Ysleta High School - Otyokwa Yearbook (El Paso, TX)

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As a direct result of the influx of people to the southwest. El Paso grew in population, necessitating more building in all parts of the city. In the east, apartment complexes and entire neighborhoods sprang out of the desert sand. Throughout the city Federal Housing Projects for the lower income families and houses of varied prices and styles gave added contrast to the city. El Paso also progressed in other areas. June of 1976 marked the completion of the 37.5 million dollar divided border highway which stretched from the business dislAt in downtown to the ever ch ging ' Hjrab ' farmland Ih th t lower valley. 1 e border highway i which skimmed the sout rn edc | of the city, provided a more efficient and safer form of transportation away from the more densely populated central portion of the city. In a joint effort to attract shoppers to downtown and also to beautify the area surrounding the Civic Center for conventioneers, city engineers and planners initiated the $300,000 El Corredor project in mid ' 76. Plans called for redesigned streets with pedestrian waiting areas at street corners to be enlarged, the placement of trees and other landscaping and clearly marked walkways. On the international scene, Tvany Iqpal businesses werfejiurt t and people lost their jobs as % , result of the q so devaluation EI Paso ' s sister city, Juarez, in Old Mexico. The peso dropped in value from eight cents in American Currency to only four cents. Despite the changes taking place. El Paso still retained its historical background and points of interest, reflecting the three cultures that make the city unique. Besides its obvious outward appearance as a busy, growing metropolitan city. El Paso is still surrounded and also has within its boundaries acres of varieties of vegetables and other staple crops, including wheat, oats and corn. Main commercial crops in the lower valley were cotton and pecans. • icultu ■?Y.dec e e jTiited fertile soil in the Rio Grande Valley in east El Paso. » ryvt,... accessibility of parking preceding th wiisiest pedestrian bridge to Old Mexico was venience to tourists and El Pasoans alike. CULTURE AGRICULTURE BEtOW LEFT; Still a show place, the lobby of the historic E| Paso Del Norte Hot built in191 2, reflects the western heritage. BELOW RIGHT: A farmer bales alfalfa mechanically on hli Hin the Lower Valley the distance are groves of pecans, also common to the LoiUO ' alley.

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Unlike the rural school life of half century ago when school meant a monotonous day of studying the basic reading, writing, and arithmetic and afterwards carrying out the responsibilities of maintaining the farm in the plush Rio Grande Valley, school today reflects the urban society of the century. No longer limited to the basics of yesterday, a student today can choose from a variety of courses that meet his individual needs and interests. Today counselors utilize computers to assign students to classes that encompass solid basic courses and electives, including arts, sociology courses, and others. Despite the obvious changes in curriculum, high school still remains as a unique period in each person ' s life. Each individual is seeking his own identity and formulating theories and ideas about himself and others: High school teaches more than just academics. In the miniature school community, leadership, recognition, honors, and an opportunity to participate in different activities have for the most part, remained the same here: Homecoming, Junior-Senior Prom, extracurricular activities, school clubs, sports, and beauty pageants, are still items that inspire excitement in the school population. During the football season, history was made in a small scale at Hutchins Stadium at an early morning pep-rally when principal, Mr. Troy Denham, surrendered his trousers to assembly managers Rick Glancey and Luis Galindo, in front of 3,000 students. Students were taken off guard and somehow accepted him as one of them at that unique occasion. . o scho LEFT: Mr. Richard Gutierrez, American Government teacher, follows the new trend of informing students of upcoming activities during his second period class. BELOW: Finally giving in to a well publi- cized bet. Principal W. T. Denham surren- ders his pants to assembly managers Rick Glancey and Luis Galindo, with the assist- ance of Varsity cheerleaders Patsy Macias and Jenny Hanawalt.