Fallen Hero Vern Oliver Adams – AUHS Class of 1937

Vern Oliver Adams – Feb. 7, 1917 to Dec. 18, 1944

AUHS Class of 1937
Branch of Service:  U.S. Navy Reserve
Rank: Seaman Second Class Service ID: 08812793
Destroyer: U.S.S. Spence DD-512
Date of Death: Dec. 18, 1944 – South Pacific – Lost at Sea
Place of Interment: Tablets of the Missing Memorial wall and Manila American Cemetery Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines

Vern Oliver AdamsU.S. Navy Seamen Second Class Vern Oliver Adams United States Navy lost his life while serving aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Spence, DD-512 on 12-18-1944 off the coast of Samar, 240 miles from southern Luzon, Philippine Islands. When typhoon Corba struck the U.S.S. Spence on this infamous day, the destoyer capsized and sank to the ocean floor.  USS SPENCE_0001

Vern was among the 317 lives were lost at sea. Nine shipmates were rescued by the U.S.S. Swearer DE-181, U.S.S. Taberer DE-418 and the U.S.S. Gating DD-671.On board the U.S.S. Spence was another Colonist shipmate, Don Polhemus, class of 1940.  Both grew up in Anaheim, surrounded by Orange groves, Anaheim’s population at the time was 11,000 and the High School enrollment was 1,050 students, which included freshman through seniors with Mr. J.A.Clays as principal.  It is believed both Adams and Polhemus were campus acquaintance’s. The typhoon Corba brought these proud Colonist shipmates together forever in death. [Read more…]

2013 Anaheim Halloween Parade

Anaheim High showed plenty of “Spooktacular” Colony Spirit and Pride in the 2013 Anaheim Halloween Parade. The AHS line-up included Anaheim Performing Arts Conservatory students as “Zombies on Parade”. They lurched their way down Broadway from Manchester to Anaheim Boulevard, providing scary entertainment for the thousands of spectators who lined the parade route.

Another parade highlight was the newly formed AHS Alumni Band and Color Guard. The 30-plus member group gathered for regular practices before taking to the streets for the annual parade. The group has raised several thousand dollars for the current Colonist band.

The Anaheim High Cheer Squad, with beloved Clem Colonist mascot, provided plenty of pep for the parade. The Anaheim B.R.O.S., a group of students who band together to provide community service and inspire their peers to pursue higher education, served as banner carriers.

Also representing Anaheim High in the parade were Diane Rodriguez ’77 as Connie Colonist; Steve Valdez ’79 and Jim Olenick ’76, who created a “Big A” float; and Janet Brown ’77, Cynthia Roybal ’73, Debbie Vidana ’76, and Sallie Vravis ’63, all line-up chaperons.

Colonist VIPs who joined the line-up included AUHSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Novak, an AHS Class of ’71 graduate; AHS Principal Dr. Anna Corral; AHSAA President Gerald Woodward ’59; Elmer Thill, a 99-year-old Colonist from Class of ’32; and AHS Homecoming King and Queen Oscar Garcia and Daisy Dorado. The Colonists VIPs were convened through the parade by Andy Ersek in his ’66 red Corvette; Mac Burke, 1953 MG; Bill Utter, red Mustang; John Dade, ’75 burnt orange Mustang; Doris Trenary, ’63 Chevy Nova. Another featured vehicle was the 3rd Annual Colony Classic Car Show Winner, a ’56 VW Bug owned by Rick Litchie.

Bring Back the Splash Gala

Bring Back the Splash supporters enjoyed a balmy evening under a full moon at the elegant Oct. 19 gala at the Anaheim Convention Center Grand Plaza. Live and silent auctions raised funds toward building a new aquatics center at Anaheim High School. The goal is $5.6 million. For more information on the effort, visit http://anaheimpool.auhsd.us. Enjoy these photos from the event:

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Bring Back the Splash Gala – Saturday, October 19, 2013

3rd Annual Colony Classic Car Show – October 12, 2013

Anaheim High School and the Anaheim High School Alumni Association and the students and staff of Anaheim High School hosted the 3rd Annual Colony Classic Car Show this past Saturday, October 12, 2013. Over 130 cars were present on a beautiful Southern California Saturday. It was a great time and we are already looking forward to next year!!!

 

Clint Stark ’59 Joins List of Anaheim High Hall of Famers

Clint Stark - st. louis cardinalsBaseball was very good to Anaheim High Class of 1959 graduate Clint Stark. On the flip side, Clint Stark was very good for baseball, as well as his alma mater and the community at large.

A left-hand pitcher who stood at 6-foot-4 and weighed in at 175 pounds, Clint signed with the St. Louis Cardinals National League Baseball Club on Sept. 10, 1959.  He played for 11 years, including a stint in the Army in 1963, when he continued to pitch for his military team.

Among his career highlights was being the exercise partner of Hall of Famer Stan “The Man” Musial’s for three years. Musial was a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman on the St. Louis Cardinals for 22 seasons, from 1941 through 1963. [Read more…]

John Kemper and Jackie (Murphy) Kemper – Class of 1941

John Kemper and Jacqueline (Jackie) Murphy met in physics class in their senior year (1941) at Anaheim Union High School.  Their first date was to the Valentine’s Day Dance at AUHS that year.  They became high school sweethearts and were married during WWII in November 1944.  They had 7 children, 20 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild, and were married for 63 years.  They lived in Anaheim until 1969, when they moved to Torrance.  They remained there until their deaths – Jackie in 2007, and John in 2012.

John was a native Californian, born in Anaheim in 1924. As a young man, he worked at the orange packing house, then known as the Anaheim Orange & Lemon Association.   He served in the Army in Radio Intelligence during World War II and subsequently worked for the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Aviation Agency, and after retirement from his government positions, as a consultant and inventor.  He was a life-long HAM radio operator.  Jackie was born in South Dakota in 1923. She raised seven children and later became a paralegal.  They were both active in their community and church.  They will remain “high school sweethearts” forever.

Homecoming 2013 – Happy 115th Anniversary!

Anaheim High students and alumni celebrated Homecoming 2013, the school’s 115th anniversary. The day started with a Pep Assembly and ended with the traditional Varsity Football game and crowning of the homecoming court.Homecoming 2013

Several pre-game parties took place at favorite gathering spots, including Toni’s Deli, site of the AHS Alumni Association “Homecoming Hootenanny.”

On Saturday, alumni gathered for the monthly breakfast at Anaheim’s Jagerhaus Restaurant. Among attendees were Elmer Thill, a Class of ’32 Colonist who celebrate his 100th birthday on April 11.  Janette (Campbell) Van Delden) and Larry Macaray from Class of ’38 were also in attendance, along with alumni ranging to the ’90s.

The weekend culminated on Saturday night with the homecoming dance for the students and several reunions, including the Class of 1983, ’68 and ’69. Once a Colonist, Always a Colonist! Enjoy these homecoming photos and save the date of Oct. 12 to attend the Colonist Classic Car Show on the AHS campus, 10-2.

Homecoming 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUHS Class of 1941 Celebrates 72nd Reunion

America entered World War II six months after the Class of 1941 graduated Anaheim Union High School. From innocent youths who drove Model T’s through the rural community of Anaheim with a population under 10,000, the Class of ’41 Colonists were thrown into battle overseas and on the home front, their lives forever changed.

But it’s not the war years they talk about when 18 members of AUHS Class of ’41 met Sept. 21 for their 72nd reunion. Instead the group relived the idyllic days of their childhood by sharing memories of high school pranks, dances, favorite teachers and other stories from their years attending school together, some since elementary days. [Read more…]

VIRGINIA MAE (DINKLER) WILBUR -1922-2013

Anaheim Union High School Class of 1940 graduate Virginia Mae (Dinkler) Wilbur passed away on Sept. 19, 2013, in Fullerton. She was born in Anaheim on May 23, 1922, to Reinhold and Jennie Dinkler. Virginia is survived by her son, John; daughter, Susan; sister, Marian; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held Oct. 1, 2013 from 9 – 10 a.m.; followed by a service at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary, Fullerton.Virginia Mae (Dinkler) Wilbur 1940

George Dena – Class of 1956

George Dena class of 1956 football photo

Class of 1956 Colonist George Dena, whose high school football career in Orange County spanned six decades, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 22, due to cancer. He was 75 years old.

Growing up in Anaheim, Dena was an All-Sunset League quarterback for the legendary Colonists football teams under coach Clare Van Hoorebeke. After playing on the junior college level, Dena entered the coaching ranks at the newly-founded Servite High School in Anaheim. He was an assistant on the Friars coaching staff in its first season of varsity football in 1960, as Servite went 8-2-2 and earned a share of the CIF-Southern Section Small Schools championship. For the next 11 seasons, Dena served as Servite’s head coach and earned three CIF-Southern Section playoff appearances and two Angelus League titles in 1964 and 1967.

 In addition to his success on the field, he was also the originator of one of Orange County football’s most memorable traditions: the Servite Hut Drill, which has been performed by Friars players after every game ever since Dena introduced it in the early 1960s.

 In 1972, he returned to his alma mater, and was an assistant on Van Hoorebeke’s final Anaheim team. He continued coaching continuously as a varsity level offensive coordinator at Anaheim (1972-1980, 1987-1988, 2000-2001), Brea Olinda (1989-1991, 1994-1999), Foothill (1981-1986), and Servite (1992-1993) before retiring from coaching in 2001. During his 42-year coaching career, Dena’s teams made the CIF-Southern Section playoffs 29 times and dozens of his offensive players earned all-league, all-county or All-CIF honors.

 He is survived by his wife Eileen, and his daughters Darcie and Kelly and sons Ron, Dan and Kenny.