Class of 1956 Reunion – September 2018

Homecoming 2018 Celebrated in Colonist Style!

Homecoming 2018 brought hundreds of Colonist alumni to the Friday night Varsity football game and Saturday’s All-Class Reunion on the AHS campus. Enjoy the photos from the events and be sure to subscribe to the website using this LINK to receive information on future alumni gatherings and reunions.

Anaheim High Football Gallery

History of Anaheim High School Band and Pageantry

Click on the link below for an historic timeline on the AHS Band. Scroll down to see a gallery of photos (more to come!) and there’s also a link to hear the AHS Band.

History

Click here to hear the band!

AHS Connection to the Japanese-American WWII Experience Comes Full-Circle

Sharing Her Family’s Unique History Becomes Life Work for AHS Alumna

George Hirahara’s softball seen at Smithsonian during AHSAA visit.

Anaheim High Class of 1973 graduate Patti Hirahara, whose family came to Anaheim as part of the Japanese-American resettlement after WWII,  is carrying her family’s story forward by sharing an acclaimed photo collection and other ephemerae preserved from their incarceration in a WWII Japanese relocation camp.

Her work is also helping illuminate Anaheim High’s connection to the Japanese-American WWII experience.

Patti’s father, grandparents and great-grandparents were moved from Yakima, Washington, to Wyoming’s Heart Mountain Relocation Center. From a secret darkroom underneath a camp barracks, Patti’s father, Frank, and grandfather, George, developed and printed 2000 photographs that chronicled the lives of the 10,000-population Heart Mountain camp.

(There were nine other camps built under the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which authorized the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese-Americans, including infants and children. Over two-thirds of them were U.S. citizens. Signed Feb. 19, 1942, the order was later called America’s “worst wartime mistake.”)

As a citizen of Japan, her grandfather George was not allowed to possess camera equipment. But Patti’s father Frank C. Hirahara, then a high school teenager, was a U.S. citizen and allowed to take photos with the family camera purchased from the Sears, Roebuck and Montgomery Ward catalogs.

While Frank was incarcerated, he played trumpet in the famous Heart Mountain George Igawa Dance Band and was photo editor of the Heart Mountain High School “Tempo” annual during his senior year in 1944.

When Frank passed away in 2006, he could not have imagined that his family’s history would allow historians and museums to create photographic collections and exhibits across the U.S. that would tell the tale of the Japanese immigration into the United States, their history in America, and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Thanks to Patti’s diligence, her ancestors’ experience became the subject of an Emmy-award winning documentary, “The Legacy of Heart Mountain,” and used as background historical material for the world premiere of the musical “Allegiance” at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego.

In addition, the family’s photo collection has been displayed in numerous exhibits, including  being shown at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the FDR Presidential Library and Museum.

After he was released from the camp in 1945, he continued his education at Washington State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1948.

In 2010, Patti donated the original negatives and photos to WSU. Funding from the National Park Service’s Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program allowed the University to preserve, clean and digitize the negatives for future generations. Click this link to access the collection.

Patti Hirahara named honorary WSU alumna

For her work, Patti has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named a WSU honorary alumna. Receiving the award was especially significant for her, as this year marks the 75th anniversary of when her father began taking photos in the camp.

“WSU’s history is unknown to many people, especially the fact that the university allowed Japanese-American students to continue their education during WWII,” she said. “It is an extreme honor to be recognized by my father’s alma mater and it has been a wonderful partnership with WSU over the last eight years.” She is the first Japanese American to receive the award since 1966.

Patti has worked more than six years locating many of the people in the photos. By sharing them with family descendants, she offered them a piece of history that they never knew existed. In addition, she’s spearheaded workshops, films and presentations during which she shared her family’s story and photo collection with hundreds of students and community members, as well as being a featured speaker at the FDR Presidential Library.

In 2009, the Anaheim Library’s Heritage Center  held its first museum without walls  exhibit documenting the Hirahara family’s legacy to the City.

Most recently, Patti’s has joined efforts with the  Anaheim Library Heritage Center to identify and interview the 50 students of Japanese descent whose educations at Anaheim High were interruped when their families were forced to relocate to camps.

A particularly poignant part of the Anaheim High story is that the principal at this time, Dr. Paul Demaree, was born in Japan to missionary parents. He was especially vocal in speaking out against discrimination toward Japanese-Americans, a courageous position to take considering the war fervor at the time. Principal Demaree, who also served as the District’s superintendent, kept in touch with his Japanese-American students and encouraged them to continue their studies.

Ironically, the parents of today’s AUHSD Superintendent, Mike Matsuda, were both incarcerated in the same internment camp; his mother, Ruth Ikeda, was one of the students who had to leave Anaheim High during her freshman year.

 

Colonist Luau Launches Membership Drive Kick-Off

The AHS Alumni Association celebrated its 10th anniversary at a June 22nd “Anaheim Aloha” Membership Mixer at the home of Barry and Cathi (Soden) Hoffstetter (’67).

Guests, dressed in their favorite luau garb, enjoyed dinner and dessert, music, a silent auction, no-host bar, and a grand-prize drawing of Colonist memorabilia provided by the AHS Football Booster Club and the AHSAA.

The mixer was open to all alumni, family and friends who renewed their annual membership at the $25 level or above. 

Membership incentives, including a Colonist tote bag, are available. Click here to view the membership levels, which range from a $10 student fee to a $1000 life-time membership.

You can join online using the link above or click here for a downloadable form that can be printed and mailed in along with your donation.

The AHSAA encourages yearly donations to continue its important work of awarding annual scholarships; supporting academic, athletic and performing arts programs; and preserving AHS history and advancing Colonist Spirit, Pride & Tradition. In keeping with this mission, the AHSAA has donated more than $250,000 in scholarships and financial support.

Thank you for supporting Anaheim High School and its students!

 

Colonist Fallen Hero Returns Home to Rest at Arlington

On a solemn, stormy day 74 years after making the ultimate sacrifice for his country, AHS Class of ’34 Colonist John Liekhus was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
The June 27th ceremony  was  witnessed by some 100 mourners, including family members, U.S. Army personnel, military veterans and two Alumni Association representatives, Janet Brown (’77) and Debbie Vidana (‘76).

 

John Liekhus Burial at Arlington

AHS Remembers Classmates Lost in WWII Explosion of USS Serpens

Anaheim High lost two 1940s classmates in what was the largest single disaster suffered by the United States Coast Guard in World War II, when the USS Serpens exploded in Guadalcanal on the night of Jan. 29, 1945.

Charles E. Graeber from Class of ’40 and James D. Selaya from Class of ’42 were among the 250 men who died in the explosion that destroyed the 14,250-ton ammunition ship.

Both Graeber and Selaya were U.S. Coast Guard sailors and most likely good friends who grew up together in, then, small town Anaheim.

Charles, who was called by his nickname “Chuck,” was born May 7, 1922, to Ernest and Veronica Graeber. The family home was located at 408 West Oak Street. Chuck played football and basketball. He served as a Pharmacist’s Mate 3rd Class.

Selaya, who was called Jim or Jimmy by his family and friends, was captain of the B Football Team, ran track for three years and was the school’s feather weight boxing champion.

Of the 250 men who died in the explosion, 193 were U.S. Coast Guard sailors; 56 U.S. Army soldiers; and Dr. Harry M. Levin, a U.S. Public Health Service surgeon. Of the 193 Coast Guardsmen, 17 were regular Coast Guard and 176 were reservists.

There were 10 survivors. Lieutenant Commander Perry L. Stinson, commanding officer of the USS Serpens, another officer and six crewmen were ashore on administrative business. Two crewmen who were onboard survived the explosion: SN 1st Class Kelsie K. Kemp of Barron Springs, Virginia, and SN 1st Class George S. Kennedy of San Marcos, Texas. Seaman Kemp and Seaman Kennedy were awarded the Purple Heart by Rear Admiral L.T. Chalker, the Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

It took several years to confirm the cause of the explosion. In July 1947, the Coast Guard still thought an enemy attack had caused the blast. However, by June 10, 1949, it was determined as an accident that occurred when servicemen were loading depth charges. The ship, anchored off Lunga Beach in the British Solomon Islands, was preparing to deliver ammunition for the Battle of Okinawa, the last major battle of World War II, and one of the bloodiest.

The 250 remains were originally buried at the Army, Navy and Marine Cemetery in Guadalcanal with full military honors and religious services. The remains were repatriated under the program for the return of World War II dead in 1949.

The mass recommittal of the 250 unidentified dead took place in section 34 at MacArthur Circle in Arlington National Cemetery. The remains were placed in 52 caskets and buried in 28 graves near the intersection of Jesup and Grant Drives. Two gravesites were reserved for the memorial inscribed with their names.

About 1,500 people attended the reinternment service on June 15, 1949. Catholic, Jewish and Protestant chaplains officiated. The U.S. Marine Corps Band played Pasternak’s arrangement of Taps. A bugler echoed Taps in the distance. The U.S. Navy also participated. To conclude the service, a Gold Star Mother, escorted by an American Legionnaire, placed a white carnation on each casket.

In a newspaper account of the service, one witness described it as “one of the most elaborate military services” accorded our fallen heroes. “Words would have been inadequate to express the deep gratitude and admiration…in the hearts of [all] who witnessed the service.”

The USS Serpens Monument was dedicated on Nov. 16, 1950.The octagonal monument occupies two grave spaces in section 34. About 100 relatives and 200 others attended the dedication. Participating units included a color guard from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter DUANE, a color guard from The Old Guard at Fort Myer, Catholic, Jewish and Protestant chaplains, and The United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own). Vice Admiral Merlin O’Neill, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard gave a brief address that include the statement: “We cannot undo the past, but we can insure that these men shall be respected and honored forever.”

Click here to view a list of names of those who lost their lives in the USS Serpens disaster.

1966 Grad Evolves from Art Curator to Historic Character

Steve Clugston as George Washington

Anaheim High Class of 1966 graduate Steve Clugston has spent his life in the art world, and now he’s bringing art to life with his living history portrayals.

Spectators at the June 10 Anaheim Flag Day Celebration will get to see Clugston in action when he dons his tri-corner hat to portray America’s Founding Father George Washington.

This will be a homecoming for Clugston whose mother still lives in the house he grew up in on Briardale. His siblings are all AHS alumni. Brother Greg lives in Arizona, Gail lives in Artesia, and Yvonne passed four years ago.

After his studies at Fullerton College, CSU Fullerton and Long Beach, Clugston became an exhibition designer for Laguna Art Museum, Laband Art Gallery and the California Museum of Photography. His last gig was curating the March Field Air Museum.

Upon retiring in 2006, Clugston developed an educational program performing living history characters, including George Washington, Mark Twain, Galileo, Glenn Curtiss and Admiral Chester Nimitz.  His resume also includes teaching music lessons in San Diego County’s historian town of Julian, where he lives with his wife Vickie.