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Clairemont High School - Class of 1960
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The Bali Hai Restaurant and gorgeous view of the bay. |
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San Diego's quintessential landmark Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island was the beautiful setting for a great evening of greeting old friends. With 140 people gathered, it was remarked by many that it was the "best reunion" so far, according to Dendy Talbert. Many in attendance had never been to a reunion and others hadn't been seen in 30 years or more, so there was a great deal of news and laughter to share. Time however, fell away as friendships and memories surfaced intact as if it had only been yesterday since we walked the halls together.
Awards Presented
Certificates were awarded to our Senior Counselors and teachers, Jack Langdon and Lumir Severson, "In Admiration and Gratitude for 50 Years of Devotion to the Students of the First 
Graduating Class of Clairemont High School". It has been our great pleasure to have them in attendance at every one of our reunions.
The Class of 1960 also acknowledged with certificates (and some fine California wine), George and Sue Stiteler Lumsden who organized our 20th, 30th and 40th Reunions. Also: Marylou Helkenn Soderlund who traveled the farthest to attend (2156.75 mi.), and Marylou took home a second certificate for having the most children (6), Mary Vance claimed her certificate for the most grandchildren (11) and Judi Jones took the prize for having been married to the same man (the admirable Tom Simenson) for the longest time (50 years).
Many thanks to Dendy who arranged such a perfect venue and wonderful buffet dinner for us
all. We also offer up a big round of applause to Cam Lindberg for providing us with great music throughout the evening and Micki Lambert who spent the evening photographing all the revelers. Her fine work makes these pages possible. Special thanks also to party goers with flashing cameras who have donated their efforts for your pleasure. You made us all feel like celebrities! So far, Fred Zaire (Ingrid Leyrer's personable husband) sent us some wonderful shots, as did Treena and Jim Williamson, and Russ Ogle has promised to add his photo talents to our pages soon. The alumni committee would also like to thank a former Arrow staffer (CHS 1975) Erik Jacobsen who generously devoted many hours of time on the internet searching for "lost" classmates. His work helped locate many of you and brought classmates to the celebration who might not otherwise have attended.
Homecoming 2010
A fun note to Chieftains everywhere: It was homecoming week at our alma mater and we are happy to report our team rolled across the football field to win a 49-6 victory over Crawford High.
A visit to the campus following the reunion was a delightful surprise. The campus, library and lunch court were clean and attractive having been greatly enlarged with more patio area in front of the new library building and colorful art work added to the eaves of the walkway covers. The kids we ran into were polite, articulate and accomodating and of course, the cheerleaders were painting Homecoming signs in front of the ASB office. No 'tudes...just fun.
Leaving a Legacy
Of particular note was the quad area approaching the library where space 
for seven rows of bricks have been left to be filled with "dedicated", personally inscribed, bricks which you can purchase for $50 apiece to commemorate a friend, teacher, event, etc. All proceeds from brick sales support academic, athletic and extra-curricular activities at CHS. (Contact Carol Weiler at (619) 275-2880 or htc@san.rr.com if you would like more information about this.) Click on the image at right to see more examples:
Sign of the Times
Clairemont High's newspaper, The Arrow, will publish it's final tabloid edition in the first week of November 2010. The San Diego City school district has decreed that all school paper's will be going to a digital format and will no longer publish a physical "paper" news journal.
The first edition Vol. 1 No. 1 (a 10 page tabloid) was published June 15, 1959.
Little known facts: The Arrow's lead story, Vol 1, No.1: “Paper Named by Soph”, Mary Franovich, Class of '61; the logo of The Arrow was designed by Jim Williamson; the school mascot, Charlie Chieftain was created by Arlo Larson; the annual, The Calumet, was named by Patricia Serritella, all from the Class of '60; Leonard Fierro, senior counselor and musician, wrote an alma mater for the class and Marylou Helkenn and her sister, Peg, Class of '61, wrote lyrics to a "fight song" for the school.
Did we not all want a Dick Tracy wrist radio??? The end of an era reminds us to be careful what you wish for!
Coming Soon
Revisit recollections of the establishment of The Arrow and the early days of the school in our “Souvenirs” section (Under Construction) where the entire archive of The Arrow through Vol. 2 No.18 documenting the Class of '60's senior year, prom, scholarships, and graduation activities will be reproduced. (Send in your prom photos for inclusion in this section!)
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