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It was a tradition at Forsan High for the senior class to make an excursion, or "senior trip" shortly before graduation. The expenses were paid from money generated by four years of fundraisers such as concession stand sales, calendar sales, etc.
In April of 1971, our class removed the last several rows of seats from a Forsan ISD school bus, piled it up with luggage, and set off down the highway. Our ultimate destination was Galveston with a sidetrip to Houston for a visit to the Astrodome and Astro World theme park.
The night we visited Astro World was designated "Senior Night" at the theme park. Supposedly, only graduating seniors were admitted into the park. The musical group "Grass Roots" was the musical attraction that evening. The group played all of their hits including Temptation Eyes, the group's single on the top 40 chart the week of the senior trip.
Being the amateur filmmaker in the bunch, I took along my parents' trusty 8MM camera and documented as much as I could of this historic
pilgramage. I remember shooting about eight rolls of film (at 3 minutes each). After the trip I edited the film together, added a soundrack (a reel to reel recording that had to be carefully synched up) and premiered the film at our graduation party.
It was a smash (of sorts) and was shown again several times before the film broke apart and was stored away in a box somewhere. It was only about four years ago that I came accross the film and it was transferred to video. Alas, the soundtrack had long since vanished into the twilight zone.
The pictures you see below are actual scenes from the 8MM documentary of our senior trip.
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