Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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Assembly thought this appropriate because Commo- dore David Porter, for whom Porter County was named, fought a famous battle in Valparaiso, Chile, during the War of 1812. Valparaiso was incorporated as a town in 1850, then received its charter as a city in 1865. The new city grew rapidly. In 1850 the population was 520, but by 1875 approximately 3,560 people made Valpo their home. Today the population has grown to approximately 24,000. According to Mayor Elden Kuehl, families are attracted to Valpo because of its ' almost ideal atmo- sphere. “Valpo offers the best schools, churches, and re- creation found anywhere, explained Kuehl who has lived in Valpo all his life. Everyone that comes here is happy and satisfied,” he further noted. A downtown preserved in an up to date fashion and the fact that Valpo is the county seat are also unique features of the city, according to the mayor. Kuehl stated that future plans for Valparaiso includ- ed a waste water treatment plant and a solid waste disposal system, both to be completed within the next few years. At first glance, Valparaiso may not have seemed so ideal. In fact to many teenagers, it may have seemed ordinary and dull compared to the liveliness of larger cities, like Chicago. But, if looked at a little more close- ly, Valpo proved that it really did have a lot to offer. In comparison to many cities, Valparaiso was unique and ideal. Well, almost. — Kimberly Page THE END OF the 1982-83 school year marked the end of 88 years of service, as Flint Lake Elementary School was closed, due to a stabilized population growth and safety precautions. AFTER A FIRE in 1835. Porter County’s first courthouse was rebuilt in Valparaiso ' s downtown square, with two more stories added, making it a four level, limestone structure, as it appears today. In 1863. then Governor Wright, declared it one of the best in the state. OFTEN LEFT UNNOTICED, scenic views like the railroad tracks un- der the bridge on Campbell Street were evident in Valparaiso if one had the time to notice them. Although the trains often infuriated drivers, they provided a speedy means of transporting goods. 9 Valparaiso

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Valparaiso: A community with something for everyone Valparaiso: an ideal place to grow up. A quaint “lit- tle” growing town with a top-rated educational system, beautifully kept parks, and people from every part of the nation. In the beginning, it belonged to the Potawatomi Indi- ans, until 1832 when the United States government purchased the land, and the first settler, a French Canadian named Joseph Bailley moved in. Early settlers dubbed the new found territory “Por- tersville” and it was officially named as the county seat of Porter County. In 1837, the name was changed to Valparaiso, liter- ally meaning “vale of paradise”. The Indiana General A UNIQUE TRAIT of Valparaiso, according to Mayor Elden Kuehl. is a downtown preserved in an up-to-date fashion Nonetheless, parking spaces were all too few and far between for shoppers and business- men on busy afternoons. 8 Valparaiso

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The last locker was finally shut, and all that remained were a few custodians finishing their work, before they too, could finally call it a day. But for the students, the weekend had come at last. Nightlife: when the sun goes down and the good times roll When the sun goes down, the fun usually begins. What exactly did the word fun mean to VHS stu- dents? In order to find out a survey was conducted in which approximately 40 students took part. If the re- sults weren ' t surprising, they were at least as diversi- fied as the students themselves. What did students do for fun. They did everything from movies and parties, to post-game pizza gather- ings at spots such as Shakey’s or Godfather’s. Even staying home was fun sometimes. Being home once A TRADITION MAY have been started this year, with the emphasis on encouraging the team and promot- ing spirit, VHS students were allowed on the field before home games to cheer the players on. Jolene Zimmerman fakes it as a cream cheese package before the Valpo-Chesterton game. ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS, school sponsored activi- ties such as the Homecoming dance, gave students a chance to dress up and have a fun filled night on the town. Senior Judy Neal kicked off her shoes while dancing with her date, Joe Kim, a PNC stu- dent. PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT FOR a mass of Valpo students and residents during the halftime of the Valpo vs. Portage contest, proved to be a bit danger- ous for one Vikette as she tried to ward off the Pink Panther (Ms. Alice Noble). 10 Nightlife