Blog — Page 36

Dean Philpott – Class of 1954

August 28, 2011 by TheBlogCoach

Dean Philpott – Class of 1954

Athletics were the key to success for Anaheim High Class of ‘54 graduate Dean Philpott. From humble beginnings, Dean learned early in life that hard work and discipline, on and off the playing field, were necessary to attain a better life for himself and his family.

His character and determination helped him achieve his dreams and earn Dean the status of one of Anaheim High’s and Fresno State University’s most outstanding athletes. His considerable talents also led to a career as a pro football player. When Dean suffered a career-ending injury, he turned his energies and abilities to helping children though teaching and coaching. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Hall of Fame 2011

Bobby Hatfield – Class of 1958 (1940-2003)

August 28, 2011 by TheBlogCoach

Bobby Hatfield – Class of 1958

Anaheim High’s most famous graduate is undoubtedly singer Bobby Hatfield, a member of the legendary Righteous Brothers.

Bobby and his partner Bill Medley both grew up in Orange County, Bobby graduating from Anaheim High in 1958 and Bill from Santa Ana High School. The duo performed together for the first time in 1962 and went on to sell millions of albums. Their 1964 track, You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling became an instant hit and still holds the record as the most-played song in the history of American radio.

Dubbed the founders of “blue-eyed soul,” the Righteous Brothers unique sound led them to become a leading act and a favorite group among millions of fans. Their musical relevance continues to be a staple in American pop music culture.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Hall of Fame 2011

Frank Kellogg – Class of ’44 Honors Grad Day, D-Day 67 Years Later – June 7, 2011

June 7, 2011 by AHSAA

Remembering D-Day graduation at Pearson Park

http://www.ocregister.com/news/classmates-303511-kellogg-day.html

Filed Under: AHS In The News, Alumni Spotlight Tagged With: AHS Class of 1944, Class of 1944, D-Day, Frank Kellogg

Traveling Trombone Returns to AHS

June 5, 2011 by Janet Brown

It took a 63-year journey, but Robert Watter’s treasured trombone has returned to “Old AU” to be played by a new generation of Colonists. When Bob, a former Anaheim High band member from Class of 1949, heard the 160-member Colonist band was looking for instruments, he decided to take his trombone out of retirement.

Bob, who is married to Janet Vincent from Class of 1951, first played the instrument when he joined the Anaheim High Band in 1948. His talent for playing the trombone caught the ear of band director William Cook and Bob was recruited to play in the popular nine-member swing band that performed for the school’s Military Ball, dances and other functions. (Bob is pictured fourth from left in this photo of the Swing Band from the 1949 yearbook.) Bob was also a member of the Varsity A Club, swimming and water polo teams.

After graduating from Anaheim, Bob’s trombone traveled with him to his next three gigs, which included the Fullerton Junior College Band (1950), the Santa Ana College Band (1951), then the U.S. Air Force Band (1952). Once he left the military, Bob retired the trombone and it was safely stored in his attic for the next 40 years.

The beloved instrument made an encore appearance at the June Anaheim Alumni Breakfast, when Bob presented his trombone to Anaheim’s new band director Breysi Garcia, a Class of 2000 AHS grad. Breysi brought along five of his top trombone players to entertain the breakfast crowd, many of whom were former band members.

Breysi also informed his fellow alumni that the band, known today as the Colonial Regiment, is working to raise funds for a trailer to transport instruments to its many performances. Alumni who care to donate to this effort are encouraged to contact Breysi at garcia_br@auhsd.k12.ca.us or emailing anaheimalumni@yahoo.com.

Filed Under: Alumni Spotlight, Colonist News Tagged With: Anaheim High Swing Band, Bob Watters, Colonist band, Old AU, Varsity A Club

Anaheim 1940s Grads Celebrate School Days at Old AU

April 3, 2011 by AHSAA

Graduates from the Classes of ’43, ’44 and ’45 gathered at Anaheim High recently to reminisce about their school days nearly 70 years past (see photo slideshow of the event below).

The campus was then named Anaheim Union as the only high school in town serving the city’s then 11,000 inhabitants. Anaheim High also served the outlying farming and dairy communities. Many ‘40s grads in attendance recalled riding the bus to school from what would become the cities of Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma and Stanton. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Reunions Tagged With: 1944, Class of '44, D-Day, Gania Demaree Trotter, Hattie McDaniel, Horace Mann Elementary School, June 6, Knott's Berry Farm, Pearson Park Amphitheater

From Cook Auditorium to Broadway, ’75 Grad Coming Home for Local Appearance

January 26, 2011 by AHSAA

Anaheim High Class of ’75 graduate Bob Lauder will bring 30 years of experience as an actor and singer to his performance this weekend in the Fullerton Civic Light Opera (FCLO) 40th anniversary show at historic Plummer Auditorium.

Bob, who recently finished a national tour as Old Max in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” will be among Broadway performers and FCLO veterans who will celebrate the theater company’s 40 years as one of the region’s major cultural resources.

The company will be presenting favorite Broadway musicals, from classic ballads to big dance spectaculars. For tickets to the Jan. 28 show at 8 p.m. or the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m., visit www.fclo.com or call 714-879-1732. Plummer Auditorium is located at 201 E. Chapman, Fullerton.

While at Anaheim High, Bob was a drama major and played in the band’s brass section with the marching, stage and pep bands. A Las Vegas resident, Bob is also famous for his role as a real bearded Santa: www.lasvegassanta.com.

See Bob in action at http://www.bigleague.org/video_grinch.htm and support this Colonist by attending the FCLO 40^th Anniversary celebration.

Filed Under: Alumni Spotlight Tagged With: Bob Lauder, Class of 1975, Fullerton Civic Light Opera, Plummer Auditorium

Story of Lost Letterman Jacket Has Happy Ending

December 22, 2010 by AHSAA

Little did Jim Langford know when he lent his Class of ’70 letterman jacket to a friend participating in a ’50s night that it would take more than 20 years to be reunited with a favorite high school memento that held so many memories for him. Jim was a lineman on two CIF Semifinalists teams in 1968 and 1969.

Jim figured the jacket was a goner, like his friend who disappeared after a divorce. (Apparently, the ex-wife donated the jacket to a thrift store.) But the fates were with him when Class of ’87 Colonist Angel Zavala happened to be shopping in at Goodwill in Lake Forest and spotted the classic Colonist jacket from the corner of his eye. He swooped it up for $5.99, knowing he purchased a piece of Anaheim High history.

The jacket remained hanging in Angel’s garage for nearly six years. Then one day last summer he received a call from friend and fellow alumnus Tom Bateman, a Class of ’89 grad and immediate past president of the AHSAA. During their phone call, Angel mentioned finding the jacket and the two decided to put their heads together to find the owner.

It took several more months, but they finally learned that the jacket belonged to Jim by searching yearbooks and football programs to trace the jersey number from the jacket. From there, they contacted Linda Fast Cooper, a Class of ’69 grad who is also an AHSAA board member. Linda had Jim’s phone number and called him to inform him that his jacket had been recovered, to ask if he wanted it back and to find out how it got separated from its owner.

Jim was ecstatic and it was arranged that he would retrieve his jacket at the Dec. 4 Alumni Breakfast, where AHSAA President Jan Domene assisted Tom and Angel in sharing the story of how the jacket was lost and found with the nearly 100 alumni who attend the monthly breakfast at Jagerhaus in Anaheim. In a happy ending to the story, Jim gave Angel back the $5.99 he had spent on the jacket, causing their Colonist classmates to give a big cheer.

Photo caption: Jan Domene, Tom Bateman and Angela Zavala present Jim Langford with found letterman jacket.

Filed Under: Colonist News Tagged With: Angel Zavala, Jim Langford, letterman jacket, Tom Bateman