Born Sept. 12, 1949, Chic Burlingame was one day short of celebrating his 52nd birthday when he died fighting hijackers who caused American Airlines Flight 77 to crash into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
An aeronautical engineer and honors graduate from the Navy’s Top Gun fighter pilot school, he served eight years flying F-4 Phantom fighters and 17 years as a reservist. A Persian Gulf War veteran, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. [Read more…]
Many Anaheim High alumni, students and faculty have displayed heartfelt spirit and pride for “Old AU,” but few have equaled Betty Fee’s devotion to her alma mater as a student and later as a school staff member.
Anaheim-born, Betty was a graduate from the Class of 1938 and an active participant in school activities, including cheerleading and athletes. The Class of ’38 yearbook lists her as GAA Board 1; Girl’s A Club 2, 3, 4; Treasurer GAA 3, Vice President 4; Class Secretary 4; Commissioner of Girl’s Athletics 4; Yell Leader 4; Girl Reserves 4; Girl’s Sports Editor Anoranco 4; Sports 1, 2, 3, 4. [Read more…]
Anaheim High’s beloved head football coach Clare Van Hoorebeke led Colonist football teams to repeated victories from 1950 – 1972. Known as the “Dutch Master,” Hoorebeke forever changed the face of high school football. To this day, coaching principles pioneered by Van and his loyal staff have served as the model for football programs in Orange County and across the county. [Read more…]
Tom Daly has literally spent his life in public service, including as Anaheim’s mayor for 10 years and, currently, as Orange County’s Clerk-Recorder.
Starting at age 8, he walked door to door, helping his father hang doorknob flyers for Thomas Kuchel’s (AHS Class of 1928 graduate) State Senate campaign. His first county job was as an intern for then Supervisor Ralph Clark.
While at Anaheim High, where his father taught history, Tom was yearbook editor, a member of the California Scholarship Federation, a pitcher for the varsity baseball team, in addition to being a math and science major.
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Twice named CIF Player of the Year, Mickey Flynn was Orange County’s first high school football superstar.
Averaging a spectacular 15 yards per carry, “The Galloping Ghost of La Palma Park” drew thousands of fans to stadiums all over Southern California to witness his dazzling runs, and he established a county rushing record that stood for nearly 20 years.
In addition to leading the Colonists to a CIF championship in football in 1956, Flynn also excelled in basketball and track and was president of the Colonist Club. For decades, Mickey Flynn has been a familiar face at Colonist football games and has been an unofficial ambassador for Anaheim High School, keeping alive blue and gold traditions.
Lou Correa – Class of 1976
A role model and mentor to today’s Colonists, Class of ’76 graduate Lou Correa has dedicated his life to public service, always being there for his constituents, as well has his family, friends and fellow alumni.
Lou has served as a U.S. Congressman for California’s 46th District since 2017 and will enter his sixth term in January of 2027. He represents the Cities of Santa Ana, Anaheim, Orange, Stanton, and Fullerton. He serves on the House Judiciary Committee, as well as the House Homeland Security Committee, and is the Ranking Member of the House Border Security Subcommittee and is the Senior Whip of the House Democratic Caucus. He has also served on the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and is committed to veterans receive the benefits they deserve for defending our country.
A former California State Assemblyman and Senator, Lou credits his success to his education and the Anaheim public school system, where he attended Benjamin Franklin Elementary, Fremont Junior High, and Anaheim High School. Lou graduated from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) with a degree in Economics. Always striving for more, he returned to college and earned his Juris Doctor and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Lou always remembers his humble roots and often speaks about the hardships his family overcame during his youth. His mother cleaned hotel rooms across from Disneyland, and his father held a manufacturing job at a paper mill, where Lou worked in the summers when on school break. Through hard work, Lou’s parents gave him access to better education than they had, and a path to the middle class. While at AHS, Lou was a scholar athlete, excelling in science and in track as both a long-distance runner and sprinter. Lou was also a member of the school’s ROTC. [Read more…]
