West Leyden High School - Shield Yearbook (Northlake, IL)

Page 27 text:

ERA A new era could be in the making for women. With the promise of ERA, women will have the opportunity to apply for any job for which they qualify, as workers. They will be assured of not being discriminated because of sex. Likewise, this change should prove to open up a whole new world for females of all ages. Of course there are companies who did not wait for ERA to be put into effect. Women in these factories have been doing so-called men ' s work for years. Select bus companies, cab companies, steel and chemical indus- tries, and construction outfits believe a person ' s qualifications are more important than a person ' s sex. Based on a survey of both male and female students, one third predicted ERA will somewhat affect their lives. In addition 63% of the students surveyed answered a flat no when asked if they believed that there were any jobs not suitable to women. Those expressing opposing views explained such jobs as President of the United States, wres- tlers, carpenters, and men ' s locker room supervisors would not be suitable positions for women. Campaigning for re-election during a summer festival in Evanston, Senator Charles Percy gives the smile of confidence that convinces voters that he ' s the man to be elected. Democratic senatorial candidate Alex Seith was favored by the polls, but the ' 78 election showed differently as Republican candidate Charles Percy was elected over Seith. 23

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Keeping the races alive The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. This phrase not only applies to sports, it applies to politics as well. This year saw many winners and losers during the election of many national, state and local officials, as well as an Increase in student involvement. Students were encouraged to volunteer their time and to exper- ience first hand the running of a national campaign by working at various headquarters around the area. Meanwhile, others were actually participating in the voting process by remaining at the closed polls, observing tallying procedures, and then reporting the results to the National Election Service, as part of a program sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Still others went to the source, traveling to Springfield to get a closer look at the workings of the state government by attending committee sessions, touring courts and the capital building, and meeting with state representative Ted Lever- enz. Illinois voters showed their approval of the way officials have been doing their jobs, by re-electing Governor Jim Thompson, Secretary of State Alan Dixon, Attorney General Dave O ' Neil, State Senator Thomas Hynes, State Representative Ted Leverenz and U.S. Congressman Henry Hyde. Voters also gave veteran officials something to think about, as Senator Charles Percy narrowly defeated new-comer Alex Seith by the smallest margin Percy has ever had. The importance of the individual vote became evident this year when Percy had to unexpectedly make a last minute public appeal for votes. Consider this, it will not be long until West Leyden students will be able to vote. As one can see, elections are no small business, and just as the school has, students too, shall soon come of age - voting age. Running for his second term in office. Governor Jim Thompson defeated his opponent Michael Bakalis by a substanciai margin in the November seventh election. Going for his first gubernatorial election, Michael Bakalis smiles in hope of becoming Illinois ' next Governor. Despite his successful campaign, Bakalis was defeated. 22

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Mounds and mounds of snow piled high everywhere. Here, the entrance sign to the school is partially covered; the result of the heavy snowfall and strong, blowing winds. Snow wasn ' t the only thing that Chicagoans had plenty of, as this picture can testify. Three foot icicles were not an uncommon sight in any part of the city. Shifting winds and swirling gusts of snow, formed mounts of snow around the wings of West Leyden, which found itself closed down for several days during the Blizzard of 79. 24