During one of my searches for a column or article topic, I happened to look over a copy of the 1989 Tiger yearbook in the archives of the Freeborn County Historical Museum Library. Maybe something in this colorful book based on student life at Albert Lea High School would reflect some aspect of local life 20 years ago.

On the cover of this yearbook is the motto, “Still Making History.” And to emphasize this point was the historical fact that this was the 75th edition of the high school’s yearbook. That means the one issued this year is the 95th edition. This is something worthy of a very special salute.

I also found a rather odd detail in this particular yearbook. There happened to be a special series of poll questions with answers furnished by members of the school’s classes that year. So here are some of those responses of two decades ago.

The senior part of the poll was called “Top 12 Faves for 12.” The word fave, incidentally, was someone’s version or nickname for favorite.

That year the top three of a dozen breakfast cereals were Cap’n Crunch, Fruit Loops and Lucky Charms. The bottom three were Wheaties, Trix and Raisin Bran. And from here on we’ll be listing the top three choices in this survey and the bottom two or three. Thus, we’ll just be ignoring whatever is in between, with one exception.

The favorite clothing brands were Levi, Guess and Espirit. Coming in last were Forenza, Benetton and Gibaud.

“When I’m With You” was the top single song in 1989. followed by “Forever Young” and “Welcome to the Jungle.” An odd choice at number seven was “Wild Thing.” Coming in last were “Imagine” and “Desire.”

The seniors listed their fave ice cream flavors as chocolate, Cookies-n-Cream and vanilla. The least favored flavors were bubble gum, pistachio and chocolate marshmallow.

A listing for favorite sports among those seniors may have resulted in a surprise or two. The top three were hockey, football and basketball. Coming in last were drag racing (this is a sport?), tennis and track.

The “Top 11 Faves for !!” started off with a poll of the juniors regarding theme park rides. Their faves were roller coaster, flume and Zipper. Listed as last were Enterprise, Raging River and Space Mountain.

The Class of ’90 indicated their favorite school subjects were math, humanities English and humanities social. The least popular faves for subjects were accounting, words and art.

One of the poll questions in the “Top 10 Faves for 10” was based on favorite comedians. Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams and Bill Cosby led the list. Chevy Chase, Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Martin came in last out of 10 choices.

Those sophomores indicated their comics faves as Garfield (the cat, not the president), Far Side and Calvin and Hobbs. Dennis the Menace, Family Circus and Marmaduke (the dog) ended up on the bottom of the list in the yearbook entry.

Those members of the Class of ’91 listed “Dirty Dancing” as their favorite film.

The “Top 9 Faves for 9,” the Class of ‘92 selected their groovy slang words as cool, ain’t and awesome. At the bottom of the list were dude, no way and hey man.

Apples, yogurt and oranges headed the list for healthy food selections for those freshmen. Pineapple, grapefruit and rice cakes ended up last on their listing.

Included in this poll or survey were two topics called “Top 5 Faves for Staff.” The staff’s choices for recreation were reading, traveling, hunting/fishing, shopping and being with family. Under the heading for excuses for no homework heard from students were: My dog ate it, I forgot it, I had to work, I left it in my car and I left it at home.

Ed Shannon’s column has been appearing in the Tribune every Friday since December 1984.