Jo An Burdick Gottlieb – Class of 1951

May 26, 2012 by

Anaheim High Class of ’51 graduate Jo An (Burdick) Gottlieb credits living a life she describes as a “dream come true” to being at the right place at the right time. In one instance, the right place and time happened to be sitting on a curb in 1939 at age 5 with her parents and sister in front of Anaheim’s old Chung King Cafe on Center Street (now Lincoln) waiting for the Halloween Parade to begin.

“Looking to the east I saw the band approach with girls out front holding these shiny things.” The objects that caught her attention were batons being tossed and twirled by the band’s majorettes. From that day forward, Jo said her dream was to be the “best darn baton twirler ever.”

But she never imagined that from her humble beginnings, practicing with a bamboo pole in the alley behind her homeat500 N. Vine Street, that she would one day lead the nation’s top parades as a majorette, appear on stage and screen with entertainers like Frank Sinatra and own her own baton, dance and music studio. In Jo words: “It’s been one fabulous ride.” [Read more…]

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2011 Season – League Champion Colonists in CIF Once Again!!!

May 26, 2012 by

What high school football program in Orange County has made the most playoff appearances? …has won the most league championships? …has won the most games?

The answer to all of these questions is… ANAHEIM!
In 2011, the Anaheim Colonists have entered into the CIF playoffs for a county record 44th time since our first playoff game in 1926. That’s 10 CONSECUTIVE DECADES of postseason appearances.
The 2011 Colonists won the tenth Orange League title (others were in 2009, 2006, 1996, 1992, 1934, 1933, 1932, 1926, 1923) adding to a previous title in the Freeway League (1976) and their 20 Sunset League championships (1973, 1970, 1969, 1966, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1958, 1956, 1955, 1954, 1953, 1952, 1951, 1943, 1941, 1940, 1939) ….take THAT Edison!!!
With Anaheim’s 37-14 victory over Century, the Colonists have won 531 games, lost 361, and tied 41 times. The 531 wins are the most of any program in Orange County (…before you ask, Fullerton is #2 with 524 and Mater Dei is #3 with 480). This week, Anaheim faces Laguna Beach in the First Round of the CIF-SS Southern Division playoffs. Laguna Beach and Anaheim have only met once before on the gridiron, in the season opener in 1948. Anaheim won 25-0.
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2011 Varsity Cheer Squad Wins National Title

May 26, 2012 by

Anaheim High’s Varsity Cheer Squad took top honors this past weekend (April 16-17, 2011) at the “Sharp International Cheer Las Vegas Nationals.”

Competing against 26 other teams in the high school varsity division, the AHS squad earned high points in stunts, tumbling and other skill sets to earn the top division title.

Anaheim had four teams competing throughout the event. The JV squad earned 2nd Place in its division and the school’s coed stunt group of Geraldine Diaz and Christian Banda also took a 2nd place ranking. The coed stunt group of Justin Martinez and Iris Reyes placed 2nd in partner stunts.

When not competing, AHS cheer team members were making friends with other cheerleaders, playing cheer games and rooting for other teams. Parent chaperones also got into the spirit and even performed a dance routine that included a stunt.

The 41-member cheer team is coached by Christina Capen.

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AHS Students Shine as Performers, Athletes

May 26, 2012 by

AHS theater students gave exceptional performances during the 10th annual TheatreFest at Cal State Long Beach, competing against nearly 700 students from 23 Orange and Los Angeles county schools.

Anaheim High attended the festival for the first time, with seven contestants: two sang musical solos, three gave dramatic monologues, three presented comedic monologues, and one competed in the technical theater category.

Junior Gloria Ojeda was awarded 2nd place in the Comedic Monologue category and two AHS students made it into the semifinals: Erik Perez, Dramatic Monologue; and Renee Sampang, Comedic Monologue. Rounding out the AHS team were Natalie Elder, Carlos Perez, Theresa Mendivil, and Erwin Mancilla.

Gloria shined in her performance of a monologue from “In Search for Intelligent Signs in the Universe,” by Lily Tomlin. She played the role of Trudy the Bag Lady. There was laughter and sadness for her portrayal of a homeless woman jaded and shunned by society, said AHS Theater Director Sharon King.

“The rave review from the audience confirmed her success,” said King, who added that her students were grateful for the opportunity to participate in the festival. “It’s wonderful to know that, even in tough economic times, high schools have committed their time and money to support the arts. We were proud to represent not only Anaheim High School, but the Anaheim Union High School District, as the only school from our district to attend.”

SPORTS:

In keeping with its tradition of producing outstanding student athletes and winning teams, Anaheim High has produced multiple sports standouts in 2010.

Record Breaker

Junior Alex Perez recently broke the 800 meter track and field school record held for 51 years by Class of ’59 grad Gary Shepard. The young Colonist, now nicknamed “Rabbit” by his Class of ’59 counterpart, ran the event in 1:56.28, besting Shepard’s record of 1:57.1.

Note: Because of track and field events converting to the metric system, Gary’s original record of running the 880 yard dash in 1:57:8 was converted to 1:57.1, using the National Federation of High School Track and Field conversion table.

Gary spearheaded an effort to install a new track and field record board in the gymnasium as an incentive to current AHS track and field athletes to break the school records. The project certainly served as a successful motivator and Gary will be presenting Alex with a trophy recognizing his accomplishment at an upcoming ceremony.

Athletes of the Year Lauded

Congratulations to Michelle Torres and Jose Madera for being selected Anaheim High’s Female and Male Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Michelle participated in volleyball, basketball and softball and will be attending UC Santa Barbara this fall.

Jose, a senior cross country and track athlete, was also named Orange League Male Athlete of the Year. Deemed the greatest distance runner in Anaheim High history by Coach Brian Castelli, Madera has the 22 fastest times run on 11 different cross country courses over the past 12 years by an Anaheim long-distance runner.

His fastest time is 14:30 at The Woodbridge Cross Country Classic and 15:02 at Mt Sac, which are considered astonishing and among the 10 fastest in the CIF this year across all divisions. Madera will be attending the University of San Francisco on a full athletic scholarship in cross country this fall.

In addition, Torres and Madera are Bud Fassel Scholarship winners. This award is given by Jim Fassel, Class of 1967, in memory of his father Bud, a Class of ’39 grad who served as Anaheim High’s equipment manager for nearly three decades.

Congratulations also go out to Eleana Hernandez and Bruno Avila for being named Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Eleana participated in volleyball, basketball and softball and will attend Fullerton College. Bruno participated in cross country, track, football, soccer and baseball this past school year. He will attend Fullerton College and play soccer in the fall.

All-League Players Named

Seven Colonists were chosen for the 2010 All-Orange League Baseball Team under the tutelage of AHS Athletic Director and Baseball Coach Dave Torres.

Named to the First Team were senior pitcher Zach Gaddy, who was 6-0 with a 1.65 ERA; senior catcher Alex Ornelas, who hit .456; and junior infielder Jose Rojas, who hit .471. It is the third time Gaddy has been chosen All-League and the second time for Rojas.

Second Team members include senior pitcher Omar Robles, who had a 4-1 record with a 1.86 ERA; sophomore infielder Damian Gandara, who hit .382; senior outfielder Izzy Reyes, who hit .453; and junior designated hitter Manny Tafoya, who hit .441. It is the second time that Reyes has been chosen to the All-League team.

The Colonists finished the season with an overall record of 17-11, after starting the season 1-6. They had a 13-2 record in league play and finished in 2nd place, one game behind Savanna. They qualified for the CIF Playoffs for the 5th consecutive season and 7 out of the last 10 years.

Congratulations to all these outstanding Colonists athletes, and to those not listed here, who have contributed their talents to continuing Anaheim High’s tradition of being “Home of Champions.”

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Elizabeth “Liz” Lohman Novack – Class of 1971

May 26, 2012 by
AUHSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Novack

An unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student succeeds and a long track record of maintaining positive relationships with the community led to the selection of Class of ’71 graduate Elizabeth “Liz” Lohman Novack as superintendent of the Anaheim Union High School District.

Her connection to Anaheim schools, besides being a graduate of Anaheim High, includes serving as assistant principal of Dale Junior High School and principal of Walker Junior High School.

While at Anaheim High, she was an exemplary student who participated in numerous activities, including serving as a section editor of the yearbook and as a member of the Cheer Squad, Safety & Welfare Club, the Senior Executive Committee, Press Club, Pep Club and Girls’ Athletic Association.

“I can personally attest that this is a great district with a long history of excellence, and I’m thrilled to realize a lifelong dream and come back as superintendent,” said Dr. Novack, who most recently served as assistant superintendent of human resources in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

In Newport-Mesa, Dr. Novack was one of Superintendent Jeffrey Hubbard’s top advisers. He said Dr. Novack was instrumental in developing a service-oriented culture in the district. Dr. Hubbard also cited Dr. Novack’s contributions to the district’s Leadership Institute, a two-year program that develops in-house talent. Dr. Novack single handedly created and implemented the intensive program, which recently resulted in a teacher being hired directly from the classroom as a principal.

Dr. Novack began her 34-year career in education as an elementary teacher in the Downey Unified School District. She worked as a secondary science and health teacher in Chino Unified before coming to the AUHSD in that capacity. After her tenure as an administrator in the AUHSD, the spent the next six years as associate superintendent of human resources and instruction in the Cypress School District.

She also has served as an adjunct professor in the teacher preparation and credential programs at Cal State Long Beach and UC Irvine. Before assuming the job in Newport-Mesa, Dr. Novack was Cal State Long Beach’s University Ombuds, serving as an independent, neutral resource for informal problem-solving for the entire university community.

Dr. Novack received her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and her master’s degree in educational administration from Cal State Fullerton. She received her doctorate in education from Claremont Graduate University.

“I am a daughter of the Anaheim Union High School District, and I am who I am in large part because of the district I am about to serve,” the new superintendent said. “I look forward to a long, productive tenure as your superintendent and working together to enhance the legacy of the Anaheim Union High School District.”

http://www.examiner.com/public-schools-in-anaheim/novack-named-new-superintendent-of-anaheim-union-high-school-district

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Jan Harp Domene – 1969

May 13, 2012 by

Jan Harp Domene, a ’69 grad who became a nationally recognized advocate for children and education: JAN DOMENE

Jan (Harp) Domene - Class of 1969

Jan (Harp) Domene – Class of 1969

Filed Under: Hall of Fame 2012, In Memory Tagged With: , , , , , ,

JEANETTE HASTINGS McCONNELL – ’39

May 13, 2012 by

Jeanette Hastings McConnell peacefully passed away Sept. 22, 2011, at her home in Gold Hill, Oregon. She was born in Fullerton, CA. on October 1, 1921, to Herbert H. and Sarah D. Hastings. She attended Katella Grammar School, Anaheim Union High School (Class of ’39) and graduated from Fullerton Junior College in 1941. She was married to Lieutenant Donald Davis in 1941 who was killed in action during WWII (Flying Tiger B25 pilot).

She married her high school sweetheart, Jarrett W. McConnell, on June 7, 1946. She was married for 55 years before her husband passed in October 2001. During that time, they traveled the world living in Okinawa, France, Belgium and Turkey while her husband served for the United States Air Force.

Lifetime member of the PTA and a 50 year member of the Ami Tai Chapter #147 Order of Eastern Star. She was active in Scouts, Softball, Band, Little League and any activity involving her children and family. She loved to bowl, play bridge (in which she started a bridge group in Anaheim), play cards and sew.

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GEORGE BRAGG – ’59

May 13, 2012 by

George Bragg '59

George Bragg is remembered by his wife Marilyn Bragg, also a Class of 1959 graduate. He is also eulogized by his classmate Gary Shepard who remembers George, his best friend, as “the most thoughtful and caring friend you could possibly hope for. He lived life bravely, faithfully, correctly, and as cheerfully as he could.”

Filed Under: In Memory Tagged With: ,

PAUL BRUCE – ’39

May 13, 2012 by

Paul Bruce, who passed away in September 2000, was a role model to his five children, as well as to the hundreds of students whose lives he touched as equipment manager for Fremont Junior High, a volunteer with the Anaheim High football program, as well as a successful businessman and active community leader.

After graduating in 1939 from Anaheim High, where he lettered in four sports, plus played in the band and orchestra and appeared in the junior play, he went on to Fullerton Junior College. But then the United States entered WWII and he joined the U.S. Marines and served as a rifle instructor. He stayed in the military and also served his country in the Korean War.

After 1953, he was Bruce of Bruce & Runyon and Paul Bruce Chevron Service (Broadway at Los Angeles Street now Anaheim Boulevard), employing many AUHS students and alumni.

But in 1961 things changed. He became “Mr. Bruce” the field and equipment manager at Fremont Junior High. He touched many lives while in this position. His classmate and close friend Bud Fassel served in the same position at Anaheim High. Paul worked on instilling the same qualities of pride, devotion, truthfulness and self-worth in his Junior Colonists.

In his 24 years with the Anaheim Union High School District, Paul also worked at Lexington Junior High and John F. Kennedy High School. Aside from his time at Kennedy, Paul spent most fall Friday nights on the sidelines for Anaheim football.

Paul supported both the community and his alma mater. There was more than one trip to Las Vegas for the Anaheim High football series of the 1950s. For many years, he also did the job of following the horses with a shovel and wheelbarrow during the Anaheim Halloween Parade. Paul’s service station always sponsored youth teams in the City’s Summer Leagues. In the Sixties, he was a volunteer fireman. Later in life he was an officer for Anaheim’s 20-30 Club and the Elks Lodge. He was also an instructor and officer in the OC Baseball Officials’ Association.

But his greatest achievement was raising five official outstanding citizens and Colonist alumni. His children, who include Paul Jr.-’63, Virnell-’64, Vernalee -’67, Richard -’70 and Jim -’72, shared him with hundreds of other young people and his contribution to Anaheim’s youth is immeasurable. Although he wasn’t an official teacher or instructor, those students with whom he interacted still recognize his name and remember his support and encouragement. Many children besides his own flesh and blood thought of Mr. Bruce as Dad.

Filed Under: In Memory Tagged With:

NORMA BRASTAD GOODRICH – ’25

May 13, 2012 by

Norma Brastad was born in Oakes, North Dakota, in 1907. Her family moved to Anaheim in 1916. She graduated from the old Central School and enrolled at Anaheim High in the fall of 1921, graduating in the spring of 1925. She served on the student body self-government committee and as a senior class officer. She was also the calendar editor of the 1925 yearbook. A well-rounded student, Norma also enjoyed sports and ran track and managed the girls’ basketball team. The caption next to her senior photo said: “Just imagine her doing anything naughty.” Her best friends included Grace Jackson, the younger sister of druggist Earl Jackson, Sarah Fay, who later married long-time Anaheim mayor Charlie Pearson, and Elizabeth “Sis” Schweinfest.

After graduating from AHS, Norma attended UCLA, earning an elementary teaching credential. She went on to teach grade school for many years in the Placentia-Yorba Linda and Ventura school districts. She married Jerry Goodrich of Santa Ana and settled once again in Anaheim to raise her two sons, both AHS graduates. John graduated in 1958; Bob in 1963. Her sons remember her as a “very loving and wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and teacher.” She died in 2008 at age of 100 years.

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