Warren Central High School - Wigwam Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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President Ford on his only visit to In- diana attempts to swing a few more votes in his direction. President Gerald Ford and his oppo- nent, Jimmy Carter, former governor of Georgia, discuss the issues in the first presidential debates since the Ken- nedy-Nixon debates in 1960. Democratic presidential nominee Jimmy Carter stops over at Weir Cook international Airport on his campaign through the Midwest. Vitality Election

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Cheerleaders and students agree with Grand Marshall Bob Richards of WNAP that Warren Central is number one. Junior quarterback Pat Patterson fires the ball after setting up in the offense’s protective pocket. Graduate Julie Meek, 1975 Home- coming Queen, hands her title over to senior Monica Hartley at the halftime festivities. Vitality ° | Homecoming night 5

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Vitality Election Democratic candidate for It. gover- nor, Mr Thomas Teague, answers questions from the assembly of govern- ment classes. Congressman Andy Jacobs, Demo- cratic candidate for 1 1 the District, talks to Mr. Orr’s government class at the Federal Building downtown. Expressing his views on issues and candidates, Mr. Dan Burton, Republi- can candidate for the 44th District, spends some time with students who are interested in the election. students rally for the cause Only a few months before the gen- eral election, Americans considered the presidential election as an anticli- max to the bicentennial year, accord- ing to the Gallup and Harris polls. However, on election night both voters and non-voters across the nation viewed with concern and anticipation one of the closest presidential races in American history. Guaranteed by the 26th Amend- ment, 18 year olds for the second time in history were able to exercise the right to vote. About 150 students who were already 18 volunteered their time to help at the polling places. Senior Debbie Riggs was eligible to vote, but because she was working at the polls, she was required to cast her ballot downtown at the City-County Building at least a week before the election. Debbie was excused from school on election day because she showed her credentials to the deans the day before election. Debbie said she was up at 4 a.m. to be at her precinct, John Marshall High School, by 6 a.m. She said she didn’t leave the poll until 8 p.m. “I will probably do it again next year,” said Debbie. Why did students like Debbie spend all that time and energy on an elec- tion? Mr. Philip Douglas, government teacher and inspector at the Lakeside polls, said, ‘‘For some of them it’s be- cause it’s the first time. It’s something new.” Another reason for student interest might have been the number of candi- dates that visited during school hours to speak to students and answer ques- tions. Visitors ' included Sen. Vance Hartke, a Democrat, running for his fourth term to the U.S. Senate; Thomas Teague, Republican for the 44th Congressional District, and Larry Buell, Republican for 11th District congressman. On a larger scale, Indianapolis was visited by the two major candidates, Jimmy Carter and President Gerald Ford. Mr. Carter was welcomed at Weir Cook International Airport where he gave his campaign speech. President Ford flew in with Air Force escort and gave a speech at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. President Ford carried the vote in In- diana and also at Warren Central. In the mock election taken the Monday before the eiection, Mr. Ford had 1 ,002 votes and Mr. Carter received 385. Students supported Mr. Lugar with 1,072 votes to Hartke’s 257. Mr. Ja- cobs had 887 votes to Buell’s 437. Mr. Bowen received 977 votes over Mr. Conrad’s 361 . The votes were accurate for Indiana, but in the presidential election Mr. Car- ter won with the strong foundation of the south. When students were asked how they felt about the outcome of the presiden- tial election, three out of four students thought Gerald Ford would make a better president. The reasons some other students gave were, ‘‘Ford’s more experienced,” ‘‘Carter con- tradicts himself,” and some just “couldn’t stand Jimmy Carter.”