Name: Tom Burroughs () on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 at 14:31:52
E-Mail: TB-Sande@webtv.net
Class: 1958
City and State: Prescott AZ
Message: In response to those Haw. Int. people that felt the Dana kids looked down on them, maybe that developed in later years? Some of my best friends came from Dana, the Blomsterberg`s, the Mullens, the Brown`s, Madilyn Sadler, Bob Sheets etc. If they looked down on me I guess I was too dumb to know it! As for the current condition of our school I think CT. in it`s small way can have a very positive effect on HHS. I do remember Ida Mae Elliot. She worked at a concession at the back of Food Giant Mkt. I saw her at the 30 year reunion. She is still a riot! CRACK O DAWN ?? WHAAAT!

Name: Hoody () on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 at 13:34:59
E-Mail: onthelighterside
Maiden: ropeadope
Message: El Rojo...You know what it does to me when you talk lace. The only v-neck Marsha lets me wear is the one on the back of my velvet thong.
Speaking of Cougartown calendar images. Mr June - "The Crack Of Dawn"

Name: Karen Fraser () on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 at 11:34:39
Maiden: Bob Fraser
Class: 60
City and State: Hawthorne, Ca.
Message: I just want to say to Linda Farrow- it's fine you pulled up stakes and did what you felt you needed to do for your kids- that's your decision - not everyone can do that. The Centinela Valley Union High School District has its hands full and after many years of total mismanagement its leadership is finally looking a little brighter and stronger. I give a helluva lot of credit to Larry and Loretta Cuiper. BOTH of their children are graduates of HHS as were they.( What a great tradition). Larry and Loretta were also and still are FULLY INVOLVED PARENTS in all the school activities-- sports, PTA, boosters, etc. Hey,the Mayor of Hawthorne put his kids through HHS. Another fully involved parent. Even this web page has done so much to help the school - my hat and admiration go to those "TRUE COUGARS". Stop bashing the school and get involved in helping it instead. (sorry for the soapbox John.)
Thanks Karen, This is a fairly healthy discussion, and both sides have good points. I do agree that the parents can't walk away and leave teaching and motivation to the schools. Parents have to be involved in their children's life every day. HHS has its Honor Students, just as Mira Costa has its "Neer-do-wells".

Name: Linda Farrow () on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 at 10:36:17
E-Mail: Linda.Farrow@trw.com
Maiden: Elia
Class: 82
City and State: Redondo Beach, Ca
Message: Message to Loretta Cuiper~ This is just in reference to your comments about how HHS is now. Believe me I'm a true "Cougar" and will always be. But...my daughter is now a sophemore and attending Mira Costa High because there is no way I would feel comfortable with her at HHS. That is sad..because I had so many great memorys from there. I was involved with the sports programs and made many friends there. But the way it has changed, is scary. Granted the other schools in the area have their problems too, but not compared to HHS at this time. There was a pole recently done in the Daily Breeze and all the schools were rated. Out of the best 200 schools in our nation HHS was not on the list. Mira Costa ranked 78, not bad. I know many people who live in Hawthorne that had no choice but to send their children there because they owned property there and could not move out of the area. Some of the things they have said to me like not enough books for the students and not enough chairs/desks for them to sit in, over crowded class. I don't think so. My daughter is an A-B student and has participated in sports almost all her life and I just don't feel that HHS can offer her the 'best' education there is to offer when we have schools like Mira Costa that's a Blue Ribbion National School. Yes I had to move out of Hawthorne to be in their district, with that I had no problem. Also, a few of our friends have done the same for their children to attend Costa and Redondo. So just to have everyone understand there is a difference where a child can get a good education and not be intimidated by the surroundings there at. My sister dropped out of HHS because of all the crime and problems they had, that was 4 years ago. maybe it changed but honestly..I don't think so. I feel safer for my daughter where she's at.

Name: Christine Barid () on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 at 09:45:48
E-Mail: carissa58@hotmail.com
Maiden: Penny
Class: 76
City and State: Round Rock TX
Message: Well, 2 cents it is....
I can't speak for anyone but myself in this matter, but I feel that the California school system did not do me any favors. More specifally, the amount and type of required courses was set far too low. Do to my nature at ages 14-17, which was: do only what is necessary to graduate, I only did the bare minumum that was required. I now firmly believe that more should have been required. I skated through highschool, on the honor roll no less, with the barest of effort. I was not challenged, but then again, do to my nature, I did not challenge myself. On the other hand this was 25 yrs. ago. I do not know the state in which the school system is in now, hopefully much better. I do know that when we lived in California 11+ years ago it wasn't much better. I enrolled my son in a private school. This aside, I would check the ranking of any school in question before enrolling my child there. You should be able to access the schools ranking through public records. To say I was not happy with the California school system would be an understatement, but that is just my oppion. On a happier note.....John.... I think a barrel with straps would wrap things up nicely.
Why is that a "Happier Note"?

Name: Charlene Meyer () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 23:48:46
E-Mail: bread4@pacbell.net
Maiden: Chapline
Class: 60
City and State: CA
Message: In reply to Tom Burroughs- Pierette Hailey lived 2 doors down from me on the south side of 130th. Ida Mae Elliot lived across the street from me and her father still lives there. Two doors down from Ida Mae was Mike Burris. I'm sure there's someone out there that remembers those names. My dad and Wally Fraser were buddies in high school. Now I need to get my dad's school albums out and look them over. He graduated from Inglewood High in 1926.

Name: Kelley () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 23:31:22
E-Mail: bigkell50@yahoo.com
Class: 67
City and State: coos bay,ore by the ocean
Message: Hey everyone if you want to see some good ole oregon cougars era 1970's and 80's check out paco's pics. These were sent by our good picture woof, Petey. I hope there are some oregon cougars going to the picnic, it should be a blast. be there Oregon Cougars or be from lennox.

Name: Kathy Simpson () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 22:39:43
E-Mail: GSDrumer@aol.com
Maiden: Kathy Kelly
Class: 1976
City and State: Falcon, Colorado
Message: Is there a web page for 1976 and 1977 graduating classes? If so, will I be able to find out where we ranked in class; SAT or ACT test scores, etc?
Thanks for your research time and assistance.
Hi Kathy, There's no class of 76-77 website that I know of.

Name: EL ROJO () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 22:02:22
E-Mail: I-DY-HO
Maiden: YOU KNOW
Class: nO BETTER
City and State: STILL IN BLISS.COM
Message: Hoody #1, whats with this fixation about boys showering? Jeez Marsha, I hope he's not still wearing those Gym Shorts with the lace and the V-Neck tee that "The Coach" abhorred! The last time this came up was a couple of hundred page's or so.

Name: Loretta Cuiper () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 20:45:14
E-Mail: LCuiper@aol.com
Maiden: Morelli
Class: 62
City and State: Hawthorne, Ca
Message: Hi Julie Ryan, I really would like to know where your sister in - law got that information. That is so wrong. Our son just graudated from HHS. He did have to work hard but his senior year he got A's & B's. Most of his friends he grew up with, and he made alot of new ones at HHS, and are going to El Camino, as he is, but he has alot that are going to San Diego State, Long Beach State, Santa Barbara, UCLA and USC. All these kids did the work to get to where they are going now and all had help with great teachers, oh, sure Im sure there are some teachers who are just burned out. I will say for my experience that was not the case with our son. The teachers were there for our kids. I will tell you this, all parents need to get involved in there childs school, join the PTA, or if you are lucky and have a sporty child then join that Booster Club. Parents involvement is very important, it helps you see what is going on in your childs school and if you do not like something then speak up and make it better. As far as saying it is the worst, that is not true, the school has it's problems, but Eric has friends that just graduated from South, West, Torrance, Mira Costa and Redondo and let me tell you they have big problems too. Now, maybe Washington schools are different, but, I don't think so and you really should be with your child for his high school years, they are really the most important, so many things start to be happening with them in there teen years. You have another year to check around, if you don't want him to go to HHS, there are others around. Just remember as long as you are with him, that is important. Get more details, go to HHS and talk to Dr. Hoy the principal and see for yourself, go to a school board meeting. Call the district office they will tell you when the public meetings are held.. Good Luck.

Name: Kathleen Griffin () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 16:35:18
E-Mail: Spirithart@yahoo.com
Maiden: Nix
Class: 74
City and State: San Pedro, CA
Message: Julie Henderson-Ryan,
I'm hoping you will remember me since my little Sister Jeanne was a close friend of yours. As to the quality of education a child receives in High School.
You need to evaluate where your kids currently are academically. If they are behind the national curve and about to enter high school, I do not believe that they will suddenly jump over the curve by being removed from your home and sent to a "SUPER" High School where students have been primed since Kindergarten to excel academically.
My experience with my own sons has shown me that the most successful students in academia have the most supportive parents at home. (Yes I know there are exceptions and many will be quick to point them out) Their parents are involved in every aspect of their lives. These "students" know that their parents are in close contact with their teachers so they are not likely to get away with slacking off on their studies.
We have several folks who are active on Feedback that have children currently in or recently graduated from HHS. I have not heard one complaint from them about the quality of education their children received in High School. I've heard complaints about the state of the school facilities though. On that note, it's important to realize that everything goes in cycles and I'm hearing more and more rumors of "fixing" up the campus.
That's my two cents worth (not taking inflation into account).....stepping off my soap box now.
My 2 cents you ask?? OK, Quality parents mean MUCH more to a childs education than quality schools and quality teachers.

Name: Elizabeth Estrada () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 16:30:21
E-Mail: dzlizzy219@aol.com
Class: 69
City and State: Redondo Beach
Message: Dear John, Please, if you love your country as you say you do, get a good Brazilian bikini wax before you pose for the calender in your Leopard Print G-String. Keep America Beautiful!!!!xoxoxo
I'm sorry Liz, but a good BBW isn't going to help me in the Leopard speedo Cougartown calendar dept. I might pose in a barrel with a couple of shoulder straps though.

Name: Jack Risner () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 16:21:28
E-Mail: John.Risner@amermsx.ge.com
Class: 1974
City and State: Hailey,Idaho
Message: I gotta tell you-What a great site! I am impressed. I am even more amazed by how many of you stayed in H-town. I really get a kick out of everyone's memories. Does anyone else remember "spotting" outside Thriftimart Liquors on Friday nights? Meeting up out on the tracks, especially during football season and going through the fence. HA! And for those of you from the 74 class- Do you remember Danny Dews' brother Larry and his bare backside at the grad ceremony? Sounds like a lot of people went to Taco Bell for lunch. I remember a lot of people at Thriftimart Liquor and Aloha Drugs snagging Doritos and Bubble Up and Abba Zabba candy bars. My best friends, Bill Caldwell, Jim Daniel and I used to work at Herb's Union 76 next to the Wooden Shoe coffee shop (became Tiny Naylor's). That is where I met my wife of 21 years, Becky. She was a cheerleader at Lawndale during the same years. One last rememberance of someone's name I see on these pages: Dewey Storie. Dewey I can't begin to tell you how many times over the years I have thought of you. You always bring a smile to my face. What a strong character you were. Burn up any Corvairs in the middle of the street lately?
Hey Jack, Thanks for the shout and keep those memories alive.......

Name: Hoody () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 15:56:37
E-Mail: alittleshortsighted
Message: All the gym shorts and locker rooms in Hawthorne will never replace the physical, mental and social education obtained from the honorable Coach Sweeney at Hawthorne Intermediate. Besides we always suspected those Dana Boys were showering together at a very young age.
I agree, Coach Sweeney was one of the best.....

Name: Tom Burroughs () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 15:06:13
E-Mail: TB-Sande@webtv.net
Class: 1958
City and State: Proscott AZ
Message: Sounds like I was dead wrong on Rubin & Tommy ( Longmores) name. Oh well, & I am too old to remember Eddie! To Charlene Chapline, the couple that ran the bakery in Roths market, George & Mary Yudolph? Again, not sure of the spelling? Ramona was called 5th st. school when I went to kindergarten. E-GAD!! 1945. I also lived on 130th just east of Ing. Ave. Does anyone remember Pierrette Hailey, she lived just up the hill from Ramona on south side of the street? At the top of the hill in a big house lived my long time dentist & a great guy Doc Fraser. He was a boxer in his early days. Kindegarten, 1945!! No wonder I get peoples last names wrong! How did I get this old? TB from AZ
P.S. Janet, I thought that HHS calender thing over, & I think they would go over much better with JB2`s pic. instead of JB1`s
On that calendar thingy...I TOTALLY AGREE!!! Thanks Tom......

Name: Julie Ryan () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 14:03:49
E-Mail: Ribitalot@AOL.com.
Maiden: Henderson
Class: 81
City and State: Hawthorne, CA
Message: Hi, Does anyone know how good/bad HHS is now? Our oldest child will be starting high school next fall and my sister in law says that HHS is one of the worst schools in the nation. She wants us to send our kids to her in Washington for their high school years. Thank you for this great web site. Julie
Hi Julie, Although California, as a whole, isn't ranked very high academically, I'm curious as to how your sister in law would know that HHS was "one of the worst schools in the nation"?
And when you say "good/bad", are you referring to the quality of the parents-students, or the quality of the teachers?

Name: Bob Melendrez () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 12:59:55
E-Mail: Strongheart@pacificwest.com
Class: 1971
City and State: Redondo Beach, CA
Message: Thanks, Keith Peters, for the update about Marie Gardner, she was my 2nd grade teacher at Cabrillo as well (1960-1961). Mrs. Gardner was a large influence in my life, as it was she who got me interested in rocks and minerals. She called herself a "rock hound" as I remember. Well, long story short, years later I graduated college with a degree in Hydrogeology. So, thanks to Mrs. Gardner, I've had rocks in my head since 2nd grade! Also, with respect to the Dana vs. HIS "debate", Dana had neither shower facilities, nor a gym, until the very late 60's or early 70's. (Mr. Plotkin would probably know for sure.) I can't imagine that the quality of teachers and of the education available would have been any different between the two schools. I certainly had no input to my parent's decision to move to Holly Glen after my dad abruptly retired from the Navy in 1955. It was by the Grace of God that I grew up in Hawthorne at all. San Diego would have been more likely for my family. We're all Cougars, regardless of how we got there....
Hi Bob, I agree that the schools, although different school districts, wouldn't have differed much in the quality of teaching. I'm sure both Jr. Highs had their share of outstanding people (students and teachers).

Name: SUSAN LONG () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 12:44:01
E-Mail: K9KARMA@DELLNET.NET
Maiden: WATTS
Class: 73
City and State: ROANOKE, VA
Message: All the talk about Dana...I grew up on 135th Street, across the street from the school. I can remember waiting until the bell rang to run across the street. My parents lived in the house until 1981, when they retired. Thank goodness my mom waited until I was at HHS to start working at Dana as a "lunch yard dog"!!

Name: Howard Duran () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 12:24:30
E-Mail: doo4usc@aol.com
Class: 61
City and State: Lake Forest, Ca
Message: Keith Peters, say hi to Miss Gardner for me! I was in her 1954 3rd grade class, along with Terry Benjamin, Kenny Blomsterberg, and Nadine Hollingsworth! Thanks..

Name: judy sundstrom meintz () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 09:31:34
E-Mail: jlmeintz@up,net
Maiden: sundstrom
Class: 62
City and State: powers, Michigan
Message: I have the COUGAR vol IX no 1 - 35 How do you want to obtain them? Let me know. I have the 61-62 student handbook also. I'm looking for a T shirt so maybe we can trade. Judy
Hi Judy, I already have them, but thanks for trying. Always nice to hear from a 62er too.

Name: DEBRA ELLIOTT () on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 09:11:29
E-Mail: GEDE673@MSN.COM
Maiden: REID
Class: 69
City and State: HAWTHORNE,CA
Message: THIS MESSAGE IS FOR MIKE MCCANN, LISA ELLIOTT IS MY DAUGHTER AND YES SHE DID GO TO FUNSHIP. BOTH HER AND SCOTT WERE THERE. WERE WITH FUNSHIP FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS. ANOTHER WONDERFUL PLACE IN HAWTHORNE WHERE I COULD TRUST TO PUT MY KIDS, WHILE I WORKED. ALWAYS GREAT STAFF!! NOT SURE IF LISA READS THIS OR WOULD WRITE, SHE IS PROBABLY WORSE THAN HER MOM!! BUT JOHN THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. I DO READ IT EVERY MORNING, KIND OF ADDICTING/ DEBBIE
Hey Debbie, Thanks for the help, and glad you like the website.

Name: Teresa Fernandez () on Saturday, August 19, 2000 at 00:24:53
E-Mail: tfrhcp@aol.com
Message: Hello everyone, I just wanted to say how lucky you all are to have such a nice web site. I went to Leuzinger class of '81 and would love to have a site to visit like this one. My husband Craig went to Hawthorne class of '80. I see my mother in law Irene is a frequent visitor and I see Uncle Reuel is too. Have fun all!
Thank you Teresa and come back anytime.

Name: Keith Peters () on Friday, August 18, 2000 at 23:01:44
Class: 69
City and State: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Message: John, This is one great website. I did want to let all people who attended Cabrillo and Peter Burnett in the 50s and 60s to know that Mrs. Marie Gardner, who was my second grade teacher at Cabrillo in 1959 is celebrating her 99th birthday this coming September 7th. She is still doing great, living in a senior citizens complex near downtown Los Angeles. She spends much of her time caring for her niece who is afflicted with Alzheimer's. I try to stay in touch with Mrs. Gardner at least a couple of times a month to find out how she is doing. She's always great to talk to and, just like her teaching days a real fount of information. As we get older, it's so important to remember all of the fine people that came before us, our parents and our teachers. I just thought a lot of Cougars might remember her as well. All the best.
Hi Keith, I'm talking to a few people who are in my home right now and Jan Blomsterberg said she was his 3rd grade teacher. He's 54 now. It's amazing how all this evolves. Thanks Keith

Name: Chris Prewitt () on Friday, August 18, 2000 at 22:19:05
E-Mail: cjprewitt@juno.com
Class: 1967
City and State: Fullerton, CA
Message: John, If you can remember way back about a year ago I purchased some B'day candy items "fit for a King". They were bought at the candy store at the Block. They have such items as the wax bottle with punch in them, candy and bubble gum cigarettes, wax lips, black jack gum, single color M&Ms (you can buy all green or pink or black), sweet tarts and even atomic fireballs. Right next door is Johnny Rockets for a thick malt. If you have any money left there is a Dave and Busters for some video games. John, I think you need to take field trip to the Block.
Hey Chris, We missed you on Cruise Night dude!!! Thanks and yes I do remember those items. I just didn't know where you got them.

Name: Sherrie () on Friday, August 18, 2000 at 21:53:50
E-Mail: john.sherrie@gateway.net
Message: Visiting this page. I graduated from Inglewood High, class of 66. This is a totally cool page. Wow, what an amount of work you put into this!!
Thanks Sherrie, Come on back anytime.

Name: Gina Peck () on Friday, August 18, 2000 at 18:35:09
E-Mail: rjpeck@pacbell.net
Maiden: Black
Class: 80
City and State: Los Angeles, CA
Message: Hi all!! I'm in the market for a spinning wheel and a loom (you know, for weaving?). Anyone have one of these items, stuffed in a closet, that they want to get rid of? If you do or know of someone who does, please email me...not on CT. Thanks!!!

Name: Kathleen Griffin () on Friday, August 18, 2000 at 18:15:19
E-Mail: Spirithart@yahoo.com
Maiden: Nix
Class: 74
City and State: San Pedro, CA
Message: This is for all of you who are looking for those hometown favorites. Click here for oldies stuff.
Thanks Kathleen.....

Name: Dan Johnson () on Friday, August 18, 2000 at 17:27:30
E-Mail: wch1ispink@aol.com
Class: 77
City and State: Wiseburn
Message: Re: Dana v. HIS -- I think that the Dana people had better facilities and teachers. I was in a freshman honor's English class and 80% of the class came from Dana. I think this gave them an advantage academically when they came to HHS. Another example -- Gym class at HIS was basically go out and exercise in your clothes -- there was no Gym, no showers, no requirement that you wear sweats or anything like that. That was not the case at Dana (I don't think, but I didn't go there, so how would I know?) Anyway, I don't think the "stepchild" thing translated into the social arena. It appeared to me that the two camps mixed quite well.
Although HIS didn't have a Gym and Phys-Ed facilities in the late 50's, we did turn out the Reales, Petchs, Dyes, Longs, Moynaghs, Fays, Lords, Russells, Coopers, etc, that made the HHS teams shine in the early 60's, so I don't think being without a Gym or sweats makes the athlete, and I would have to say that the teaching had to be comparable too....just my 2 cents