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The class of 1952 celebrates

Valley forum

We were confident, happy seniors when we graduated Sonoma High – 60 years ago this June 5. We had 81 graduates. And thanks to our exceptional coaches, we had amassed a championship football team, plus a championship tennis team.

  And thanks to the exceptional teaching of Emily Grinstead, Chet Sharek and others, the seven classmates who took the subject A exam for UC Berkeley passed and were accepted. Another 14 were accepted at Santa Rosa Junior College. They went on to become professors of geology and mining, pharmacists, traders on the stock exchange, commanders in the Coast Guard, policemen, winery owners, social workers, writers, physical therapists, librarians, elementary and high school teachers, ranchers, tour guides and vintage car racers.

  Many of these people came back to Sonoma to take part in a one-week-long celebration, from May 5 to 12. That included a barbecue at Hanna Boys Center given by the Sonoma High Athletic Hall of Fame (Bob Kruljak), to honor the championship teams at Sonoma High. Our class of 1952 football team opened up the ceremonies.

  A theme heard over and over was “how fortunate we were to grow up and be schooled in Sonoma Valley.” Our school days were indeed idyllic here in the Valley.

  We’ve thanked our parents, but we haven’t thanked our teachers, our coaches (Edsall, Sharek, Costello) nor have we thanked the shopkeepers and businesses still here like Eraldi’s, Vella’s and The Sonoma Index-Tribune – all of whom put ads in our yearbooks faithfully.

  A special thank you goes to Bob Lynch and his family. Bob took the time to teach us how to publish our school paper, “The Dragon’s Tale,” on a real press. I dare say that this could happen only in Sonoma Valley – not Sacramento, San Rafael or Los Angeles.

  To celebrate our 60th is to celebrate and thank all of the people who made our journey possible. This must also include Ronnie and Marilyn Kiser, and Henry and Diane Johnson Mayo for their hospitality and loyalty to our class.

Roll on Sonoma High. Roll on you Dragons.