It's really incredible to believe that it has been 30 years since the Class of 1978 graduated from J.W. Nixon High School. It was May 25, 1978 when we all walked up that stage to receive our diplomas. Our parents and families sat in the seats of the Laredo Civic Center and watched with pride. We were a mighty class like no other before us, and that evening was not an ending, rather it was the beginning of the rest of our lives. We would make an everlasting impact not only in our school, but in many companies across the nation after our graduation. Many of us are starting to reminisce on this special time in our life since we are now in our late forties and cannot believe how fast life has gone by.
SEVENTH GRADE:
The history of Nixon’s class of 1978 begins in the fall of 1972 at Lamar Junior High School in Laredo, TX. (now known as Lamar Middle School). This is when seventh graders from Laredo’s different schools gathered for the first time to form this special class. They came from the elementary schools of Ryan, Milton, Buenos Aires, Santo Nino, Daiches, Alma Pierce, Mary Help of Christians and others. Little did they know that they would be a history-making class because of significant events in their school years and then after graduation many would go on to attain success in their chosen careers. The mayor at the time was J.C. Martin, Jr. and Richard Nixon defeated George McGovern in the November elections and was re-elected as President of the United States for a second term.
One of the new things the seventh graders had to get used to was that football was the school’s main sport and the school’s pride depended on their winning record. The Lamar Lions were and are still the school’s mascot. The school’s colors were green and white. Many of the young guys tried out for the football team and those selected considered themselves proud since football is the king of sports in Texas.
Along with this many of the young girls tried out for the drill team – the Prancers – and they were the prettiest and most popular girls in school. The most coveted positions amongst these girls was to be elected as one of the cheerleaders. The lucky three girls who were elected by popular votes were Angie Zuniga, Marta Pena, and Linda Henry. A cute girl by the name of Rosa de Llano was chosen as the mascot and she wore the lucky Lion costume.
Others joined the band and other groups the school had like the Health Club, the choir, the Art Club, FHA, and VOCT,
That year the eighth grade football team won against rival Christen and the school was full of pride.
The 25 most popular songs that year were:
1. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Roberta Flack2. Alone Again (Naturally), Gilbert O'Sullivan3. American Pie, Don McLean4. Without You, Nilsson5. Candy Man, Sammy Davis Jr.6. I Gotcha, Joe Tex7. Lean On Me, Bill Withers8. Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me, Mac Davis9. Brand New Key, Melanie10. Daddy Dont You Walk So Fast, Wayne Newton11. Let's Stay Together, Al Green12. Brandy (You're A Fine Girl), Looking Glass13. Oh Girl, Chi-Lites14. Nice To Be With You, Gallery15. My Ding-A-Ling, Chuck Berry16. If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right, Luther Ingram17. Heart Of Gold, Neil Young18. Betcha By Golly, Wow, Stylistics19. I'll Take You There, Staple Singers20. Ben, Michael Jackson21. The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Robert John22. Outa-space, Billy Preston23. Slippin' Into Darkness, War24. Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress), Hollies25. How Do You Do, Mouth and MacNeal27. Song Sung Blue, Neil Diamond28. A Horse With No Name, America
The history of Nixon’s class of 1978 begins in the fall of 1972 at Lamar Junior High School in Laredo, TX. (now known as Lamar Middle School). This is when seventh graders from Laredo’s different schools gathered for the first time to form this special class. They came from the elementary schools of Ryan, Milton, Buenos Aires, Santo Nino, Daiches, Alma Pierce, Mary Help of Christians and others. Little did they know that they would be a history-making class because of significant events in their school years and then after graduation many would go on to attain success in their chosen careers. The mayor at the time was J.C. Martin, Jr. and Richard Nixon defeated George McGovern in the November elections and was re-elected as President of the United States for a second term.
One of the new things the seventh graders had to get used to was that football was the school’s main sport and the school’s pride depended on their winning record. The Lamar Lions were and are still the school’s mascot. The school’s colors were green and white. Many of the young guys tried out for the football team and those selected considered themselves proud since football is the king of sports in Texas.
Along with this many of the young girls tried out for the drill team – the Prancers – and they were the prettiest and most popular girls in school. The most coveted positions amongst these girls was to be elected as one of the cheerleaders. The lucky three girls who were elected by popular votes were Angie Zuniga, Marta Pena, and Linda Henry. A cute girl by the name of Rosa de Llano was chosen as the mascot and she wore the lucky Lion costume.
Others joined the band and other groups the school had like the Health Club, the choir, the Art Club, FHA, and VOCT,
That year the eighth grade football team won against rival Christen and the school was full of pride.
The 25 most popular songs that year were:
1. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Roberta Flack2. Alone Again (Naturally), Gilbert O'Sullivan3. American Pie, Don McLean4. Without You, Nilsson5. Candy Man, Sammy Davis Jr.6. I Gotcha, Joe Tex7. Lean On Me, Bill Withers8. Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me, Mac Davis9. Brand New Key, Melanie10. Daddy Dont You Walk So Fast, Wayne Newton11. Let's Stay Together, Al Green12. Brandy (You're A Fine Girl), Looking Glass13. Oh Girl, Chi-Lites14. Nice To Be With You, Gallery15. My Ding-A-Ling, Chuck Berry16. If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right, Luther Ingram17. Heart Of Gold, Neil Young18. Betcha By Golly, Wow, Stylistics19. I'll Take You There, Staple Singers20. Ben, Michael Jackson21. The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Robert John22. Outa-space, Billy Preston23. Slippin' Into Darkness, War24. Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress), Hollies25. How Do You Do, Mouth and MacNeal27. Song Sung Blue, Neil Diamond28. A Horse With No Name, America
Top 20 TV Shows 1972 - 73
1. All in the Family 2. Sanford and Son 3. Hawaii-Five-O 4. Maude 5. Bridget Loves Bernie 6. NBC Mystery Movie 7. Mary Tyler Moore 8. Gunsmoke 9. Disney 10. Ironside 11. Adam-1212. Flip Wilson Show13. Marcus Welby, M.D.14. Cannon15. Here's Lucy16. Bob Newhart Show17. ABC Tuesday Movie of the Week18. NFL Monday Night Football19. Partridge Family20. The Waltons
The school’s principal was Mr. Castro whose daughter Elsa would be known as the smartest student in our class and eventually would become the class’s valedictorian.
EIGTH GRADE:
The class of ‘78 eighth grade year at Lamar would stay in the school’s history as one of its best. The football team consisted of the White team and the Green team. They both had eight games during the season and the Green team ended undefeated with a 8-0 record while the White team ended with a 7-1 record. The coaches were Boubel, Bonugli, Ballesteros, and Flores.
Some of the football players were Bruce Batey, Jaime Rodriguez, Raymond Castro, Benito Cazares, Bobby Solis, Mike Luna, Ronald Miller, Beto Aradillas, Carlos Casso, Donny Salinas, Zeke Rodriguez, Javier Cantu, Rodolfo Duran, Eddie Aguero, George Glassford, Lazaro Ferdin, Lance Villarreal and Danny Garcia.
Angie Zuniga was the head cheerleader that year. Marta Pena and Rosa de Llano were the other eighth grade cheerleaders. The seventh grade cheerleaders were Kathy Newton and Elsa Garcia. Marty Cigarroa was the new Lion mascot. The cheerleaders won first place in the annual competition in Laredo.
The Prancers were led by Colonel Kelly Contreras, 1st Lt. Col. Pat Ruiz and 2nd Lt. Col. Sarita Velasquez. The memorable songs they performed during half time were "Long Train Running" by the Doobie Brothers; "Your Mama Don't Dance" by Loggins and Messina; and "Right Place, Wrong Time" by Doctor John.
The Prancers also won the Alethea Talent Show that year with a superb dance from the hit musical movie “Cabaret”. Kelly Contreras, Pat Ruiz, Sarita Velasquez, Angie Zuniga, Rosa de Llano, Nelda Trevino, Barbara Arciniega, Mary Margaret Melendez, Cindy Lira, Melissa Barrera, Sandra Floyd, and Jo Ann Brady won first prize that evening in a memorable performance.
Diana Vargas was crowned Homecoming Queen that year.
Elsa Castro was the President of the Student Council.
Alma Leal and Pat Valls were the editors of the school’s yearbook – El Nopal.
Manuel “Menu” Flores was the band’s Drum Major and the Majorettes were Rosa Cadena, Diana Miranda and Teresa Ruiz. The band director was Mr. Rene Menchaca.
In the Favorites category the lucky ones were:
Most Popular: Bruce Batey and Angie Zuniga
Wittiest: Zeke Rodriguez and Letti Zuniga
Most Handsome and Most Beautiful: Danny Garcia and Rosa de Llano
Most Athletic: Mike Luna and Linda Henry
CVAE Favorites: Hilda Barrera and Oscar Garza
Best All Around: Pat Valls and Elsa Castro
The Top 25 Songs in 1973 – 1974
1973
1. Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree, Tony Orlando and Dawn2. Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Jim Croce3. Killing Me Softly With His Song, Roberta Flack4. Let's Get It On, Marvin Gaye5. My Love, Paul McCartney and Wings6. Why Me, Kris Kristofferson7. Crocodile Rock, Elton John8. Will It Go Round In Circles, Billy Preston9. You're So Vain, Carly Simon10. Touch Me In The Morning, Diana Ross11. The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, Vicki Lawrence12. Playground In My Mind, Clint Holmes13. Brother Louie, Stories14. Delta Dawn, Helen Reddy15. Me And Mrs. Jones, Billy Paul16. Frankenstein, Edgar Winter Group17. Drift Away, Dobie Gray18. Little Willy, Sweet19. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Stevie Wonder20. Half Breed, Cher21. That Lady, Isley Bros.22. Pillow Talk, Sylvia23. We're An American Band, Grand Funk Railroad24. Right Place, Wrong Time, Dr. John25. Wildflower, Skylark
1974
1. The Way We Were, Barbra Streisand 2. Seasons In The Sun, Terry Jacks3. Love's Theme, Love Unlimited Orchestra4. Come And Get Your Love, Redbone5. Dancing Machine, Jackson 56. The Loco-Motion, Grand Funk Railroad7. TSOP, MFSB8. The Streak, Ray Stevens9. Bennie And The Jets, Elton John10. One Hell Of A Woman, Mac Davis11. Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do), Aretha Franklin 12. Jungle Boogie, Kool and The Gang13. Midnight At The Oasis, Maria Muldaur14. You Make Me Feel Brand New, Stylistics15. Show And Tell, Al Wilson16. Spiders And Snakes, Jim Stafford17. Rock On, David Essex18. Sunshine On My Shoulder, John Denver19. Sideshow, Blue Magic20. Hooked On A Feeling, Blue Swede21. Billy Don't Be A Hero, Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods22. Band On The Run, Paul McCartney and Wings23. The Most Beautiful Girl, Charlie Rich24. Time In A Bottle, Jim Croce25. Annie's Song, John Denver
The class of ‘78 eighth grade year at Lamar would stay in the school’s history as one of its best. The football team consisted of the White team and the Green team. They both had eight games during the season and the Green team ended undefeated with a 8-0 record while the White team ended with a 7-1 record. The coaches were Boubel, Bonugli, Ballesteros, and Flores.
Some of the football players were Bruce Batey, Jaime Rodriguez, Raymond Castro, Benito Cazares, Bobby Solis, Mike Luna, Ronald Miller, Beto Aradillas, Carlos Casso, Donny Salinas, Zeke Rodriguez, Javier Cantu, Rodolfo Duran, Eddie Aguero, George Glassford, Lazaro Ferdin, Lance Villarreal and Danny Garcia.
Angie Zuniga was the head cheerleader that year. Marta Pena and Rosa de Llano were the other eighth grade cheerleaders. The seventh grade cheerleaders were Kathy Newton and Elsa Garcia. Marty Cigarroa was the new Lion mascot. The cheerleaders won first place in the annual competition in Laredo.
The Prancers were led by Colonel Kelly Contreras, 1st Lt. Col. Pat Ruiz and 2nd Lt. Col. Sarita Velasquez. The memorable songs they performed during half time were "Long Train Running" by the Doobie Brothers; "Your Mama Don't Dance" by Loggins and Messina; and "Right Place, Wrong Time" by Doctor John.
The Prancers also won the Alethea Talent Show that year with a superb dance from the hit musical movie “Cabaret”. Kelly Contreras, Pat Ruiz, Sarita Velasquez, Angie Zuniga, Rosa de Llano, Nelda Trevino, Barbara Arciniega, Mary Margaret Melendez, Cindy Lira, Melissa Barrera, Sandra Floyd, and Jo Ann Brady won first prize that evening in a memorable performance.
Diana Vargas was crowned Homecoming Queen that year.
Elsa Castro was the President of the Student Council.
Alma Leal and Pat Valls were the editors of the school’s yearbook – El Nopal.
Manuel “Menu” Flores was the band’s Drum Major and the Majorettes were Rosa Cadena, Diana Miranda and Teresa Ruiz. The band director was Mr. Rene Menchaca.
In the Favorites category the lucky ones were:
Most Popular: Bruce Batey and Angie Zuniga
Wittiest: Zeke Rodriguez and Letti Zuniga
Most Handsome and Most Beautiful: Danny Garcia and Rosa de Llano
Most Athletic: Mike Luna and Linda Henry
CVAE Favorites: Hilda Barrera and Oscar Garza
Best All Around: Pat Valls and Elsa Castro
The Top 25 Songs in 1973 – 1974
1973
1. Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree, Tony Orlando and Dawn2. Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Jim Croce3. Killing Me Softly With His Song, Roberta Flack4. Let's Get It On, Marvin Gaye5. My Love, Paul McCartney and Wings6. Why Me, Kris Kristofferson7. Crocodile Rock, Elton John8. Will It Go Round In Circles, Billy Preston9. You're So Vain, Carly Simon10. Touch Me In The Morning, Diana Ross11. The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, Vicki Lawrence12. Playground In My Mind, Clint Holmes13. Brother Louie, Stories14. Delta Dawn, Helen Reddy15. Me And Mrs. Jones, Billy Paul16. Frankenstein, Edgar Winter Group17. Drift Away, Dobie Gray18. Little Willy, Sweet19. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Stevie Wonder20. Half Breed, Cher21. That Lady, Isley Bros.22. Pillow Talk, Sylvia23. We're An American Band, Grand Funk Railroad24. Right Place, Wrong Time, Dr. John25. Wildflower, Skylark
1974
1. The Way We Were, Barbra Streisand 2. Seasons In The Sun, Terry Jacks3. Love's Theme, Love Unlimited Orchestra4. Come And Get Your Love, Redbone5. Dancing Machine, Jackson 56. The Loco-Motion, Grand Funk Railroad7. TSOP, MFSB8. The Streak, Ray Stevens9. Bennie And The Jets, Elton John10. One Hell Of A Woman, Mac Davis11. Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do), Aretha Franklin 12. Jungle Boogie, Kool and The Gang13. Midnight At The Oasis, Maria Muldaur14. You Make Me Feel Brand New, Stylistics15. Show And Tell, Al Wilson16. Spiders And Snakes, Jim Stafford17. Rock On, David Essex18. Sunshine On My Shoulder, John Denver19. Sideshow, Blue Magic20. Hooked On A Feeling, Blue Swede21. Billy Don't Be A Hero, Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods22. Band On The Run, Paul McCartney and Wings23. The Most Beautiful Girl, Charlie Rich24. Time In A Bottle, Jim Croce25. Annie's Song, John Denver
Top Ten TV Shows 1973 - 74
1. All in the Family 2. Waltons 3. Sanford and Son 4. MASH 5. Hawaii Five-0 6. Maude 7. Kojak 8. Sonny and Cher 9. Mary Tyler Moore 10. Cannon
1. All in the Family 2. Waltons 3. Sanford and Son 4. MASH 5. Hawaii Five-0 6. Maude 7. Kojak 8. Sonny and Cher 9. Mary Tyler Moore 10. Cannon
The year was over and very memorable and we were headed off to high school. We would make history as the first freshman class to be housed at the former St. Joseph Academy, now known as the Nixon Annex.
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