It’s the 1980-1981 school year at Acalanes, and we have our first proper mention of the Acalanes Radio Club.
While they don’t have a devoted section in the main part of the yearbook, they’re brought up in an article called “Quadrophonic Sound”.
As soon as the lunch bell rings, students straggle into the Quad. Within minutes they are comfortably sprawled over grass, and laughter and chatter fill the air. But suddenly the normal, noisy sounds of the lunch break are drowned by something much louder. Guitars and drums shatter conversations, and Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” blasts out across the lawn.
The new stereo system was greeted enthusiastically by students. It was purchased for some $1200 by the 1979 Student Board, and was set up daily by Radio Club President Scott Jacobs. Senior Roxie Gustavson commented, “The stereo makes lunch more enjoyable and it provides an interesting atmosphere. Personally, I think it was a good way for the Student Board to spend money, but I know a lot of people don’t feel that way. They don’t like the music.”
However, the students who frequented the Quad during lunch applauded the album selection. “They play great music;” remarked Senior Debbie Bisio, “it’s up to date and the records aren’t all just one kind of music. It’s a good idea to let people bring their own albums to play.”
The positioning of the stereo system created controversy. “If they set it up on the front lawn, it would spread out the student body,” Senior Chris Grossgart said, “but Scott should’t play the music so loud. It tends to chase people away.” Freshman Julie Hoots disagreed, “Because most people eat in the Quad, that is the best place for the stereo. There everyone can enjoy it.”
Students had various ideas concerning the new stereo–from the kind of music played to the placement of the stereo itself. However, most agreed that a little music during the lunch hour provided a pleasant mood for a mid-day meal.
According to the senior section, the following students were members of the club during the 1980-1981 school year:
President: Scott Jacobs
Vice President: Mark Jeffrey
Secretary: Rob Lewis
Treasurer: Babak Daneshrad
Relations: Elaine Wang
Dave Rockwell Kerr
Stephen Randall Lucido
Kendall M. Martin
Jeffry Cooper Voorhees
Strangely, the faculty section lists Wendell Pleis as the Radio Club advisor…
but Larry Freeman is listed as the advisor in the yearbook index.
Larry Freeman was involved with the Radio Club, but to the best of our knowledge, he was never an advisor to the club.
That’s all the information on this part that we have at the moment. As with all these posts, please feel free to share any information you might have.
For more on the Acalanes Radio Station KCEQ rabbit hole and other Lafayette History Rabbit Holes.
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