Weldon E Howitt High School - Hi Life Yearbook (Farmingdale, NY)

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Let the Paychecks Roll With an increasing infla- tion rate and the purchasing power of the dollar rapidly declining, more students are finding it necessary to obtain a job. Whether saving money for college, or just being able to afford the many “necessities” of a high school student, the number of peo- ple leafing through Want Ads has increased dramatically in the last few years. For many, a part-time job can give one first-hand ex- perience in the “real” world. A job interview alone affords a person valuable practical knowledge on how to procure a job, giving a student an edge in the business world later in life. The thrifty stu- dent uses the money from a part-time job to save for col- lege expenses. With the ever-increasing price of tui- tion, that added sum could prove invaluable to an undergraduate. “I like work- ing because I like to be busy and don’t like to be broke,” commented senior Rosemary Zipper. Part-time employment would seem ideally suited for the ambitious student, but this is not always the case. For some, it is a crimp in their social life. Schedules must be juggled to suit the hours of employment. As with any job, there is a cer- tain amount of boredom which accompanies the week- ly paycheck. There is also the familiar lament that many students must work at all hours or they are afraid of losing their jobs. Many of the jobs require unskilled labor and a person could be easily replaced. In spite of the cries ol boredom and the hassle with schedules, the regular paychecks somehow make il all worthwhile. There is alsc a feeling of accomplishment and independence in having earned the money rathei than taking it from a parent A part-time job can prove tc be very valuable, and can alsc serve as an eye-opening ex- perience for some students. Sales background from her job at Wing Hing's provides Jeanne Jef- fers with valuable experience. After-school employment at the Merritt Bakery gives Christy Williams some extra spending money. One of Danny Collins' tasks at the Farmingdale Meat Market is to stock dairy products. 22 Working

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Cover Story January 20, 1981: A Beginning and an End After 444 days of captivity in Iran, the 52 American hostages were released on January 20, 1981 — the same day as the Inauguration of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Carter’s presidency officially ended at noon when Reagan was sworn in. Thirty-three minutes later it was an- nounced that the freed Americans had taken off from Tehran Airport, the first leg of their trip to freedom. This was the final insult to Carter by the Iranians. He had so wanted to make the announce- ment about the release as President of the United States. The fifty-two Americans were taken to Tehran Airport, many not knowing they were on their way to freedom. After a few hours delay, they were led, one by one, through crowds of screaming Ira- nians, to an awaiting Algerian jetliner. Algerian officials prevented the angry mobs from doing any additional harm to the Americans. An hour and a half later, during his inaugural luncheon, President Reagan told the nation that the Algerian planes had left Iranian air space. After a refueling stop in Turkey and another in Athens, Greece, the planes landed at Algiers Airport at 8:00 E.S.T. Two U.S. DC-Nightingales waited on the runway to fly the ex-hostages to Rhein-Main Airport in Frankfort, West Germany. While at the airport in Algiers, the Americans were graciously welcomed by former Deputy Secretary of State, War- ren Christopher. Many of the Americans seemed stunned as they ap- peared before non-Iranian cameras for the first time in fourteen months. Several admitted that they didn’t believe they had been released until they saw the United States’ planes on the runway. Algerian Foreign Minister Mohammed Benyahia then officially turned over the hostages to Warren Christopher. Christopher thanked Benyahia and the Algerian government for their help in the negotiations that secured the release. Both Christopher and Benyahia then personally greeted each of the fifty-two, as anxious families back in the United States tried to catch a glimpse of their loved ones. The former hostages boarded the U.S. planes, and four hours later, were emerging from the planes, apparently much happier, before crowds of people who had come out to welcome them home at Rheine Main Airport. Buses were waiting to transport them to a U.S. Air Force Base Hospital in Wiesbaden, a twenty minute ride from the airport. The streets and entrance to the hospital were lined with people cheering the newly released Americans. Former President Carter, former Vice President Mondale, and former Secretaries of State, Cyrus Vance and Edmund Muskie, met the hostages that night at the hospital. The returnees were also deluged with gifts and kind words from everyone. After several days of debriefing and rest, the former hostages flew to West Point in New York to be reunited with their families, then on to Washington, and finally home to begin again. Americans Welcome Hostages Yellow ribbons, “Welcome Home” signs, and American flags began to ap- pear more and more frequently. The hostages were coming home and nobody was going to let them think we forgot about them. The word freedom was redefined. A spirit of nationalism and patriotism was more than evident. National pride was reborn. The country was pulling together as one, after twenty years of dormant feelings, to honor fifty-two Americans who risked their own lives to represent their country. The first of the many celebrations and welcome home receptions was on Sunday, January 25, 1981. The ex- hostages were flown to Stewart Airport in Newburg, New York, to be reunited with their families in a private recep- tion. No press was allowed near the area of the airport, as the plane carrying the Americans, dubbed “Freedom 1,” land- ed. The families were then driven to West Point in buses decked out with yellow ribbons. The road enroute to West Point was decorated with yards of ribbons and thousands of flags as the residents of the neighboring towns came out to say “Welcome back to freedom.” After two days in seclusion, on Tues- day, January 27, only one week after the release, the “returnees,” as they were called, flew to Washington for the na- tional welcome home. They were greeted at Andrews Air Force Base, just outside of Washington, by Vice Presi- dent Bush, Secretary of State Alexander Haig, and friends and relatives who weren’t able to greet them at West Point, as well as chants of Welcome home!” Once again, they boarded buses, and started the short trip to the White House for a ceremonial welcome. The streets were lined with people and the numbers increased as minutes elapsed. The hostages shook hands with the peo- ple, waved flags and cried, as they realized how much the American people cared about them. They were greeted by the President at the White House where they were reunited with Richard Queen, a fellow hostage who was released earlier for medical reasons. After a touching ceremony and speech by Presi- dent Reagan, Bruce Laigan, former Charges d’Affairs of the embassy in Iran, said his own thank-you to everyone on behalf of the ex-hostages. The ceremony ended with the singing of “God Bless America.” Several days later, on Friday, January 30, New York City offered yet another welcome home ceremony. Mayor Koch invited all of the returnees to a huge tickertape parade to take place from lower Broad way to City Hall, where each would be presented with special medals. Twenty-two of the former hostages and their families accepted Koch’s invitation. The festivities began the night before. The twenty-two and their families were treated to dinner and a Broadway show, and stayed at the Waldorf Astoria. The next day hundreds of thousands of peo- ple lined the streets to throw yellow tickertape, wave flags, and say hello. After the big parade, the ex-hostages returned to their hometowns where they were greeted by more parades and ceremonies. This time the celebrations were on a more personal level. Then Came Stories Before the former hostages had even reached American soil, stories began to emanate about cruel treat- ment. Several hostages told about mock executions, being tied to fur- niture and being beaten up. Others told of the terrible living conditions, worms in their food, and harassment. It was learned that one hostage had even attempted suicide. 24 Standing Outside Hostages