Name: Thomas Leeman ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Feb 16, 2010, 12:02 am - HHS Time
Class: 1973
City & State: San Diego, CA

Message: Seems a few folks don't like the idea of this thread. But come ladies and gents, you need a different perspective on things now and then to jolt you out the stupor that has a tendency to settle in over the years. Keep in mind this is all entertainment. HHS was an insignificant part of most of our lives. So there is no reason to lose perspective here. Particularly at this age. But I'm definitely not sitting here today with dementia. But JB said to let it rip so ...Let's start with Bunn. She was at the top of the list. English teacher I guess. Now there is someone that definitely did not get enough. Migraines apparently caused her to hate guys. Purposely graded me down but I caught on to here game eventually. She was sick so we'll have some mercy on her legacy. Sort of. Noel Smith. A major league a-hole. Cut me from the B-Ball team because he didn't like my hair cut. Maybe I wasn't his type. He can kiss my a**. Probably wanted to anyway. I think Daryl Stucker was his type though. Surfer boy look. Horny scumbag knocked up a coed I heard. Couldn't coach worth a lick. I wouldn't mind going toe to toe with that jerk now. I went on to play 20 years after that in various open leagues. Noel's probably still losing on the ponies at Hollywood Park. Then there was Coach T. Kicked me off the team after I broke my finger and then didn't attend a game. He claimed I wasn't excused formally, despite my verbal notice. I think he was cut out the classic "make history as boring as possible" cloth. And Ky Courtney. Saw the obit. Man I had a good story to tell about him. Can't now. Now there was a man with passion. Alex Bravo. I busted my a** for cross country ( you that;s a long way to run_ and he was a tough SOB after I had to drop out after injuring my leg on a run to Centinela Park. Never liked spanish after that. Then there was coach Bill "studs and flakes" Gill. That guy really burned me. You what I remember most about those guys is that they never really cared about you personally. (Get injured and you quickly find that out) They just wanted to use you to make themselves look successful. That got very old by the time I limped off the track my senior year. And while I'm on that, Did I read correctly the stats on the '73 Varsity track team here? Hard to believe Somebody mentioned Ton. She may have been the last formal english class I had. I learned all my writing skills from Krislock though. Connie was kinda hot as I recall. Good mentor, just ask Effler. She was part of the reason I went to SDSU. Oh I know you all have some favorite heartwarming story to tell about a particular teacher but come on let's not sugar coat everything. Oh and remember, If you can read this, thank a Wiseburn Elementary teacher, If you can't, thank a teacher's union.

Name: Bob Faulkner ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 3:11 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1963
City & State: BIG RIVER, CA.

Message: Tom Leeman, I doubt that because of the year you graduated that you even remember specific positives or negatives that you had with faculity. In my opinion, I believe that it is the educators responsability to help formulate young peoples ideals and principals, not prepare us to be Rhoades Scholars. The class material was there, it is our job to grasp and apply. I had good teachers in the 60's but failed to apply myself, so I barely got by. Speaking of Coach Chauncey, he had the greatest influence on me. He was like a surrogate father to me. Most of the teachers I had were more than patient with me, and I failed to grasp the subject matter. Your blanket assault on faculty, frankly insults my intelligence, and I'm sure others. I like many others are well aware of the problems that exist at HHS today. However, you were not affected back then. As for senior square, my only recollection was teasing Dan Dye by running through it and trying to get him to chase me, very very bad idea!! I'm probably only alive because he couldn't catch me!!!!

Name: Debbie Miles ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 2:19 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1977
City & State: Del Aire, CA

Message: I'll bet some Cougar has a connection to a concrete or knows some alumni who might like to work on Senior Square. I didn't really hang out in Senior Square much, but when an HHS groundskeeper, George Samarra invited us to their annual summer picnic in the summer '73 my 82 year old grandma and I took a shortcut through Senior Square to the picnic area. Summer school was over but I was still half expecting a Senior to challenge and perhaps dump me for trespassing. I think all kids talked about high school traditions that get passed down from older kids. Maybe Grandma was the oldest Senior to ever cross Senior Square, we'll never really know.

Name: Keith D. Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 2:04 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1976
City & State: Las Vegas

Message: There has to be some local contractors with HHS ties that would help with the construction. Maybe we could call Extreme Home Makeover. Now that would be awesome. Isn't Seers Lumber still around. I bet they would help or even Hawthorne Hardware.

Name: Greg Hill ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 12:45 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1977
City & State: Aliso Viejo, CA

Message: Not a regular on Cougartown or have had the time to get involved with reunions or events but, it's reassuring to know that Hawthorne HS and a lot of us are still standing. High school, teachers, friends, sports, ...were always there for me and I was given every opportunity to exceed. I'll just chalk it up to immaturity and ignorance that I didn't take full advantage of those years. Life has worked out well though and I am still grateful for those years. And having spent most of my life either on the road or overseas, I still believe that this is the Best Country and Hawthorne was/is a lot better than most cities. Enjoy the mini holiday. Really could care less about the "dirt".

Name: Barbara Duran ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 12:07 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1972
City & State: El Segundo

Message: I would like to publicly thank my brother Howard for being so sweet! You're a good one!

Name: Bill Ferrier ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 11:42 am - HHS Time
Class: 1973
City & State: Woodland, CA

Message: Thomas, Your contemptuous remarks lead me to believe that you must have had some negative experiences at HHS. HHS is certainly not an Ivy League feeder school, but there is merit in recognizing ones roots and trying to improve the educational experience for others. Improving the Senior Square is an admirable action, especially if it puts a smile on a students face. I have not lived in the area since 1975. Nor do I have family in the area. But I appreciate the efforts of the people on this forum as they attempt to help HHS, whether it is with academics, athletics, or the Senior Square. I have a hunch you have a lot to offer, even if it is just being supportive of humanitarian efforts instead of being so cynical.

Name: Doris Donaldson ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 10:43 am - HHS Time
Maiden: donaldson
Class: 1957
City & State: Twin Falls, ID
No E-mail
Message: Okay Cougartown … have you forgotten one of the basic principles of democracy? We ALL have the right to our own opinions, including Thomas Leeman. We don’t have to agree with him, but golly! Just because he had a different experience from yours/ours doesn’t necessarily mean he is wrong or bad. I agree with Marilyn … his experiences started me thinking about mine. And to be very honest, I had some MARVELOUS teachers and I had some teachers who I do believe, did not have a whole string of fish! All of my English teachers were pretty sad, but I had Mrs. Corliss and Mrs. Borling who sure made up for them! They were secretarial class teachers and I will tell you true, you had to toe the line with them or else. I learned a great deal from them which enabled me, without even a stitch of a college education, to earn a pretty good wage in the 55 years I worked. I managed law offices and worked as secretary and legal assistant as well. THANK YOU Mrs. Corliss and Mrs. Borling! And you know what I’ll bet … I would wager that those four “worthless” English teachers left a positive imprint in my teeny weeny brain as well, even though I sure don’t remember anything positive! Nothing is ALL good; nothing is ALL bad. For instance, everyone speaks so highly of Mrs. Ton, and although I had her for Senior Problems, I barely remember her, so contrary to Marilyn’s experience with her, mine was mediocre. It’s all WHO we are when we go through something; how “open” or “closed” we might have been to learning at that particular time in our lives with that particular teacher. MY POINT IS THIS: THOMAS LEEMAN … you just go right ahead and have your opinions and voice them whenever you feel like it. That’s what Cougartown is … a venue where we can share with our fellow HHS alumni. Tom … I’m proud that I went to HHS; it was a wonderful school and we had some pretty wonderful teachers … my favorite? Hal Chauncey by a mile; great teacher not just of math and football (same class, by the way), but teacher of life in general. MAN! What a great example he gave us by just being himself! I love that man! And doing something good for the school now, no matter what shape it is in … is merely “paying it forward”. And thanks to you, John, for continuing to provide this great venue known as Cougartown! Love to all, doris

Name: John Baker ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 8:15 am - HHS Time
Class: 1962
City & State: Lomita

Message: Do any of the past reunion committee members from the classes of 1960 or 1961 have a list of alumni that you couldn't find for your reunions? Please email me with the list and we'll try and find them for your upcoming reunion in November. Thanks very much.

Name: Jim Frederick ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 8:09 am - HHS Time
Class: 1969
City & State: West Hills / Hanalie Hi.

Message: I Agree with Option 2 ... Makes the most sense ... And again I'm sure Home Depot or whom ever could donate materials .... and what about trade schools ? Seems like an easy project for a trade school to handle ... Also ..... I agree with Betty and Sue ... On Tom L ... "Ditto" Ladys ...

Name: Sherry Ward ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 5:43 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Rout
Class: 1965
City & State: Somewhere in Snowy Tennessee

Message: I want to thank Tom for the opportunity to reflect on one of the most important aspects of our years at HHS....the teachers. Wow! mine were awesome! You can't tell me that anyone could have come out of Miss Marks English class without learning a great deal. She made sure of that. I still have a working understanding of Spanish. Thanks to Miss Zalowski. Mr. Harvey was not only a wonderful man, but an excellent math teacher. Danny Fix gave me a life long love of the theater, and I will never forget Mrs Cable, who gave me a passion for the dance. I have passed that love onto my daughters, and two of them dance professionally. How can you be critical of people who have impacted the lives of so many people in such profound ways? Oh...BTW, I do remember our valedictorian. It was Wayne Bryan. So, Tom, thanks for the memories.... Mr. Wing would have made me sing that, so, don't forget to hum the melody as you read.

Name: Art Lamere ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Feb 15, 2010, 5:18 am - HHS Time
Class: 1973
City & State: Bettendorf, Ia
No E-mail
Message: Well it looks like Tom is at the wrong site just maybe he is looking for the show "Cougar Town" there. He might get the dirt he is looking for. John there are a lot of members here that like the site the way it is thanks again John for your time and taking care of this site. Art

Name: John Crotty ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Feb 14, 2010, 8:47 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1969
City & State: hermosa beach, CA

Message: I really love the picture of Senior Square the way we all remember it. I only went in the square once. That was my junior year, on a dare. I walked in and sat down at lunch time. No one challenged me and I got a free lunch out of it. Never went back into it again, even when I was a senior. Regarding the picture, I have one question. Where are the hands of the guy in the white shorts? Looks like the lady is surprised and the guy in the black shirt isn't too happy!!!!! HAHAHA!

Name: Greg Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Feb 14, 2010, 6:37 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1973
City & State: Hawthorne, CA

Message: BTW, I forgot to mention (there goes the mind again), not only did I graduate from HHS but 2 of my sisters-in-law did and my daughter and son also recently graduated. Now my kids may not be the sharpest knives in the drawer but they do have common sense and did learn a thing or two. There, that's my 2 cents.

Name: Greg Jones ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Feb 14, 2010, 6:30 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1973
City & State: Hawthorne, CA

Message: Hey, Tom Leeman, who ate the gem in your donut. You are half right, I couldn't tell you who was valedictorian for our class but that's not out of disrespect or trying to minimize the achievement, has more to do with old age. There were teachers I didn't care for but there were also ones that I did. I had Ms. Ton for some business class. She saw right away that I wasn't going to be the Captain of Industry but was very nice and always smiled no matter how bad I screwed up. But to have the audacity to think you were smarter than all the teachers at HHS??? By the way, just a thought, but maybe you got aced out for valedictorian and hence the attitude? Oh, and I know, my grammar and spelling may not be the best but I did graduate - somewhere in the middle of the pack, lol.

Name: Marilyn Ross ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Feb 14, 2010, 2:00 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Wisham
Class: 1956
No E-mail
Message: Tom Leeman did do one good thing. He made us think about the teachers that did impact our lives. I had a couple of bad teachers but most of them were good to excellent. Hal Chauncey for math, what fun that was. Mrs Borling my freshman typing teacher. She was stern and didn't accept nonsense. I am still typing today 57 years later after one year in her class. I always felt she cared and wanted the best for us. Mrs Ton, who wouldn't like her? I had her for Sr. Problems and she was open to any discussion and never made you feel stupid for your questions. Mr. Warren the chorus teacher and Mr Stephens his long term Sub. We thought he didn't know anything compared to Mr. Warren and we gave him a hard time. We soon learned he had a great singing voice and knew plenty about music. I think we were all humbled by him, a truly nice man. My favorite of all was Mr. Goodfellow. What a great name for such a gentle and caring man - and funny too. He encouraged me when I doubted my abilities and made English interesting. Always proud to be a Hawthorne Cougar.

Name: Susan King ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Feb 14, 2010, 11:55 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1974
City & State: Thousand Oaks, CA

Message: Wow Tom Leeman - I don't remember you as quite this cranky! Or cynical! I am trying to read between your lines and see if you are just stirring a pot or if you really believe this. From your writing and spelling, I can see that SOMEONE had an impact on you; grammatically correct but misses the mark. In case you really don't understand the alumni desire to better HHS, even when there is a possibility that it may not be appreciated or cared for, the root of it is simple. Make this world a better place. Give something back. Extend your hand because someone asked for it. It's because we're now grown up and because we grew up in a place that was very, very good. You were there - I remember you. I hope you'll come to the next Cruise Night and look me up. I'll be happy to introduce you to a legion of truly wonderful people who had good times and bad in the place we grew up and lived to tell about it. And they have all done something good with what they had. Big stuff, little stuff. And we acknowledge and honor the place and the people who guided and provided those things for us. We just want to pass it on....

Name: Betty Rodriguez ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Feb 14, 2010, 11:29 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Kean
Class: 1969
City & State: Kingman, AZ

Message: So, Tom, it's evident you have not read Feedback through the years - Dude, you are at the wrong site!

Name: Jack Dicus ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Feb 14, 2010, 10:32 am - HHS Time
Class: 1968
City & State: Miramar Beach, Florida

Message: To Thomas Leeman: I feel sorry for you. I am glad I was not so self-involved that I did not realize how much I received from my teachers. I can't even name them all. Mr. Smith from science, Mrs. Adkins and Mr. Caldwell from math, etc. There was one person in my class that felt like you did (name withheld to protect the guilty). I met him several years after graduation. I was coming home from my tour in Korea as a Warrant Officer flying CH-47s and OH-58s. He was just getting out of prison. In that respect, maybe you were lucky.

Name: Thomas Leeman ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Feb 14, 2010, 9:35 am - HHS Time
Class: 1973
City & State: San Diego, CA

Message: Curious point. Does anybody even remember who the valedictorian was? Anybody care? That said John, it's kind of the other way around. is really wasn't too hard to be smarter than many of the teachers at HHS. I could count the teachers on one hand, maybe one finger, that had a significant positive impact in the classroom. Fortunately I didn't have to rely on a high school education to cement my future. On the other hand, there were some major league a-holes, bitches and other assorted losers worthy of mention.