Loara Theatre Arts / MACY Awards

Fall Production of Antigone December 2012 Poster

Introduction: 

Loara Theatre Arts has a long tradition of performances, whether it's through choir or as a program itself Loara has always worked hard to make these performances to remember.  This year is no exception.  Following a successful run of Sophocles' Antigone

With Loara doing "Godspell" we were sure to raise eyebrows but our students took the song "We Beesech Thee" and truly made it their own, taking notice of the MACY's Awards program.

Promo Poster of Godspell May 2013

"Godspell"

"Godspell" is a musical by Stephen Schwartz and a book by John-Michael Tebelak. It opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since, including a 2011 revival which played on Broadway from October 13, 2011 to June 24, 2012. Severalcast albums have been released over the years and one of its songs, "Day by Day" from the original cast album, reached #13 on the Billboard pop singles chart in the summer of 1972.

The structure of the musical is that of a series of parables, based on the Gospel of Matthew (though three of the parables featured are recorded only in the Gospel of Luke). These are then interspersed with a variety of modern music set primarily to lyrics from traditional hymns, with the passion of Christ treated briefly near the end of the performance. It started as a college project performed by students at Carnegie Mellon University and moved toLa MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in Greenwich Village. It was then re-scored for an off-Broadway production which became a long-running success. A junior one-act version with some songs removed has also been made under the title "Godspell Junior."
With all this, Loara took the musical to award winning fame.  The following is an email sent to the staff from the Theatre Arts teacher in regards to their performance on May 25, 2013 at Segerstrom Stage One:

"We did it!!!  We competed for our first time in the MACY's going against other Orange County Theatre programs such at Mission Viejo, Fullerton and OCHSA-which in case you don't know are considered a few of the best theatre schools in the OC. We were asked to perform at the MACY awards ceremony on the Segerstrom stage-one of only 20 schools to perform out of the 45 schools that competed. We also had Nick Fortinberry nominated for actor of the year.

Not only did Loara have an amazing performance but we brought home 4 achievement medals by Codey Foltz, Ian Villaescusa, Cynthia Espinoza and Laura Robbins.

4 outstanding achievement trophies by Matt Argame, Briana Frias, John Rushman and Desiree Nguyen.

2 highest achievement trophies by Nick Fortinberry and Charishma Marquez.

1 MACY scholarship ($500) awarded to Desiree Nguyen who will be attending UCI in the fall majoring in Theatre!

And THE Heart and Soul Award-awarded to the production with wonderful characters and voices with large heart and soul!-yep that's us!!!

Yep!  We received a production award our first year!  Pretty darn awesomely amazingly terrific if you ask me!

I must say this is one of the most memorable years I have had teaching Theatre and I owe it all to the amazingly talented, dedicated and hard-working students and their families, friends and teachers that support them!

Now I'm going to truly enjoy the rest of my weekend!  Congrats Loara for having such amazing kids!

Vanessa Montgomery"

A big congrats to cast and crew for an amazing run.  Below is the program for this award winning show.  Try to catch our shows next year.

Fall Production 2013 /December 5-7, 2013

Talent Showcase 2014 / February 21, 2014 

Spring Production 2014 / May 8-10, 2014

Band Spectacular

 taken from the program November 7, 2012

A Bit of History

Excellence in music in the district began in the early 1920's when Joshua Williams came to Anaheim High School.  During the 30 years at that school he gave free lessons to his high school students as to make a complete orchestra, then he encouraged the elementary schools to develop music programs.  The next important champion in Anaheim was William (Bill) Cook, who came to Anaheim High School while he was still a senior at Redlands College.  With the retirement of Williams in 1950, Bill Cook spearheaded the development of music throughout the new schools that were being  built in the district.

Loara has been blessed with only 3 band directors in our 50 year history,

1. Rick Moreno
2. Bill Schroeder
3. Scott Domingues

The first Spectacular was held at La Palma Stadium in 1963.  The show moved to the newly opened Anaheim Stadium in 1967 and back to Glover Stadium in 1984.  During the enrollment high of the district, and prior to the high schools becoming four year institutions, the Spectacular drew crowds of over 25,000 and featured 26 AUHSD schools (17 junior high schools and 9 high schools).

The Band and Pageantry Spectacular was never intended to be a competition, but rather a "show." The basic rationale of the "show" was to show off the excellence of the Anaheim Union High School District music program and to help the progression of young musicians from the junior high school programs through the high school band programs.

The All District Junior High School Band is composed of 120 musicians represent the eight junior high schools in the Anaheim Union High School District.  The members are selected by their directors to join in this opportunity to introduce them to the high school band program.  The goals of this group are to promote high expectations, outstanding achievement, motivation, and involve junior high school students in the large scope of music education.

The All District High School Band is also chose by the band directors.  They chose an equal amount of students so the band is a overall representation of the best of the best when it comes to High School music.  Over the years some of the best musicians in the nation played in the all district band.

Since the early 90's Loara's ASB has agreed to attend each and every band spectacular and since then other ASB's have been seen there supporting their bands ... of course Loara High School is always the loudest.

Once a Saxon, Always a Saxon.

3rd National Title: Hot Rodders @ Loara

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) 

Auto Show 2012

Aileen Melendez, Josh Coman, Andrew Romero, Chris Shamtiz, Steven Brown, Coach Russ Baccerala
(not pictured alternate Robert Loera)

THE EVENT

The event itself resembles the tear down between rounds at a drag race. The engines are identically prepared small block Chevy's complete with all the goodies, Edelbrock air cleaners - carbs – aluminum manifolds - heads - water pumps and valve covers, MSD distributors - wires, K&N oil filters, Hedman ceramic headers, TD timing chain covers, Moroso oil pans, ARP head bolts, Fel-Pro/Speed Pro gaskets and components, Melling oil pumps and Royal Purple lubricants. As you can see, we have many companies already involved with this event that show case their products. We have numerous manufactures supporting this program that do not build engine products. These Manufactures show support by sponsoring teams at each event. Students must properly disassemble the engine down to just crank, cam, and block using hand tools only with proper detorque and disassembly procedure. The team then returns behind their work bench, and when approved by the judges, teams begin working to reassemble once again with correct assembly procedure and torque specs, all while being viewed by judges and spectators. Time added penalties are assessed for dropped components, improper disassembly/assembly, poor sportsmanship, etc. All procedural penalties are in the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow rule book provided to the High Schools at the start of the school year. The team with the fastest time including penalty minutes wins.

HOT RODDERS OF TOMORROW NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

Las Vegas NV. - "Showdown at SEMA" is the title of the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Challenge National Championship at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. This year 13 High School Auto Tech teams competed Oct 29 through Nov. 1, 2012 in the engine teardown and rebuild contest in front of thousands of spectators at the entrance of the SEMA show.

Loara High School Wins Their Third Straight National Championship Title

Team MOTIVE GEAR - Loara High School from Anaheim CA. won the 4th Annual "Showdown at SEMA" their third straight, with the average time of 21:24 minutes. The top three teams were so competitive that they all ended up less than a minute apart! All thirteen teams competing this year did fantastically well with the 13th placed team average being only 33:46!

Event Winners and Wildcard Teams Compete 

The thirteen teams earned their way to the "Showdown at SEMA" national championship. Eight teams by winning their events straight out and five additional teams that had the next best qualifying times in the Nation were invited to compete.

Time Averaged Playoff Format 

During the normal event competitions through the year, all teams compete once. The best time wins the event and that team has the opportunity to compete at SEMA. But during the national championship "Showdown at SEMA" all the teams competed a total of 4 times during the SEMA show starting Monday. At the end of the fourth day each team's highest time was thrown out and the remaining three times were averaged.


The National Champion for 2012 - Team MOTIVE GEAR (Loara High School from Anaheim CA.) was determined the winner with the best average time of 21:24. Trophies and scholarships were given out on Friday morning at the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow award presentation.

Second Place - Team ENERGY SUSPENSION - Eastern Oklahoma County Tech Ctr., Choctaw, OK. - Average Time - 21:54

Third Place - Team MR. GASKET - East Ridge High School from Chattanooga, TN. - Average Time - 22:19

Fourth Place - Team AEROMOTIVE – Burton Center for Arts & Technology, Salem, VA.- Average Time - 24:46

Fifth Place - Team MAGNAFLOW - North Orange County ROP, Anaheim, CA. - Average Time - 25:35

Sixth Place - Team ROYAL PURPLE - Elkhart Area Career Center #1 - Average Time - 25:50

Seventh Place - Team ARP- Elkhart Area Career Center #2- Average Time - 25:53

Eighth Place - Team PROFORM - Peach County High School Fort Valley, GA.- Average Time - 26:14

Ninth Place - Team THERMO-TEC –Thomas County Central High School, Thomasville, GA.- Average Time - 27:40

Tenth Place - Team EDELBROCK - Fremd High School, Palatine, IL.- Average Time - 28:50

Eleventh Place - Team HEDMAN HEDDERS - Belvidere North High School, Belvidere, IL - Average Time - 31:04

Twelfth Place - Team MSD - Joliet Central High School, Joliet, IL.- Average Time - 32:31

Thirteenth Place - Team PAINLESS PERFORMANCE - Sequoyah High School, Soddy Daisy, TN.- Average Time - 33:46


1.2 MILLION DOLLARS Awarded to the participants in scholarship money

Three Auto Technological Colleges: 

Ohio Technical College (OTC), 

University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) and 

School of Automotive Machinists (SAM) 

are presenting all the High School students participating scholarship money.

Each College is awarding the following:

$10,000 to each first place team member,

$9,000 to each second place team member,

$8,000 to each third place team member,

$7,000 to each fourth place team member,

$6,000 to each fifth place team member and

$5,000 to each sixth thru thirteenth place team member.

50th Anniversary / Birthday Rally 11.1.12

On November 1, 2012 Loara High School celebrated their 50th year in existence.  Covered in an earlier blog, Loara Beginnings - 80's you'll remember the school opened on November 1, 1962.  We have been planning this day for quite some time but with the help of David Sporn (class of 1990) Chuck McCance (class of 1974), Susan Nicholas (class of 1965) and alumni teachers Gary and Jeanette Cleaveland we were able to pull this off in full Saxon fashion.  Of course the main players were in place, asb, the band, the choir, jrotc, the cheerleaders and the color guard ready to perform to put on a great show.  We also had help from the PTSA bringing in over 2000 cupcakes for our kids, our new Principal John Briquelet as our emcee, the Superintendent Elizabeth Novack as our guest speaker and several alumni, alumni teachers and staff along with board members and other district officials.  It was an afternoon to remember.

50th Anniversary Celebration

Other Loara Dignitaries were;

1. Alden Esping (Health and Activities Director / Also at Ball Jr. High 30 years)
2. Carol Cook 
3. Dr. Jan Billings (taught in AUHSD and former Superintendent)
4. Shirley Miller (Ball Junior High's Cafeteria)
5. Dr. Agnes Meck (AP)
6. Mike Greenwood and his wife (Math)
7. Don Budd (Math)
8. Dave Hurlburt (taught Drivers Ed and Math - the longest at Loara)
9. Luis Ruiz (one of the first teachers at Loara)
10. Beverly Nicholas (school nurse)
11. Dave Strauht (custodian in the 60's and 70's)
12. Chuck Darrington
13. Bob Gardener (Principal at Clara Barton)

I can't explain the feeling of the campus by students and teachers alike, they were more complimentary than I've ever seen them in recent memory.

That morning during the video announcements, Gwen Stefani wished the Saxons a Happy 50th Anniversary (a video we also showed those in attendance of the Homecoming Assembly.)

Gwen Stefani's Congrats

"Back on November 1st, 1962, Loara High School first opened its doors to the public. Over the intervening 50 years, it has been an outstanding public high school, one with a rich history of academic and athletic successes and one that is still cherished by its students, staff, alumni, and the local community. Because this Thursday marks the actual 50th Anniversary of the Saxons, we will be celebrating with a pep-rally and ribbon-cutting ceremony during our students’ lunch period. In addition to our own students and staff, dignitaries from AUHSD, and Loara’s storied past have been invited to attend. We are looking forward to a wonderful event that will help all of us memorialize this important date."

Mr. John Briquelet - Principal 2012

Homecoming Queens & Kings 1988 - 2012

The Age of the Homecoming King

1988 - 1989 Seaxe

The second 25 years marked a transition with bringing in Homecoming Kings to the mix.  After a game against the Cypress Centurions that ended in a tie, a new set of traditions set in motion.  The field not only had Queen candidates present, but King candidates were there too.  Hearing names like Craig Beltran, Adam Dove, Imron Hussain, Mark Plettink, Billy Kang, Vince Carpino, Dan Bokelman or Robert Garcia announced must have had alumni what had happened, but they didn't hear wrong.  Jerry Halpin, Activities Director at the time, and his cabinet thought it was time to join many in the county that were adding Prince and King candidates on the ballot.

Below, click on to see a video of the Queens / Kings of 88 - 12.  Again, sorry I cannot show the YouTube Video direct, but the link will get you there (click here). Enjoy!

Queens & Kings: The Second 25

Loara High School Homecoming 1988 - 2012

(click here)

1988 - Michelle Wilkoff (the last stand alone queen)

1989 - Nicole Conner & Billy Kang (first King)

1990 - Katy Valdez & Coy Collins

1991 - Jill Stefani & Mark Axtman

1992 - Kerry Swallows & Bryant Jackson

1993 - Diana Rankin & Brent Sporn

1994 - Elana Fox & Vince Pla

1995 - Jaimee Strand & David Ferguson

1996 - Kelli Heise & Richard Meza

1997 - Sunny Chung & Alex Martini

1998 - Erika Guzman & Zack Winnick

1999 - Elisa Vartanian & Sean Moses

2000 - Cheyanne Holton & Aviran Barlev

2001 - Cindy Kobayashi & Greg Pak

2002 - Erin Craton & Chad Peach

2003 - Michelle Malanga & Jack Lam

2004 - Kristy Vincent & Zach Langhauser

2005 - Monse Gallardo & Carlos Vazquez

2006 - Clare Morgenstern & Denni Ki

2007 - Nichole Simpson & Joshua Apia

2008 - Christina Mantas & Patrick Boyle

2009 - Brionna Davis & Mike Jones

2010 - Alyssa Flores & Nolan Sanchez

2011 - Amanda Jones & Esteban De la Cruz

2012 - Kelly Low & Nicholas Garcia

Saxon Shield October 14, 1988

Homecoming Queens 1962 - 1987

Saxon Shield / November 18, 1965

The First Queen to 1987

Patti Williams - Saxon Shield Dec. 9, 1965

As the school opened in 1962 there was no Homecoming held until they graduated in 1965, the class of 1966 got the first Queen.  Often times people are confused as to who was Queen their year, because Graduation is the calendar year after Homecoming ever happens. This means during the 1966 year the Queen is crowned in 1965.  

Loara's first Homecoming was November 19, 1965.  Loara played Kennedy High School at Handel Stadium and it also marked the night that the Larry Lawrence Memorial Circle was dedicated.  The dance was held after the game in the Gym from 10:30 pm - 12:30 am and cost $1.00 with ASB and $1.50 without ASB to attendees and free to all alumni.

Patti Williams / First Queen

To keep things simple (I hope) I've listed the Queens in their graduating years not their crowning year, and I've separated them in 25 year chunks (which means more to follow).


Enjoy the video montage of the first 25 years of crowning.  Oh and before I hear any chirping I stuck some other photos from other dances in there just to make the video flow with time, see if you can spot them and which dance they were from.

Loara High School Homecoming 1962 - 1987 Video
 (click here)

I apologize that I can't seem to get a video to insert, I believe it's because of special graphics, so you'll need to click through to the video by clicking the link or graphic.

The Queens

1963 - First Class enters Loara
1964 - Sophomores & Juniors only
1965 - First Graduation
1966 - Patti Williams

1967 - Cheri Lessley
1968 - Nancy Freedman
1969 - Anne McDonald
1970 - Dorothy Bye
1971 - Nancy Ribacchi
1972 - Robin Humphry
1973 - Silvia Haaz
1974 - Dean McDonald
1975 - Sue Lee
1976 - Laurie Hoffart
1977 - Linda Emond
1978 - Sara Schantz
1979 - Robin Ray
1980 - Dana Krygler
1981 - Christie Dubach
1982 - Sheryl Sutherland
1983 - Wendy Fowke
1984 - Nancy Reiss
1985 - Ange Andros
1986 - Robyn Gorrie
1987 - Kathy Rodrigues

Alumni / Alumni Marriages

Once a Saxon, Always a Saxon ... Til Death Do Us Part

Who says love doesn't blossom in High School? Some of these relationships occurred and maintained themselves in High School and others made their connections after High School such as my own, no matter where and when this relationship bloomed they had a common thread that they'd never be able to take away, they were Saxons.

When typing this list the fear is always do I have the right graduation year, did I spell their name right OR are they still married.  Regardless, I find it interesting to note the amount of couples that came out of our three or four years of high school.  If I missed you, add a comment below and let us know your story.  I began with what Doug Hunt (class of 69) has on his site Loara High School's Alumni Connection, The Seaxe Archive and then went to Facebook asking who is married to who from Loara and this is where we start:

John B. Turanitza (65) and Chris Walk (65)
Mike Meadows (65) and Cathy Arnold (65)
Tim Buckley (65) and Mary Guibert (66)
Dara Bruney (65) and Bob Whitmore (65)
Dale Pakarek (65) and Karen Lavine (66)
Marty Gushwa (65) and Connie Proper (65)
Denise Walp (65) and Walter Oliphant (65)

Bill Glaser (66) and Linda Parabok (66)
Earl Schweitzer (66) and Sharon Yeardley (66)
Dave Welty (66) and Debbie Mielke (66)
Joan Possemato (66) and Steve Watt (67)
Pat Calhoun (66) and Cathy Wheaton Calhoun (67)
Fred Crystal (66) and Kathy Wallace (67)
John Mooney (66) and Ellen Landes (67)
Jon Christenson (66) and Linda Perret (67)
Jim Proctor (66) and Dorothy Tatting (67)
Michael Webb (66) and Kathy Foster (67)
Dave Wright (66) and Jeanne Tenhagen (66)

Jim Proctor (66)  and Karolyn Finch (78)

Craig Peringer (67) and Sharon Mathers (67)
Terry Hodge (67) and Martha (Missy) Slocum (68)
Roger Baalke (67) and Theresa Goddard (67)

Greg Eckes (68) and Jeanne Michalson (68)
Don Swanson (68) and Wendy Gutierrez (77)
Gail Blythe (68) and Blaze Bruney (68)
Michael Carr (68) and Sheryl Kaminsky (74)
Manny Valdez (68) and Helen Lappin (69)
Lynda Sardella (68) and John Roemer (68)
Bill King (68) and Kartha Perkins (68)

Tom Eckes (69) and Lynn Hughes (69)
Mike Mendez (69) and Linda Farrell (69)
Ken (Buck) Kimball (69) and Mary Freeman (72)
Stephen Bristol (69) and Ellen Spire (70)
Don Kindred (69) and Cindy Wickham (69)
Steve Jones (69) and Karen Johnson (77)

Pete Hodge (70) and Nancy Dedrick (71)
Dave Ely (70) and Claudia Maslak (71)
Mike Tober (70) and Nancy Saltzman (72)

Tim Elder (71) and Peggy Ingram (71)
Tim Kelly (71) and Maggie Crowe (78)
Fred Meyers (71) and Doreen Tober (72)

Tim De Turk (72) and June DuDash (72)
John Lee (72) and Cathy Trears (73)
Earlene Dierberger (72) and Doug Nelson (72)
Bruce Edwards (72) and Joan Roluffs (72)
Phil Jones (72) & Mindy Meadows (72)

Dave Davidson (73) and Amy Daly (76)
Ken Baker (73) and Anna Bencivengo (73)
Jay Badgly (73) & Nancy Christiansen (73)

Scott Hostetler (74) and Pam Taras (74)
Rick Sweeney (74) to Laura Midialdea (75)
Evette Kreutzer (74) and Lance Nichols (76)

Tim Neumann (xx) and April Maske (80)

Nona Trautman (75) Curtis Ryffel (75)
Mark Kowalski (75) and Cathy Weismann (77)
Brad Gorrie (75) and Mildred Braunfeld (80)
Kim Sauvey (75) and Don Burch (76)
John Bonafacio (75) & Kim Peter (75)
Greg Burdick (75) & Terry Renken (75)
Kelley Carman (75) & Chris Wason (76)
Keith Gann(75) & Tammy Leaver (75)
Tim Knoch (75) & Michelle Shackleford (75)
Kerry Rutherford (75) & Denise Vargo (75)
Anthony Santilli (75) & Juanita Loya (75)
Albert Schardt (75) & Debbie Pitman (75) (divorced)
Mark Thomas (75) & Diane Langner (75) (divorced)
John Kurt Wagner (75) & Janet Obrecht (75)

Mark Twogood (76) and Patti Eyer (76)
Rick Fishel (76) and Jennifer Carbone(76)
Lori Salazar (76) and Greg Conk (78)
Tom Sundberg (76) and Debbie DeShong (77)
Chuck Marshall (76) and Brenda Glidewell (76)
Jim Cost (76) and Cynthia Sanchez (78)
Rick San Filippo (76) and Debra Kuehl (78)
Len Corneto (76 ) and Leah Faber (78)

Jayson Beck (76) and Nancy Kuehl (79)
Mark Carlton (76) and Bess Townsend (76)

Randy Graf (77) and Cathy Tatting (77)
Mickey Walker (77) and Mary Barbour (77)
John Clark (77) and Jeanna Otteson (76)
Janet Giglio (77) and Joe Klein (77)
Judy Grindell (77) and John Frazier (77)
Lyle Higger (77) and Bridgitt Stillson (78)

Michelle Saehlenou (77) and Matt Simpson (79) (divorced)

Vickie Pipes (78) and Scott Gordon (78)
Pat Fortinberry (78) and Jenny Hoy (80)
Bernie Glasser (78) and Andrea Goldenberg (79)
Robin Joyner (78) and Tamie Morris (79)

Scott Burch (79) and Jill Murray (79)
Diane Stephens (79) and Keith Olsen (79)
Peggy Price (79) and Doug Talbert (80)
Daniel Heysham (79) and Shawn Rock (79)

Darold Buskirk (80) and Patty Martens (80)
Jimmy Falk (80) and Nancy Swanson (80)

Todd Lee (81) and Laura Hallock (85)
Cynthe Blythe (81) and David Renfrew (81)
Carrie Bell (81) and Darrell Henson (81)

Joe Springer (82) and Debbie Walker (82)
Jeff Ranallo (82) and Renee Kyger (83)
Chris Fincher (82) and Sheryl Boulanger (83)

Tommy Martindale (82) and Tracy Steinbauer (97)

Linda Hunter (82) and Ralph Molineaux (82)

Marc Hults (82) and Stephanie Flippen (82)
Paul Chylinski (82) and Pamela Martens (85)
Galynn Mercer (82) and Terry Barnes (83)
Troy Gabaldon (82) and Lori Waelde (84)
Lisa Spoon (82) & John Shaff (84)

Curt Poulin (83) and Danielle Knarr (85)
Todd Rolph (83) and Julie Spaeter (83)
Dolly Munn (83) and Ronald Dean (84)
David Lappin (83) and Anne Williams (83)
Jeff Tober (83) and Joanne Francisco (83)

Kathleen Evans (84) and Aaron Little (83)
Shelly Castleberry (84) and Keith Potts (84)
John Barbour (84) and Robin Chun (85)
Symphonie Bibler (84) and John Ross (84)

Gail O'dougherty (85) and Jim Quickle (86)
Dawn Payn (85) and Tray Green (85)
Carrie Johnson (85) and Dan Bass (86)

Steve Reese (86) and Paula Alduenda (86)
Dan Reed (86) and Donna Borkman(87)
Matt James (86) and Nydia Luna (87)
Carolyn Ezerski (86) and Andy Russell (87)
Sean Rodriguez (86) and Kathy Rodrigues (87)
Shamus Fallon (86) and Diane Demelio (87)
Martin Hoesli (86) and Tina Howard (90)

Michelle Crucil (86) and Steve Guest (87)

Derek Speerstra (87) and Wendy Bergman (87)
Gary Mercer (87) and Jessica Rapaport (87)
Carlos Vargas (87) and Lanelle Quiring (87)
Shae Askew (87) and Lisa Brancatti (89)
Scot Thiesmeyer (87) and Julie Bass (88)
Jason LaComb (87) and Annette Hoesli (89)

Julie Snethen (88) and Adam Dove (88)
Curt Frazier (88) and Nikki DeDio (88)
Eric Adair (88) and Michelle Tober (90)
Robert "Bobby" Ingram (88) and Stephanie Wright (91)

William Lackey (89) and Andrea Waters (90)
Andy Medlin (89) and Christy Rowe (92)
Dan Woodman (89) and Amilyn Lamkins (91)

Maureen McMahon (90) and John Wilke (90)
Brent Bird (90) and Britten Bollenbacher (92)

Jason Woodward (91) and Monica Cooper (92)
Brent Bird (91) and Britten Bollenbacher (94)
Lisa Bengochea (91) and John Werner (91)
Brian Lagman (91) and Stephani Weber (92)
Josh Gilchrist (91) and Katie (XXXX) (91)

Dong Kim (92) and Dana Keene (92)
Heather Kuhn (92) and Mike Neal (92)
Frank Bueno (92) & Angela Hamling (94)

Roberto Rodriguez (93) and Jessica Velasco (99)
Thomas Price (93) and Jeriann Austin (94)

Michael Boomsma (94) and Elana Fox (94)

Lauriann Bodily (95) and David Ferguson (95)

Maria Santamaria (95) and Bobby Phillips (96)

McCollum (96) and Jason Bowman (96)
Jim Kirkland (96) and Maureen Bergeron (96)
Bernie Contraras (96) and Shannon Chasteen (97?)

Chris Dorame (96) and Erica Fushion (95?)

Michelle Fabich (97) and Trevor Long (97)
Lido Flores (97) and Suzanne Putzier (99)
Jennifer Huitt (97) and Jorge Alverado (98)
Archie Lappin (97) and Traci Hoshaw (98)

Levi Beyler (98) & Maria Mahal Burr (98)

Jason Geyer (99) and Cinthia Bryhl (99)
Josh Gilbert (99) and Shiela Soldivillo (99)

 Scott Haselton (01) and Erin Craton (02)
Armando Cervantes (01) & Auria Neri (04)

Stephanie Gee (02) & Danny Gomez (02)
Tracey Hall (02) & Chris Kent (02)

Ashley Perez (04) & David Hernandez (04)

Nicole Fortinberry (08) and Josh Carpenter (10)
Corrine Nuuhiwa-Ferguson (08) and Elmer Lopez (09)

grad year not know during typing:

Terry Clemens and Tony Diersing
Christy Clemens and Chris Sideris
Ryan Ramstack and Ruthie









Faculty Marriages:

Audrey Runge, (Home Ec) and Ed "Doc" Brown (Athletic Trainer)
They were on the Newlywed Game in 1980!
Gary Cleaveland (photo) and Jeanette Barnett (English/PE)
Travis Heath (Math) and Danielle Bries (Math)

Academic Rally

Part of the 400 students that were honored

 In the 2011 -2012 school year we realized that we were missing out on recognizing an entire group of students for their talents and gifts in education.  These kids have high academic achievement and great attendance records and nothing was done to recognize them.  Being the Activities Director for the school for 23 years I knew better but I was so overwhelmed by everything else that it was hard to do yet another thing. I remember when I was a student that we received certificates when we hit high academic honors, and that alone was pretty cool to receive.  But why not recognize them in the same manner as the athletes?  The idea isn't a new one, many schools have begun to change cultures and create a positive spin on getting great grades.  A company called Jostens started a Renaissance Program that showed schools how to put on great rallies and how to recognize students differently.  This program is nationwide, and should be applauded for it's efforts.  Many schools have Renaissance Classes and Officers that work just in the academic part of the schools inner workings.

Color Guard before Assembly

At Loara we have taken that idea and made it our own.  For many years Loara has had an Educations Officer in Student Government and that role has morphed into a Renaissance type role.  We do student of the month, read birthdays on announcements and some other minor things but we never hit them all at once in a public setting. On September 28, 2012 we held an assembly to change the culture, and stepped up what we have been talking about ... recognizing high achievers in all they do.  The assembly is very similar to a spirit assembly.

Sammy pumping up the crowd

The kids with 3.5 and higher walk through the sports tunnel as the band and drum-line play them in, the cheerleaders cheer, the color-guard twirls and the band plays the Alma Mater.  The only difference is, we have keynote speakers, the Principal speaks about education and an Honors Teacher talks about how proud they are of all the hard work and accomplishments put in by these students.  The video we show doesn't show how we did at a football game but shows images of the students working toward education and the clubs they are involved in.  Watch the video "What makes you beautiful" 

(spoiler alert) there is one grammar error in the video, I left it there on purpose to see if people were truly watching, I recall hearing that  Disney does things like this so in Disney n  style they always put in some kind of thing just for the people that made the film.

Morning Announcements go Live Video

Jazlyn Lewis and Matt Argame during our test run

For the last 50 years our morning announcements have gone through some changes but none so big as today, September 26, 2012 at 8:54 am.  This mornings announcements were done as a live video broadcast.

The Broadcast Media Production Class led by Danny Klatzker (class of 90) has been working tirelessly for many years to make this a reality, and this year using ASB and others as anchors, his classes have finally gone live.  In an email to the staff on September 25, 2012 Mr. Klatzker adds:

"Tomorrow my Broadcast Media Production class and ASB are going to do the daily announcements live via a video feed and over the PA system. They have worked very hard over the last few weeks to put together a working television studio and coordinating with ASB to bring you our first Saxon TV news broadcast."

As we begin the next 50 years it seems only fitting to make some big changes in how we do things.

Our live editing crew

In the years past we have been using the telecom system built into the school all those many years ago.  As I wasn't at Loara until 1979, I can't be sure what all the Principals read on the bulletin but I do know that Tommy Thomason would read key Saxon news of the day, I also know that Tom Kenally in the early 80's didn't get on the announcements much, but in the late 80's Dr. Jerry Glenn used to have tidbits he read over the all call, in the early 90's Dr. Barry Escoe used to have his word of the day, Dr. John Dahlem in the 90's would do facts and alliterations like have a Marvelous Monday, Mrs. Pam Krey in the 00's always ended with "smile often" but now in the 2010's we have gone mobile.  Mr. John Briquelet, our newest principal, will be the first principal seen on video discussing hot topics of the day, and key educational and testing ideas.  However his first broadcast was just an introduction of himself and the goals this coming school year.

Along with the Principals I know that Alden Esping and myself have been on those announcements nearly every single day, helping ASB learn how to use their voices, project and make those announcements short, sweet and to the point.  As they are incorporated into the school day they do not take away from the academic minutes of a class.  By the early 90's I found a song by Oscar Brown Jr. called the "Friday song" we can not find it on iTunes and the likes so my dad had to listen to a local jazz station on Friday and record the morning show to get it so we can play it every Friday since.

How are video announcements set up?  Just like real news, we have our anchors, our beat reporters and closing remarks by yours truly.  When the school was modernized in 2006 and beyond, the classroom for the most part were equipped with a cable feed. Most teachers have the cable feed running into their classrooms, they just turn to channel 24 for the news.  If there isn't a video feed then they will only hear the announcements as read for the video over the loud speakers.   Here is a typical lineup:

Camera Two

1. Opening
2. Greeting
3. Pledge
4. Bulletin
5. Sports
6. Clubs
7. Other bulletin
8. Video Interviews (if any)
9. Joke of the Day
10. Birthdays
11. Closing

I'm proud to be a part of this process and these kids are to be commended for all their hard work.  It is great to be a part of sweeping, positive change that is happening on Loara's campus.

Alumni in the Olympics

When looking back to our alumni it's often hard to find their personal histories unless I call them up or facebook them, and I just can't find myself to be their personal stalkers.  So with the help of Wikipedia we can reminice about our alumni and how amazing they are.

Dana Schoenfield (class of 71)

Dana Schoenfield (71) Dana was born in Harvey, Illinois and spent her childhood in Schererville, Indiana. She first learned to swim at the local Sherwood Golf and Swim Club, where she began to excel in the breaststroke. Her family relocated to Anaheim, California in 1963 where Dana, along with her brother Michael, actively swam on the Disneyland Hotel Swim Team. She qualified for the Women's Senior National Championships in the 200 meter breaststroke at age 12 years, the youngest swimmer to participate. At 14 years, Dana was the second fastest Women's 200 meter breaststroke swimmer in the country, and just missed making the 1968 U.S. Olympic Team. She would have been the youngest swimmer on the U.S. Team. After semi-retiring for the next 3 years, she was a varsity cheerleader for Loara High School in Anaheim, California.
After graduation, Dana, along with her swim coach Ray Woods, began a 1-year regimen of serious training in an effort to make the 1972 Olympic Team. At the 1972 Chicago Olympic Swimming Trials, she qualified first in the 200 m breaststroke, with a personal best time of 2:43.7. At the Munich Olympic Games, Dana was not expected to 'medal' as she had just the 4th fastest time/ranking for 1972. She placed fourth in the qualifying heats, and was in lane 6 for the Munich final. With her swim idol, Galina Prozumenschikova-Stepanova of Russia swimming in lane 3, Dana out-touched Stepanova with a time of 2:42.03, another personal best. Beverly Whitfield of Australia, on the outside #7 lane, beat Dana for the gold medal at 2:41.7.

Lauren Lappin (class of 02)

Lauren Lappin

Lauren Lappin (b. 26 June 1984 in Anaheim, California) is an American softball player who won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Lappin attended Stanford University from 2002-2006 playing shortstop and catcher for the softball team and graduated in December 2006 with a degree in American Studies. She also played with the USA National Elite Team in 2003 and 2005 and was an alternate for the US Olympic Team in 2004. Prior to the 2009 season, Lappin joined the Northwestern University team as a volunteer coach.

A Few Accomplishments
• Olympic Silver Medalist (2008)
• Pan American Gold medalist (2007)
• World Cup Champion (2007)
• Alternate on 2004 Olympic Gold Medal Team

At Loara, Lauren was in student government and was a 4 athlete Letterman on the Varsity teams each year for Soccer, Volleyball, Softball and Basketball.  In talking to Loara coaches while she was there and former principals that have seen the school grow from the 70's to the 2000's there is a common feel that Lauren just may be the best Athlete overall that Loara has ever seen.  As a four sports varsity Letterman and Most Valuable player in them all she has truly left her mark on Loara's history.

Banners hanging in the Saxon Palace honoring our Olympians

Back to school dance

I am always amazed at the first dance and how much fun the kids seem to have yet everyone isn't here. For the upper class men, it's like a "cool" thing if you don't come and yet the ones here seem so much cooler than the ones that choose not to go.  The dance is free if you have an ASB card and only $5.00 if you don't.  We lose money a bit on this dance but it's all about the spirit and welcoming everyone back to the school year.  Plus we want to sell ASB Cards.

Freshmen get their taste of a night time dance and they try to be all tough on the outside yet they are just as thrilled to be here, more than most ... They'll never admit it though.  Junior High Dances these days (if there are any) are held right after school, they don't have night time dances. I had only 2 altercations with Freshmen trying to find their place in High School, it's expected really, but boy is it silly.

It's 9:17pm and they are dancing away.

DJ Brought a Trailer with a Outdoor lighting package

About 500 kids are in this picture alone enjoying the dance ... notice the 4 LCD Televisions streaming videos in the back

Space Shuttle Endeavour's Final Mission

Where were you when the Space Shuttle Endeavour made it's final flight over Loara?

Today September 21, 2012 Marks the day that the Shuttle Endeavour flies its final mission.  What makes this notable is it flew by Loara High School at 12:30 pm, leaving a mark on all the faculty, staff and student body.  The shuttle flew piggyback flight on a 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft from Florida to California on its way to the California Science Center in Exposition Park, where it will make its debut on Oct. 30, 2012.

When things of this magnitude happen during the school day, it always has the campus in a buzz waiting for it's arrival.  I recall seeing the Space Shuttle challenger explode back in 1986 and that vision has left a mark in my memory, it's nice to have a positive memory to sit side by side with it. School's are filled with many moments good and bad, and when a good moment comes we need to celebrate them, rejoice in them and be thankful for them when they come.

The kids were apathetic until the large 747 and Shuttle flew directly over head ... the stir on campus and the IPhones, Droids and Blackberrys came out in force.  Some teachers snuck on the room, students were atop benches .. If only the fence around Sammy was removed.

When I was a child in the 70's airplanes and space were always a thing for me.  My dad worked for Autonetics before it merged with Boeing and the pictures and stories I remember seeing always fascinated me. In the years that followed Star Trek, Star Wars and Science Fiction become passions and loves of mine (along with many kids I grew up with).  It's sad to see these amazing machines put in museums to no longer fly, yet it fills me with wonder to what is to come?  Will Teleporters pull me into space?

I love being a teacher, I have loved it since I started in 1987.  I have seen the Berlin Wall come down, I have see terrorists take down the Twin Towers, I have seen wars start and I have seen wars end.  Nothing and I mean nothing makes these events more thrilling than when you get to experience it first hand and watch them through your students eyes.  My parents generations question used to be "Where were you when Kennedy was shot?" now we can ask "Where were you when the Shuttle Endeavor flew it's final mission?" and these 2600 kids can answer, I was at Loara High School watching it with my teacher.

Orange County Register September 19, 2012

Endeavour at a glance
Endeavour was built as a replacement for Challenger, which was destroyed in an accident that killed seven astronauts in 1986.  NASA lost a second shuttle, Columbia, and seven more crew members in 2003.  That orbiter was not replaced.
Number of missions: 25 missions over 20 years
Total time in space: 299 days
Total number of orbits: 4,671
Total miles traveled: 122,883,151
Firsts: First service mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, as well as the first mission to add a US component to the International Space Station.
How it got its name:  The shuttle was named by schoolchildren after the ship that 18th century British explorer James Cook sailed during his first voyage of discover in the Pacific Ocean.

sources: California Science Center and NASA

As mentioned int he graphic on the left (OC Register):

The permanent display for the shuttle will be called the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. The shuttle will be displayed vertically, with its boosters and external tank, as if prepared for launch.  It is expected to open in 2017.

Neil Blender

Saxon Shield February 17, 1981

Saxon skates towards success

The more I dig through the History of Loara I find alumni that are doing some amazing things.  However this one is closer to me because I went to school with Neil Blender (class of 81).

Neil skated in parks like the Concrete Wave, Skatetopia, Big O Skate park and back yard pools.  Soon after Neil's senior year he went pro.  Brad Jackman (class of 81) also was influential in the skate world and got Neil introduced to the team Powerflex which led to Neil's road to success.

Our very own Saxon Shield on February 17, 1981 did an article on Neil just prior to him going pro.  In the Article they write of the old skate parks, punk bands, and art.

During Neil's skateboarding career he felt that the sport of skateboarding had changed (see interview below) so he turned to designing skateboard and working on his art and photography.

Neil Blender original

Today if you Google Neil Blender there are an over flow of article praising Neil Blender and the athlete he is.  From Thrasher Magazing to Transworld Skateboarding all seem to have a respect for Neil in the industry that makes me proud that his was and is a Saxon.  Also you will get a glimpse at his art of skateboards and the art he puts on canvas.

Articles on Neil Blender

The 30 Most INFLUENTIAL Skaters of All Time

by Transworld Skatboarding Magazing

Neil Blender / Transworld 12.11.12

In their 30 Anniversary edition, December 20, 2011, Transworld Skateboarding Magazine decided to chose the 30 most influential skaters of all time.  Neil Blender was number 19.  On the website they posted the picture you see on the left and this was the caption under the photo: 

He was one of the first guys to draw his own graphics. He was the first one to give tricks different names. He was our ringleader. Neil’s myth is more hidden and harder to find, but there would be no Mark Gonzales without Neil Blender.

***

NEIL BLENDER INTERVIEW
By Transworld
Tue, Dec 21 1999

Not only was Neil Blender a skateboarder, but in the early and mid 1980s, Neil was skateboarding. An artist, a creator, a laugher at people, a namer of tricks, he made skateboarding fun in the lean years before the boom of the late 80s. He opened the door for the skater/artist, who, to this day, keep skateboarding as much a lifestyle as a sport.

But change is constant, and to Neil’s dismay skateboarding’s direction turned toward hot pink, then gigantic clothes, then hip-hop music, and Neil wasn’t having any part of it. Sometime in the late 80s, he stepped away from the spotlight, but he didn’t abandon it completely, doing artwork and mindwork for Ohio’s Alien Workshop, skateboarding on his own time, and probably laughing whenever possible.

What was your favorite year and why?

That’s hard to know. I don’t know the years that much. Probably the sponsored years–’80 to ’86–just because you get flowed free shit and you’re already stoked on what you’re doing, so it just makes it easier.

What did you think of contests?

They were good at first–getting to go around to places and experience everything. After a while, it kind of wears on you.

Who’s been your biggest inspiration?

That’s a weird question–a lot of people I guess. When we first started skating, it was just whoever was older and better. People like Ray Rodriguez and Alan Gelfand. Any of those good guys who did tricks and you were just in awe, who you’d see photos of and stuff. It’s weird. Andrecht, Caballero. Eddie Elguera–he was like a guy to be like. Chris Strople was, too. He was a sketcher. And Duane Peters, he was hot.

What’s the stupidest trend you saw skateboarding go through?

Mixing rap in with it. The mixture of rap and skateboarding is pretty dumb. Freestyle (laughter). Street freestyle is what the modern shit is. That’s kind of dumb. Too much inconsistency can be really annoying.

What do you feel your biggest contribution to skateboarding was?

I don’t even know.

I was thinking about it, and I think the artwork.

Simple cartoon graphics?

Yeah. And art being done by the skaters themselves. You kind of set that whole thing up. And then the tricks you did, too, they were just a little off. There’s a picture here of a contest, and you’re doing a rocket air over this wooden hump.

Something that probably wasn’t makeable.

And then your ramp inside the house.That was Stacy’s idea.

You can’t think of any contributions you gave to skateboarding?

No. I just skated … did my part.

Did you get disillusioned with the whole pro scene?

It was mentally hard. You can only do so much.

Did it cease to be fun?

Kinda. The pain of putting on pads and everything smelling like shit all the time. Actually, ammonia. That was depressing. But if things were set up right … the Del Mar Keyhole would be fun. But only at night.

Have you been skating?

A little bit. I tried to skate those parks–the new ones they’ve built.

Did you go to the one under the bridge in San Diego?

Washington? Yeah. I rode around in that thing. There wasn’t much there when I went. I went to Carlsbad and Vista–Vista’s fun, you can cruise more there. At Carlsbad you run into dead ends. You’re doing a line, and there’s this one spot where you’ll ride right over the stairs if you’re not looking. Have you seen that?

Describe the current state of skateboarding.

It just seems like a bunch of video kids. It doesn’t seem like there’s much feeling coming out of it.

Do you think they’re skating for personal freedom, to show people up, or “look at me”?

Maybe a little of everything. All their clothes, and chain wallets, and shit, I just don’t understand. But that’s what will happen. MTV. Everything’s open for attack. Kids are really mean, and they don’t respect anyone very much.

What do you think about the pro side of skateboarding?

I don’t know about it.

It seems like in the 70s and 80s there were more characters, people had more personality, and it didn’t seem so robotic.

Yeah. It seems more cloned right now. It’s weird–all these handrails and stuff.

What are your predictions for skateboarding’s future?

I thought it was going to be dead years ago, but it’s not. It just changed its mold. Maybe there’ll be some hotter stuff. I’d like to see some slide-and-roll parks being made specifically for sliders–boards with no wheels. Picture roller-coaster tracks, and you’d just show up with a deck with rails on it, set it on the tracks, and pump through this weird roller coaster course. That’d be fun.

Neil Blender today

Oh yeah! I was thinking about the future: In malls, restaurants could all face toward the middle where there would be skate trannies that go up over windows. People would eat, and skaters would be hired to come in and skate in different shifts–two to four, six to seven. The skaters are pros, and they get paid, and everyone shows up at these modern, indoor malls. I picture it happening in Japan.

That’s kinda like Vans skatepark in Orange.

Yeah, but I’m picturing it more personal. The people are in a restaurant, and there’s like …

It’s like a dinner theater.

Yeah. Tony Jetton doing a f–kin’ loop!

That sounds good to me. And then, after that, you could shoot at the skaters. Or they’d ride over and you tuck a little dollar bill into their underwear.

They could skate in G-strings.