Name: Mary Ann Martin ~~~~~~~~~~ Wed-Aug 8, 2012, 7:44 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Walton
Class: 1961
City & State: Nashville AR

Message: I've not been on Feedback for awhile. Thanks for the birthday wishes, dear friends. Am saddened by Henry Cooper's death and George's tirade - life's too short for the latter. Time marches on and the new HHS campus'll perhaps instill new traditions in this era of Cougars. Believe me, my former boss Tom Quintana's the perfect person to head the museum venture ... perhaps there'll be an entire HHS area in it. I know I've got LOTS of stuff to send him! Lastly, I'm really, really enjoying the Olympics! 28 years ago, my dad, Reese Walton, carried the torch down Hawthorne Boulevard on Opening Day of the 1984 Games. I've the torch and many, many gifts and photos that bring back so many memories. All-in-all, Hawthorne's still the only place I'd have wanted to grow up in! And, now I'm ready for some football!!!

Name: Leo Ainsworth ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Aug 7, 2012, 7:11 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1964
City & State: St Helena, Calif

Message: Henry Cooper - Redwood Times Article

Name: Sharon Leach ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Aug 7, 2012, 6:16 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Moore
Class: 1966
City & State: Long Beach, CA

Message: Happy birthday to all the 66'ers that are having a birthday today. I think we are all sorry to see the old HHS go. However, I am sure most of us really feel that the kids of today deserve all the good things we enjoyed at HHS, including new, clean and updated surroundings. I for one don't even want to think about how gross those old bathrooms must be after all these years. YUCK!

Name: Janet Burkett ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Aug 7, 2012, 3:31 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Humphreys
Class: 1962
City & State: Ca
No E-mail
Message: Wow Richard, nicely said. You deserve our admiration. I too, was sorry to hear about the old school being torn down, but the kids today deserve an updated campus. PLEASE be good caretakers! Any chance there is an old Senior Square bench left somewhere that could be placed on the new campus?

Name: Stephanie Brito ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Aug 7, 2012, 2:13 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Hall
Class: 1961
City & State: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Message: Mary Ann, Thinking of you today Happy Birthday...I hope rain brings happy times to you soon.....Stephanie

Name: Karen Fraser ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Aug 7, 2012, 1:49 pm - HHS Time
City & State: Hawthorne, Ca.
No E-mail
Message: Hi there.. here is my two cents. In order to get your voices heard and give input and recommendations regarding HHS's renovation you have to get to the school board and superintendent. Go to the Centinela Valley Union High School District web site and check things out. You will find the upcoming board meeting dates and be able to review minutes from the previous meetings as to what has been approved or is pending. The names and emails of the board members and sup. are there if you want to email them. There is still time to speak up. If enough people speak up and give constructive feedback and ideas, who knows, they just might listen. Also, write letters to the local papers, The Daily Breeze, the Hawthorne Press Tribune. You might even get a reporter to do a story about HHS like they have been doing about Leuzinger. (It saved buildings there) Anything is worth a try especially if there are numbers of people making a coordinated effort. Thanks, John, I know I am not an alumni but I really feel like an honorary one and that is because of all the Cougars I've met and especially the one I married who really became my dearest friends and extended family/ Greatest people around you all are!

Name: Gary Bickers ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Aug 7, 2012, 1:16 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1963
City & State: PVE CAL

Message: I have been gone. John, thank you for your response to Betty back on 8-3-12. When I saw the new building plans I thought they were building over the only spot on the football field I ever caught a pass. We did not call many pass plays that year. The story about Jim Thorpe; it seems to me his wife at the time came into my folk's cafe on Hawthorne Blvd. I think she worked at Bank of America on Hawthorne blvd.

Name: Linda Dill ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Aug 7, 2012, 1:04 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Sutton
Class: 1967
City & State: Redondo Beach, CA

Message: 66/67 Alumni: You have just over a week to get your reservations in. Deadline: Aug. 15th. We are not sending out tickets. Your name will be at the door. Pattie Seidenthal Alcorn has sent out several notices to those registered on Cougartown and I have been stalking classmates on facebook. We are counting on you to let your friends know about the reunion. We have a fun group of people already signed up and we have room for more. Let us know if you plan to come.

Name: Sharon Branigan ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Aug 7, 2012, 10:31 am - HHS Time
Maiden: Bierman
Class: 1976
City & State: Milton, GA

Message: I was kind of sad reading about the school being torn down, but now, after looking over the new plans, I'm pretty excited about it. They're taking good advantage of the property, putting in more two-story buildings, and adding a lot of parking (which is probably much needed), and facelifting the whole place. It would be great if a few small parts of the original school were saved and incorporated as mementos, though I myself don't have the creativity to figure out what those things would be. But I look forward to visiting the "new" HHS if/when we get back to Cali next year. As for the Historical Society, I'm sure I have some mementos from the early 70's around here somewhere. I'll see if I can dig up anything worth preserving.

Name: Richard Of ~~~~~~~~~~ Tue-Aug 7, 2012, 9:52 am - HHS Time
Class: 1969
City & State: LongBeach
No E-mail
Message: I for one do not see the need to vote George off our island. I take his sarcasms as an example of who they come from. While I did not have the absolute best experience while at HHS (let's thump on the band pansy), instead of finding bitterness in it, I believed it conditioned me for the world outside of high school. When an accident took away all the musical talent I had, and left me to learn to talk, walk, and to regain coordination in even feeding myself, I had been conditioned to stick it out. And George, three years after the accident, I graduated from a police academy as the honor student, and in my near thirty years had numerous officer of the year, life savings, and meritorious service awards. And that ended by another injury, to which I had again to walk all over again. So while you glass is half empty, mine is adequately full. Please enjoy the current now, and don't let the past drag you down. You deserve that for yourself.

Name: Joann Dickson ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Aug 6, 2012, 10:57 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: SEXTON
Class: 1970
City & State: Norco, CA

Message: George....or should I say Dear George...(kind of a goodbye letter heading isn't it) You weren't a part of our Hawthorne history, you weren't a Cougar, (thank goodness) Now head out down the freeway toward your home, and please stay there. No time for your rude comments, or downgrading us that take pride in the school we attended. Let us have our memories, and keep yours to yourself.. (although you don't have any of Hawthorne High) Good bye George, leave your bitterness in Long Beach, would you please??? Wake up George, the whole world has changed, get a grip ok???

Name: Jim Peppers ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Aug 6, 2012, 10:29 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1961
City & State: Melissia, Greece

Message: You have a third concerning straightening Mr. Johnson out. It is sad, but his ignorance is astounding and I have frequently wanted to say something regarding his posts, but I have felt that he was seeking reactions from people to confirm his biased, bigoted, and boring opinions. His lack of education shows and he seems to be proud of it. And that man was in law enforcement and enjoys a cushy retirement. I guess I have ranted enough myself, but Les Vlieger asked for a third. And George, if you read this, we all have a life. And, like it or not, we are closing in on our final years. Our lives consist of our memories. They make us who we are. We respect those memories of our Hawthorne High School experience, respect that, please. You apparently have bitter memories, but those memories are of your making. And as Russ says, "May the Cougar be with you".
I also want to wish a happy birthday to my dear friend Betty Bell Boyer. I wish you all the best today and everyday. And a big happy birthday to Mary Ann Walton whom I have known since I first started attending school at Ramona Elementary. Mary Ann can you believe that we attended the same school as Norma Jean Baker?

Name: Ricki Farrell ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Aug 6, 2012, 8:45 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Valencia
Class: 1961
City & State: Oro Valley, AZ

Message: Madeline, I've been pondering George's post since it appeared on Cougartown and I am so relieved to have seen your comment. Your point was succinct and very well written. It is obvious by the Cougars who have contributed to this site for so many years that we have a vested interest in our high school and proud of it. I hope that at least in one hallway there are some pix of graduates with their accomplishments listed. Students will look at these and many will be encouraged to do the same. We will always have our fond memories whether the buildings are there or not. Remembering Jake and Jude's sign off: The Cougar is always with me. Thank you JB for this wonderful gift.

Name: Les Vlieger ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Aug 6, 2012, 6:47 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1968
City & State: Redundant Bch, CA

Message: I wholeheartedly agree with banning Archie Johnson from Cougartown and gladly second the motion. Is there a third?

Name: Russ Jacobsen ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Aug 6, 2012, 1:40 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: JACOBSEN
Class: 1960
City & State: Kuna, ID

Message: A BIG Happy B-Day to our friend Mary Ann Walton. Hope you have a wondermus day. Stay out of the SUN young lady. MAY THE COUGAR BE WITH YOU. Jake N Jude

Name: Madeline Pelland ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Aug 6, 2012, 12:14 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Ryan
Class: 1969
City & State: Redondo Beach

Message: Over the years I have saved some items that I had while I was a student at HHS, my old P.E locker combination lock, my black leotards from Modern Dance Class with our names stitched in along with the name HHS and also a picture of our English teacher Mrs Dicus in Nyman Hall plus some other Hawthorne High items I just kept over the years. I'm just kinda sentimental that way I guess, so its nice to know maybe I can donate them if the Historical group would like any of them. You know I just have to make a comment John and I completely understand if you choose not to post it because I respect this site that you have so wonderfully created for all of us to go back in time and share what was such a very special time in our lives but also the place, Hawthorne High.
I have to address George Johnson and his comments. You know George its YOU who really needs to get a life and move on!!! If you don't like this site or the comments of the people who do then why do you even bother??? I've seen your comments in the past and although everyone has a right to their opinion, there comes a point in time when someone needs to put you in your place and say to you your anger, hatred, and bigotry doesn't belong here or anywhere in civil society. Maybe if you had the wonderful experiences we all had the opportunity to experience at Hawthorne High you may not be so quick to demean our fond memories. Who are you to tell us what we should do or feel. Although the demographics have changed, anyone with eyes can see that, but the school is not as, in your words, "a ghetto". There are lot of wonderful and smart young teenagers who go to that school and your stereotyping is quite stunning. You mentioned you only went there for about a month and the admin sent you packing...it's no wonder with the negative attitude you have, they did HHS a favor by "sending you packing" You have to be my age and you would think that time would have mellowed you out but I don't see that happening. You delight in being just mean and contrary and your rants are really old and sad. Thank you John

Name: Sue Walsh ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Aug 6, 2012, 12:11 pm - HHS Time
Maiden: Jolly
Class: 1961
City & State: Hesperia Ca

Message: Happy Happy Birthday to a friend from years and years ago. Mary Ann Walton Martin. Have a wonderful day, and hope you get rain soon.

Name: Max Roelen ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Aug 6, 2012, 10:08 am - HHS Time
Class: 1974
City & State: Citrus Heights, CA

Message: So sad to hear HHS is being rebuilt from ground up. But what really erks me is, when did the COUGAR change from CAT to kitten or paw as seen on many commercial websites selling sweatshirts, hoodies and T's. That is not the Hawthorne High I want to remember!

Name: Susie Klink ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Aug 6, 2012, 9:31 am - HHS Time
Maiden: klingenhagen
Class: 1971
City & State: abq.,nm 87109

Message: ...would like to wish my sister Sheree, C/O'75, Happy Birthday today! Now ur double nickels sherbabe...enjoy ur day!!!

Name: Tom Nadal ~~~~~~~~~~ Mon-Aug 6, 2012, 1:09 am - HHS Time
Class: 1977
City & State: The OC

Message: The class of '77 reunion was a blast Saturday. Saw a lot of familiar faces and read a few name tags just to make sure I made the right connection. Ha ha. Lots of thanks to Jill who put in many hours to organize and guarantee a fun event for all who came. She even gave Cougar juice to a lucky winner. Go Cougars!

Name: Steve Fraser ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Aug 5, 2012, 5:50 pm - HHS Time
Class: 1966
City & State: Laguna Woods

Message: I worked at the pool as a locker attendant in the sixties. We had a piggy bank for loose change found in the clothing bags. By September the bank had a lotta loot and we treated the whole staff to a "wild and crazy party".

Name: Judy Degrazia ~~~~~~~~~~ Sun-Aug 5, 2012, 11:27 am - HHS Time
Maiden: DeGrazia
Class: 1964
No E-mail
Message: Point of interest for the Hawthorne Historical Society Cleaning out drawers this week and found the original program of the Jim Thorpe Park Dedication in 1974. "Perfect condition!" So, why is it sitting in the back of an old drawer waiting to rot away. Also found an original HHS pool bag - remember them? Green mesh with 2 pockets for shoes. When you checked it in, the pool girl gave you a big silver safety like pin with a number on it that you pinned to your swim suit..then retrieved your bag when ready to leave. I think later they put in lockers, but I could be wrong. Again, all I use it for now is to keep my hair things in one place and have for years. SO, HERE IT GOES TO THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEXT SATURDAY.. And yes, they may have to drug me to part with the pool bag, but better they take it now than have a relative in 30 years throw it in the trash because they didn't know what it was. Thank you to Lee Leonard, Bill Shultz, Karen & Bob Fraser for working so hard for good memories. Back to cleaning out drawers.