Atwater High School Alumni Association, Inc.
Atwater Alumni Association November 2020 Newsletter
One of the original key goals of the Atwater High School Alumni Association was the establishment of a scholarship program to aid AHS students in continuing their education. The Legacy Scholarship was originally formed out of a class reunion project four years ago. Since that time, the program has presented yearly scholarships to students continuing their education in two-year, four year and trade schools.
The funding support for these scholarships has largely been dependent on support and donations from yearly class reunions and local informal class social gatherings. In addition, those donations have been supplemented by individual donations received from alumni through the web site. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us over the years.
Like most institutions the current Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a need to reduce reunions and social gatherings to help stop the spread of the virus and for the safety of our classmates. All the reunions planned for 2020 have been reset for 2021 and you can see updated information below and on the web site. This has resulted in a severe loss of funds to support our Legacy Scholarship.
Our goal is to continue this program and supported the dedicated students and staff at Atwater High School who continue to make amazing efforts under exceedingly difficult circumstances. To do that we will need the help of individual alumni to step up and help us through personal donations. All donations to the Alumni Association are tax deductible and 100% will be used to support this program. Alumni can donate through the web site at www.atwateralumniassociaiton.com or by sending checks made out to the Atwater High School Alumni Association to 106 Laurel, Atwater CA. 95301.
We sincerely thank all of those who have supported us in the past and hope that going forward we can return to the reunions that everyone enjoys so much and have supported us so well. Our best wishes for you, your family’s and all our alumni.
Atwater High School Alumni Association.
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The Class of 1970 has announced that due to the current condition they will delay their 50th Year Reunion originally scheduled for Friday July 3, 2020. They are looking at dates in the September time period. So, stay tuned more information to come.
The Class of 1975 has announced that their 45th Year Reunion originally scheduled for September will be moved to 2021, dates to be announced soon. If you had already sent in your registration you can either have the committee cancel or return your checks or you can apply it to next year’s event, contact the committee to advise you choice.
The Class of 1980 has announced a change in the date of their 40th Year Reunion originally scheduled for Labor Day weekend 2020.The new date will be Labor Day Weekend 2021. Mark your calendars, more information to come.
The Class of 1990 has established a Facebook group page Atwater High School Class of 1990 30 Year Reunion. A reunion will be held, but due to the current vises conditions an exact date has not been established. Alumni who are interested would like to update on future plans are encouraged to go to the Facebook site.
The Class of 2000 Reunion Committee has announced the 20thYear Reunion originally scheduled for June 13, 2020 has been moved to June 19, 2021. More information to come, mark your calendars. Information available on the Atwater High School Class of 2000 Facebook group page.
A group of alumni is working on organizing a multi class reunion for those who attended AHS from 1958 to 1965. This includes the original class at AHS and the first four-year Senior and Junior classes. They are looking for classmate information to contact them. If you were at AHS during this time and are interested in this event, please send your contact information to the association or to Geri Freitas through her Facebook Messenger site. The committee has decided to push this event back to next year and have set the date as October 9, 2021. So mark your calendar and if you have not contacted Geri and the group with your contact information its not to late.
If your class year ends in a 1 (71, 81, 91, 01, 11). or 6 (66, 76, 86, 96, 06, 16). now would be a great time to organize a committee, have some fun and start planning for a reunion this year. The Alumni Associate is willing to help, and we have some experts who have had experience in the organizing of these events and will be happy to share some best practices with you.
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Milestone Year Events
The following class years are celebrating milestones this year. Here are some interesting things that happened during the months and year they graduated. There were many interesting events in every month, and these were selected as only one interesting and, in some cases, fun example.
1965 – Nov. 14 – U.S. Government sends 90,000 troops to Viet Nam.
1970 – Nov. 23 – George Harrisons releases single “My Sweet Lord”.
1975 –. Nov. 10 – The freighter SS Edmond Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior, all 25 souls on board are lost.
1980 – Nov 21 – Dallas “Who Shot J.R” episode (Kristen) is viewed by 83 million people in the U.S,
1985 – Nov. 20 – Microsoft Windows 1.0 is released.
1990 – Nov. 10 – Movie “Home Alone” stating Macaulay Culkin premieres in Chicago.
1995 – Nov. 7 – Howard Stern’s radio show premiers in Pittsburgh, PA.
2000 – Nov. 2 – The first crew arrives at the International Space Station.
2005 – Nov. 16 – The Microsoft Xbox 360 is released.
2010 – Nov. 1 – The SF Giants beat the Texas Rangers 3-1 to clench their first World Series since relocation from NYC in 1958.
2015 – Nov 20 – NASA orders the first commercial space mission from a private company, SpaceX.
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Alumni News
Ferman Perez (86) and the Taste of Tequila Restaurant was honored at the Hispanic Business of the Year in Atwater for his service to the community. The Perez family through several generations of operation of Tequila Café in both Winton and Atwater, and now the Taste of Tequila in Atwater have been part of the history of the community. All Falcons can recall enjoying their wonderful food and most of us are classmates of a member of this family. Congratulations to Ferman, if you live in the area or just visiting stop by the restaurant and support the Perez family, a true icon in our area.
Congratulations to Heather Carter Dukes (97) and Levi Dukes (95) on the celebration of their 19th wedding anniversary.
Congratulations to Kendall Flatt (21), daughter of Susan (89) and Dan Flatt for signing her national letter of intent to play softball at Concordia University. A very proud Falcon family.
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AHS News
The Atwater High School FFA Faculty continues to excel. The Central Region Ag Teacher Association has recognized two members for their outstanding performance. Mrs. Natalie Borba was awarded Teacher of Excellence honors, and Mrs. Kimberly Mesa was selected as Outstanding Young Teacher. Both will continue to the California State selection level, good luck and congratulations to both.
As the school comes back to a split schedule the Alumni Associations welcomes and congratulates the new members of the faculty. Our best wishes and thanks for all you do for the students.
Mrs. Saetern – English
Mr. Reyna – Academic Support
Mrs. Duran-Robley – Math
Mrs. Green – World Language
Mr. Granado – Math
Mr. Blake – Social Studies
Mrs. Alexander – English