Minutes of the
HHS Alumni Association
Inaugural Meeting

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Hawthorne High School Cafeteria
4859 W. El Segundo Blvd.
Hawthorne, CA 90250

In attendance: Clark Millman, class of 1976, Laura Geele Wang '76, Sharon Bierman Branigan '76 , Richard Witte '69, Chris Prewitt '67, Don DiTomasso '75, Leslie Greasby '79, Tracy Turner '78, and Beverly Bierman, alumni parent.

The meeting was opened at 12:15 p.m. by Clark Millman, who was Class President of HHS class of 1976. Clark said that he was inspired to form the Hawthorne High School (HHS) Alumni Association because of an article he read in the Daily Breeze newspaper which "trashed" HHS. Clark doesn't want HHS to become a forgotten school; he wants to bring a group of interested and concerned individuals together to promote school spirit, tradition, culture, athletics and academics. Clark stated that people have good ideas but need to put them into action. An alumni organization can devote a few hours a month to do good things for the school. He mentioned the loss (deconstruction) of "Senior Square" and hoped that the association can help to rebuild it, along with many other traditions.

Clark acknowledged that this organization would be a separate entity from Cougartown.com, and that this organization will need the support and resources (alumni contact information and message board) of Cougartown.com, with the blessing of John Baker.

Some time ago, Clark was able to salvage all of the trophies and photographs of past ASB presidents from the trophy case which was torn out of Nyman Hall. The photos were on display at the meeting and most of them are in very bad shape, having been tossed into boxes and allowed exposure to the elements. He would like to restore the trophies and photographs and have new display cases built, perhaps in the cafeteria, which appears to have an abundance of unused wall space available. "Philanthropy" would be the focus of this organization. We would not try to "fix" Hawthorne High, but enhance the educational, recreational and social opportunities of the current students and families of HHS.

Clark indicated that he has spoken with the HHS PTA, and that this organization would initially operate under their wing and their nonprofit status. Clark suggested a pancake breakfast to give this association a source of seed money to support our programs. Items to be considered: Senior Square, trophy restoration, ASB Presidents photo restoration; all of these are part of the cultural history and a source of pride for the school.

Suggested committees to be governed by the Association and the names of those who volunteered to work on those committees are:

Athletic: Leslie Greasby ; Tracy Turner

Academic/Mentoring: Don di Tomasso

Fundraising/Outreach: Clark Millman, Sharon Branigan

Heritage/Traditions: Richard Witte, Chris Prewitt, Clark Millman

General/Organizational/Help: Laura Wang, Dave Wang.

Clark inquired of Mrs. Beverly Bierman if she would consider keeping the treasury/ accounting books for the Association. Mrs. Bierman stated that she would consider it and get back to him.

Tracy inquired as to whether John Baker would give the HHS Alumni Association a link on Cougartown.com. Clark answered that Cougartown.com will support us with a link or a page on Cougartown.com.

Laura remarked that a mentoring program would not only help students academically but also help develop a sense of school pride.

Leslie stated that she has seen first hand how beneficial these programs can be through her work at the Hawthorne Sports Center. Chris inquired as to how many new or current classes (of students) have photographs of ASB Presidents to add to the display, and how do we find them? That answer was not immediately forthcoming.

Clark suggested the HHS Alumni Association meet at least four times per year, but that we should meet within 2 months to get the group moving forward. He will host at his office at 23670 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA., on Saturday, March 24, 2007, at 12:00 noon.

He also requested volunteers to meet on Saturday Feb. 3 at his office from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to clean and restore athletic trophies that he salvaged from the destroyed display cases in Nyman Hall.

Clark stated that he would obtain a copy of the By-Laws of the Serra School Alumni Association so that this organization would have a set of By-Laws for reference in drafting our own By-Laws.

Clark stated that the next meeting would be addressed by HHS Principal Joy Bramlette, and by John Baker of Cougartown.com; and possibly Hal Chauncey and Dave Capeluto (former coaches at HHS and the men for whom Hal-Cap field is named); and possibly Hawthorne Mayor Larry Guidi.

Sharon encouraged all in attendance to try to bring at least one other HHS alumnus to the next meeting to join the Association.

Laura offered to be the Vice-chair of liaison with the school since she is in the city of Hawthorne quite often, visiting her parents.

Don suggested that maybe we could have a booth at the next Cougartown picnic; Laura suggested asking the school to put a notice of our next meeting on the marquee on El Segundo Blvd.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m. by Clark Millman, with Clark reminding members that the next HHS Alumni Association meeting is on Saturday, March 24, at 12:00 noon at his office in Torrance.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Branigan
Acting Secretary