Classmates from the 70s

GABRIEL "Gabe" NAVARRO, 1971     

     Even though I graduated in 1971, I have great memories of my friends and good times at Jeff before my last year.  There was always a lot going on-- like the time when we had two lunches, because there were so many students at Jeff.  That was before Serramonte High was opened.  People would cut classes to hang out during either one of those lunches or both.  Being with friends was very important to us.

     Music was a big part of my life at Jefferson.  Remember the morning music in the cafeteria?  I remember being in the Marching Band and Jazz Band from 1968-71 and the Orchestra in my senior year (during my free period). Let's see.... all the characters in the band like Wally Langosch, John Serrano, John Worley, Ray Cirimele, Mike Bernovich, Gene Morales, Harold Toor, John Abigana, Gary Groefer, Harold Manor, John Pigman, Steven Joe, Kirt Moret, Jim Cranna, Joe Santo Domingo... and many more that I can't recall. We were all "weirdoes" or so we thought.   

     Then there were those "After School Bull Session Boys” John Worley, John Serrano, Kirt Moret, Mike Bernovich, Ray Cirimele, Joe Santo Domingo, Joe Sandoval, Mr. Larsen and me. 

     I recall the Drum Majors: Sharon Anderson & Riley Atkins and the Pom-Poms--Frances Bandalan & Lexanne McKay.  Remember those "Super Sax Sections" of the Jazz Bands: Larry Ciardella, Henry Lucero, Earl Wilson, John Abigana, Joe Sandoval, Dennis Henderson, Tom Abbott (cook!), Jerry Shimada, Me (Gabe Navarro).  AND our great leader - Richard Larsen. And who can forget the "Massed Band Concerts" at UC Berkeley?  

     The "Goofs" as I called them: Ken Haxton, Bill Damota, Joey Catalano, Joe Santo Domingo, Steve Javier, Dave Llumin, Bill Bates, Mike Ruggiero, Tom Martinez, Danny Castrillo, Dan Chamorro, George Francisco, Don Moore, Roger Moret, Randy Boone, Ray Gee, Russ Van Patten, Wes Muyco--My lunchtime buddy. (Remember the blonde twins who were always flirting with us?)   

     Then there were the "nice" ones: Leslie Nobles, Karen Hill, Pauline Schmidt, Peggy O'Neill, Carolyn Coughlin, Carolyn Reents, Ann Kosik, Kathy Breckner, Janet Sayre, Linda Kahle, Frances Bandalan, Claudia Bermudez, Bonnie Howard, Molly Hermosillo, Cathy Spitzer, Sandra Bizjack, Linda Cummings, Irene Healy, Laura Maita, Susan Moret, Carol Badran, Janet Vollers, Nancy Pezzola, Carol Maxion, Denise Courtright, Anna Pacheco, Theresa Tabucchi and Cathy Spitzer (not Kathy.  We lived on the same block and went to school together from kindergarten.  She'd kill me if I misspelled her name.) 

     Some teachers I remember: Mr. Lipscomb, Mr. Brown, Mr. Taini, Mr. Berger (strict), Mrs. Hillmoe, Mr. Lassegues, Mrs. Clapper, Mr. Sweeney (sweathead), Mr. White. The musical duo of Sinor and Garfinkle.  AND the coaches: Cunningham, McGrath (my favorite) & Brandy.  

     Coolest Hot Rod ever (MOPAR): Hector DeCastro - 340 six-pac, 440 six-pac, 426 Hemi? I can't remember. It was just the coolest car.   Mustn't forget that great exterior car decorator--Fern Tracey.   

     It’s hard to forget "The Road" with all the "Stoners."  Boy, I hope I got all those names right. They're all from memory - which is fading fast.          

DAVID TERRY, '79

     I do remember my days at Jefferson, but like so many others, sometimes we do not appreciate our experiences at the time. I still think about the friends that I had, Steve Sylvia, Hike Hara, Clay Younger, Gary Foppiano, Diana Tissel, Scott Bradley (who left us too soon in a car accident in the summer of '79), Mike Boyd, Rather Diaz, Tabby Davenport, Tom Tubbe, Danny Mendoza, Dave McDonnell, James Caruso, Nick Huertas (he's gone, too), Bob and Dave Oller, Moliki-- too many to remember off hand, I need to find that '79 yearbook.
     I remember Mrs. Hilmoe and how we use to drive her nuts; Mr.Leahy and his potato famine story; Coach McGrath and his raspy voice echoing off the swimming pool walls; Coach Burgett and his Sgt. Slaughter approach to football, especially summer double sessions, "Terry, fix your face mask, would you go to battle with a dirty rifle!!??" I can still hear his words as if it were yesterday. Wrestling during practice until you hurt all over, I really miss Ol' Coach Burgett!
     How can I forget the grueling treks up San Bruno Mt. to put the 'J' back up on its face after some Westmoorian hooligans reshaped the 'J' into a 'W' and the night that we took it one step further and burned the 'J' at the 50 yard line at Westmoor, too fun!
     I did attend the 15-year reunion of the class of '79 and it was nice to see some of the old gang again. I know the 20th is fast approaching. I hope all of the old gang is there.
                                         AND HERE COMES YOUR 25th!
                                                   SEPTEMBER 25, 2004

SHARON GOWAN RIZZATO, '79

     I remember that our group made a 6'x5' paper mache football for our Homecoming float in my junior year. Somehow??? that night, our football found itself on the roof of Westmoor.

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