Bravetalk 2004

515 West College Avenue Lompoc, CA 93436
June, 2004
Rosa Terrones Chavez
First Car Show A Success
Receives Award
The first Alumni Association Show and Shine Car Showwas held last July 12th at Ryon Park. We hoped to have 50 Three Lompoc educators were awarded the Crystal Apple cars exhibited. A total of 86 cars showed up from as far away Award for excellence in education. Five awards were pre- sented in Northern Santa Barbara County, and the three Trophies were handed out in 8 classes plus a Best of Show.
Lompoc recipients were, Rosa Chavez, Lompoc High English Best of Show was won by a beautiful red Chevy Nomad
teacher Laura Lee Parks and Carol Adams.
owned by George Cecchetti from Arroyo Grande.
Rosa Terrones Chavez, a Lompoc High 1967 graduate, was honored for her 37 years of work in the counseling office and Antiques to 1949 - 1925 Ford Model T Truck owned by Bob
as a guidance technician at the high school. She began working in the counseling office while a student at Lompoc Collector/Classics, 50 to Present - won by a 1955 Chevy
High. After graduation she continued working at the high coupe owned by Jack Cole from Santa Barbara.
school as a full time counseling clerk, registrar, and in 1994 Muscle Cars - Dana Fabing’s 1970 Plymouth Baraccuda won
was promoted to Guidance Technician. She plans to retire at Hot Rods - was won by a 1937 Ford Coupe owned by Nico
Rosa was nominated by the Lompoc High Staff for her dedi- cation to the students and for her devotion to helping all Foreign class - Dirk Starbuck’s 1970 Mercedes Benz 220
students have the opportunity to continue their education.
Sedan.
Motorcycles - Ed Grant, from VAFB, with a special con-
Alumni Website
structed bike.
Trucks to 1978 - won by a 1956 Ford F-100 owned by Andy
The Lompoc High School Alumni website is now functional again. All of the searches etc. are working….If you haven’t Trucks ’79 to present - a tie between a 1994 Chevy S10
updated your personal info…please submit any corrections or
owned by True Beach of Solvang and Pete Solreano’s 1990 additions. Now that it is up and running…we are now talking Chevy.
about another ALL SIXTIES REUNION possibly in 2005. So The committee was led by Ardeane Eckert. Committeeplease get your addresses updated so you don’t miss out once members included: Don Chambers, Rodney Eckert, Maxinewe start sending out flyers. Also, if you aren’t an Alumni Asso- and Malcolm Hearne, Bob Holloway, Debbie and Barryciation Member, or would like to give a membership to some- Manfrina, Jan and Bob Manfrina, Jon Phelps, Tracy Schriver, one, please go to the membership application and print it out Les Schuyler and Art Vargas Jr.
and JOIN…for only $20 you become a lifetime member.
The BBQ was cooked by Bill Rule and Mike Martinez and On the application you’ll see where the money goes. The their crews. A very successful 50/50 drawing was held andsite’s address is: www.lompochsalumniassn.org Marjorie McVicar printed and sold car show t-shirts. The TriCounties Blood Bank Mobile Unit was present and 27 peopledonated blood.
The scholarship fund benefitted greatly from the success- Election of Officers
Election of officers was held at the March 25th meet-ing. Newly elected president is Dennis Headrick.
Ardeane Machado Eckert is vice president. LorettaStanish Hannah, treasurer. Debbie Schuyler Manfrina, 2003 Scholarship Recipient
secretary and Coleen Houk Valla, corresponding sec- The 2003 Lompoc High School Alumni Association Scholarship winner was Elizabeth Nicole Chavez. Elizabeth is Newly elected board members are Dean Morehart, the daughter of Rosie (Terrones) Chavez who graduated in class of 1950; Bob Holloway, class of 1957; Rosie Terrones Chavez, class of 1967 and Paul Boomersbach, Elizabeth is attending Allan Hancock College and will be transferring to Fresno State next year.
Ron Emmons - One
Lompoc Valley
Florence E.
of the World’s
Historical Society
Jacobson
Greatest Horsemen
Labor Day Activities
Scholarship
Friday - September 3. BBQ dinner by Gloria Jacobson Henderson, class
Bruce Nix. $15 per person at 7pm at the of 1964, and her sister Patti Jacobson
few of the Worlds Greatest Horsemen.
*Anderson Recreation Center, 125 Swayze, class of 1966, have estab-
Lompoc graduate Ron Emmons, class of
West Walnut Ave. A bar will be avail- lished a $500 scholarship at Lompoc
High in honor of their mother, Flo-
The Class of 1954 will be honored. rence E. Jacobson, who was a busi-
*PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION ness teacher at Lompoc High from
FOR THE DINNER
tries or “teams” (consisting of horse and Saturday - September 4th: Open House away July 15, 1999.
at the Fabing-McKay-Spanne House, 207 Scholarship recipients have been: 2000: Lilliana Flores; 2001: Christina
Texas. The competition required the rider Sunday - September 5th: Chicken Costa; 2002: Chong Moua; 2003:
to ride one horse in cutting, reining, steer BBQ at Ryon Park , corner of West Ocean Gabriel Espinoza.
and “O” Street at 12 noon. $7 per person.
bit in each event.
Ron placed first in the cow work andplaced tenth overall.
Where Are They Now?
Do you have information regarding classmates with interesting occupations or special achievements? Is there anyone out therewho deserves recognition after all these years? Submit any information to the Alumni Association, 515 West College Ave.,Lompoc, CA 93436. Future “Brave Talk” issues will feature the submitted information.
Class Reunion Contact Information
Are you interested in contacting someone regarding your class reunion?
The Lompoc High School Alumni Association maintains a listing of who to contact for each class reunion as well as a list
of reunion schedules.
Contact Ardeane Machado Eckert at (805) 736-2088 or e-mail her at [email protected].
Class representatives take note! Please contact Ardeane and give her your phone and e-mail address when planning a
reunion.
The following reunions are scheduled:
Class of 1934 - 70th reunion - September 4
Contact Evelyn Brandon 736-0595
Class of 1938 - Labor Day Weekend - September 4, 5, 6.
Contact Betty Gunderson Burrill (425)776-0268 or e-mail her at [email protected].
Class of 1939 - 65th reunion- Labor Day Weekend
Contact Myra Huyck Manfrina (805)736-5304 or e-mail her at [email protected]
Class of 1944 - 60th reunion - Labor Day Weekend
Contact Janet Lawson Begg (805)736-1342
Class of 1949 - 55th reunion - Labor Day Weekend
Contact Beverly Morehart Preece (805)733-5101
Class of 1954 - 50th reunion - Labor Day Weekend
Contact Pat Lower Brady (805)737-5724, Frank Signorelli (805)736-0056, or Mary Ann Grossini Decker (805)735-3879
Class of 1974 - 30th reunion-June 25th-27th,2004
Contact Jeanette Ryan (805)736-0016 or [email protected].
Class of 1979 - 25th reunion - October 2, 2004
Contact Joy Schelvis (805)736-4038 or e-mail her at [email protected].
Class of 1984 - 20th reunion - Labor Day Weekend-at the Village Country Club.
Contact David White 424 South “B” St. Lompoc, CA 93436 or e-mail hasbarco.org
Class of 1994 - 10 year reunion
Contact Tonya Thomas at [email protected]
2004 Show and
Shine Car Show
Jerry Thompson Retires From LHS
Jerry Thompson came to Lompoc High in 1965 to teach mathematics. That contin- ued for 35 years until 2000 when he retired from classroom teaching.
Classroom teaching was not the only thing Jerry Thomp- son did at Lompoc High, he also coached wrestling for 25 years. Under his guidance Lompoc won 12 league titles and in 1984 Lompoc placed fourth in the state.
Soon after arriving in Lompoc he began helping with the football program as an assistant coach for head coach Added this year are 22 more classes.
Jim Spruill. He continued for 32 more years helping head coaches Mike Warren, Dave Reynolds, Dick Barrett and Robin Lukin. He was the defensive back, tight end, punt- In those 38 years, Lompoc football reached the playoffs 30 times, won 20 league championships and 3 CIF titles.
Mr. Thompson feels the time is right to retire. His wife Joan retired in 2002 as an elementary school speech therapist. Their three sons, Pat, Jason and Shannon were all All-CIF football players for Lompoc High.
beautiful cars, have some of VicSousa’s BBQ for lunch, and supportthe Lompoc High Alumni Association.
All proceeds go to our scholarship Lompoc High Sports - Braves In Action
2004 Boys Tennis Team Goes Undefeated
For only the second time in Lompoc High history the 2004 boys tennis team went
undefeated (15-0). The last time the Braves went undefeated was in 1980.
This was Loretta Jensen’s first year coaching the Braves. This years team members
Sports Basket
are: Pao Chang, Seth Cisowski, Will Fabing, David Gaspar, Sean Gunn, Steven Heu,
Adam Milholland, Gabe Samano, Jan Sapp, Manny Solorio, Shuelong Vang and
Rafael Yelo-Baeza.
The 1980 team was coached by Dave Bickmore. The members of that team were:
ciation has raffled a basket full of Lompoc Tom Anderson, Kannar Ayyar, Mike Bayha, Keith Benidict, Lynn Caddell, Glen
Campbell, David Granados, Greg Klein, Ken Ledgerwood, Walt Mendiola and Jeff
Shephard.
BRAVES FOOTBALL WINS CIF CHAMPIONSHIP SECOND YEAR IN A ROW
shorts, Braves t shirts, and passes to the For the second year in a row the Lompoc Braves football team, coached by Robin
Luken, won the CIF Division 10 Championship. They beat Morningside, Inglewood
44-6 for the title. 5,000 fans watched the game in Lompoc’s Huyck Stadium.
The Braves finished the year 12-2, beating San Marino, South High of Torrance and Serra to get to the championship game.
It was the third CIF football title for the Braves. The others were in 1990 against Arroyo Grande and last year against Serra Gardena. This was the first championship ever won by Lompoc on their home field.
arships we have if it was not for the sup- The coaching staff included head coach Robin Luken. His assistants were Roger
Pacheco - Lompoc High 1968 grad, Todd Ranney - class of 1988, Jerry Thompson
and Ed Herrmann.
Lompoc Braves Who Were Named To The All-Los Padres League Football Team
David Gaspar - Named Most Valuable Player.
Brian Huyck - Named Defensive Back of the Year
Clayton Greco - Defensive Lineman of the Year
Other first team members were Justice Clegg, Hugo Sanchez, Jeremey Signorelli,
Tommy Hayes and Armando Gutierrez.
Second team members were Boo Jackson Victor Lara, Bryce Luken and Rand
Lara.
Honorable Mentions were Donald White and Eric Armstrong.
Sports (continued)
LOMPOC BOYS AND PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL
Ryan Church - class of 1996 is the only Lompoc grad in professional baseball as of a short time ago. Scott Morgan retired in
March, and Brandon Luna has recently been released by the Texas Rangers. Ricky Aguilar has recently been released by the
Atlanta Braves.
Brandon graduated in 1997 and played for Cypress College. He received a scholarship to Auburn University. He signed as a
free agent in 2001 with the Texas Rangers. Brandon pitched in A and AA Leagues before undergoing surgery on his arm.
After Lompoc High, outfielder Scott Morgan-class of 1991, played for Hancock and Gonzaga and then signed with the Indians.
He was in the minor leagues for 9 years. He played 2 years for the Indians and for the Angels the beginning of 2000. In 2002 he
played for the Padres AAA team and for the Chicago White Sox in 2003.
Ricky Aguilar was released by the Atlanta Braves and is now playing for the Lompoc River Bandits of the Santa Barbara
Baseball League.
1996 grad Ryan Church is playing right field for the Edmonton Trappers of the AAA Pacific Coast League-the top minor
league team of the Montreal Expos. He leads his team in batting average and total bases. He is second in the league in batting
average, the league leader in runs and tied for second in hits.
Braves 2003 Track and Field Team Collects Los Padres League and Santa Barbara County Championships
Braves 4x400 team set a school record of 3:20:19. They were the first Lompoc High School team to qualify for the masters. The
team was made up of Robert Adams, Matt Winn, Darren Tullis and Donald White. Jason Ramsey was also on the team. They
then ran a 3:17:90 to make it to state. At state they ran a 3:28:62 to finish eighth. The team is coached by Ed Herrmann and his
assistant Alfredo Covarrubias.
SPORTS RAMBLINGS
Dick Barrett has been named the new Athletic Director at LHS.
Mike Warren, former LHS Athletic Director, has been named Executive Director of the Elings Park Foundation in Santa
Barbara .
Gunther Cunningham - class of 1965 has returned to the Kansas City Chiefs as defensive coordinator.
Roy Howell - class of 1972 is in his first year as manager of the single A baseball team in Eugene Oregon. The team is an affiliate
of the San Diego Padres. Roy says he wants to help young players have the experiences he had.
After graduation, Roy was selected in the first round of the baseball draft by the Texas Rangers. He spent 11 years in the major
leagues playing third base in Texas, Toronto and Milwaukee. He was named an All-Star in 1978.
Casey Candaele - class of 1979. Casey recently followed in his mothers footsteps and was inducted into the Northern Santa
Barbara County Hall of Fame. Helen Callaghan St. Aubun, of the Ladies Professional Baseball League, was the first Lompoc
athlete to be inducted in the NSBC Hall of Fame. Casey played shortstop for Lompoc High and helped the Braves to a CIF title
in 1979. In 1977 and 1978 he also played football for Lompoc, and quarterbacked the Braves into CIF finals.
In 1980, he played in the College Baseball World Series, while playing at the University of Arizona.
Casey then played for 16 years in professional baseball with the Expos, Astros and Indians.
He and his wife Cindy and their three children live in San Luis Obispo where Casey has gone into the plumbing business.
The tennis courts at Lompoc High have been renamed “Dave Bickmore Courts”. Mr. Bickmore, the tennis coach for nearly 30
years, recently retired.
Joe Smith has resigned as Lompoc High boys basketball coach.
Crystal Farley is having a good year playing softball for the Arizona Wildcats.
In December Andrew Aguailar was named captain of the Cal State Northridge baseball team and was their leading batter. But
recent shoulder surgery has him out for the rest of the season.
Brian Aguailar is catching for Cuesta College and is hitting the ball well.
Nate Mendoza is also playing baseball at Cuesta.
Robert Adams - class of 2003-played football for Charleston Southern and became their leading ground gainer.
Torin Simpson - class of ’99-was playing football for St. Marys’ Gaels until he had surgery on a broken arm.
This past fall , Andrew Jones, Joey Gastelo, Mike Slaughter, Adam Williams, Lucas Signorelli and Darrin Tullis, all recent
LHS grads, played football for Allan Hancock College.
Third baseman Ben Ornelas received a scholarship to Cal State Fullerton.
Rebecca Ruiz played women’s water polo at Cuesta College. She finished the season ranked 2nd in scoring and was named to
the first team Women’s Water Polo All-Western State Conference team.
Natalie DiMora also played on the Cuesta water polo team. She ended her season second in assists and third in steals. She
was named to the second team All-Western State Conference.
Erica Grigg, April Ainsworth, Adrianne Ainsworth and Miranda Miranda are all playing women’s soccer at Hancock College.
Matt Sims - class of 2003 - started at tight end on the Humboldt State football team.
Ernie Vega is playing soccer for Fresno State.
Mike Marchione is also playing soccer for Fresno State.
Caysi Garife had a great first year with the women’s basketball team at Allan Hancock College. She averaged 13.3 points per
game.
Lompoc girls won Los Padres League Golf Title. The team had an undefeated season and qualified for CIF Northern Division.
Team members were - Justine Heath, Lesley Stewart, Theresa Kyriaco, Lindsay McDougall, Jillian Conaway, and Julia Heath.
Julia Heath was named League Most Valuable Player. She reached CIF regionals. Twins Julia and Justine represented the
league in the CIF individual tourney on Mission Lakes Gold Course in Desert Hot Springs.
The Braves boys soccer team won their fourth straight league title.
The girls cross country team from LHS won the Los Padres League title and qualified for CIF finals.
Girls softball also won the league title with a 17-3-1 record.
At the May Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table Awards and Hall Of Fame Banquet, two of the four top
awards were won by Lompoc High athletes. Donald White was named Male Athlete Of The Year for his outstanding perfor-
mances in track & Field, football and baseball. Jenn Brooks was named Female Scholar Athlete for her outstanding grades, and
top performances on the tennis team, basketball and softball teams.
This was the same banquet where Casey Candaele was inducted in the Northern Santa Barbara County Hall of Fame reported
elsewhere in this newsletter.
The Alumni AssociationCar Show Committee Wishes To Sincerely Thank The Sponsors and
Donors for the first annual Show and Shine Show. We Greatly Appreciate The Support!
Class Sponsors
The GET Ranch - Georgene Taylor Rieck - class of 1960 and George Taylor - class of 1964; Don and Carol Ann
Chambers - both class of 1952; DJ’s and Jaspers Saloons-owned by Mick and Kathy Sarkin; Wm. Rieck Plumb-
ing-owner Georgene Taylor Rieck - class of 1960; McIntosh Roofing-owned by Randy - class of ’71 and Janice
McIntosh - class of ‘76
The Muffler Shop - owned by Dirk - class of ’77 and Karen Starbuck-class of ‘78
Heavy Duty Cycles-owners Ray and Kendal Leslie; Vargas Jewelers - owned by Emily Smith - class of ’53 and Art
Vargas Jr. - class of ‘76; Cook Erectors Inc. - owners Terry Cook - class of 68, Greg Campbell - class of ’75 and Ray
Wilcox.
Donors and Contributors
ACECO Owner - John Lizarraga-class of ’80. Special thanks to Bart Ranjo - class of ‘84; Diana Allen - Farmers
Insurance; J.R. Barto Heating and Air Conditioning - Owner - J.R. Barto - class of ‘65; Beauty Connection - Owner
- Karen Marshall; Belluz Upholstery - Owners - Joe and Donna Belluz - both class of ‘77; Central Coast Environ-
mental Control - Owners - Jim, Mike and Steve Logsdon; Chocolate Factory - Solvang; Cojo-Jalama Ranch Corp. -
Brad Lundberg - Ranch Manager - class of ‘58; Ardeane - class of ’66 and Rodney Eckert - class of ‘58; Embassy
Suites Hotel - Lompoc; Federico’s Central Coast Grill - Buellton; Good Sounds Auto Stereo - John Linn; Greco’s
Butcher Shop and Del i- Owners - Steve - class of ’75 and Stephanie Greco -class of 1985; Darrell Grossini - class
of ‘77; Frank Hain - class of ‘75; Malcolm - class of ’55 and Maxine Hearne - class of ‘57; Holloway Plumbing, Inc.
- Owner-Bob Holloway - class of ‘57; Honda of Lompoc; Jeffers Muffler - Owners - Mike-class of ’62 and Sharon
McVicar - class of ‘63; Kings Furniture - Owners - Jim-class of ’56 and Thelma King; La Purisima Catholic Church;
California Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge; Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce-thanks to Dennis Headrick - class
of’67; Robert Lusby, DDS; Maloy’s Insurance Agency; Barry and Debbie Manfrina - both class of ‘61; Bob and
Jan Manfrina - both class of ‘65; Mike Martinez and his BBQ Crew - Mike - class of ‘66; Marjorie McVicar - class
of ‘75; Napa Auto Parts; Eric Pacheco DDS - class of ‘88; Perry Auto Parts - Owners - Bill-class of ’45 and Mike
Perry - class of ‘72; Penelope’s Teas and Gifts-Owner-Pennie Vandenbroek; Rancho Santa Barbara Marriott;
James Reed, DDS.; Ron’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning - Owners-Eric - class of ’72 and Diane Hancock
- class of ‘78; Bill Rule-class of ‘52; Santa Barbara Farms - Owners-Rob Guerra ’73 and Danny Guerra ‘74; Tracy
Bruns Schriver - class of ‘83; David Schuyler Automotive - Owner-David Schuyler - class of ‘76; Francine Silva -
class of ‘69; Victor Sousa - class of ‘49; Stan’s Automotive - Owners - Alfred Howerton - ’55 and Michael
Howerton - class of ‘82;; Starbucks Coffee-Lompoc; Sugar Magnolias Coffee Shop; Sunset Auto Center -Owners
- George and Cheryl Bedford; Sunset Quality Car Wash; Taylor’s Union 76 - Owner-George Taylor-class of ‘64;
William Thiele, DDS; Tip Toe and Tanning -Owner - Lori Dean Lopes - class of ‘82; Art Vargas Jr. - class of ‘76;
Valley Rock - Owner - John Begg - class of ’68 Manager -Mike Cummings - class of ‘78; Vons - Jules Hain
Manager - class of ‘73.
Manfrinas Selected Grand
Marshals of 2004
Flower Festival Parade
Lompoc High graduates Walt and Myra Manfrina have beenselected as this years Grand Marshals of the Flower Festival Pa-rade. Walt graduated in 1932 and Myra in 1939.
Walt was born in 1914 in Willows, California, but his family re-turned to Lompoc, when he was 6 months old, to run a dairy onSan Julian Rancho.
While attending Lompoc High Walt played on the Braves footballteam. Following high school, he worked for W. Atlee Burpee Co.
He then joined the Army and served during WW11 in the European Theater for 2 years, where he participated as an infantrymanin the Battles of the Bulge and the Hurtgen Forest. He received Purple Hearts for his injuries.
Upon returning home he went back to work at Burpees. He became manager of Burpees-Floradale Farms in 1952. He oversawthe planting and harvesting of hundreds of acres of flowers in the Lompoc Valley. He retired from Burpees after 40 years withthe company He is a member of the American Legion Post 211, Lompoc Valley Club, Lompoc Valley Historical Society, Future Farmers ofAmerica, past head of the Lompoc Rotary, Masonic Lodge, Pioneer Society and Lompoc Model T Club. Last year he washonored by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors upon his retirement, after 32 years, on the Lompoc Cemetery Board.
For many years he was a flower judge at numerous flower shows in Lompoc, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles.
Walt does volunteer work 2 days a week at the Lompoc Valley Historical Society’s Spanne House teaching third graders earlyLompoc History.
Walt recently celebrated his 90th birthday and he and Myra just marked their 62nd wedding anniversary.
Myra Huyck was born in Lompoc in 1921. While attending Lompoc High she was very active. She was ASB secretary, Seniorclass secretary, on the annual staff, in GAA, Jamboree, in the Jr. class play, Tri Y president, and the scholarship society.
Myra became a newspaper correspondent during the war years. That job lead to a devout interest in Lompoc history and theearly families who lived here. She has researched and written numerous articles and books on Lompoc history and Lompocfamily genealogies. She’s answered hundreds if not thousands of questions while working in the research room at the LompocHistorical Society. She’s e-mailed and written to people all of the world regarding Lompoc history.
While she and Walt lived at Burpees, she hosted seed company people from around the world who came to Floradale Farms towitness the flower seed industry first hand.
In 1996, Myra was named Lompoc Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year. She and Walt were married in 1942 and have twosons, Barry and Robert (Bob), who both graduated from Lompoc High. Their four grandchildren, Deena, Bryan, Donica andJodi also all graduated from Lompoc High. They have four small great grandchildren.
2003 Alumni Assn. Hall of Fame Inductees
Walter Alves, Class of 1953 In high
Erlan Calvert. Class of 1953 Erlan re-
Peter Sousa, Class of 1953 In high
school Peter excelled in football and was football for two years, ran track for three ant. In 1959, following the Air Force, he supervise the building of Cabrillo High.
Lompoc High Graduate
Killed in Afghanistan
Sgt. First Class Mitchell Lane, a 1987 Lompoc High graduate and Lompoc native, was killed in Afghanistan on August 29, 2003. He was the first Lompoc man killed in the war on terrorism. He suf- fered fatal injuries while descending from a helicopter during a night time combat assault. Mitch was a special forces soldier with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. He was 34 years old and on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He had been in the While attending Lompoc High, Mitch was in Lettermans Club, Interact, he was on the JV and Varsity Swim Teams, and played 1 year on the water polo team.
A memorial bench has been placed in Beattie Park to honor Mitch.
He leaves his parents, Richard and Laurie Lane of Lompoc, his 3 brothers, Chris, David and Brian. His wife Gina and 2 daughters Michelle and Noelle live in North Virginia “Ginny” Knight Phelps 1938William “Bill” Ruffner Huyck Stadium in Need of Repair
Huyck Stadium for Lompoc is more than a high school stadium. Originally built for use by Lompoc High, it has become a community stadium hosting not only football games for Lompoc and Cabrillo High Schools, but also track meets, AYSO opening day ceremonies, Relay for Life cancer fundraisers, Fourth of July fireworks celebrations and other community-wide events.
Since its construction in 1964, no major renovations have been performed and the stadium grandstands are in a grave state of disrepair. Recognizing the need for repairs and the lack of available funds, the merchants at the Lompoc Plaza Shop- ping Center planned and hosted “Big Game Day” in November, 2003 to raise some funds and public awareness for the need. That day, through fundraising efforts and donations, over $3,000 was raised and a formal committee named “Repair Fundraising efforts are still continuing, many of which are under the direction of the committee. These efforts include BBQ’s, a surfboard raffle, 2005 PT Cruiser convertible raffle and a tailgate party planned for August, 2004. Other organiza- tions have joined the effort as well, including California Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep, Scoreboard Tavern, Your Place or Mine and the Lompoc Valley Distance Club, and others. The committee has also received several donations, including major contributions from Pat and Monica Huyck, Robert Weiner, King’s Furniture and Graphic Systems. Contributions have also been made im memory of loved ones.
Rodney “Roddy” Martinson 1969Roger Pacheco To date, the effort has raised more than $25,000 toward the goal of $200,000 by If you wish to help with the effort, checks can be mailed to: Repair Huyck Stadium, 664 North H Street, Lompoc, CA 93436. Please make your checks payable to “Repair Huyck Stadium.” If you wish to help with any of the fundraising efforts, or need more information, call Robin at (805) 736-1730 or Rose at (805) 736-2363.
The committee can also be reached by email: [email protected]. Speaking of Fundraisers
Sgt Harry Heidt of the Lompoc Police Department has ordered Lompoc High School Football Mini Helmets to sell as a fund raiser for the repairs on Huyck Stadium.
The helmets are the same as the present day helmets, only about a third the size of Staff & Teachers
those worn by the players. The helmets are $25. each and all proceeds go to the Orders should be sent directly to Sgt. Harry Heidt at the Lompoc Police Dept. 107 Civic Center Plaza, Lompoc, CA 93436. For more information he can be reached at Alumni Ramblings
Frank Signorelli-class of 1954 was recently honored by the Rotary Club of Vandenberg Village for his community service to
the Lompoc Valley. Frank received the “Service Above Self” award for volunteer work “above and beyond”. He serves on
the board of directors for Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corp. He is president of the board of directors of
the Lompoc Museum, a longtime member of the Lompoc Hospital Board and former Lompoc Chamber of Commerce Man of
the Year-to name a few.
DeWayne Holmdahl-class of 1956 was named Lompoc Chamber of Commerce 2003 Man of the Year for his numerous
community and countywide accomplishments. Among his pages of achievements is the fact he has been a Lompoc City
Councilman for 8 years, a previous Santa Barbara County 4th District Supervisor for 8 years and has been on many county
and state committees.
Ken Mantei e-mailed us a nice letter saying he had found our May 2003 issue of Brave Talk on the internet. Ken spent only 2
years at LHS, 9th and 10th grades. He moved to Rosemead, California where he graduated in 1958. Because he had been one
of the school photographers for the year book (along with Gaynor Benson) and responsible for many of the pictures in the
’56 La Purisima, a copy was sent to him in Rosemead. He has always been thankful for the person who sent it.
Ken completed his bachelor’s degree at Pomona College and his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Indiana University. He did a year of
post-doc research at UCLA. He is teaching physical chemistry at Cal State University, San Bernadino.
Ken hopes some of his classmates will remember him, as he will always remember Lompoc fondly. To read more about Ken
click on http://chem.csusb.edu
Ken Mantei found us on the internet and e-mailed us. Why don’t you? Let us know what you are doing. Your classmates
would like to know where you are. Send information to Lompoc High School Alumni Association 515 West College
Ave., Lompoc, CA 93436 or e-mail to Debbie Manfrina at [email protected].
Gloria Jacobson Henderson class of 1964 is retired from Jefferson County Schools in Colorado. She was a high school
business economics teacher for 25 plus years. She is currently self-employed as Group Marketing Director for Pre-Paid Legal
Services, Inc.
Air Force Master Sgt Nanci R (Branson) Pigeon 1984 grad was named the 2002 outstanding contracting senior noncom-
missioned officer of the year for the U.S. Air Force. Pigeon is a superintendent assigned to the 49th Contracting Squadron at
Halloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, N.M.
Kathy Sell class of 1985 received her Ph.D. and is now a professor at Riverside City College. She teaches Honors Humani-
ties and English Literature.
Karlie Graham McCurdy class of 1989 is currently hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. It is 2650 miles long and reaches from the
Mexican border to the Canadian border. The hike will take 5 months to complete. She took a leave of absence from her job at
an obstetrics and gynecology clinic to fulfill a dream. Hopefully in our next newsletter Karlie will tell us of her adventure.
Shelly Schuyler Jobst class of 1991 graduated from Cal Poly in 1995 with a degree in Dairy Science. She received her
masters from Virginia Tech in 1998 in Reproductive Physiology of Dairy Cattle. At present she is working as Program
Coordinator for Continuing and Professional Education at Virginia Tech.
Miguel Luevano has successfully completed California Highway Patrol (CHP) Cadet Training, and has been assigned to duty
at CHP’s Central Los Angeles Area Office.
Before joining the CHP, Miguel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting journalism from Cal State University,
Long Beach. He was employed as an associate producer with KLCS-TV in Los Angeles.
Bryce Luken class of 2004, son of Coach Robin and Barbara Luken, has been appointed to the Air Force Academy.
State and National Auto Shop Competition
for Two Lompoc Alums
Recent Lompoc High grads Nick Brooks and Daniel Rutherford placed 1st in the state auto shop championships, which madethem eligible for the national championships in Washington D.C Tony Bauer is the Lompoc High Auto Shop instructor. The state championship was a first for the high schools auto shopprogram which began in the mid 1960’s.
The national competition included a timed event to find “bugs” deliberately planted in the vehicles. The students alsocompleted a 100 question written essay as part of the competition. A total of 100 students from all 50 states vied in the 2 daycompetition for the national title and scholarships.
The Lompoc High boys representing California, placed 19th in the nation. Nick Brooks placed 5th fastest in changing sparkplugs. Both plan careers in automotive repair. Daniel received a scholarship to the Universal Technical Institute in Arizona.
Nick is attending Allan Hancock College and Fresno State University.
Alves Among
Gertie Rice Campbell and the
Award Winners
Santa Rita School
tributed altruistically to the profession CMT, and FAAMT, as the recipient of the 2003 Practitioner of The Practitioner of the Year Award is the highest award of the Association and serves to recognize an individual for out- Santa Rita School, 1923
standing activities in the profession of medical transcription.
AAMT is proud to recognize Barbara Alves Adler, CMT, FAAMT, as this individual. As a leader, Barbara has been called and a town hall for the 60 families that lived in the area.
the “master of delegation,” with an uncanny way of drawing County records show the school was open between 1988 and out the talents, skills, and abilities in fellow MTs with whom 1939. The number of students fluctuated between 17, and at she serves. Her drive for continuing education for all MTs is times , as many as 101. All grades-1st through 8th- were taught unmatched. She is respected among her colleagues for her professional advancements and leadership capabilities. Ms.
Some of the family names whose children attended the Santa Adler represents the profession of medical transcription with Rita School were Acin, Streeter, Machado, Gnesa, Guerra, the utmost dedication and perseverance.
Mendez, Robinson, Melani, Freitas, Burk, Davis, Olinger, Tosti, Ms. Adler has served on the Board of the Oregon Associa- Kolding and Domingos, to name a few.
tion for Medical Transcription (OAMT), a component asso- From 1913 to 1920 one of the students was Gertie Rice. Gertie ciation for AAMT, for the past 8 years, having served 4 years was born at Harris Station on June 20, 1907, to Frances and as President, 2 years as Immediate-Past President, and 2 years Clarina Righetti Rice. At the time of Gertie’s birth, her father as Delegate. Barbara currently serves as President of OAMT, worked at the pumping station for Associated Oil Company at and is seeking yet another 2-year term as President. Barbara Harris Station, located on the north side of Harris Grade, south has been a medical transcriptionist for 30 years, becoming of Highway 135. At age 3, her father was transferred to the Certified in 1983, and receiving the credentials of Fellow of Santa Rita pumping plant where oil from Casmalia and Sisquoc American Association for Medical Transcription in 2003.
was pumped to Gaviota and onto boats.
Serving the community in which she lives is important to Gertie attended school at the Santa Rita School. In 1925 she Adler, serving for the last 3 years on the board of the Lane graduated from Lompoc High School in a class with 46 stu- County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
She is currently the Vice President of that chapter.
In 1925 Gertie married Veril Campbell and lived in Santa Rita Barbara graduated from Lompoc High School in 1962, was where they farmed and raised four children. She was a member Flower Festival Queen in 1961, currently resides in Eugene, of the Lompoc High School Alumni Association, Lompoc Val- Oregon, and is the daughter of the late Victor Alves and Emily ley Historical Society, Lompoc Pioneer Society and a Charter Alves-Hufford of Lompoc. Barbara’s brother, Walt Alves, member of the Lompoc Grange. In 1994, Gertie was honored by graduated from Lompoc High in 1953 and resides in Santa being named the Grand Marshall of the Flower Festival Parade.
She enjoyed tending to the ranch, gardening and going toLas Vegas and Laughlin.
Gertie died May 30, 2003, at the age of 96. She is survived bythree children, Phyllis Anderson, Jim Campbell, and Donna The Old Fisherman
Starbuck, 14 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her hus- band, son Kenny, and granddaughter Tricia Campbell.
as, “The Old Fisherman” shows fourbeautiful lobsters taken in 1987 fromthe area coastal waters. Dick is 91years old now. His girls-Roxanne,Donna, Mary Ellen and Georgena sentus the picture.
Previous Alumni Association Scholarship Winners
By Debbie Schuyler Manfrina
One of the main purposes of the Lompoc High School Alumni Association was to
establish and administer a scholarship fund. In 1986 the first $500. scholarship was
awarded and since then 32 deserving students have received funds. The Alumni Associa-
tion has given a total of $16,000 to students who wish to further their education. It is the
hope of the association to be able to increase the size of the scholarships to $1,000 each.
In the coming newsletters we will feature our previous recipients. I think you will be very
impressed with our first 5 recipients.
Denee Signorelli Schakow, the first recipient in 1986, is a part time teacher in Cupertino,
California. She mentors other teachers in the district.
She received her BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her masters in
Kinesiology-the study of anatomy and physiology of body movement in regard to
physical education and physical therapy. Denee’s focus was on eating disorders.
Denee recently returned from Italy with her brother Darrin and her parents Dominic and Denny. They went to Italy
to visit members of the Signorelli family. Denee and her husband live in Gilroy, California
Dean Fairbanks and Scott Holloway received the 1987 scholarships.
Dean was featured in our last issue. For those who are new subscribers, we will fill you in. Dean received his BA and
MA degrees in geology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He went to South Africa to work for a South
African government national research institution for 5 years. While in Africa he received his Ph.D. from the University
of Pretoria.
After 8 years in South Africa, Dean and his wife Portia, a California girl also studying in South Africa, moved back to
California to teach at California State University Chico. They are expecting their first child in July.
Scott Holloway graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1992 with an English degree. He went
back to school in 1995 and received a teaching credential in Physics from CSU Northridge in 1998.
Scott has been teaching for 6 years at El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills. He is currently the science
department chair and teaches APE Environmental Science and Advanced Physical Science.
Scott has received the Outstanding Student Teacher Award (CSUN),Outstanding Teacher Award (UCSD) Fulfillment
Fund Teacher Recognition Award (KTLA Charities), Who’s Who Among American Teachers, and Most Inspirational
Teacher Award from the Gladstone and LA County Schools.
He has coached the Girls Varsity Soccer team to 3 CIF City Championships. He has also coached an environmental
academic team called Envirothon to 2 second place finishes at state competitions.
He and his wife have a 7 month old son.
Scott has high praise for his education at Lompoc High. “I never realized how good a school Lompoc High was until
I left, and everyday that I try to teach my students, I think back on how my teachers in Lompoc did it-because you all
did a wonderful job. Thanks for a great education.”
In 1988 Devin Fairbanks and Jeff Sell received the two scholarships.
Devin Fairbanks also attended UCSB. She spent her junior year studying in Madrid Spain and received her degree in
Spanish. She received her masters degree in International Business Spanish at the Monterey Language Institute.
While there she worked for NGO-an organization for recruiting doctors to go to El Salvador.
Devin now works in Santa Barbara for EXCEL, a commercial space insurance broker. She also works for the Dream
Foundation, which grants wishes to terminally ill children.
She has traveled to Italy to visit her grandmother’s relatives. She has also been to Spain, Portugal and Africa. In her
spare time she plays tennis and is a certified scuba diver. She has dived in Bali, Aruba, Cozumel, Hawaii, Cancun,
Jamaica, and the Santa Barbara Channel Islands.
Jeff Chin Sell received his masters degree from UC Riverside. He teaches all levels of high school math and
computers at Menlo-Atherton High School. Jeff is also a certified bi-lingual teacher. He is in charge of the After
School Tutoring Program and is also in charge of the summer program for incoming freshman.
Jeff was honored with a Teaching Excellence Award which included $4,000.
He is the advisor for the Polynesian Club, the Latin Club, and the Young Latin Leaders sponsor.
In his spare time, he does prison ministry and is involved with the Christian Motorcycle Association. He also does
private math tutoring for advanced math students. He enjoys fishing and camping and he and his wife plan to visit
India this summer.
Alumni Assn. Inductees
and served as publicity chairman. Dennis is now Executive Assistant at the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visi-tors Bureau, where he eagerly shares his love of Lompoc and Dr. Darlene Garcia Suarez, Class of 1964
its history with interested visitors on a daily basis.
After graduating in 1964, Darlene received a bachelor’s degree George Perry, Class of 1971
in psychology from San Diego State, graduating Cum Laude.
Following graduation, George attended Allan Hancock Col- She received a masters degree in cultural anthropology in 1996 lege and graduated with honors in 1974 from the University of from the University of California, Riverside. In 2003 she earned California at Santa Barbara with a major in zoology. He then earned his PhD in marine biology at the University of Califor- She has taught at community colleges and at San Diego State.
nia Scripps Institute of Oceanography at San Diego. He com- During her graduate studies, she was awarded three teacher pleted his post doctorate fellow in cell biology at Baylor Col- assistantships and six fellowships from the Dept. of Anthro- lege of Medicine. He has completed additional work at the pology at the University of Calif, Riverside. She also received Marine Biology Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and Stanford University. He currently serves as a professor Dr. Suarez has authored nine publications.
and Head of the Department of Pathology at Case Western She was a former chair of the American Indian Advisory Coun- Reserve University in Cleveland Ohio. He is the only PhD to cil for American Indian Education at San Diego State Univer- head a pathology department in the U.S. He became a profes- sity and is a member of the North County Indian Education sor at Case Western Reserve University at the age of 41, an Council in conjunction with California State University, San early age for CWRU. He was made a Fellow of the American Marcos and Polomar Community college.
Association of the Advancement of Sciences, an honor given Dr. Suarez is the daughter of Manuel (Class of 1942) and He has received numerous honors and holds a variety of Dennis Headrick, Class of 1967
national offices. He has published extensively in medical and During High School, Dennis was active in the LHS Marching scientific publications and is internationally recognized in his and Concert Bands, an interest he continued to pursue at Allan field. He has been involved for a number of years in Alzheimer’s Hancock College and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He has served research and is invited throughout the world to speak on his as President of the Lompoc Pioneer Society and served for 10 research. He is the author of his own medical journal, Journal years as President of the Lompoc Valley Historical Society.
After an eight year absence, he returned as President, a post George, a native of Lompoc, is the son of Mary Perry and the he still holds. Dennis also serves on the board of directors of late George Perry, as well as the nephew of Alice George the Lompoc Museum, Lompoc High School Alumni Associa- tion and Lompoc Valley Arts Council, and also served 8 yearsas Treasurer of the Lompoc Valley Kennel Club. He was amember of the City of Lompoc Historical Landmarks Commit-tee for approximately nine years, eventually chairing that com- Do you know someone who should be considered for mittee. Dennis is often sought by local organizations to speak the Hall of Fame? Selections are made from nomina- about Lompoc’s history and has assisted with many local his- tions made by fellow Lompoc High classmates and torical research projects. He also writes a monthly column for friends. Criteria for selection is based on lifetime the Lompoc Record, entitled “Historical Ramblings.” achievement. For nomination papers, contact the While employed at the Lompoc Parks and Recreation De- Lompoc High School Alumni Association at 515 West partment, he researched, wrote and published the history of College Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436, or by contacting the department in celebration of its sixtieth anniversary.
Bill Rule at 528 Poppy, Lompoc, CA 93436 When the Lompoc Unified School District discontinued itsfifth grade instrumental music program, Dennis established asuccessful afterschool music program through the Parks andRec. Department to fill the void left by the elimination of theschool program. He also offered History Walks through Parksand Rec, guiding participants through the historic downtown Do you know the answer
and south side of :Lompoc. During Flower Festival, he is often to this question?
called upon as a step-on guide for visiting tour busses wish- Somewhere, and nobody seems to know when, a ing to visit the flower fields. Of course, he also includes a lot of time capsule was buried at the old high school-now the middle school. We are looking for when, where, Dennis has also been involved with Lompoc Civic Theatre and who buried the capsule. If you have any infor- as an actor, stagehand, director and playwright. He also served on the board of directors of Santa Maria Civic Theatre, where he wrote two plays for their summer fairy tale theatre program LOMPOC HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME MEMBERS
The following is a complete list of LHS Alumni Association Hall of Fame Inductees, listed by graduation year.
1941 Football TeamThe Original Model T Club “Brave Talk” staff: Debbie Schuyler Manfrina, Coleen Houk Valla, Dennis Headrick 515 West College Avenue Lompoc, CA 93436
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Source: http://www.lompochistory.org/user/bravetalk%202004.pdf