Across The Tracks Author:Bob and Jan Young Breaking Barriers--Betty Ochoa was pretty, popular, and a senior at Bellamar High. Then she was defeated for the Presidency of the Girl's League. She tried to be casual about it, but her pride was hurt. Had she lost because she was Mexican? — There was also handsome, arrogant Pete Flores to worry about. He accused her of thinking that she was... more » less Mexican because she lived on the right side of the tracks and made friends only with Americans.
Betty wondered how she could help bring the Mexican and "Anglo" students together. Then Dick Ackerman, President of Student Council, came up with an answer by nominating her for Activities Commissioner. Even Pete campaigned for her. For the first time in the school's history, all the Mexican-Americans turned out for an election. But Betty realized that this change was just a beginning and that the real challenge lay ahead.« less