Our Freshman Year at the new Nixon Annex

In the fall of 1974 our freshman year saw a radical change as those that were active and popular in Lamar took a back seat, while others assumed new roles. We were the first freshman class to be housed at the Nixon Annex (formerly St. Joseph’s Academy – an all boy school). It seems that there were now more students at the main Nixon campus and they could not accommodate the new freshman class of more than 500 students. The annex took a whole new personality of its own as if we were a completely separate school.

Many of the former football players from Lamar joined the freshman team and they won several games that year. They would stay in the history books as the first football team of the Nixon Annex.

Many girls joined the school’s drill team the Golden Spurs and were known as the Freshmen Spurs. Interestingly, many of the girls that were Prancers did not join the Spurs. The cheerleaders chosen that year would also stay in the history books as the first cheerleaders for the Annex: Head Cheerleader Marta Pena, Shawn Young, Mary Margaret Melendez, Barbara Arciniega, and Diana Vargas.

The gymnastics team consisted of Angie Zuniga, Linda Henry, Cindy Lira and Mary Margaret Melendez.

The class president was Jeannie Mendez and Elsa Castro was the President of the Annex Student Council.

Voted as Freshman Favorites: Angie Zuniga and Beto Aradillas

At the end of the year there were cheerleader tryouts for the two girls who would represent the Class of '78 at the main campus. Marta Pena and Mary Margaret Melendez were the two lucky ones elected by popular votes.

Top Ten TV Shows 1974 - 75

1. All in the Family 2. Sanford and Son 3. Chico and the Man 4. Jeffersons 5. MASH 6. Rhoda 7. The Waltons 8. Good Times 9. Maude 10. Hawaii Five-0

The Top Songs in 1974-75

1. Love Will Keep Us Together, The Captain and Tennille2. Rhinestone Cowboy, Glen Campbell3. Philadelphia Freedom, Elton John4. Before The Next Teardrop Falls, Freddy Fender5. My Eyes Adored You, Frankie Valli6. Shining Star, Earth, Wind and Fire7. Fame, David Bowie8. Laughter In The Rain, Neil Sedaka9. One Of These Nights, Eagles10. Thank God I'm A Country Boy, John Denver11. Jive Talkin', Bee Gees12. Best Of My Love, Eagles13. Lovin' You, Minnie Riperton14. Kung Fu Fighting, Carl Douglas15. Black Water, Doobie Brothers16. Ballroom Blitz, Sweet17. (Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song, B.J. Thomas18. He Don't Love You (Like I Love You), Tony Orlando and Dawn19. At Seventeen, Janis Ian20. Pick Up The Pieces, Average White Band21. The Hustle, Van McCoy and The Soul City Symphony22. Lady Marmalade, Labelle23. Why Can't We Be Friends?, War24. Love Wont Let Me Wait, Major Harris25. Boogie On Reggae Woman, Stevie Wonder