Smoke Signals Vol. XXXV, No. 1
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Sequoia High School Alumni Association including the alumni of San Carlos High School
Join us 14th An for the nual P on Aug icnic . 21! See pa
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Summer 2021
Sequoia Administration Protects Front Hall Mural with Banner
he missionary-themed mural in the front hall at the main entrance of Sequoia High School is currently covered with an equally sized vinyl banner welcoming those entering the school. The banner includes an image of the school seal with the motto, UNALIYI, a Cherokee word meaning PLACE OF FRIENDS. Principal Sean Priest contacted Alumni Association president, Ken Rolandelli, in July of last year, not long after George Floyd was killed during an encounter with Minneapolis police. Sean advised of his intention to cover the mural in order to “get ahead” of any potential vandalism being experienced at the time in other parts of country with similar symbolism considered disturbing by segments of the population. The mural was covered around the time school opened last fall. Sean further advised at the February, 2021, Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting that he took the action to protect the mural, not as an act of protest, and that future discussions will be held about the mural which will include the Alumni Association. The mural was painted to celebrate the meeting of two Spanish parties in the vicinity of Redwood City. Mrs. Marshall White supervised the advanced free-hand students as they painted the mural located in the front hall in May 1927. The mural represents the meeting of two expeditions, one led by Father Junipero Serra, weary and footsore after a long journey from Santa Barbara Mission, and the other led by Father Crespi, happy and expectant, just starting out from Mission Dolores in San Francisco. The meeting took place in the general vicinity of Redwood City on the trail that now has become El Camino Real – the King’s Highway. Originally the library doors were in the center of the mural and when the doors were closed, the complete scene could be viewed.
Make your reservations for the picnic! See p. 9
Elect the Board
July 22. See p. 17 & 18 for details
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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Reflections and Projections
s I am writing in the first week of May, I’m thinking back to March, 2020, when in these parts, at least, life as we once knew it was relatively normal during the first half of the month and then unrecognizable beginning in the second half when the reality of the coronavirus hit with full-force. Our major fundraising mechanism, what was to have been our 14th annual Alumni Association picnic, had to be canceled. So now I am looking forward to what would have been our 15th annual picnic on August 21 (fingers crossed), and instead it’s the 14th again. I actually asked a person on our picnic planning committee whether or not we could call this year’s event our 15th annual picnic, being that it’s been 15 years since the first one. The person chuckled a bit and condescendingly advised that we could not do that since we hadn’t had the 14th yet. Then I really started over thinking it to the point of wondering whether or not we could still call
it an annual picnic being that we missed a year. The last time the Alumni Association board of directors had an in-person meeting was in February, 2020. I’m thinking back now how normal and routine it was then and how much it has been missed over the last several months not to be able to interact with our wonderful team in person. We of course have been able to operate and run the business of the organization with virtual meetings but as far as I am concerned, there is no substitute for physically being together. Looking forward, it is my expectation that we will be meeting in person within a month or so and certainly by the July meeting (fingers crossed). In the Spirit of Sequoia, Ken Rolandelli, President Sequoia High School Alumni Association
Native American Book Project to Begin Anew Many of you will remember the SHSAA program to enhance the collection of resource material available to students wanting to know more about Native American history, culture, arts and traditions. The project was very successful because of alumni support and recently the SHSAA Board has voted to reinstate the project. The school library has been renovated and has resulted in more space to expand the Native American section. It is now located close to chairs and tables in the fireplace room and can be easily accessed by students as they read and study. It is a good time to evaluate what we have on shelf, their condition and how we can curate additional purchases. It has been a number of years since the SHSAA has done so. We are grateful to Betsy Snow, Sequoia’s Media Specialist, for her knowledge and enthusiasm in forming a collaboration with the SHSAA. We are currently compiling a list of wants and needs. Anyone interested in buying a book from the list will have a book plate placed on the flyleaf page bearing their name. The book plate will feature a depiction of the SHSAA Sequoyah statue as it stands in the front hall entrance of the school. As we progress, books will be made available online also. The SHSAA supports many grant requests from the school and we feel proud to be able to do so. Contributing to the library project will be a way of reaching every student that has an interest in Native American studies and Sequoyah the man and educator. If you would like more information, please contact
board member, Ro Filippi Fischer, at rolovesart1@yahoo. com. Donations are being accepted and can be sent to the SHSAA P.O. Box. Please notate on your check that your donation is for the library project. If you’re going to the picnic (reservations required), join us for a tour of the Media Center featuring highlights and functions of the remodel. Betsy will give us a glimpse of how she uses the Sequoia archives and special collections, such as the Native American selection, to bring Sequoia history to life for students.
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New Members (October 1, 2020 - June 4, 2021)
Marilyn Williams Anderson.. 1952 Judy Kirk kropp................. 1958 Travis Reeves.................... 2020 Isabella Gershtein.............. 2021 Sadie Ha........................... 2021 Benjamin Hamilton............. 2021 Ashley Lucien.................... 2021
Cassandra Miller............... 2021 Jonathan Kwok.................. 2021 Nick Moriarty.................... 2021 Javier Nino-Sears.............. 2021 Alyssa Silverthorne............ 2021 Elias Smith....................... 2021
SPECIAL 2021 GRAD MEMBERSHIP
For several years, we have offered special memberships for the current graduating seniors to join at the price of their grad year (i.e. class of 2015 for $20.15). For the second year in a row because of the pandemic, the SHSAA board decided to make it FREE for 2021 graduates. If you know a graduating senior or their families, please let them know of this great gift opportunity. Deadline for the special is Aug. 15, 2021.
ATTENTION REUNION COMMITTEES & ALUMNI AT LARGE! Do you have your tickets for the 14th Annual Alumni Association Picnic? (August 21, 2021)
Smoke Signals P.O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064 Alumni Board of Directors: Ken Rolandelli (‘63) - President Leah Schmuck (‘54) - Vice President Nancy Lebkicher Oliver (‘57) - Recording Secretary Beverly Schutz Morgan (‘67) - Treasurer Sally Coelho Newman (‘56), Marian Aragon Wydo (‘64), Rosemary Filippi Fischer (‘67), Janice Jennings Abidi (‘70), Cindy Johnson (‘70), Melissa Quinn Utecht (‘74), Lynn Volz Utecht (‘87) Smoke Signals, the publication for alumni of Sequoia and San Carlos high schools, is published by the Sequoia High School Alumni Association. It is mailed to every member of the Alumni Association and distributed to reunions and friends of Sequoia High School, Redwood City. Reach us by US Mail, by phone at 650/592-5822, by e-mail at shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org or online at www.SequoiaAlumni.org POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Smoke Signals, P.O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064 © 2021 Sequoia High School Alumni Association, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
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Have you considered a donation to the Sequoia Alumni Association?
Please show your support for our programs and projects: • Our newsletter, Smoke Signals, with alumni news, reunions, school events, etc. • Other mailing, communications, Web site, and Facebook. • Scholarships. • Cherokee Grants to Sequoia programs, & other awards. • Honoring notable Sequoians and community members. • Storage locker to house merchandise, records, and artifacts. Make your tax-deductible donation (Tax ID #942967009) for the General Fund to support these activities. Contributions of any amount are most appreciated. See Returnable Page inside this issue, or go to the website (SequoiaAlumni.org) to send your donation.
Inside this issue Alumni in the News ....................................................... 6 Calendar .......................................................................... 7 Cherokee Grants............................................................ 11 Century Club ................................................................. 12 Cherokee Chatter - Raven Rapping ............................... 17 Donations ....................................................................... 5 Dons’ Doings ................................................................... 7 In Memoriam ............................................................ 14-16 Membership Application ............................................. 19 Merchandise ................................................................. 19 President’s Message ...................................................... 2 Reunions ........................................................................ 4 Spotlight on Sequoia ................................................... 17 ‘The Returnable Page’ .................................................. 18
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Reunions
NOTE: In light of the coronavirus pandemic, please confirm all dates and times with the reunion contacts. What is below is what we know is currently planned.
All Reunion Chairmen: Please contact our Reunion Liaison, Elena Rossi Reynick: Phone 650-714-1748; e-mail reunions@sequoiaalumni.org, or mail to: Sequoia Reunions, P.O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064-2534. If you are planning your reunion, contact us immediately with the information below!
CLASS
DATE/TIME
PLACE
CONTACT
SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL 1961 Fri., Aug. 20 60th Sat. Aug. 21
Harry’s Hofbrau, Redwood City Dee Eva, dee@deeeva.com, 650-368-4800 Sequoia Alumni Picnic, Sequoia61.com Sequoia Campus Redwood City
1967 Fri., Aug. 20
Izzy’s, 525 Skyway Rd. San Carlos
sequoia67.com for more information
1971 Sat., Oct. 2 Huddart Park 50th
Ann Gaddy (916) 261-7189 or Patty Hartnett Stocum, pastocum@gmail.com
SC-1971 Sat., Sept. 18 50th Sun., Sept 19
Denise Rongey Monroe, munrow402@yahoo.com
Devil’s Canyon Brewery, San Carlos Burton Park, San Calros
To meet the Smoke Signals deadlines, get your information in by the end of April or September. We need your class year, date(s) of reunion, time & place, and who to contact, with email and phone. MINI REUNIONS Class of 1954: No Host lunch at 1 p.m. at Harry’s Hofbrau, Redwood City, in the private dining room. Dates: 4th Mondays -- January, April, July and October Contact: Barbara Decia Britschgi at BrentonBritschgi@att.net or (650) 369-5382 ••• Class of 1957: No-Host lunch at 11 a.m. at Harry’s Hofbrau, Redwood City, in the private dining room. Dates: 4th Wednesdays -- January, April, July and October Contact: Barbara Benetti Radmacher at BRadmacher@aol.com or 650) 291-2967 (text or call) •••
Attention all “Golden Grad” (50 years plus) reunion chairs: Could you arrange to have the 50-year pins and disks at your next reunion? Just contact SHSAA to make arrangements!
Sequoia Legacy Society – Estate Planning – How Planned Giving Benefits You
The Sequoia High School Alumni Association is committed to preserving the rich heritage and academic excellence at Sequoia High School that has become its hallmark since 1895. To accomplish these goals requires considerable volunteer support and ongoing funding. To illustrate ways you can participate in maintaining this legacy, we have listed the following estate planning opportunities: • • • • • •
Gifts of Cash/Stocks/Bonds - Securities owned more than one year that have appreciated in value avoid capital gains tax on those assets when gifted to SHSAA. Wills and Bequests - Gifts given through your will or revocable living trust can be given to the SHSAA as a percentage, specific amount or residual of your estate. Retirement Plan Assets - SHSAA can be the beneficiary for all or a percentage of the assets. Charitable Gift Annuity - When an annuity is established with a gift of cash or property, you receive a tax deduction the first year and a portion tax-free of each annuity payment. Real Estate Gift - Real estate that has appreciated in value and is subject to capital gains taxes is an excellent asset to use as a charitable donation and can be designated as an outright gift. Life Insurance Gifts - Designating SHSAA as the owner and beneficiary to a new or existing life insurance policy with the premiums paid by the donor are tax deductible.
We suggest you consult your CPA, attorney or financial planner when considering estate planning. SHSAA is not staffed to provide legal or tax advice. Planned gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
The Sequoia High School Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Taxpayer ID # 94-2967009). The SHSAA Board of Directors appreciates your consideration and thoughtfulness in this matter. You may reach us by phone at (650) 592-5822, by email at shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org or by mail to SHSAA at P. O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064-2534.
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Donations October 2020 - May 2021
SHSAA thanks all the donors who have helped make our programs possible!
ANNUAL FUND
Mary Birmele Landis............................ 1947 Paul Barstow....................................... 1948 Richard Farrar..................................... 1949 Francine Arrigoni Nelson...................... 1949 Peter Hodgson.................................... 1950 Bill Phelon........................................... 1950 David Bundsen.................................... 1951 Theodore Schenk................................ 1951 Robert LaBerge................................... 1953 Kay Wandmaker Murphey..................... 1954 Eugene Rice....................................... 1954 Donald Dyche..................................... 1954 Harry DeForest................................... 1954 Jacqueline Silver Krejchi....................... 1955 Violet Kent Drake................................ 1956 Nina L. Bayer...................................... 1956 Selma Ochoa Garcia............................ 1957 Patricia Kneip Riley.............................. 1957 Lynette Cato Vasquez.......................... 1957
Keith Bautista...................................... 1958 Gail Herbach Schreiber........................ 1958 Robert Sloss Jr................................... 1961 Robert Svihus..................................... 1961 James Meskimen................................. 1962 John Gwinner...................................... 1962 David Barlow....................................... 1963 Maria DiGrande Taylor.......................... 1964 Margaret Harangozo Williams............... 1964 Jim Samuelson.................................... 1966 In memory of Cyndie McMahon......... 1966 Judi Roman Miller................................ 1967 Elizabeth Truesdell Dusenberry............. 1968 Robert Bernard................................... 1972
CENTURY CLUB
Howard Macway.................................. 1947 Donna Plumley Cesarin........................ 1948 Sue Chapman Campbell....................... 1950 Yvonne Loustau Mootz......................... 1950 Malcolm Buchanan.............................. 1952 Dino Ruffoni........................................ 1952 Donald Dyche..................................... 1954 Chrystel Kersten Goss......................... 1956 Ray Haythornewhite............................. 1956 Curtis Talbott...................................... 1959
Page 5 Philip Weeks....................................... 1962 Ellen Stok........................................... 1976 Millie Cole.......................................... Friend
CHEROKEE GRANTS Richard & Dee Rowen Eva.................... 1961 Cherril Bernard Landwehr..................... 1969 in memory of Pat Bernard................ 1944)
FRED MITCHELL BASKETBALL SCHOLARSHIP Susan Fincher Mitchell......................... 1956
GENERAL FUND Sandra Luchsinger Ratkovich............... 1956 Sally Coelho Newman.......................... 1956 In memory of Rich Donner................ 1954 Roger Masini....................................... 1962 Frank DeLucca.................................... 1963 Robert Kirchgatter............................. Faculty
SMOKE SIGNALS PUBLICATION FUND Lillian Bradshaw Rhinehart.................... 1945 James Hammond................................ 1947 Robert Gaughran................................. 1953 Sharon Ferguson................................. 1955 Rhonda Anderson Wittwer.................... 1980
JAPANESE TEA GARDEN MAINTENANCE Kathleen Bill........................................ 1957
From the Sequoia Times via the Redwood City Library Local History Room and the Sequoia Cherokee Pride Facebook Group
Busily reconstructing Sequoia’s swimming pool, workmen dug ditches, pounded hammers, and moved dirt much of the summer. When finished in mid-October (1961), the work will include new bleachers, a deeper diving area and six underwater lights. Also, the high diving board will be moved from the west to the south side of the pool.
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Alumni in the News
Kenny Ortega (1968) choreographed the sequence , “Dance Across America” of people performing all over the nation that was a feature of Celebration America for President Biden’s inauguration. Ortega received over 2,000 videos in a 10-day period for the split-screen production. Kenny has also been keeping busy producing a new Netflix series “Julie and the Phantoms”, a reboot of a Brazilian series, now airing. The story follows Julie, a high school student struggling to make music after the death of her mother. She accidentally summons the spirits of a deceased band from the year 1995. The show stars newcomer Madison Reyes. In 2019, Kenny received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and signed an overall deal with Netflix. Here’s the link to a New York Times story about the project talks about Kenny’s success with “High School Musical”: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/09/arts/ television/julie-phantoms-kenny-ortega-netflix.html It can be seen on Netflix here: https://www.netflix. com/title/80230534 ••• Steven Krantz (1967), is an American scholar and mathematician. He was an undergraduate at the University of California, Santa Cruz, graduating with summa cum laude in 1971. Among Krantz’s research interests include: several complex variables, harmonic analysis, partial differential equations, differential geometry, interpolation of operators, Lie theory, smoothness of functions, convexity theory, the corona problem, the inner functions problem, Fourier analysis, singular integrals, Lusin area integrals, Lipschitz spaces, finite difference operators, Hardy spaces, functions of bounded mean oscillation, geometric measure theory, sets of positive reach, the implicit function theorem, approximation theory, real analytic functions, analysis on the Heisenberg group, complex function theory, and real analysis. Krantz was editor-in-chief of the Notices of the American Mathematical Society for 2010 through 2015.
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fabravo @BravoITC.com
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Sequoia Class of 1990
Krantz is also editor-in-chief of the Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications and managing editor and founder of the Journal of Geometric Analysis. He also edits for The American Mathematical Monthly, Complex Variables and Elliptic Equations, and The Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society. Krantz is editor-in-chief of the new Springer journal titled Complex Analysis and its Synergies. ••• Tom Goethe (1961) sent this message and link from the San Mateo Daily Journal about Sam Fraley (2017). Sam had Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The story is about his health challenges and how he recovered. Sam now is a long snapper for the Temple University. Here’s the link: https://www.smdailyjournal.com/ sports/local/sequoia-high-school-graduate-sam-fraleygoes-from-hospital-bed-to-di-football-player-at/article_ f0accc40-1d7d-11eb-ad7d-0b2ed4dc2a91.html ••• Will Hobbs (2008?) is a pro wrestler who has made the “big time.” Hobbs was a three-sport star at Sequoia, signing up for football, mostly because he didn’t want to get in to trouble when he hit someone! After graduating from Sequoia, he attended Hayward’s All Pro Wrestling School then played in many minor league tournaments, aiming for the WWE. Last fall, the AEW (a rival of WWE) offered him a contract. He now appears regularly in that organization’s “Dynamite” telecasts (8 pm Wednesdays, TNT). He also participated in a 21man Battle Royale as part of a pay-for-view event in Jacksonville, Florida. —-from a story by Chuck Barney correspondent for the Mercury News (1/9/21) Here’s the link: https://www.mercurynews. com/2021/01/08/pro-wrestler-east-palo-alto-nativewill-hobbs-out-to-be-one-of-the-greats ••• Donna Marcus (1965) sent this message: “I thought you might enjoy this article on Alyn Beals and the Sequoia Hotel from Climate Magazine. (April, 2021).” The historic Sequoia Hotel in Redwood City will undergo renovations. Here’s the link: https://climaterwc.com/2021/04/08/ renovation-proposal-would-restore-historic-sequoia-hotel/
Memories
Mary Birmele Landis (1947) writes “(I remember) singing in Treble Clef and 3rd period coral under the direction of Otis M. Carrington.”
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Dons’ Doings
Current information about fellow San Carlos H. S. Alumni.
(To contribute your news to this column, please see the Returnable Page, inside back cover.)
Wikipedia
Jennifer Granholm (D) (SC-1977), former Governor of Michigan, was chosen by President Biden to be the new Secretary of Energy in his cabinet. She was confirmed Feb. 25, 2021, by a vote of 64-35. Born in Canada, her family immigrated to California when she was four-years-old, finally settling in San Carlos, where she won the Miss San Carlos beauty pageant while attending San Carlos high School. After graduation, Granholm attempted to launch a Hollywood acting career and was the first female tour guide at Marine World Africa USA, piloting boats with 25 tourists aboard. Granholm attended the University of California, Berkeley and then Harvard Law School. She clerked in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit before becoming an assistant U.S. attorney for the
Eastern District of Michigan in 1991. In 1998, Granholm ran and won the Attorney General of Michigan position, which she held until 2003, when she became Michigan’s first female governor. In 2006 she successfully defended her seat and served until 2011, when she left office due to state term limits. Granholm also served on the presidential transition team for Barack Obama before he assumed office in January 2009. After leaving office, she took a position with the University of California, Berkeley and co-authored a book with her husband Daniel Mulhern, A Governor’s Story: The Fight for Jobs and America’s Future, which was released in 2011. She has also appeared regularly on CNN as a political contributor and hosted her own show on Current TV.
San Carlos High Reunion
San Carlos High, Class of 1971 is planning their 50th Class Reunion for Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Devil’s Canyon Brewery in San Carlos. There will also be a casual get together at Burton Park on Sunday, September 19. Contact Denise Rongey Monroe, munrow402@ yahoo.com, for more information.
Calendar
June 22 - SHSAA Board Meeting *
Check with our web site for updates: www.SequoiaAlumni.org
July 27 - Annual Meeting (6 p.m.)* - SHSAA Board Meeting (7 p.m.)* August 20 - Class of 1967 reunion 20, 21 - Class of 1961 reunion 21 - 14th Annual Celebrate Sequoia Picnic 24 - SHSAA Board Meeting * September 18 - San Carlos High Class of 1971 reunion 28 - SHSAA Board Meeting *
November 23 - SHSAA Board Meeting * December No SHSAA Board meeting. January 2022 25 - SHSAA Board Meeting * February 22 - SHSAA Board Meeting * March 22 - SHSAA Board Meeting * April 26 - SHSAA Board Meeting *
October 2 - Class of 1971 May 26 - SHSAA Board Meeting * 24 - SHSAA Board Meeting * * Sequoia High School Alumni Association meetings are held on the fourth Tues. of each month (except July and December) in the Tea Garden Conference Room, 1201 Brewster Ave., Redwood City, at 5:00 P.m.. (July meeting to be held at the Birch Conference Room, 480 James Avenue, Redwood City; no meeting in December.) All SHSAA members are welcome to attend. (Always double check with SHSAA beforehand, (650) 592-5822, or e-mail: shsaa@ sequoiaalumni.org, as changes sometimes occur.) ** Please see the reunions on page 4 for contact information.
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Attention Reunion Committees & Alumni At Large! 14th Annual Alumni Association Picnic In The Works! August 21, 2021
A
fter having to cancel last year’s event due to the coronavirus, the situation is looking very encouraging and we are actively planning for this year! Please plan to come join us at the 14th Annual Alumni Association Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 at the Sequoia Campus. Reservations are required to attend the event (see flyer on the facing page). We ask that classes planning reunions and classmate gettogethers to please consider incorporating your event into this one. All the work is done for you. All you need to do is to buy tickets and attend. Equally as important is that you would be supporting the Alumni Association by contributing to this vital fundraising event so we may continue to communicate with you and continue to benefit Sequoia High School with grants, scholarships and support of various high school programs, projects and activities. This is an opportunity to reconnect with your high school. It is also a coming-together of the Sequoia community as witnessed by those participating. There are alumni, student groups, the Sequoia Boosters, the Sequoia Foundation, The PTSA (Parents, Teachers, and Students Association), Sequoia District and High School administrators and teachers on hand for this event.
Come to the picnic prepared to bid on the following Sequoia High School related auction items:
• football signed by 1964 grad and 1967 Heisman Trophy winner, Gary Beban • basketball signed by 1967 grad and member of the 1975 Golden State Warriors NBA world championship team, Charlie Johnson • watercolor painting by California artist and former 35 year Sequoia art teacher, Ralph Ledesma
The annual theme of the picnic is “Celebrate Sequoia! Remember the past, look to the future”, our intent being to honor and perpetuate Sequoia’s rich and proud heritage while at the same time supporting Sequoia today and into the future. Purchasing a ticket to the event includes: • table seating in the park-like setting on the lawn area just across the driveway from the bell tower under the shade of trees and canopies; • a delicious barbecue lunch by Bianchini’s Catering in San Carlos offering a variety of choices with tritip, smoked pork baby back ribs, grilled chicken skewers, barbecue beans, three-cheese macaroni, roasted red potatoes, marinated vegetables, garden salad, a seasonal fresh fruit display, breads, beverages and desserts; • campus tours conducted by the principal or school administrator; • performance by the Sequoia Cheer Team; • access to areas not normally available outside of school hours such as Carrington Hall; Japanese Tea Garden; renovated library; and the Sequoia Wall of Fame display in the foyer of old Large Gym. Please be advised that any health and safety protocols and conditions in place at the time will be followed (i.e. wearing masks, social distancing between unaffiliated individuals or groups, food service, etc.) and will be posted on our website in advance as soon as we are aware. In the presently unforeseen event that the picnic will have to be cancelled due to coronavirus considerations, ticket purchases will be refunded. Please look for detailed information and updates for this event on our website, www.SequoiaAlumni.org. You are of course welcome to contact us with any questions you may have at any time by emailing shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org or by calling (650) 592-5822. We hope to see you on August 21.
CAN YOU HELP?
SHSAA MEMBERS... Please give us a hand. We ask about an hour or two of your time! We can use more help in several areas. • Annual Picnic • Hall of Fame You are also welcome to join any of our committees: working on picnic planning, choosing Cherokee Grant recipients, merchandise planning and sales, Tea Garden cleanup work parties, Smoke Signals content, etc. Just let us know what you would like to do!
Contact SHSAA: 650-592-5822, or e-mail shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org, or see the Returnable Page.
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14th annual
“celebrate sequoia” Fundraiser “remember the past, look to the future”
Presented by
The Sequoia High School Alumni Association
Saturday, August 21, 2021 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. On the beautiful Sequoia Campus, corner of El Camino & Broadway Redwood City
$40.00 per person Reservations required by august 18 Paid Registration is Required to Attend the Event BBQ Lunch and Campus Tour Included No Outside Food Allowed! Lunch will be served between 12:15 and 2:00 p.m. only! Children under 12 - $25.00
A limited number of tickets available at the door at $45.00 per person Pick up tickets on day of event at the registration table
The Class of 1971 will be honored as our “Golden Grads” on their 50th anniversary
Purple Patriot Awards Alumni Merchandise
P e r f o r m a nc e b y :
Credit Card and PayPal available
The Sequoia Cheerleaders
Catering by: “Bianchini’s Catering” San Carlos Grads always welcome! For information, contact: SHSAA 650-592-5822
e-mail: shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org
on-line: www.sequoiaalumni.org
PayPal available for online registration Make checks payable to: SHSAA
Mail to: “Celebrate Sequoia” Marian Wydo
No prepaid reservations accepted after Aug. 18
833 Clinton St. Redwood City, CA 94061
Graduate’s Name______________________________________Maiden Name (if applicable)_______________________ Spouse/Guest Name_________________________________________Spouse Grad Yr (if applicable)________________ Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone_____________________________Email_____________________________________________________________ Grad Year___________if not grad, what years at Sequoia or San Carlos H.S.________________ Number of tickets__________@$
.00 ea.
Total enclosed $______________
We do not share your personal information with anyone, even other classmates, without your permission.
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The following members are lost. If the Returnable Page, p. 18.) Margaret Heiner Senn......... 1925 Janice (Paulman) LeMaitre... 1932 Frank Stowe...................... 1935 Irene (McLoughlin) Graham.. 1937 Al Storch........................... 1938 Betty Jane (Atcheson) Alderman.. ........................................ 1938 Floria (Alloro) Miller............. 1938 Bernice (Severance) Russell.1939 Robert Lamb...................... 1940 Marilyn (Kelly) Goddard....... 1941 Roberta (Hail) Beck............. 1942 Percy (Pete) Jarvis.............. 1942 Doris (Bryant) Hansen......... 1942 Irma (Leroy) Alexander........ 1942 Henry Chew...................... 1943 Martin C. Hofheinz.............. 1943 Lillie (Howard) Cleese......... 1944 John B. Firenze..............FS-1944 Ruth (Dimick) Lehmann....... 1945 Harold Goldsmith................ 1945 Shirley (Pennel) Jacobson... 1945 Johnnie (Dodson) Dickson... 1945 Ray Tenzer......................... 1945 Helen (Ridge) Ridge............ 1945 Kathryn (Clark) Vinokur........ 1946 Madeleine (Selivan) Smith.... 1946 Geraldine Peterson............. 1946 Neva (Prusch) Prusch......... 1946 Nadine (Follettie) Boldt....FS-1946 Raymond Mollenhauer......... 1947 Mary (Sears) Sears............. 1947 Donald Kafka..................... 1947 Barbara (Banks) Chaney...... 1948 Gloria (Clark) Pope............. 1948 Byron Chaney..................... 1948 Don Lewis.......................... 1948
Smoke Signals
Summer 2021
Lost Members
you know their whereabouts, please let the Alumni Association know. (See contact information on p. 2 or on Beverley (Brown) Baker....... 1948 Marlyn Johnson.................. 1948 Vickie (Chevassus) Wehr..... 1949 William Hynes..................... 1949 Robert Bowie..................... 1949 Jerol Garrison.................... 1949 Louis Prucell...................... 1949 Betty (Kafka) Robertson...... 1949 Jeanne (Luba) Knuedler....... 1949 Patricia (Green) Taylor......... 1950 Peter DuPee...................... 1951 Camille (Giannotti) Paganini. 1951 Sam Yates......................... 1951 Joan (Hudson) Trumbo........ 1951 Henry ‘Carl’ Benz................ 1951 Fred Strange...................... 1952 John Foley......................... 1953 Paul Whelan....................... 1954 Marquitta (Price) Gershenson...... ........................................ 1954 Bob Ferris......................... 1955 Carlean Radcliff.................. 1955 Susan (Bostwick) Spears..... 1956 Bud Weymouth................... 1956 Richard Kimball.................. 1956 Janice (Jordan) Tucker........ 1956 Clorinda (Stagnaro) McVinnie...... ........................................ 1956 Paul Keniston..................... 1956 Bill Oviatt........................... 1957 Gary Davis......................... 1957 Lawrence Meade................ 1957 Roberta (Colton) Ferris........ 1957 Jerry De Lany..................... 1957 Doug Smiley...................... 1957 David Foster...................... 1957 Roberta (Christesen) Skalabrin....
DO WE HAVE YOUR CURRENT E-MAIL & PHONE?
Thanks to all the members who continue to send in their current e-mail address. Some of you are reading this because you’ve requested smoke signals via e-mail, so we know we have your correct one. But for many of you, we either don’t have your current address or never had one at all. Please send us your e-mail address to shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org, or via the Returnable Page. If you send the address via e-mail, please be sure and give your full name and year you graduated so it will be easier to find in our database. The mailing label may also have your membership number on it. if it does, please include that, too. Having your updated contact information is a great help if we have to contact you, especially if you move and we have no current physical address!
........................................ 1958 Doreen (Ribeiro) Smith........ 1958 Norma Griffin..................... 1958 Venoma (Martin) Gill............ 1958 Claudette (Coats) Paige...... 1959 Judy (King) Barnes.............. 1959 Marlene (Franz) Manly......... 1959 Kathy (Hamilton) Payne....... 1960 Phyllis (Setterberg) Tobias... 1960 Michael Rolland.................. 1960 Joanne (Sawaska) Daniels... 1960 Linda (McAbee) Barrow....... 1960 Phyllis (Graziani) Coleman... 1961 Marjorie (Waldron) Daugherty...... ........................................ 1961 Frederick Bohman.............. 1961 Rolland (Ronnie) Martin, Jr... 1961 Walt Ordemann.................. 1962 Nancy (Bennett) Holder...FS-1962 Lauress Wise II................... 1963 JoAnne (Edson) Edson....... 1963 Lloyd A. Gordon, Jr............. 1963 Leigh Morrison................... 1964 Gregg Marutani.................. 1964 Dede (Kalteren) Robinson.... 1965 Jack Riewerts.................... 1966 Stephen Ivanoff.................. 1966 Tom Evans......................... 1966 Alberta (Stuart) Deshaw...... 1967 Robert Stoddard................ 1967 Marilyn (Kennedy) Levine..... 1967 Arthur Loveland.................. 1967 William Cummings......... SC-1968 Paula (Salsedo) Cullen........ 1968 Margaret (Powers) Johnson.1969 Robert Landreth................. 1969 David McKenzie.................. 1971
Lucinda (Cindy) Curry.......... 1971 Angie (Wagner) Sessions..... 1972 Nancy (Cahill) Riewerts....... 1973 Ruby (Spiller) Spiller............ 1974 Wayne Gallow..................... 1974 Kris (Allain) Nalley............... 1975 Joy (Johnson) Ryan........ SC-1976 Douglas Ryan..................... 1976 Nancy (Piombo) Piombo...... 1977 Megan (Fairclough) Torres... 1978 Lisa (Lannoy) Brewer.......... 1979 Dan McCord....................... 1981 Debbie (Frye) Koch............. 1981 David Nero........................ 1982 Joel Thompson.................. 1984 Debra (Silliman) Lena.......... 1985 Alma (Avalos) Ordaz............ 1989 Stephanie Bammann........... 1989 Jennifer (Bonino) Harris...FS-1990 Eunice Chang..................... 1992 Michelle Powell................... 1994 Anthony Ferrari.................. 1996 Cameron Farris.................. 1998 Sherry Jones..................... 1998 Jason Hess........................ 1998 Kelly Camilleri.................... 1999 John Marcroft..................... 1999 Nicole Craig....................... 1999 Tanner Wilkin...................... 1999 Nirshila Chand.................... 2001 Adam Lease....................... 2007 Rebecca Cooper................ 2009 Bryan Young...................... 2013 Barrie Coate..................... Friend Carol Hauff...................... Faculty Ken Abraham................... Faculty
RECEIVE SMOKE SIGNALS VIA E-MAIL
It’s easy... It’s fast... You get Smoke Signals before the mailed version reaches members! Getting Smoke Signals by e-mail saves the Association in printing and mailing costs! Just let us know if you would like to get the newsletter by e-mail rather than by snail mail! At least give it a try! (You can always change back to the mailed version if you wish.) Contact us at shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org to be put on the “e-mail only” list.
IF YOU MOVE...
Remember to send us your new address if you move. Otherwise, you may miss receiving your Smoke Signals! And it costs the Association extra money* when the newsletters are returned! We’d also like to have your new phone number or e-mail, as well. (*NOTE: It costs SHSAA $2.25 for each issue that is returned!)
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“Cherokee Grants” – 2020 Net Sequoia High School $2,463.39 The Sequoia High School Alumni Association has approved the donation of $2,463.39 to Sequoia High School under its annual “Cherokee Grants” program. The “Cherokee Grants” program is named in honor of Cherokee scholar and educator, Sequoyah, for which the Sequoia tree is named and is set up to fund instructional services and/or purchase of instructional equipment and materials that are not included in the current school budget. Grant applications are sent to every teacher. The “Cherokee Grants” Committee makes a recommendation to the Alumni Association Board of Directors as to how our limited monies can be best spent to benefit the most students. The application form contains questions that must be adequately addressed for the Committee to makes its determination. The 2020 Cherokee Grants were: • English 2 Intensive – Karyn Arle, $250 for independent reading books • French – Laurence Arfi-Tocatlian, $230 to purchase resources on Teacher discovery: IPA, Debate, and scavenger hunt books • Mathematics – Fidel Mora, $495.51, for iPad (10.2 inch - WiFi - 32GB), Apple Pencil (1st generation) and Apple Care • Woodshop, Industrial Arts Department – Ethan Sanford, $500 for a wood carving kit • Mathematics – Anthony Relator, $487.88 for a IPEVO VZ-R HDMI/USB Dual Mode 8MP Distance Learning Document Camera • Reading Plus for Academic Literacy – Stacey Wenzel, $500 for Reading Plus licenses The Alumni Association is especially grateful
Thank you from SHSAA!
Recently, we received a big envelope from Rhonda Anderson Wittwer (‘80) containing: • an explanatory note - she went online to seek missing folks listed in the winter Smoke Signals and had lots of luck • obits (labeled with Sequoia grad year) • updated addresses • a pack of 20 stamps “... sending some stamps to help out.” As always, thanks for supporting the Association!
for the ongoing financial support of the “Cherokee Grants” program by Rich and Dee Eva (class of 1961).
GoFundMe Site for “Cherokee Grants”
We have established an ongoing fundraising mechanism via the GoFundMe platform for the “Cherokee Grants” program in support of Sequoia High School teachers. Please see https://www. gofundme.com/f/shsaa-cherokee-grants. We hope you will strongly consider donating to this worthwhile program. Donations can also be made by writing a check payable to the Sequoia High School Alumni Association, P. O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064, stipulating that the funds are to be used for the “Cherokee Grants” program or via Pay pal on the Association’s website, www.sequoiaalumni.org.
Thank you for “Cherokee Grants”
I feel so very fortunate to work at a school that has such a strong and vibrant alumni community. The Cherokee Grant has helped the Woodshop create a woodcarving unit. Not only will the tools we purchased with the $500 grant be used in distance learning this coming semester, but my students will most certainly use them in the Woodshop of years and years to come. Lucky us! Thanks for the info about the newsletter. I hope you and your family and friends are all well and healthy. With Thanks, Ethan Sanford Woodshop, Industrial Arts Department
Memorabilia Donations
Angela Tomaka sent the Sequoia High School Alumni Association 15 issues of the Sequoia Times dated from June 1943 to April 1945. They were keepsakes of her aunt, Eleanor Tonnesen Warren, class of 1945. Eleanor passed away in May of 2019. If you have Sequoia or San Carlos High School memorabilia you would like to donate, please contact us. If we don’t have the ability to take it, we’ll help make sure it gets to the best organization to make sure it’s preserved.
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CENTURY CLUB CHARTER MEMBERS
The Sequoia High School Alumni Century Club is comprised of business, community, and alumni members who donate a minimum of $100 each year to help fund scholarships. All who joined by June 30, 2006 are Charter Members. Renewal letters have been sent.
Platinum ($10,000)
Lifetime membership Joe & Virginia Davies Biddle
Gold ($5,000)
15-year membership Ellen Stok, C
Silver ($2,500)
10-year membership Chrystal Kerstan Goss, C
Bronze ($1,000)
5-year membership Bob & Wally Arends Gordon & Betty Moore Susan Davis Akers
Elite ($500) Donald Dyche
Sustaining ($100)
Pat Bernard* Malcolm “Meb” Buchanan, C* Jack & Susanne Chapman Campbell, C* Richard and Donna Plumley Cesarin, C* Millie Price Cole Jerry Drever Richard and Dee Rowan Eva C* Jeffrey Filippi, C* Gary Franson * Jan Harris Hillegass, C* Patricia Small Horn* James & Eleanor Killen* Pat Jeffery Kesterson*
Howard and Patricia Macway, C* Steven Mandell* Marjorie Stewart Miller* Yvonne Loustau Mootz, C* Lynden & Charlotte DeBow Olsted* James Parker* Gary Reinecke, C* Ken Rolandelli, C* Glenn A. Stewart * Curt Talbott, C* Donald & Carole Tanklage Donald T. Terry, C* Bob Weeks* Richard & Carole Francis Williams, C* C = Charter Member, * 2017-2018 renewal (We apologize to any new members whose contributions reached us after publication)
Donate to Sequoia High School Alumni Century Club
[FRANK--use Century Club Logo here--maybe smaller. Also place the form near or opposite the Century Club list (see other article).]
Donate to Sequoia High School Alumni Century Club For more information, please contact Paul Sanfilipo, scholarship chairman and Century Club For more information, please contact Cindy Johnson, Scholarship and Century Club Chairman, founder, at 961 Woodside Road, Suite D, Redwood City, CA 94061-3644, or phone (650) 365P.O. Box 365-3481 2534, Redwood City,AmericanCoast@msn.com CA 94064, 2144 or (650) 366-5171. Fax: (650) e-mail: or phone (415) 637-8261, or email scholarship@sequoiaalumni.org.
Name _________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________ City _____________________________ State______ ZIP _____________________ Phone: _______________________ E-Mail: ________________________________ ( ) $100 yearly SUSTAINING Member ( ) $1,000 BRONZE 5-year Member ( ) $250 yearly PATRON Member ( ) $2,500 SILVER 10-year Member ( ) $500 yearly ELITE Member ( ) $5,000 GOLD 15-year Member ( ) $10,000 PLATINUM Lifetime Member Please make checks to: Sequoia High School Alumni CENTURY CLUB, Make payable checks payable to: Sequoia High School Alumni Century Club and mail to same: PaulAlumni Sanfilipo--Scholarship Chairman/ Club Founder The Sequoia Highc/o School Assocaition is a 100% tax deductible, Century 501(c)3 non-profit association. 961 Woodside Rd., Suite D, Redwood City, CA 94061-3644 Scholarship funds awarded through the SHSAA “Spirt of the Seal” Scholarship Program. The Sequoia High School Alumni Assn. is a 100 % tax deductible, 501(c)(3) non-profit association (Scholarship funds awarded through the S.H.S.A.A. “Spirit of the Seal” Scholarship Program.)
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ABOUT THE SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION The Sequoia High School Alumni Association meets once monthly, the 4th Tuesday of each month, with no meeting in December. We meet at Sequoia, with the Sequoia principal in attendance, providing opportunity for input at the school. There are currently 11 board members, including board president, Ken Rolandelli. Our major fund raiser is the alumni picnic occurring on the third Saturday of August. Our publication, Smoke Signals, keeps alumni informed about reunions, fellow grads, Sequoia news, events, etc.
Mission Statement
To maintain positive and productive relationships among present and former students, faculty, and staff and to promote and support Sequoia’s traditions of excellence in education and community service.
Some of the services we provide to Sequoia: • • • • •
Cherokee Grants for teacher needs for items not covered by their budget Student Scholarships for deserving students Support for Sequoia H.S. groups Library Collections (Sequoia Authors, and Native American studies) Sports Halls of Fame
Major Projects Funded by the Sequoia High School Alumni Association • • • • • • • • • •
Dedication of the Sequoia Seal, (1990) El Camino Gate Restoration (1991) Tea Garden Restoration (1991-1995) Carrington Hall Restoration (1995 - 2003) Four large display cabinets with stained glass inserts in Carrington Hall lobby Development of orientation materials for incoming students and faculty on the history of Sequoia High School Sequoia Veteran’s Memorial on Campus (2005) Inspiration Grove on Campus (2012) Installation of a bronze statue of Sequoyah, the Cherokee leader who developed a written language for his tribe (2015) Recognition of Sequoia High School’s athletic heritage (2004-2006) • A seventeen foot lighted sign at Terremere Field reading “Terremere Field-Home of the Sequoia Cherokees Teams” • A thirty-six foot linear display on the first floor, with signage “Sequoia Sports Hall of Fame” • Installation of a large Gym Foyer remodel including “Sequoia Cherokee Wall of Fame” showcasing athletes, coaches, league and section championship teams and large photographs of high profile Hall of Fame athletes
If you would like to play a part in this exciting heritage, please consider joining our board of directors! Contact SHSAA (see p. 3 or the Returnable Page of this issue).
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In Memoriam
September 2020 - May 2021
FS = former student Fr = Friend FAC = faculty
Bob Silva............................................... 1952 Clarissa Bowman Dyer............................ 1940 Gary O. Maffia........................................ 1970 Joseph Robert Ziganto............................ 1970 Jean Wilson............................................ 1952 Alice Harra Carrerow.............................. 1942 Paul Francis Adams................................ 1972 Patricia Yowell Reynolds.......................... 1953 Betty June Clark DeLucchi....................... 1942 Terence Finnegan Coyne. ....................... 1975 Leo Ansano Amadei................................ 1954 Mary Virginia Styles Spiker...................... 1942 John Gutierrez ...................................... 1975 William Arthur Davey.............................. 1954 Frederick Judd..................................... 1943-? David M. Kush........................................ 1975 Rich Donner........................................... 1954 Elsie Bosch Peck.................................... 1943 John Joseph Kelly.............................. FS-1978 John Gaffney.......................................... 1954 Lois Claire Cahill..................................... 1944 Jesse Schouboe..................................... 2006 Lee Stewart Read................................... 1954 Ida Petron Balsamo................................ 1945 Albert Hollingsworth............................... 1955 Frances Airtaudi Bianco.......................... 1945 FACULTY/STAFF Walter Arends........................................ 1956 Lillian Ruffoni DeNardo............................ 1946 Guadelupe Arcelia Cabrera Conrad................... Albert Borges......................................... 1956 Patricia Gardiner Keller........................... 1946 ...........................................Special Education James Vernon Adams............................. 1957 Richard L. Abbott.............................. FS-1948 Marie Therese Hughes..........................Biology Daphne Baine Baker............................... 1957 Nancy Wise Barnes................................. 1948 Sue Ellen Geissberger................................ESL Jerry Eppler........................................... 1957 Rose Ellis Bringhurst............................... 1948 George Kerewicz............................................ Eldon Kelley, Jr....................................... 1957 Frank (Gene) L. Capra............................. 1948 .................................. Advisor to the Key Club Jim Laing............................................... 1957 Claire Norris Roudebush.......................... 1948 Nick Perez............................................. 1958 Irving Keith Sanders................................ 1948 SAN CARLOS HIGH SCHOOL Suzanne LaBerge-Backman..................... 1959 William R. Carsillo................................... 1949 Thomas Craigmile.................................. 1963 Ernest A. Bickell III.................................. 1959 Aura Berglund Monfort............................ 1949 Susan (Pearson) Hasbrouch..................... 1965 Clark Maxfield........................................ 1959 Susan Kellogg Tanklage.......................... 1949 Edward Mitchell...................................... 1965 Dennis Puppo......................................... 1959 Sue Chapman Campbell.......................... 1950 Edward A. Meyers, Jr.............................. 1966 Sandra Lynn Buckwald Vargas................. 1959 Gayle Somer Cromwell............................ 1950 Jean Mary Zaun Wilson............................ 1970 Wallace Earl Hughes............................... 1961 Jerry Drever........................................... 1950 Stuart Wayne Cardott.............................. 1971 Carolyn Harding...................................... 1962 Ed Webster............................................ 1950 Diana Maria”Masha” Austin Stockdale....... 1976 Carmen Tesolin Lutz............................... 1965 Nelson King Bell..................................... 1951 Cynthia Kaehler...................................... 1966 Joan Cherie McFarland Bohannon............ 1951 SAN CARLOS HIGH Faculty Bonnie Heiry.......................................... 1967 Jack Montgomery................................... 1951 Rich Donner............ swimming teacher & coach Timothy Allen Fitzpatrick......................... 1968 Carol Rose Fanos Roseberry................... 1951 Jerry Drever.......................................... coach John Purcell (aka Bambi Lake)............ FS-1968 Ray Anderson......................................... 1952 William Walti........................ Principal, 1969-73 Patricia Braegelmann Naus..................... 1969 Dino Ruffoni........................................... 1952 ................. Assistant Superintendent of SUHSD ••• SEQUOIA Clarissa Bowman Dyer (1940) During World War II, Clarissa volun- Elsie Bosch Peck (1943) worked for United Air Lines and the Standard teered to meet the wounded as they arrived for treatment in San Fran- Oil Company in San Francisco. ••• cisco and often spoke of how difficult it was to maintain her composure in the face of so much sadness and hurt. She was active in the Crippled Patricia Gardiner Keller (1946) In Los Altos she set up an after school Children’s Society and Junior League and was a model for many of the sports program for girls. Then, as a coach and teacher at Saint Francis League’s fund raising fashion shows. She chaired the League’s most suc- High School in Mountain View, Pat coached the girls basketball teams to cessful show, filling 1,200 seats at the Sheraton Palace Hotel — a record many titles during the ensuing 17 years. ••• not matched since. Clarissa was a founding member of the Northern California Chapter of the ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Richard L. Abbott (FS-1948) entered the Army Signal Corp after college and served in Germany. He started a career at Pacific Bell, then Foundation. AT&T, working up through the ranks to Marketing Manager. He also be••• Betty June (Clark) DeLucchi (1942) worked for a year as a welder in came a successful real estate agent and broker, helping many buy their a defense industry plant before joining a US Army Nurse Corps training first homes. He loved the game of golf and played well even in his later program, achieving her RN certificate in 1946. She was an active nurse years, often achieving the prize of playing his age as well as hitting 7 for decades, with particular focus on Intensive Care and In-Service Train- ‘holes-in-one’. ••• ing. She was the author of four books; “Betty June”, her memoir of the Great Depression and World War II, is a noteworthy first-person account Nancy Wise Barnes (1948) followed her passion entering nursing at of that historical era in the San Francisco Bay Area. An avid equestrian, Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. Later she was in charge of newborn she built and operated the Lucky D Stables in Texas, achieving numerous nurseries at Sequoia Hospital. ••• awards for her riding skills, writing “Our Horses” about the people and animals there. She was an excellent swimmer, scuba diver, carpenter, Eugene (Gene) L. Capra (1948) In the early 1950’s Gene served in the U.S. Army as a weapons specialist and worked as a weapons instructor. seamstress, embroiderer, artist, and teacher. After returning home, Gene pursued his education and opened a dental ••• Mary Virginia Styles Spiker (1942) was the first girl to become a laboratory which he ran for over 40 years. ••• member of the radio club. Graduating during wartime, her part in the war effort was first replacing indicator lights in B-17 bombers, and later using Claire Norris Roudebush (1948) At the beginning of the Silicon Valley her radio skills at an FCC listening post in Hayward to monitor war-time tech boom, she went to work for Litton Industries working her way up to supervisor and retired after 25 years. Claire was very civic minded and radio broadcasts from around the world. involved with many local organizations, including the Red Hat Ladies, the ••• Frederick Judd (1943?) was a residential and commercial builder on 39’ers, Sequoia Alumni groups, and a Litton Retirees group (where she initiated monthly luncheons at Harry’s Hofbrau). She volunteered for many the Peninsula, and a lifelong outdoors man.
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In Memoriam years at The Family Tree, a retail thrift store that supports Peninsula Family Services. ••• William R. Carsillo (1949) A graduate of the University of Oregon, he began working in real estate. He later began a distinguished 46-year career in service to the US Department of the Navy, at first at San Bruno’s Western Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Real Estate Division, and later on Treasure Island, ending his career as Director, Navy Base Closure and Relocation. Bill retired with commendations from the Secretary of the Navy and then-President Barack Obama. He received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and Medal, presented in 2002 and 2011. ••• Jerry Drever (1950) was a multi sport athlete while at Sequoia. His mentor, Al Terremere, told Jerry he would make an excellent teacher. He went to the College of San Mateo to continue his education and played on the golf team in 1951, leading CSM to a 2nd place finish in the state championship and then again in 1952 to win the state championship. After CSM, Jerry joined the army on the GI bill to earn money to fund his education and was fortunate enough to be stationed in France and still have golf in his life as he qualified for the highly regarded Berlin Military Golf Tournament. He then went to San Jose State University to finish his degree in education where he played on the golf team and met many cherished lifelong friends who also made coaching their professions. He received his Masters Degree from SJSU years later. His profession in education started at Exeter High School, then he returned to the Peninsula to coach and teach at Carlmont High School. He went on to San Carlos High School and took the helm of the basketball and baseball programs. In 1967 he led the basketball team to a championship in the Peninsula Basketball Tournament. In 1968, he went to coach and teach at Cañada College, where started the basketball program and coached the team until 1976. He also started the Canada College golf program in 1973 where he coached the team until 1992. His golf teams won 5 conference championships, 3 Nor-Cal Team Championships and the California State Team Championship in 1988. Jerry had the unique distinction of being the only person to win the California Community College Golf Championships as a player and as a coach. He was named the Golf Coach of the year in 1988 by the California Community College Athletic Association. In 2013 Jerry was inducted into the Canada College Hall of Fame. ••• Edward D. Webster (1950) In 1949-50 he was the Drum Major for the Sequoia High marching band. Ed worked 30 years in the real estate business with First American Title and the County of San Mateo. ••• Joan Cherie McFarland Bohannon (1951) attended San Jose State University. She had a long and successful career as a real estate broker. ••• Carol Rose Fanos Roseberry (1951) farmed for 38 years in the Lodi area. She served as choir director and worked in the library. ••• Ray Anderson (1952) Served as an M.P. in the U.S. Marine Corps in Japan during the Korean War. He was later a salesman for Adams Pool Solutions. ••• Dino Ruffoni (1952) At six feet five inches tall he was a star on Sequoia’s basketball team. He was an actor in the drama program. He served with the Marines during the Korean War. At San Jose State, he received a degree in Business Administration and played basketball there. He worked for Ampex and was then recruited by Hughes Aircraft for a long career. ••• Leo Ansano Amadei (1954) served two years active duty with the U.S. Army (151st Engineer Group [combat] at Fort Benning, Georgia) and for over 20 years in the reserves. In 1961, Leo joined Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory in Mountain View, where he worked on silicon-based semiconductor devices, specializing in p-type surface layers in ion-bombarded silicon. He then worked at Sylvania Electronic Systems, Fairchild
Semiconductors in Mountain View and Palo Alto and later at the Xerox Corporation in Southern California, he contributed to the development of high speed semiconductor integrated circuit technology components which were used to improve the operation and efficiency of Xerox printers and copiers. In 1981 he returned to his home in Santa Cruz. Throughout his schooling he played baseball, football, tennis, soccer, and was a wrestling team member. However, more than anything he loved soccer, which he played until he was 80 years old! ••• William Arthur Davey (1954) began his career as an electrician with his family-owned business, Davey Electric in Redwood City, and attended College of San Mateo in the evenings studying business and real estate. He obtained his real estate license his R.E. broker’s license in 1980. After the electrical business was sold, he became co-owner of Davey Properties in Redwood City as an investor and broker. In 1990, he started his own company and joined the Prudential California Realty franchise until he retired in 2011. ••• Richard Donner (1954) was a star swimmer and water polo player at Sequoia High School. His aquatics prowess continued at Menlo College and San Jose State. Rich was inducted into Halls of Fame as both an athlete and a coach at Sequoia, San Jose State, and The Olympic Club in San Francisco. He taught and coached at San Carlos High School in 1960, then became a swimming and water polo instructor and coach at the College of San Mateo for 38 years. Coach Donner brought home many championships and produced dozens of All American athletes. He was named Northern California Community College Water Polo Coach of the Year from 1968-1971. Rich coached the United States water polo teams at the Maccabiah Games in Israel in 1969 and 1973, bringing home the gold both times. In his retirement, he co-founded the Peninsula Referees Association where he served as a referee and leader. ••• Lee Stewart Read (1954), served in the U.S. Coast Guard, and graduated from Lockheed’s Electronics Technician Training Program, then worked as an Electronics Technician at Lockheed for 40 years. His true love was creating beautiful jade and alabaster carvings, and sharing his gardening knowledge, fruit and seeds with others. He was an active member of the Rare Fruit Society of San Jose as well as an astronomy enthusiast. ••• Suzanne LaBerge-Backman (1959) was a dental assistant, a bookkeeper at Mel’s Bowl, then found her passion for being a day care provider, which she did until 1976. In 1980, she and her husband purchased the Wakefield News. She loved working with all the local businesses that supported them and was president of the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce for 10 years. ••• Wallace Earl Hughes (1961) worked as a software engineer. He was lucky to enter the field early when everyone was a pioneer in cyberspace and could build new and interesting types of software. For the next 15 years, Wallace devoted his time to managing software projects. At age 40, Wallace quit his career to follow the oceans and rivers into the wilderness and find the last corners of the earth where wild animals still thrive. He and his wife took their sailboat on a 4-year diving expedition throughout the remote regions of Oceana where they found clouds of fish, forests of black coral, beds of giant clams, World War II shipwrecks, and a whole new world under the ocean. Wallace and his wife became amateur dangerous game photographers and traveled the world, breaking trail, glassing, and tracking wild animals in the bush and jungle. Later, he purchased a specially built expedition jet boat, and he and his wife ran 5,000 miles of uncharted subarctic rivers in North America. ••• Cynthia McMahon Kaehler (1966) was director of the Cozy Corner Children’s Center in Ukiah, CA. She helped design the building to fit in with
Continued on next page
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In Memoriam Continued from previous page the surrounding Sun House and the Old Stage Stop. She later taught first grade in San Jose. ••• Timothy Allen Fitzpatrick (1968) completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Colorado in Boulder. A 41 year career at DuPont ensued, which took Tim all over the world. As Senior Account Manager - Chemical Solutions, he elected to retire after 41 years of dedicated service. During his career, Tim received a US Patent, two Corporate Marketing Excellence Awards and a Business Excellence Award, as well as numerous other awards in recognition for his contributions in sales and business excellence. In addition, he sponsored the Environmental Leadership Award. ••• Bambi Lake (FS-1968) Born John Purcell, from an early age, she knew she was destined to perform and often said that she survived high school by plunging herself into the never-ending whirl of local theater. The first play she acted in was Brigadoon at Sequoia High School. In 1965, her childhood friend and future choreographer, Tony Ortega, helped get her cast in the original Broadway production of Oliver. Even though she only performed in the chorus, Oliver planted seeds of what her life was to become. After studying theater at Cañada Junior College, in 1970, she met future Cockette piano player Peter Mintun, who picked her up hitchhiking. He told her about a new merry band of hippies, and the next thing she knew, she was at a Cockette rehearsal. The Cockette’s founder, Hibiscus, took her under his wing, and together they became Angels of Light. Bambi’s first play with the Angels of Light was Whatever Happened to Baby Jesus?, a combination of the Biblical nativity story and The Little Match Girl. She sang Ariel’s Song from The Tempest, and Good Times magazine ran a photo of her. She went on to be the leading lady whenever Hibiscus asked her to be in his next play. In 1973, Hibiscus called her to perform in The Enchanted Miracle in London. After the play’s run, she stayed in London for a year, and when Hibiscus called again, she left to Provincetown to perform in Razzamatazz. With Hibiscus, her understanding of herself expanded. In her 1996 book, The Unsinkable Bambi Lake, co-written with Alvin Orloff, she wrote, “A pattern was starting. I was the melancholy note in the sea of giddiness.” When she sang “Kiss Me” from the Marilyn Monroe movie Niagara, she realized that some singers are better at singing sad songs. Later that year, she returned to Europe and made Berlin her home. At this time, Bambi (born John Purcell) started taking hormones and, before she knew it, became who she always knew she was. She returned to San Francisco in 1978 and threw herself into San Francisco’s fledgling punk scene. She sang with the all-female band VS and went on to tour Europe with The Stranglers. Upon her return, she realized that she was too sensitive to be a punk rocker. She went back to her roots and continued acting. In the 1980s, she began writing poetry and putting her words to music. Her best-known song, the autobiographical “The Golden Age of Hustlers,” is performed all over the world. In it, she laments, “It’s hard to find someone you can trust amidst the rhinestone and the rust.” Despite being down and out, she sang sad songs on stages of all sizes all over San Francisco for more than 50 years and released her debut album, My Glamourous Life as a Broadway Hostess, in 2005. In a 2017 interview, she said her greatest talent was “making people cry.” Her voice was fierce and filled with enchanting melancholy. After a brief hiatus, she launched a comeback in 2016 following her documentary, Sticks and Stones, directed by Silas Howard. Her last public performance was as part of the cast of the Dan Karkoska-produced Cockettes Are Golden: A 50th Anniversary Celebration, Jan. 4, 2020 at the Victoria Theatre. It was a fitting end to a chanteuse who bared it all, wore her heart on her sleeve, inspired many, and always left audiences wanting more. When reflecting on her passing, Henry Rollins from the band Black Flag said, “Bambi Lake was a true sweetheart and an absolute rebel. She lived in love and courage.” ••• Gary O. Maffia (1970) loved playing baseball and was an outstanding
young athlete. Gary discovered a passion in the culinary arts and pursued an education in European Cuisine. At the young age of 21, he opened Barbarossa European Restaurant in Atherton, CA as the chef and coowner. For 25 years, local patrons celebrated Barbarossa as a regional favorite offering a fine dining experience. As the chef and owner, Gary received several prestigious awards including Mobile Four Stars and Chefs of America recognition in 1988. Later in his career, Gary opened a Olivio’s European Bistro in Belmont, CA where he served continental cuisine in a more casual atmosphere. Oftentimes, you would find Gary mingling amidst the tables sharing old stories, jokes or a recipe. ••• John Gutierrez (1975) studied Business Administration at UC Berkeley and was a Business Analyst Lead at GAP. SEQUOIA FACULTY/STAFF Guadelupe Arcelia Cabrera Conrad. Special Education, first taught in a maximum security juvenile prison, but eventually taught special education classes at Sequoia. She was a translator for the Flying Samaritans (medical personnel who fly in their own planes to bring free medical needs to remote villages in Baja California. and nature. After retiring in 1997 Arcelia wrote a history of her family dating back to their ancestors in Mexico. ••• Marie Therese Hughes earned a B.S.degree at Dominican College and her teaching credential at USF. She taught biology at Sequoia High School. ••• Sue Ellen Geissberger, taught English as a Second Language (ESL) at Sequoia and Woodside High Schools in Redwood City. ••• George Kerewicz Member of Kiwanis Club; Advisor to the Key Club at Sequoia. SAN CARLOS HIGH SCHOOL Susan (Pearson) Hasbrouch (1965) It is with great sadness and love that we mourn the loss of Susan Pearson Hasbrouck on January 29, 2021 from the Covid virus. She will be missed by many loving family members and friends but is at peace forever now. The Hasbrouoch Family ••• Edward Mitchell (1965) [we received no obituary, only comments on the Class of 1965 website.]. “ I remember him as a kind and gentle person.” ~ Phyllis (Rogers) Moore; “I will never forget being in Mr. Jackson’s History class when the announcement came over the loud-speaker of Kennedy’s death. Ed left for church immediately. He will always hold a special place in my heart.” ~ Louise (Andrews) Harmo; “He made a positive impression for all of us who came in contact with him. He was one of my only bright spots in high school.” ~Sheron (Hart) Morris; “Ed always treated everyone with kindness!” ~ Larry Benevento ••• Edward A. Meyers, Jr (1966), was a graduate from Mendocino College in 1986. He was a professional Class A driver for 50 plus years, and retired to his redwoods in 2005 from Rinehart Oil, Ukiah. During the late 1980’s he was the procurement manager for ten years at AM&D in Willits. ••• Stuart Wayne Cardott (1971), loved bicycles and cars. Stu served in the US Navy on the USS Hepburn 1972-75 where he mastered engines and boilers. He worked in the trades for 40 years, both building and maintaining many of the HVAC systems in Northern California’s and Nevada’s various skylines. He was an avid traveler, motorcycle builder and racer in AHRMA, devoted to the Triumph and BSA models of his youth. ••• Diana Maria”Masha” Austin Stockdale (1976), a graduate of San Jose State University, spent 20 years teaching at Miano and Grasslands elementary schools near Los Banos. She loved country music.
Summer 2021
Smoke Signals
ELECTIONS
PROPOSED SLATE OF BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE 2021-23 TERM
The following people have been nominated to fill the two-year terms on the SHSAA Board of Directors. (Five board members are elected in odd-numbered years, and six in even-numbered years. A full list of current board members is found on p. 3.) REMEMBER: Mark and mail your ballot by July 22 (See Returnable Page, p. 18)
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Janice Jennings Abidi (1970) Has been on the board three years. She serves on the Picnic, Japanese Tea Garden maintenance and Archives committees. Rosemary Filippi Fischer (1967) served as founding treasurer of SHSAA for eight years. She also chaired the Archival and Carrington Hall committees and helped purchase books for the SHSAA-sponsored Native American section at the school library. She currently serves on the board of directors and is on the Picnic and Archives committees. Sally Coelho Newman (1956) has served as treasurer and historian on the Alumni board. She is also on the Archives & Display, and Picnic committees. She is a past president of the Redwood City Woman’s Club and manages the 110-year-old clubhouse and rentals there. Leah Schmuck (1954) has been on the board since 2001. She serves as vice-president and presently chairs the Merchandise Committee. Although she now lives in Lincoln, CA, she comes down to help with the picnic and other Alumni events. Melissa Quinn Utecht (1974) is on Picnic, Archives Japanese Tea Garden maintenance and sale of commemorative bricks, benches and tree plaques for Sequoia Veterans Memorial, Inspiration Grove and Carrington Hall committees. She enjoys working with a great group of Alumni members.
Page 17
CHEROKEE CHATTER RAVEN RAPPING *
Featuring news about fellow Sequoians
* Note: We have many alumni who consider themselves “Cherokees,” and now with the team name change in 2019, we have alumni who consider themselves “Ravens.” We enjoy hearing about all alumni, so send us your news!
Judy Kirk Kropp (1958) is a retired teacher and loves international folk dancing, birding, bridge, and book clubs. ••• Cameron Stewart (1965) writes: “I spent 25 years in the Service of my country (20 yrs active and 5 years in Reserve due to my Specialty, Nuclear Sanitation Technician, or a Decon Specialist). I had three Associate Degrees, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Eastern Illinois University. I finally received an Honorable High School Diploma from Sequoia, after petitioning the Board on the grounds I was an advance student and accomplished career serviceman.”
Do you have your tickets for the 14th Annual Alumni Association Picnic August 21, 2021)? See page 8 & 9 for more information
Spotlight On Sequoia
Congratulations to Sequoia’s National Merit Finalists!
Sequoia is proud to announce that Andrew Mancini, Anne Marlow, and Arth Shukla have been selected as finalists from a pool of 16,000 semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. To become a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official must submit an application which includes the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in activities, demonstration of leadership, employment, and honors received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and write an essay. This spring, finalists have an opportunity to compete for National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million. — From the Feb. 21, 2021 Sequoia Sentinel
Thank you to Tim and Robin Maffei from Granara’s Flower’s in San Carlos for creating another beautiful wreath for the Sequoia Veterans Memorial. When the group went to place the wreath they had found someone else had placed roses from their garden at the memorial.
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Smoke Signals
Summer 2021
The Returnable Page
Return this page to: SHSAA, P.O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064-2534, or e-mail information to: shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org Mark NEW information with an asterisk (*). Name _____________________________________________________ (______________) Grad Year: ______ Sequoia or San Carlos? ______
Last
First
Maiden
Address________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ___________________________________________________ State ___________ ZIP ______________ - ___________ Phone (____)______________ (____)________________ e-mail: _____________________________________________
Home
Work
_____
Yes, I would like to receive Smoke Signals via e-mail instead of snail mail! Please give your name and e-mail above.
_____
Please contact me about the SHSAA Legacy Society’s planned giving.
_____
Information about one of our “Lost” members:_________________________________________________________________________
_____
Information about someone being looked for:__________________________________________________________________________
I’d like to donate to:
• The 2020-2021 Annual Fund • General Fund (for Alumni Operations) • Tea Garden Maintenance Endowment Fund • “Spirit of the Seal” Scholarships Endowment Fund • Sequoia “Cherokee Grants” (for school programs) • Smoke Signals Publication Fund • Sequoia Veterans Memorial Engraving Fund SHSAA is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit: Tax ID # 94-2967009
$__________ $__________ $__________ $__________ $__________ $__________ $__________ Total $___________
For the following items, feel free to use another page if needed: My News for Cherokee Chatter/Raven Rapping or Dons’ Doings (circle one) ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Memory for “The Way It Was At Sequoia (or San Carlos)” _________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ideas for events/fundraising: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WANT TO SERVE? ____ on the Board? ... or on the following committees: ___ Smoke Signals ___ Athletic Review ___ Special Events
___ Facebook Page Management ___ Cherokee Grants ___ Annual Picnic
___ Merchandise ___ Reunion Liaison ___ Archives & Display
___ Help in booth ___ Tea Garden Cleanup ___ Work with our archive
Board of Directors Ballot (see article about candidates on p. 17) Please vote for no more than 5 people, 2-year terms _____ Janice Jennings Abidi _____ Rosemary Filippi Fischer _____ Sally Coelho Newman _____ Leah Schmuck _____ Melissa Quinn Utecht
Write-in names with phone numbers and e-mail: (Must have permission from the nominee) ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
Please mark and mail your ballot by July 22 to: SHSAA-Ballot, P.O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064-2534, or you may email your ballot choices to sequoiahsalumni@earthlink.net
Summer 2021
Smoke Signals
Page 19
SHSAA Membership Application
Share with your friends! (If you received Smoke Signals by mail or email, you’re already a lifetime member!)
Name ______________________________________________________________________ (__________________________)
Last
First
Maiden
Address________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ___________________________________________________ State ___________ ZIP ______________ - ___________ Phone (____)______________ (____)________________ e-mail: _____________________________________________
Home
Work
We are asking that you ___ receive Smoke Signals via e-mail as a default or you still can ___ receive Smoke Signals via U.S. Mail
*Occupation (Present or Past) ______________________________________________________________________________
(circle one)
*My interests/hobbies are: _________________________________________________________________________________ * Is it ok to use occupation/interests in Smoke Signals for Cherokee Chatter - Raven Rapping or Dons Doings? ____ yes ____ no
Type of Membership: 1) SEQUOIA: Class of ________ Graduate ____ Former Student (not graduate) ____ 2) SAN CARLOS: Class of ________ Graduate ____ Former Student (not graduate) ____ 3) ____Faculty/Staff (years ______________) 4) ____Friend Of Sequoia ____GIFT from:___________________________________________________________
Gift card will be sent to the above address unless otherwise specified.
$50 per lifetime membership:
I would also like to donate to: SHSAA is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit: Tax ID #
• General Fund (ongoing Alumni Operations) • Tea Garden Maintenance Endowment Fund • “Spirit of the Seal” Scholarships Endowment Fund • Sequoia “Cherokee Grants” (directed to school needs) • Smoke Signals Publication ($5,000 per issue) • Sequoia Veterans Memorial Engraving
$____50 ___
94-2967009
$__________ $__________ $__________ $__________ $__________ $__________
Make checks payable and mail to: SHSAA, P.O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064-2534 Not sure if you’re a member? Check the mailing label. If there is a number by your name, you’re a member!
Total $___________
Sequoia Alumni Merchandise
Limited number of T-shirts and Sweatshirts available -contact us! Item
Qty
Memorabilia P-1 Sequoia Lapel Pin * P-2 50-year Grad Disk * B-1 Sequoia History Booklet * B-2 Book, Foothill Town by by Violet Palmer D Dreamcatcher “Sequoia Cherokees” H-1 Baseball Hat, w/ embroidered SHSAA logo PC Vintage Postcard of Argo Tower R-1 Sequoia Replica
Size
Price Each
$5 $3 $3 $20 $15 $25 $1 $5
Total Price
Shipping & Handling Charges*
Subtotal $ ___________ Shipping (see chart) $ ___________ Grand Total $ ___________ Ship to Name: ____________________________________________________________ Address, City, State & Zip___________________________________________________ Make checks payable to: SHSAA, P.O. Box 2534, Redwood City, CA 94064-2534 Items mailed in US only. No CODs. Price/items/availability subject to change.
$3.00 - $10.00 Add $4.00 $11.00 - $20.00 Add $6.50 over $20.00 Add $8.50 *except for: P-1, P-2, B-1 & PC, Only add $1.50 each
Information and photos available at www.SequoiaAlumni.org or call 650/592-5822. e-mail: shsaa@sequoiaalumni.org
Sequoia High School Alumni Association P.O. Box 2534 Redwood City, CA 94064-2534
NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 322 Redwood City, CA
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Page 20
Smoke Signals
Summer 2021
Plan to attend the
ANNUAL MEETING
of the Sequoia High School Alumni Association Tuesday, July 27, 2021 6 p.m. Sequoia District Board Room 480 James Ave., Redwood City
Light refreshments will be served (coronavirus protocols permitting). Enjoy the overview of the past year and hear results of the election of officers. Feel free to stay for the regular SHSAA board meeting at 7 p.m.
Remember to VOTE!
See candidate information on p. 17 and the Ballot on the returnable Page, p. 18.
NOTE: Due to the coronavirus this meeting may not take place as scheduled and otherwise be conducted virtually via Zoom. Please contact the Alumni Association for updated information
