kristen Manatrey

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JM The long road to State at last at an end, Jim Panter proudly displays his victory medal after the Carmel game. (Photo by South Bend Tribune) 1. Pre-Hobart game snake dance 2. Mr. Gerry Coffey 3. Be a smash — clash! 4. Doug Nisely 5. Bruce Ives JF t M mtmm Values Survey 1. Do you feel that American values have changed drastically in the last 25 years? Yes 83% No 1 5% No comment 2% 2. Has religion become a more or less influential force on teenagers today than it was on their parents? More 15% Less 80% No change 9% 3. In your opinion has there been a decline in the strength of the family unit in America? Yes 70% No 27% No comment 7% 4. Do you feel that Americans in general are untrusting of one another? Yes 48% No 47% No comment 5% v. Opening — 3

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Attitudes = = ★ Though their opinions coincided almost exactly with those in the pool, the students in this interview had some very interesting ideas to offer — some exciting, some unusual, and some reassuring. Whether you agree with them or not, you ' ve got to admit that their respones show a great deal of thought and concern. Question One: The group agreed that the government is doing a good job of running the country, although one student described the average politician as “a crook. An- other disagreed with this description, saying that Watergate had smarted the politicians up a little — they’re more for the people now. Referring again to Watergate, the students felt that the media had played an important role in bringing government corruption out into the open and that they should continue to do so. Question Two: Only two members of the group said that they drank, but everyone nodded in assent when asked if their friends did. The two who drank also said that they smoked pot occasionally. Both found drinking more enjoyable, and one went on to comment, When you’re drunk, you’re more out-going, but when you’re high you tend to withdraw. One Doy said he knew of a few students who had experimented with hard drugs, but no one was acquaint- ed with anyone that they felt had any kind of a serious drug problem. Question Three: One student felt that less complicated court procedures and stiffer penalties would do much to bring down the rising crime rate. In response to one student’s theory that part of the crime problem was in the police departments, another replied. “The problem is with the criminals themselves — most cops aren’t just out to burn you.” The death penalty,” said another member of the group, would be a good way to bring down crime. Another quickly countered with the idea that you could never be sure because you could never have ab- solute proof of a person ' s guilt.” Question Four: “With advances in medicine, I think we’ll be doing okay health-wise, but I don ' t know about the rest of the world,” said one boy as he speculated on the future for America. The group’s most radical opiniort was offered by a boy who said that “democracy has brought us a long way, but stricter government control would probably eliminate a lot of arguing.” Naming things they liked most about America, the students mention- ed freedom, modern technology, and simply the people.”