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Alumni Hall of Fame

Photos from the Annual Hall of Fame events can be viewed at the website of Donal Pearce (class of 1979).  Click HERE to go there...
 
Hall of Fame Dinner
WHITTIER - The Whittier High School Alumni Association and Educational Foundation will hold their 20th annual Hall of Fame dinner at 5pm on Sunday May 5, 2019 at the William C. Gordon Library at Whittier High School.  
Click BELOW SOON for INVITE.  Click BELOW SOON for RESERVATION FORM:
 

 

 

Alumni Hall of Fame

Photos from the Annual Hall of Fame events can be viewed at the website of Donal Pearce (class of 1979).  Click HERE to go there...

 

Hall of Fame Dinner

WHITTIER - The Whittier High School Alumni Association and Educational Foundation will hold their 24th annual Hall of Fame event on Sunday April 14, 2024 at Whittier High School.  

Year 2024 – Sunday April 14, 2023

The Hall of Fame honorees will be:

  • Ray Girvigian* - class of 1943 - Architect Historic Preservationist
  • John Saul - class of 1959 - author of suspense and horror novels
  • Teresa Porter Corwin - class of 1970 -  environmentalist
  • Linda Winzenread - Faculty & fundraiser

*deceased

Year 2023 – Sunday April 23, 2023

The Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Judge Merton Wray* - class of 1929
  • Dr. Judith Hendrixson Henderson - class of 1958
  • Michael McDonough - class of 1970
  • Robert 'Bo' Henke - class of 1970
  • Dr. Christina Marino* - class of 1971
  • Paul Pfanner - class of 1972

*deceased

The scholarship winners were:

  • Valeria Arnao - Ann & Sue Garrett Scholarship
  • Kiara Barillas – Vanderwall Family Scholarship
  • Henry Benitez Jr. - Lt. Daniel Orr Scholarship
  • Nevaeh Cedano – Laurie Welsh Peel & John Peel Scholarship
  • Ciara Escobedo - Class of 1960 Scholarship
  • Daniela Flores - Ellie Bewley and Genevieve Lescsak Scholarship
  • Mia Gil De Montes - Dan Orr II Scholarship
  • Mariana Zuniga-Gomez - Woodward Family Scholarship
  • Trenton Gunderson  - Vic Lopez Scholarship
  • Ariel Gutierrez - Class of 1971 Scholarship
  • Breanna Hernandez  -  Aaron Morgan Scholarship
  • Julyana Jimenez - Robert Algarin Scholarship
  • Adria Marin - Yoshio Nakamura Scholarship
  • Sophia Martinez - Dr. Ivania Soto Scholarship
  • Bobby Orozco III - Deborah Orr Scholarship
  • Frank Padilla -  Leta M. Orr Scholarship
  • Ena Pejovski - Bill Wood Scholarship
  • Paulina Pelayo – Wally Leonard Scholarship
  • Kaya Reyes - John Lasseter Scholarship
  • Lily Sarkissian - Freitag Sisters Scholarship
  • Amaris Ultreras - Aaron Morgan Scholarship
  • Jayleen Venegas - James Orr Scholarship

 

Year 2022 – Sunday April 24, 2022 – in the Aud.

The Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Robert Pierpoint* – class of 1943 – an American Broadcast Journalist
  • Mary V. Orozco* – class of 1946 – First Latina admitted to the CA Bar
  • Ray Williams* – class of 1951 – Rio Hondo College professor
  • David Ashleigh – class of 1961 – Water Polo Olympian
  • Daniel Orr – class of 1968 – Oral Maxillo Facial Surgeon, Lawyer, etc.
  • Cherylyn Lavagnino – class of 1969 – New York Dance Studio
  • Wendy Alane Adams – class of 179 – Rise Up Foundation

*deceased

Scholarship winners:

  • Lia Cornejo - Freitag Sisters Scholarship
  • Joanne Cosina - Wendy Adams Scholarship
  • Steven Curfman - Class of 1960 Scholarship
  • Jacob Diaz - Aaron Morgan Scholarship
  • Zoe Espinal - Bewley-Lescsak Scholarship
  • Payton Gomez - Yosh Nakamura Scholarship
  • Payton Gomez - Yosh Nakamura Scholarship
  • Ashley Gonzales - Alumni Assn. Scholarship
  • Adriana Hernandez - Vanderwall Family Scholarship
  • Mary Lusinyan - Alumni Assn. Scholarship
  • Tabitha Mariscal - Robert Algarin Scholarship
  • Gershwin Mason - Woodward Family Scholarship
  • Alani Morales - Richard Nixon Scholarship
  • Noah Reber - Alumni Assn. Scholarship
  • Sophia Reyna - Aaron Morgan Scholarship
  • Sophia Rodriguez – Welsh/Peel Scholarship
  • Samantha Silva - WHSAAEF $3,000 Scholarship
  • Vincent Silva - Vic Lopez Scholarship
  • Carolina Tarango - Ivannia Soto Scholarship
  • Geoffrey Toribio - Aaron Morgan Scholarship
  • Teresa Velasco - John Lasseter Scholarship
 

Year 2020-2021 - Virtual Event

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klW8TWlFhew

The Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Ben Chu - Faculty 1966-2004
  • Arvle Dedmon (deceased) - class of 1938
  • Eleanor Bewley - class of 1965
  • Cindy Oeh Barbee - class of 1973
  • Colette Marcellin - class of 1977
  • Thomas J. O'Hare - class of 1980

Scholarship winners:

  • Alexandra Anguiano – Welsh-Peel Scholarship
  • Evelyn Barajas – John Lasseter Scholarship
  • Kiana Carbajal – Richard Nixon Scholarship
  • Ruby Fernandez - $1,000 Alumni Board Scholarship
  • Adan Garcia – Jenkin’s Scholarship
  • John Krikorian - $1,000 Alumni Board Scholarship
  • Georgette Lopez – Wally Leonard Scholarship
  • Jack Luquin - $1,000 Alumni Board Scholarship
  • Cynthia Marin - $1,000 Alumni Board Scholarship
  • Chrisitan Miranda – Ivannia Soto Scholarship
  • Breanna Padilla - $1,000 Alumni Board Scholarship
  • Jaclyn Padilla - $1,000 Alumni Board Scholarship
  • Mariana Patino - $1,000 Alumni Board Scholarship
  • Ashley Pedraza – Freitag Sisters Scholarship
  • Ashley Perdomo - $3,000 WHS Alumni Scholarship
  • Jazillyn Perez – Bewley-Lescsak Scholarship
  • Kaili Reyes – Vanderwall Scholarship
  • Elizabeth Rodriguez - $1,000 Alumni Board Scholarship
  • Jose Rodriguez – Vic Lopez Scholarship
  • Alejandra Santiago – Marcellin Family Scholarship.

 

 2020 - Sunday April 19, 2020

The 2020 Hall of Fame honorees will be:
  • Ben Chu Faculty 1966-2004
  • Arvle Dedmon (deceased) ‘38
  • Eleanor Bewley ‘65
  • Cindy Oeh Barbee ‘73
  • Colette Marcellin ‘77
  • Thomas J. O’Hare ‘80
 
WHS Teacher of the Year - Alicia Lara-Wright
 

2020 WHS Alumni Association Scholarships:

  • Joseph Ancich - Welsh -Peel Family Scholarship
  • Angelica Blodgett - John Lasseter Scholarship
  • Julia Casas - Freitag Sisters Scholarship
  • Layla Chapeta - Richard Nixon Scholarship
  • Lee Chu - Alumni Association Scholarship
  • Lauren Garibay - Don Jenkins Family Scholarship
  • Andres Hernandez - Vic Lopez Scholarship
  • Laura-Elena Mayorga - Colette Marcellin Scholarship
  • Jose Luis Miguel-Hernandez - WHS Alumni Board Scholarship
  • Citlalli Miranda - Vanderwahl Family Scholarship
  • Hena Sheikh - Women of '76 Memorial Scholarship
  • Meghan Uyeda - Special Scholarship
  • Johana Vasquez - Ivannia Soto Scholarship

 

2019  -  Sunday May 5, 2019

The 2019 Hall of Fame honorees will be:

  • 1960 CIF Championship Baseball Team
  • George Buehler - class of 1965
  • Stephen Lee Anderson - class of 1970
  • Jeffrey Hathaway - class of 1970
  • Vernon Kifer (deceased) - class of 1972
  • Leanne Rouch Ely - class of 1976
 

2019 WHS Alumni Association Scholarships

  • Alexia Balderas - $1,000 Lasseter Scholarship
  • Anais Hernandez - $1,000 Freitag Sisters Scholarship
  • Michelle Marin - $1,000 Jenkins Scholarship
  • Miguel Mena - $1,000 Lopez Scholarship
  • Natalie Orozco - $1,000
  • Arianno Rivas - $1,000 Nixon Scholarship
  • Ava Sanchez - $2,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Nadia Sanchez - $1,000 Vanderwall Scholarship
  • Jasmine Sheikh - $1,000
  • Joshua Soto - $1,000
  • Christian Tafolla - $1,000
  • Nicholas Viramontes - $1,000 Welsh-Peel Scholarship
 
 

2018

The 2018 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Donald Green - class of 1967
  • Jay Daversa - class of 1962
  • Catherine Freitag Clarke, PhD - class of 1975
  • Nancy E. Freitag, PhD - class of 1980
  • Allan Trefry (deceased) - Faculty 1955-1975
 
The 2018 Scholarship winners were:
  • Seth Aguilar - Donna Ferguson Scholarship
  • Mia Aguilar - Freitag Sisters Scholarship
  • Analaura Amezquita - $2,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Annika Ancich - Patricia Nixon Scholarship
  • Sophia Casas - Maxine Milner Rich Scholarship
  • Renee Chavez - Jenkins Family Scholarship
  • Kelela Gonzalez - Class of 1967 Scholarship
  • Alexis Hernandez - Vanderwall Family Scholarship
  • Nicolas Mijarez - Vic Lopez Scholarship
  • Yasmin Munoz - Richard Nixon Scholarship
  • Sarah Romero - General Alumni Scholarship
  • Olive Williamson - John Lasseter Scholarship

 

2017

The 2017 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Fremont "Monte" Wicker - 1934
  • Marjorie Moon Garrison - 1948
  • Milton Schroth - 1951
  • Kevin Hussey - 1973
  • Genevieve Lescsak - faculty
 
Scholarships were given to the following class of 2017 Seniors:
  • Adrian Escareno - $1,000 Richard Nixon
  • Carina Lopez - $1,000 Patricia Nixon
  • Dylan Salcido - $1,000 Vic Lopez 
  • Sophia Sousa - $1,000 Maxine Milner Rich
  • Stephanie Gotts - $1,000 Donna Ferguson
  • Erendira Gil-Juarez - $1,000 Class of 1955
  • Savanah Lomeli - $1,000 class of 1949 in honor of Marjorie Johana Moon Garrison
  • Jisel Miranda - $1,000 1960 CIF Championship Baseball Team
  • Alyssa Betancourt - $1,000 Jerry Morgan
  • Madison Gutierrez - $1,000 Alumni
  • Destiny Montoya - $1,000 Alumni
  • Florencia Valenzuela - $2,000 Alumni 
 

2016 

The 2016 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Marcelo Bermudez - Faculty 
  • Heber Holloway - Faculty, Coach, Superintendent 
  • John Lasseter - Class of 1975
  • Steve Saleen - Class of 1967
  • Ivannia Soto - Class of 1994 Whittier College professor

 

Scholarship winners for class of 2016 are:

  • Alyssa Saldana – $1,000 Donna Ferguson Scholarship
  • Alyssa Gutierrez – $1,000 1960 Baseball Team Scholarship
  • Cynthia Martinez - $1,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Bryan Martinez – $1,000 Vic Lopez Scholarship
  • Mark Rojas - $1,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Brenda Dorantes – $1,000 Nohemi Gonzalez Scholarship
  • Yulissa  Serratos – $1,000 Patricia Nixon Scholarship
  • Pavle Pejovski - $2,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Meghan Keneally – $1,000 Maxine Milner Rich Scholarship
  • Matteo Munoz - $1,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Kaitlin Terry - $1,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Andrea Pelayo – $1,000 Richard Nixon Scholarship

 

2015

The 2015 Hall of Fame honorees will be:

  • Frank Poucher – Class of 1943 & Faculty 1952 – 1985
  • John Leffler – Class of 1949
  • Stan Cole – Class of 1963
  • Patty Caretto Brown - Class of 1969
  • Yosh Nakamura – Faculty 1952 - 1963
  • 1948 CIF Championship Basketball Team
 

WHS’s 12 Alumni Scholarship Winners for 2015 are:

  • Natasha Nerenberg – $1,000 Richard Nixon Scholarship
  • Adriana Bustamante – $1,000 Patricia Nixon Scholarship
  • Kashika Singh – $1,000 Don Kelly Scholarship
  • Victoria Casas – $1,000 Maxine Milner Rich Scholarship
  • Avery Martinez – $1,000 Cardinal Spirit / Donna Rich Ferguson Scholarship
  • Alberto Estrada –$1,000 Vic Lopez Scholarship
  • Brian Ochoa – $1,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Eduardo Bernal – $1,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Vivianne Gerges- $1,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Ileana Martinez – $1,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Griselle De La Vega – $1,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Michael Ontiveros - $2,000 Alumni Scholarship

 

2014 

The 2014 Hall of Fame honorees were: 

  • Glenn Allison - class of 1948
  • Clark Brundin - class of 1948
  • Lori Peel Eshilian - class of 1972
  • Alfred Gobar - class of 1949 
  • Carol Bennett - class of 1972
  • William House* - class of 1941, (Posthumously)
  • Carol Tenopir - class of 1970 

 

$1,000 Scholarships were given to students of the Class of 2014:  

  • Ruben Rodriguez-$2,000 Alumni Scholarship
  • Adrian Delgado-Vic Lopez Scholarship
  • Lydia Gil-Patricia Nixon Scholarship
  • Carlos Flores-Richard Nixon Scholarship
  • Katherine Winans-Maxine Milner Rich Cardinal Spirit Award
  • Matthew Oliver-Henry Kiliniski Scholarship
  • Aaron Peretz, Camilla Salas, Daniel Rivera, Jasmine Hernandez, Kimberly Arreola, Samantha Lopez-Alumni Scholarships.

 

2013

The 2013 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  •  OC Albertson* - 1st Principal 1908-1930
  • Mitzi Reichling Anderson - Class of 1947
  • Bob Horn - Class of 1950
  • Bob Henderson - Class of 1958
  • Joe Vinatieri - Class of 1970

 

Scholarships for graduating Seniors Class of 2013 were awarded to:

  • Ganeev Singh - Alumni $2000
  • Tannah Hess - Richard Nixon $1000
  • Isabel Gil - Patricia Nixon $1000
  • Brenda Salazar - Henry J Kilinski $1000
  • Philip Yun - Maxine Milner Rich $1000
  • Ivan Salazar - Vic Lopez $1000
  • Jeremiah Gotts - Gus Velasco Memorial $1000
  • Sean Lee - Mitzi Reichling Anderson $1000
  • Mayra Luna - Alumni $1000
  • Isabel Serrano - Alumni $1000
  • Alyssa Ruiz - Alumni $1000
  • Joseph Rosales - Alumni $1000

 

2012

The 2012 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Dr. Breene Murphy - Class of 1942
  • Patricia Hofstetter - Class of 1944
  • Marilyn Hofstetter - Class of 1945
  • Dr. Rick Herold - Class of 1951
  • Gus Velasco - Class of 1958
  • Dr. Steve Gothold - Class of 1959 - Founder of Chorale Bel Canto
  • David Owens - Class of 1973

Scholarships for graduating Seniors Class of 2012 were awarded to Sergio Perez, Andres Garcia, Christianne Pantoja, Marcos Gonzalez Jr., Isabel Macias,Wendy Carrillo, David Acevedo, Yazmin Acosta, Andrew Armendaris, Alejandra Gonzalez, Monica Negrete, & Giuliana Regina.

 

2011

The 2011 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Clifford Jordan* - Class of 1935 - Started Mentor Teacher Program for California
  • Don Kracke - Class of 1949
  • Carlos Rodriguez - Class of 1955 - retired Judge and consultant, has introduced past inductee
  • James Milliken - Class of 1961 - retired Judge, founded San Pasqual Academy in San Diego, advocate for Foster Care reform
  • Danny Romero - Class of 1972 - Weathercaster ABC 7, cancer survivor, advocate for Youth and Children programs
  • Marian Wilson Hodge* - staff - First Woman Superintendent in CA (1941- WUHSD), founder of Hodge Foundation that supports Whittier Public Library book purchases.

Click HERE to read the March 26, 2011 Whittier Daily News article about these outstanding honorees. 

 

Scholarships for graduating Seniors Class of 2011 were awarded to the Nixon Scholars (Julian Herrera, Andrea Barrera, Veronica Heap), Alumni Association Scholarship (Courtney Mears, Gregory Lum, Anna Arzuyan, Bobbi Marie Mendoza, Jessica Llerenas, and Cindy Ontiveros), The Vic Lopez Scholarship (George Hernandez), the Maxine Milner Rich Cardinal Spirit Award (Lauren Garcia), the Henry J. Kilinski Memorial "Believe It & Achieve It" Scholarship (Belin Hernandez), Special Drafting Scholarship (Taylor Froehlich), & Teachers of the Year (Stephanie Hoffman, Alexa Nisbet & Vanessa Stewart).

2010

The 2010 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Roderick M. Hills - Class of 1948
  • Louise McMillan Kempf - Class of 1954
  • George Mattias - Class of 1948
  • Richard "Dick" Owens - Class of 1949
  • Louise Johnson Pascale - Class of 1960

Scholarships for graduating Seniors Class of 2010 were awarded to Nixon Scholars Meghan Jimenez & Teresa Jimenez; Alumni Association Scholarship to Keola Lorenzo; The Vic Lopez Scholarship to Jessica Martin; the Maxine Milner Rich Cardinal Spirit award to Samantha Rodriguez; & the Henry J. Kilinski Memorial "Believe It & Achieve It" Scholarship to Seth Gruber.  Teacher of the Year - the WHS Performing Arts Department:  Ms. Catherine Brunel-Drama, Mr. Jesse Meza-Band, Mr.Aaron Morgan-Auditorium Technical Director, were also honored.

 

2009

The 2009 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Tom August - Class of 1945
  • Cathie Moon Brown - Class of 1949
  • William C. Gordon - Class of 1955
  • Richard Pickup - Class of 1951
  • Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson - Class of 1973

Scholarships for graduating Seniors Class of 2009 were awarded to Nixon Scholars Christina Campodonico & Vanessa Samaniego; Alumni Association Scholarship to Laura Medina; The Vic Lopez Scholarship to Eduardo Anaya; the Maxine Milner Rich Cardinal Spirit award to Michael Lotspeich; & the Henry Kilinski Memorial "Believe It & Achieve It" Scholarship to Isela Luna.  Teacher of the Year - the WHS Counselors:  Mrs. Reina Shebesta, Mrs. Lou Munioz, Mrs. Roxanna Kharaud, Mrs. Nancy Velasco, Mrs. Brooke Bixler & Mr. Matthew Tremper were also honored.

2008

The 2008 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • David O. Butler - Class of 1962
  • Stuart Gothold - Class of 1952
  • Tom Phelan* - Class of 1924 (Posthumously)
  • Robert Ponce* - Class of 1946
  • Morris & Lorraine* McPherson Sawyer - Class of 1958

Scholarships for graduating Seniors Class of 2008 were awarded to Nixon Scholars Stephanie Cuevas & Monette Meier; Alumni Association Scholarship to Sarah Henderson; The Vic Lopez Scholarship to Elizabeth Becerra; the Maxine Milner Rich Cardinal Spirit award to Melissa Romo; & the Henry Kilinski Memorial "Believe It & Achieve It" Scholarship to Jon Shubin.  Teacher of the Year Mrs. Maxine Sweeney was also honored.

 

2007

The 2007 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Robin Dore - Class of 1967
  • Ed Hookstratten - Class of 1948
  • Robert Tranquada - Class of 1947
  • Donald E. "Bill" Wood - Class of 1941

Scholarships for graduating seniors Class of 2007 were awarded to Nixon Scholars Charles Bennett & Jehan Laner; Alumni Association Scholarship to Edgar Martinez; The Vic Lopez Scholarship to Carlos Quintero; the Maxine Milner Rich Cardinal Spirit award to Joe Maldonado; & the Henry Kilinski Memorial "Believe It & Achieve It" Scholarship to Michael Hudak.  Teacher of the Year Mr. Christopher Palas was also honored.

 

2006

The 2006 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Don Jenkins - Class of 1949
  • Marilyn Magness Carroll - Class of 1971
  • Christian Markey - Class of 1947
  • Richard Newton* - Class of 1944 (posthumously)

Scholarships for graduating seniors Class of 2006 were awarded to Nixon Scholars Kelleigh Martin & Chrystal Solis; Alumni Association Scholarship to Ching-Ching Wong; The Vic Lopez Scholarship to Fabiola Altamirano; the Maxine Milner Rich Cardinal Spirit award to Rory Todd; & the Henry Kilinski Memorial "Believe It & Achieve It" Scholarship to Victor Facio.  The Teacher of the Year Mrs. Cynthia Lara was also honored.

 

 

2005

The 2005 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Richard Deihl - class of 1945
  • Brad Hoover  - class of 1959
  • Jean Godwin Good Lietzau - class of 1946
  • Howard* & Gloria Wallace Seelye - class of 1939 & 1944

Scholarships for graduating seniors Class of 2005 were awarded to Nixon Scholars Philip Coleman & Jessica Gonzalez; Alumni Association Scholarship to Carlos Amelco; The Vic Lopez Scholarship to Alyssa Marie Ramos-Chavez; the Maxine Milner Rich Cardinal Spirit award to Kimberly Pellissier; & the Henry Kilinski Memorial "Believe It & Achieve It" Scholarship to Elio Garcia.  The Teacher of the Year Mrs. Martha Arrona was also honored.

 

2004

The 2004 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Joan Meister, Class of 1960
  • Homer Rosenberger* - class of 1950
  • Don Kelly*  - coach, faculty
  • Jack Mele*, Principal 
  • Seabron Nolin*, Principal 
  • 1964 CIF Championship Football Team

The Teacher of the Year Mr. David Rice was also honored.

 

2003

The 2003 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Dolores Lautrup Ball* - class of 1929
  • Brian Beck - class of 1961
  • Glen Kelly* - class of 1938, faculty
  • Joan McNeilly Nay - class of 1947

The Teacher of the Year Mrs. Nancy Slayton was also honored.

 

2002

The 2002 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • John Arrambide* - class of 1931
  • Bob Chandler* - class of 1967
  • Myron Claxton* - class of 1936
  • Patricia Reilly Hitt* - class of 1935
  • Hubert Perry* - class of 1931

The Teacher of the Year Mrs. Judy Turner was also honored.

 

2001

The 2001 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Vic* class of 1946 & Jan Slater Lopez - class of 1947
  • Maxine Milner Rich* - class of 1927

The Teachers of the Year Mr. Marc Bermudez and Mrs. Lorraine McPherson Sawyer* - '58 were also honored.

 

2000

The 2000 Hall of Fame honorees were:

  • Richard* - Class of 1930 & Patricia Nixon* - faculty

*deceased