Many people, students and scientists alike, may wish they could time travel. What they often fail to realize, however, is that the answer is right in front of them. Reading an old newspaper can transport the reader, almost magically, to the time it was written. Exploring a newspaper from decades ago provides the reader with insight into what life was truly like during that time. For example, the lives of FCHS students in 1972 were documented within the school’s print newspaper, then called the “Fluco Hi Quill.”
Reading some of the articles shows that being an FCHS student in 1972 is seemingly vastly different from being a student today. There were different trends in fashion and haircuts, the school publishes a print newspaper rather than having a website, the current high school did not even exist yet, and the high school consisted of grades 10-12.
However, students of today may be surprised to hear that the opinions of past students are sometimes similar to their own, and that students half a century ago had some of the same hopes and requests as those today, proving separate student bodies have more in common than meets the eye.
Recently, FCHS implemented a new hall pass system. The SecurlyPass system provides students with specific electronic hall pass options, prevents the bathrooms and other areas in the school from becoming too crowded, and times students’ visits outside of the classroom, sparking both compliments and complaints. In October of 1972, students were facing a similar issue.
“Some of the rules have made a great improvement in the conduct of the school as a whole, while others have made things uncomfortable. Having hall passes has made the halls quieter and kept people in class. But not being allowed in the building during lunch is very uncomfortable on days of rain or cold,” wrote former FCHS student, Debbie Worrell.
Worrell’s opinions on the school’s then hall passes are almost identical to the thoughts of today’s students regarding SecurlyPass. Both the students in 1972 and the students of today are navigating new systems that have significant pros and cons and no end of opinions.
Similarly, students during the 1972 school year struggled with the idea of having to purchase tickets to school events, specifically football games. This was and remains a significant issue because high ticket prices affect who is able to regularly attend school games.
“I feel that students shouldn’t have to pay at all, but paying $8-$10 for a ticket is outrageous. Paying that much to see a school we go to is not worth it in most cases,” said current FCHS junior Natalie Gomez.
While the fact that students so long ago think similarly to those of today may be a shock to some, it can also serve as a reminder some things never change.
