1997 Summer

NEWS from WHS:

Miss Jean Pogue was honored by the Santa Cruz County Women's Commission for

breaking gender stereotypes and helping women into the fields of math, science and

engineering. Through her career the 78 year old Miss Pogue surmounted a number of

hurdles and broke some significant barriers. She graduated from San Jose State

College with a degree in mathematics and received her teaching credentials at

Stanford University. After teaching in Modoc County, she came to Watsonville High

School in 1941. She loved the multicultural population in Watsonville. Not everything

was wonderful, however, at the school. For one, women teachers, "especially if you

taught math or science," had to sign a contract that if they married, they would quit

teaching. The board thought if you married you were taking a job away from a man.

Their thinking was that your husband would support you. Miss Pogue never married

but teachers had no set pay scale. They negotiated their own salaries and men were

the highest paid. Miss Pogue always encouraged her students to go on to careers in

math, medicine and sciences. Further proving that women can achieve the heights that

men have accomplished and providing a model for others to follow, Miss Pogue

earned her pilot's license in 1948. Having learned to ski, Miss Pogue also boosted

women's sports at WHS, starting the Snow Catz club in 1959. Miss Pogue is pleased

that she has had some influence in positive ways on many women's lives.

Conred Maddox, class of '57 graduate died March 24. A native of Ashland, Oklahoma.

Conred was a deputy sheriff in Monterey County. He came to Watsonville as a child

attending Watsonville schools and graduating from Monterey Peninsula College.

Conred served in the U.S. Air Force as an air policeman. In 1983, he was named

Deputy of the Year for the Monterey County Sheriff's Dept. He leaves his wife, Esther

and three sons, Conred, Jr., Robert, & Paul; a stepson, Michael; two stepdaughter,

Catherine & Dyan; mother, Hazel Maddox; a sister Colleen; five grandchildren.

Clarice Giberson's mother, Mary Lou Giberson died March 24. Mrs. Giberson taught

third grade in Pajaro for 18 years. She was very active in the Watsonville Womens

Club, First Presbyterian Church and A.A.U.W. serving as past president. Pastor Alan

Searles conducted the Memorial Service. Clarice's husband Richard Wiggins also

participated. Mrs. Giberson leaves 2 daughters, Clarice and Carol and several grand

children.

Mike Keeley's mother, Estella Keeley, 85, a native of Oakley, Idaho died March 25.

She leaves two daughters, Barbara & Sharon; two sons, Gary & Mike; eight

grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Pat Starbird's son Kevin Atkins died April 5 in a canoeing accident. He was a graduate

of Watsonville High in 1976 and joined the US. Air Force, serving 20 years as a

computer network engineer. He made his home in Little Rock. He leaves his fiancee,

Michelle Moore; a son, Jared; a daughter, Laura; parents, Loren & Pat Atkins; a sister

and brother; grandparents, Frank & Leona Starbird.

Dear Friends,

August 23rd is just two months away. Our final plans are being set for our BIG 40!!!!

Hiway 152 is finally opened after months of repair due to the January storm. So, it is

almost time to celebrate 1957. Our last meeting will be August 20th at Pat Hewett's

home at 7:00 pm.

We are planning to have a raffle at our reunion. Please bring lots of money as we

will be giving away 1950's memorabilia. Grand prize will be a Diner Juke Box.

There are only 36 tickets left for the reunion. Please get your reservation in as soon

as possible. We want to thank those once again for sending seed money for the

reunion. If, you sent in seed money but have not sent in your reservation please do so

immediately or we will consider the money a donation towards the reunion. We need

to hear from you by July 15th. Thanks.

Sally England is working on our memorybook wh]cJiwill be given to you the night

of the reunion. If you haven't sent in your1nfo and pictures please, do so immediately.

We want everyone to participate if at all possible. Make sure that your name is on the

back of all pictures. They will be given back to you the night of the reunion. If, you

cannot come to the reunion but would like to have a memory book please send your

info and pictures to Sally plus $5.00 and we will send you a book. Send all info and

pictures to:

Sally England

13202 Glen Brae Drive

Saratoga, CA. 95070

OR: BS Neu @ aol.com

Questions, call: 408-867-5809

Your Reunion Committee,

Betty Sue Henry Bjur

Adrienne Marmo Fagalde

Virginia Powers' father, William Powers died in Santa Cruz April 14. He served in the

U.S. Army during WWII and retired after a 36 year career with PG&E. He leaves his

wife, Ivah; daughter Virginia; three sons, Dennis, David and Danny; nine

grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Nancy Wynne's father, Raymond Johnson died April 17. Mr. Johnson owned the

Rasco Store from 1954 to 1966. He leaves his wife, Sue; daughter Nancy; a

granddaughter and grandson; four great-grandchildren.

Verna Vanderpool, first grade teacher at Mintie White School to many of us, died May

28 at the age of 89. Mrs. Vanderpool also taught for many years at MacQuiddy School.

Jim Ludden's mother, Dr. Ruth Frary died June 7th. Dr. Frary studied medicine in

Boston and San Francisco before moving to Watsonville in 1939.In spite of the fact that

she probably delivered half the town of Watsonville, she was a very devoted mother

and never failed to give them the time and love that was needed. Dr. Frary leaves her

husband, Dr. Jerome Ludden, Jr., two children, Jim and Bette Ludden.

Ron McCleister was married Nov. 30 to Lorraine Maison in Aptos. Ron's son, Michael

served as best man. His daughter Christine was an attendant. Ron is a graduate of

San Jose State University and is a retired captain with the Santa Clara County

Sheriff's Dept. The couple honeymooned in Tahiti and Bora-Bora. They live in Aptos.

We received a great letter from Frances Tanimura. Frances teaches school in Japan.

She started her teaching career in 1970 in Bitburg, Germany, teaching for the Dept. of

Defense Schools and has been overseas since then. She met and married her

husband, Gary in Germany, and they have a son who is in his last year of Japanese

High School. She enjoys needle crafts, reading, watching tennis and Sumo

tournaments. She still misses California, family, friends, outlets and the milder climate

of the Central Coast. Some fun memories from Frances:

'One morning as I waited for the Hartnell bus on Porter Drive....a little yellow "hot rod"

came around the corner and suddenly screeched to a stop, and the not too little driver

indicated I should get in. I tried to make a bit of conversation with the driver but the car

was too noisy and I was too timid to "speak up". The driver was Russ Bonnema and I

have never seen or spoken to him since...

'At a pep rally, Carole Hiatt walked up to get an athletic award to the sound of many

whistles...how many hearts did she break when she ran off and married a "nonclassmate??????

'My father worked for Bud Vakasovich's ranches in Salinas. He never failed to

comment...that even many years later..."what gentlemen and what class", to go out of

the way to always stop and shake hands and address him as Mr. Tanimura the

DOBLERS

'Over ten years ago in the Ace Hardware I heard a voice I hadn't heard in decades

Roy Large.

'Our classmates thought Grant Wrathall was "sooooooo cute", especially in his 50Ps.

*Mr. Haney, after the First Aid portion of Biology...."If any of you ever happen to come

upon me on the side of the road. like a traffic accident...DO NOT TOUCH ME NO

MATTER WHAT CONDITION I AM IN..GET other help!!!

Chances Are...Capezio shoes...Lanz dresses, the decades have come and gone. I

wonder what other "I remember" will be found in our 40 years old-ER memories in the coming years...

E.A. Hall School gym was set on fire the evening of June 8. By the time the Fire Dept

arrived the gym was fully involved with flames shooting out of the windows .

Firefighters worked well into the early morning battling the blaze. Arson investigators

are combing through the debris for any clues. The loss is estimated at $750,000.

My son Greg Bjur is the head of the' PE Dept.at E.A .Hall. The loss of the gym is a real

disappointment to him and our community

Kraig Kliewer, son of Sharon Trafton is a member of our Watsonville Police Force He

can be seen on his downtown beat.

Sally England and her husband are enjoying full retirement together Thev are

traveling the month of June visiting their children.

Bud and Kathy Mann sent several weeks in England recently. They had a great time

sight-seeing and being with their son Jacob who lives in London.

It was great hearing from Ken Blanton, Tom Molina, Gene Lacy, Bll Perez, Carol Hyatt

Dennis Blum, Mike O'connell, Mike Larkin, Gerry Baker, Ted Standen, Warren Lopez,

Art Mino, Bob Dieterich, Ray Hermosillo, Bob Rackley. Janet Tindall, Don & Barbara

Stacener, David Willey, Carol Tarkington, Norma Williamson, Janice Baird & Bill

Daniel. We look forward to seeing you at the reunion.

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