Page 28 - 1983 Wardlaw Hartridge

24
The Eighties
The most telling event in 1980 was the election of Republican Ronald Rea­ gan as President of the United States. The changing values of the new era
became apparent by examining the re­ defined priorities. Social services such as welfare and educational grants have been pitted against the federal de­ fense budget. In addition, the environ­ ment has been challenged by indus­ tries such as mining and drilling com­ panies, while such ’70s legislation as the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts have been challenged by reviewers. A ten percent unemployment rate now shocks the country, as do the money- making scandals of high government officials. Abroad, the United States has
been attacked for its involvement in Central America, and the US-USSR arms race speeds ever faster with ever rising stakes. However, the Unit­ ed States energy crisis has safely end­ ed, and a computer revolution led by American technology has brought this nation back into the international lime­ light, the hostages were returned.
Just as the nation continued in its conservative trend away from the ’60s radicalism, W-H also returned to tradi­ tion while forging ahead simultaneous­ ly into the future. As usual, we started the decade by winning our share of state championships in such sports as football, field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. At the same time, the school acquired a new wrestling room and ful­ ly equipped weight room to accomo­ date the oncoming fitness trend, and a whirlpool to ameliorate ensuing injur­ ies. The dress code returned to former standards of excellence with Lower Schoolers wearing uniforms, Upper School girls eschewing such fad fash­ ions as the mini-skirt and the culotte, and boys retaining the ever-fashion- able tie and jacket. Meanwhile, the number of minicomputers inhabiting the school increased geometrically in the past few years. Lower School build­ ings retained the charms of old Plain- field, but the Upper School walls under­ went a paint job to cheer the incoming century. Thus, mingled tradition and trends ushered in a new decade and a new age at W-H.
The U.S. Pavilion at the 1982 Knoxville, Tenn., world’s fair.
INCLUDING:
BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTOR
Sydney Pollack
BEST ACTOR
Dustin Hoffman
Movies reflect changing trends toward sexual stereotypes.
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