Cathedral Alumni Newsletter Summer 2014 Issue 9

SUMMER 2014 - CHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

CHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SUMMER 2014 Issue. 09

NEWSLETTER

THE FRIENDS OF CATHEDRAL30 YEARS LATER

IN THIS ISSUE:

THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

OF 1975

ASB PRES TRISTAN HOM ‘14

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: SAL

CASTRO ‘52

YEARBOOKS THROUGH THE

YEARS

Connecting the Cathedral High of the past with the Cathedral High of the present & future.

23456 8

10121416

UPCOMING EVENTS / NEWS AND NOTES

MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF

PHANTOM SPORTS - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.’14 PHANTOM SOCCER

PHANTOMS REMEMBERED

FROM THE STUDENTS: MY CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL SWAN SONG

CHS YESTERYEAR....”THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF 1975”

THE FRIENDS OF CATHEDRAL & THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: SAL CASTRO 1952

LOOKING BACK: YEARBOOKS THROUGH THE YEARS

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: BROTHER ROCH DUFRESNE FSC


WELCOME CHS ALUMNI AND FRIENDS 1

PHANTOM LIFE

COVER PHOTO:Members of “The Friends of Cathedral” pose for a photo with Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley after being honored for their fight in saving Cathedral High School.


WILLIAM GALLEGOS ‘89EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

HECTOR ROMAN ‘76CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ROBERTO VALDIVIA ‘95LAYOUT DESIGN

CONTRIBUTORSFrank Moramarco ‘55Claude Martinez ‘57Ralph Noriega ‘63

Tom Varela ‘67Raul Angulo ‘75Tristan Hom ‘14Joe Ibarra ‘15

Br Roch Dufresne FSC

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places your ad on our website. Visit www.CathedralAlumni.com for more

information.

WEBSITEwww.CathedralAlumni.com

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The Cathedral High School Alumni Association Newsletter has been published since 2011. It’s

mission is to “Connect the Cathedral High of the Past with the Cathedral High of the Present and

Future”; to educate and entertain the alumni and others interested in Cathedral High School; to

install and sustain pride in being an Alumnus of Cathedral; and to present current issues that

help maintain a historical record of the activites of the Alumni Association.

Get A “Printed” Version of this NewsletterWe hope that you enjoy this latest issue of the CHS Alumni Newsletter. If you prefer the paper

version over the electronic version, you can have one mailed.

Donate Online:

Go to www.cathedralalumni.com and make a one time donation of only $25.00 (one single

payment gives you paper issues for life). Donation info will be located on the alumni website’s

homepage. Your donation will go to helping the many programs at Cathedral High School.

Donate Via Mail:

Prefer to pay by mail? Send $25.00 (payable to “CHS Alumni”) to address below.

Paid subscribers will also get the paper version of all past issues as well (while supplies last).

Contact UsWe always welcome your comments - both criticism and praise - about this publication. Alumni

are encouraged to submit news and stories. Get your class represented by contributing a story

or photo in a future issue. Share a story or photos from the past that you would like to share

with the entire Cathedral community. Send us your comments, news, story, and photos (high

resolution ) with your contact information to the address below:

Mail: William Gallegos

c/o CHS Alumni Newsletter

PO Box 660302

Arcadia, CA 91066

Email: [email protected]

General Deadline for Submissions: Winter: 2/01 Spring/Summer: 6/01 Fall: 10/01

Cathedral Alumni Association MeetingsThe Alumni Association meetings are held the first wednesday of each month at 7pm in the

Melvin Henderson-Rubio Conference Room, which overlooks the Cathedral High Football field.

All artwork and content in this issue or online are property of Cathedral Alumni Association. All Rights Reserved.

CHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONNEWSLETTERSUMMER 2014

Issue. 09

UPCOMING EVENTSSeptember 5, 201429th Annual Cathedral High School Golf Tournament - Brookside, Pasadena.

September 13, 2014 Alumni Gala at Dodger Stadium Get your Gala and Phantom Big Ten Tickets Now at: www.gala.cathedralalumni.com

November 9, 20144th Annual Veterans Day Celebration

November 27, 2014“Turkey Bowl” @ CHS Football Field

March 22 & 29, 2015 Alumni Basketball Tournament

Every First Wednesday of MonthJoin us at Cathedral for the monthly Alumni Association Meeting

3

SPRING 2014 - CHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

EDITOR’S MESSAGE

A MESSAGE FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF

In about 2 months from now, the entire Cathedral

family will once again gather under the stars for

the 13th annual “Return to Cathedral Gala”, set

to take place on saturday, september 13th at Dodger Stadium. Last

year, we had what we believed was our best gala ever, with tickets

sales having gone through the roof. What will make this year’s event

even more exciting is the fact that rather than raising ticket prices for

an event high in demand, we have decided to instead lower them.

Single tickets have dropped from $70 to $60 while the price for

couples have dropped from $120 to $100. The price for a table of

eight has also dropped from $400 to $375.

On top of these great lowered prices, we are even throwing in a free

$25 gift card for Steven’s Steakhouse in the city of Commerce when

you buy a pair of tickets. That’s also $100 in gift cards when you buy

a table. A big thank you to Steven’s for their continued support over

the years and for being a major Gala sponsor.

Who could pass on such low prices and a free gift card for an event

that continues to get bigger and better every year!

Also once again, we will offer one lucky individual or group a shot at

$10,000 in our always popular “Big 10 Sweepstakes”. For $100, one

raffle ticket can make you the luckiest person or group that night.

But hurry soon, for only 300 raffle tickets will be sold (yes, they do

sell out). Can’t make the event? This won’t be a problem since the

winner will need not have to be present (purchasing early is still

recommended). Can’t afford a $100 raffle ticket? If you don’t mind

a reduced cut of the pot, gathering up a collection from classmates,

friends, family members, or co-workers always works.

If you are part of a class celebrating a milestone reunion and have yet

to hear from a reunion class rep, please contact william.gallegos@

cathedralalumni.com so that we can help you get connected with

your class.

And to our sister school graduates....need the perfect place for

a reunion without the hassles involved in organizing one? Let the

CHS gala committee help you organize it. Our galas have been the

site of some of the most memorable sister school reunions. All you

have to do is spread the word. You don’t even have to collect the

money or worry about the number of tables needed for reserving.

Our committee will do it all for you! Contact William Gallegos for

more info.To order Gala and Big 10 tickets and for all other info, see

our inside cover ad or go to cathedralalumni.com.

Thanks again for your continued support. We’ll see you once again

on September 13th.

Hector Roman ‘76

CHS Alumni President

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

I recently came up with a statistic

related to this alumni newsletter. By

looking at the previous eight issues,

I wanted to see which classes had the most representation on the

front cover of the CHS Alumni Newsletter.

The top two classes with the largest representation were the classes

of 1967 with 43 alums (on 2 different issues) followed by 1968 with

22 alums (on 2 different issues).

And in case anyone is wondering, the top two decades represented

were the 1960’s followed by the 2010’s.

The classes of 1967 and 1968 made the top two mainly because

they were both winners of the coveted Victor Balzano “Spirit Award”,

given to the class with the biggest representation at our annual

“Return to Cathedral Gala” event, set to once again take place on

Saturday, September 13th at Dodger Stadium (see our inside cover

ad). That award also gave the two classes the front covers of our #4

and #7 issues of the CHS Alumni Newsletter.

For the third year in a row, the CHS Alumni Newsletter will once again

give one well-deserving class the opportunity to make the front cover

of its issue. All you have to do is spread the word of the Gala to your

fellow classmates. If your class has the biggest representation that

night, your class gets the front cover of the next issue. Past classes

who have won the award (prior to the newsletter’s existence) have

even included classes who were not celebrating milestone reunions.

As I have always said to every individual who has contributed to

this newsletter, “with this issue being read by fellow alumni, faculty,

current students, past and present CHS parents, and girls who once

or currently attend our neighboring sister schools, what better way to

represent your Cathedral class”!

This september is your class’ chance to own bragging rights

(perhaps again), when it comes to your class representing the entire

Cathedral community. Please don’t hesistate to contact us should

you want to take charge of your class. Let us help you take that first

step in reconnecting with your classmates and hopefully, getting you

on the cover.

Only you will decide if your class makes the cover of our november

issue.

We’ll see you September 13th at Dodger Stadium.

William Gallegos ‘89

Editor, CHS Alumni Newsletter


PHANTOM SPORTS 4

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.’14 PHANTOM SOCCER

The Phantoms of Cathedral High School dominated the opposition

on their way to the CIF Division IV Soccer Championship by defeating Oak Hills of Hesperia 3-1 at Corona High School to earn entry at the coveted Southern Section California Regional Tournament. Honors have since flowed to the Phantoms, the Del Rey League Champions, where star forward Axel Mendez was chosen league MVP while ten other teammates were also given league honors. His talent was recognized by the Los Angeles Galaxy, who recruited Axel into their Academy team that would have precluded him from high school soccer. He chose to go against the grain by choosing to play for Cathedral since he wanted to have a normal high school team experience. The decision has paid off handsomely as this young man was also chosen as the CIF Division IV Most Valuable Player. Mendez will join the respected Gauchos soccer program at UCSB this fall. Greg Salazar, a key backfield defender will play at UC Davis. Salazar is also a state ranked long jumper. Other graduating seniors are expected to receive collegiate offers as well. The backbone to this outstanding program are “Co-head Coaches of the

Year fo CIF Division IV, and brothers, Sal and Art Lopez (CHS ‘89 and ‘93), who have invested roughly 20 years to the Phantom Soccer program. Art brings organization, structure, and attention to detail while Sal (a coaching savant and tactician...per Art) makes for a potent combination. The respected ranking organization in the game, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, gave proof of their efficacy. The NSCAA placed Cathedral at number one in the Western region and number three in the nation, during the season. The Lopez clan (Cisco ‘92 & Moises ‘04), which includes other brothers, were encouraged by their father, Salvador Lopez Sr, to take up soccer while growing up in Cypress Park. In a time when the sport was not yet universally popular, Art remembers being subjected to a scorching epithet by ignorant people, who according to him, would call them “wetbacks”, making Art wonder if he should drop the game. Thanks to his dad’s foresight, the boys stuck to it. Art Lopez attributes success to “treating kids with respect and love, like my own kids”, and “pushing them when we have to”. “Accountability is important....they feed on this”. He adds that success is a process. Junior varsity players came in untested during the

summer when there was time for a lot of give and take for the team. Then around december, expectations were realized as the players bought into the formula “From that point on the thing took on a life of its own”, said Coach Lopez. The rise to national prominence began five years ago, with the Phantoms ranked in the top 50, then the next year in the top 40, and so on, reaching the semi-finals in 2012 but losing to El Rancho, and then onto the semis again in 2013, only to lose again to Ontario. Lopez attributes this incremental growth to those teams and players that laid the foundation by consenting to the underlying theme....belief in progress.

Unlike some schools that profit by the CIF policy of more liberal interscholastic sports transfers, Cathedral’s soccer program is “home grown”. “We work our kids up”, insists the coach. “We do not necessarily seek transfers (there are a few though) but give every kid who loves the sport all the instruction and conditioning they need to up their game”.

Soccer is huge in the latino community as evidenced by the attendance of parents and friends who came on board at the start of the season, building a large contigent of fans who often outnumbered opponents at away games. The championship game in Corona,

ABOUT THE AUTHORTOM VARELA Class of 1967 CONTRIBUTING WRITER, BROOKLYN & BOYLE

Continued on page 17 “Mission Accomplished”

PHANTOMS REMEMBERED 5


We pay tribute to the many Phantoms who went on to achieve greatness for themselves, their community, and their country, during their post-Cathedral years. Should any of our readers come across an obituary or two of a recently departed

Phantom brother, please forward all info to Editor William Gallegos ‘89 at [email protected] so that it can be shared with the rest of the Cathedral community.

RUDY VEJAR CLASS OF 1952

(1933-1990)

Born in 1933, in East Los Angeles, he graduated from Cathedral High School in Los Angeles in 1952. After earning a bachelor’s degree in music from USC, he began touring nationwide as a singer and actor and performed on Broadway in “Guys and Dolls” and “Kismet.” During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Air Force and in 1968 earned a master’s degree in music from USC. Rudy started as a stage manager and assistant director on “General Hospital” in the early 1970s, later becoming a director of the daytime television show. In 1979, he began directing “Days of Our Lives” and the following year he started directing “The Young and the Restless. In 1986, he would receive the first of four consecutive Emmy Awards for outstanding director of a daytime drama. He left the show in 1989 to become co-executive producer of “Generations.”

MICHAEL ENRIQUEZ CLASS OF 1952

(08/30/2013)

Mike graduated from Cathedral High School as part of the Class of 1952 and as his family’s first “Phantom”. His niece, Rita, would tell him fondly that he “looked great” in his school jacket. Mike served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War Era. He said that he “didn’t mind the military” and while stationed in Darmstadt, Germany, he explored a bit of Europe. He wrote to his Mom and sent her gifts and pictures, which she would share with everyone, especially their family in Mexico.

When he returned home, he began his 40 year career in the Restaurant Industry. He was employed at The Brown Derby Restaurant at Hollywood and Vine. His step-father, Efren Diaz, was the Head Pastry Chef there during the years that Hollywood legends were regular patrons. Mike ultimately negotiated the sale of “Effie’s” recipes, including the one for the grapefruit cake created for Hollywood columnist Louella Parsons that is still in The Brown Derby’s Recipe Book. Mike had many stories about the celebrities he met - from Cecil B. DeMille to Bette Davis to Elvis Presley! It took a while, but The Beverly Wilshire Hotel wooed Mike away from the restaurant. Then, for twenty-eight years, he was the Food Buyer for the private University Club of Los Angeles, where he also established high quality standards and oversaw special events. Mike enjoyed working with chefs and over the years, continued cooking and hosting

JERRY GALLARDO CLASS OF 1956 (10/17/37 - 8/10/2013)

Was a resident of Grants Pass, OR. Retired from the liquor industry. Golf was his passion as was his Faith. Jerry attended Cathedral High in Los Angeles, Class of ‘56. Attended Woodbury Business School. Was CIF Golf Champion in 1955 and Griffith Park Club Champion 1958. Set a course record 63 at Camarillo Springs Golf Course in 1978. During the L.A. City Golf Championships, he set new course record 64 at Harding Golf Course.

dinner parties for friends. His niece, Rosie, remembers him recreating for his Mom the beautiful themed Christmas trees he’d do at the Club. A strong supporter for the rights of cats and dogs, Mike was a 35-year resident of San Gabriel.

JAMES ROUGHT

Class of 1949

FRANCIS WARREN

SCHOEPPE Class of 1940

GEORGE GIBBS

Class of 1949

JOHN PAUL RIPPENS

Class of 1950

JOHN CORGIAT

Class of 1961

LEONARDO GALLARDO Class of 1959

PHILLIP VARGAS

Class of 1969

DAVID WILLIAMS Class of 1973

IN MEMORIAM

“ ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE... PRAY FOR US ”

FIDEL SANCHEZ

Class of 1949

RONALD SARINANA Class of 1953

PAUL DE LA ROSA

Class of 1965

GEORGE SALAZAR

Class of 1972

HARRY J WILLIAMS Class of 1952

RAMIRO SANDOVAL Class of 1962


Looking back at my years at Cathedral, I am truly proud to call

myself a Phantom. The memories that I now hold in my heart are truly like no other. My journey was a very unlikely one, but I’m glad that it happened. From the very beginning, I knew that Cathedral would be a very special place for me, as well as my family and friends. As an eighth grader at St. Anthony’s school in San Gabriel, my mind was already set on going to Cathedral. The main reason that I was going to Cathedral was my older brother, Quinton, who would graduate from Cathedral in 2011. Quinton, however, wasn’t the first Cathedral student in my family. My grandfather, Enrique “Hank” Chavez attended Cathedral and graduated in 1959. At the time, it was unbelievable to think that two different generations in my family would be attending Cathedral. Another truly unbelievable aspect was that Br. LaSalle was still teaching at Cathedral, as he had taught my grandfather Algebra when he was a student. I felt a certain Phantom pride in my bloodline and wanted to keep the tradition alive. As an incoming freshman in the summer of 2010, I decided that I would keep another Phantom tradition alive: playing football my freshman year of high school. I thought that I would be good enough to make the team even though I had never played tackle football before, and it would also help me make friends before school started. So like many other freshmen before me, I played both JV and freshmen football. Hell week was one of the worst weeks in my entire time at Cathedral. I had never been so exhausted and

hungry ever before. Although the season was tough, I made a lot of friends on the team and even scored a few touchdowns. However, I decided that after that one season I would no longer play football. The first semester of freshman year is one of the most vivid memories I have in my time at Cathedral. Every single one of us was nervous and didn’t know what to expect upon entering an all-boys Catholic high school. I was a little bit more comfortable my first day of school, because I had already made friends during summer school and football and had an older brother to fall back on. As the first week began, it became clear that there was always something going on on campus. The welcome week at Cathedral is truly an example of what true Brotherhood is. The list of activities that took place during this week include dress-up days, a freshmen and seniors barbeque, dodge ball during lunch, hot dog eating

contests and Slurpee chugging contests, and top it all off, the very first Cathedral dance of the year. This dance was the only time in my Cathedral days that we had a dance outside in the annex. For most of us freshmen, we got to experience what a Cathedral dance truly was. Later in my crazy freshman year, I played basketball and joined the freshmen class council. It seemed as though I was following in the path of my brother as he was involved in the same things. I wanted to be different from him, and I wanted to join something that I would have fun in. Mr. Godoy, my speech teacher at the time, recommended that I play volleyball as the freshmen team tryouts were immediately after basketball season. I decided that volleyball would be the sport that I would make my time at Cathedral different than my other relatives. Little did I know the impact

FROM THE STUDENTS 6

MY CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL SWAN SONG


7

that playing the sport of volleyball would make in those next four years. Entering into my sophomore year, I planned on making a bigger difference within student body. My brother recommended that I run for ASB Intramurals Coordinator. To my surprise, I was appointed to that position and coordinated the lunch-time intramurals that year. Not only did I feel I wanted to change student government, but I wanted to try out a new sport. A wild dare led me to try out for the water polo team. Yes, I said the water polo team. Wearing speedos was the least of my worries when I went to practice for the first time under head coaches Mr. Lowdermilk and Mr. Murphy. I didn’t know that swimming would be that miserable and hard, but I did learn that playing water polo was the absolute opposite. The physical and mental aspects of the game made the game ten times better and I ended up fitting right in. Although it was my first year playing, I was able to play with the varsity team during playoffs and varsity tournaments. Never in all my years leading up to high school did I think I would be playing water polo, but there I was. The water polo team would also become a major part of my time at Cathedral. My sophomore year was filled with achievements for Cathedral in terms of sports. The soccer team had made it to the quarterfinals, the baseball team had made a deep run in playoffs, and the volleyball team won its very first CIF Championship. The Cinderella story that the volleyball team completed made winning the championship even better. Although, I was not on the varsity team, several of my teammates were on the championship team and I was extremely happy and proud of them. The volleyball team had finally

ended the drought of CIF championships since the 1978 basketball team. Sophomore year went by in a flash and there were many changes in the school that would change Cathedral as a whole. At the close of the year, it was announced that Br. Chris Patino would become the Dean of Students at San Miguel High School in Tucson, Arizona, and that Cathedral would be receiving a previous teacher at Cathedral, Br. Dan Fenton. The bitter sweet feelings would pass as we had been the last class taught by Br. Chris and the first class taught by Br. Dan. Mr. Resurreccion, the current ASB moderator, would also be moving to the Head of Campus Ministry, and Mr. Justin Robinson would assume the position of Head of Student Activities. The incumbent student body president, Blake Martin, would become my mentor heading into the summer before my junior year. During the Lasallian Student Leaders Conference in Moraga California, I would learn many of the skills necessary to lead the student body and fulfill my newly elected position as ASB Treasurer. Junior year was truly a great year for me and a great year for Cathedral. With the stack load of work due to for 5 AP and Honors classes, playing two varsity sports, and being ASB Treasurer, I was really stretching myself thin. However, the school year went just as we planned it out to be: amazing. The school spirit was at an all-time high, with rallies that nobody would forget. Our dances were extremely popular, and even a Salesian prank couldn’t stop us from achieving the most attended dance at Cathedral yet. Our blood drives were reaching our goal and surpassing it. Our sports teams were also making extraordinary appearances in playoffs. Our water

polo team clinched playoffs for the third year in a row, our basketball team made a deep run in the postseason, our soccer team made it to the semifinals breaking the quarterfinals curse, and our volleyball team won back-to back CIF championships. I had finally won a CIF Championship under the coaching of Mr. Godoy, and with the help of my Cathedral brothers. Not only was I tasting victory on the court, but in the elections as well. I had won my presidential election at school and was clearly excited to be in charge of the student body for my senior year. This past year went by so fast that I wish I could go back and savor each moment. I had a blast running the school blood drives, planning the spirit weeks and dances, working in the rallies, representing the school at all the events, and working on all of the other ASB activities. However, it is all due to the help of my ASB council, especially David Delgado, who was a major help this year but didn’t get as much credit as I think he deserves. David and all the other members of the ASB council made my senior year even better than I expected. By far my favorite experience as ASB President was singing the alma mater at every event. It truly gave me chills holding the microphone in my hand leading the student body in the ultimate form of Phantom pride. When we stomped on the syllables of “victory,” I truly felt the brotherhood and bond of each of my brothers and their love of Cathedral. My senior year was ended on the best note possible. My graduation day was truly like no other as the CIF Championship game was played on the same day. This past year, the volleyball team defeated some of the very best

Continued on page 17 “SWAN SONG”


CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AT CHSBrother Chris Bassen, Brother Jose Bautista, Brother Glenn Bolton, Brother Kenneth Cardwell, Brother Timothy Ford, Brother Edmund Larouche, Brother Xavier Lavagetto, Brother Anthony Lenz, Brother James Meegan, Brother Richard Orona, Brother Eugene Ward, Brother Gary York, and Brother Martin Yribarren.

THE YEAR AT CATHEDRALBrother Eugene serves as Principal while Brother James serves as Vice-Principal.

William Hitchcock, previously from All Saints school, serves as student body president. He will also be his class’ valedictorian.

Golden Anniversary Highlights include a trip to LA City Hall and a reunion of Cathedral’s first graduating class.

Jennie Ledezma of Sacred Heart of Mary High School is elected Homecoming Queen.

1974 CIF Finalist (and future Christian Brother) Jaime Gonzalez ‘75 becomes the winningest tennis player in CHS History.

The JV Football and Cross Country teams takes league titles

The Beverly Hills Hotel is the site of the 1975 Prom.

The class of 1975 graduates at the Greek Theatre. Their class song is “Friends”, from Elton John.

OTHER STAFF MEMBERS OF CHSMiss Rachel Armenta, Mrs Deborah Armstrong, Mr Victor Balzano, Mr Felix Curi, Mrs Gloria Enriquez, Sister Elizabeth Evans, Mr Phillip Ferguson, Miss Gloria Giunta, Mrs Helen Hitchcock, Mrs Lupe Lopez, Mr Ted Lustig, Mr Manual Palacio, Mrs Mary Palacio, Mr Paul Pfau, Mr Dominic Puglisi, Mr Raul Ramos, Miss Victoria Rios, Mr Frank Sabatte, Mrs Mary Salcedo, Father Shichida, Mr Robert Slakey, Mr Richard Tres, Mrs Rita Weldon, Mr Greg Wells, Mr John Weigel, and Mr George Yribarren.

CHS YESTERYEAR....”The Golden Anniversary of 1975” 8

1975

September 5 & September 22 President Gerald Ford survives not one, but two assassination attempts in a year.

August 3 The New Orleans Superdome opens to the public.

March 31 In his final game on the sidelines, UCLA coach John Wooden wins his 10th national championship.

September 18 Margaret Thatcher becomes the first british female to lead any political party.

March Saturday Night Live and Wheel of Fortune both make their television debut.

July 30 Jimmy Hoffa is last seen alive, leaving a Detroit, Michigan restaurant.

April 4Microsoft is founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico by Bill Gates & Paul Allen.

October 1 Muhammed Ali defeats Joe Frazier in the “Thrilla in Manila”.

OctoberUp and coming rock sensation Bruce Springsteen makes the covers of Time and Newsweek in the same week.

October 22The Cinncinati Reds defeat the Boston Red Sox in what many consider to be the greatest World Series ever.

SPORTS CHAMPIONS OF 1975The Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cinncinati Reds, the Golden State Warriors, and the Philadelphia Flyers.

POPULAR TV OF 1975The Six Million Dollar man, All in the family, Maude, Rich man poor man, Rhoda, and Laverne and Shirley

NOTABLE PERSONALITIES WE SAID GOODBYE TOThe Three Stooges’ Larry Fine and Moe Howard, Josephine Baker, Lefty Grove, Steve Prefontaine, Ozzie Nelson, Rod Serling, and Casey Stengel.

POPULAR MOVIES OF 1975 Jaws, Rocky Horror Picture Show, One flew over the cuckoo’s nest, Dog Day Afternoon, and Shampoo.

POPULAR ALBUMS OF 1975Physical Graffiti (Led Zeppelin), Wish you were here (Pink Floyd), Blood on the tracks (Bob Dylan), Born to run (Bruce Springsteen), Alive! (Kiss), and Toys in the attic (Aerosmith).

HEADLINES OF 1975


COVER STORY 10

THE FRIENDS OF CATHEDRAL & THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Today, Cathedral High School enjoys the justly earned reputation as one

of the finest high schools in Southern California, if not the entire State. Its faculty, staff, students, alumni, Board of Trustees, the Christian Brothers de La Salle, and countless supporters have contributed to this noteworthy success. However, but for the action of a small “band of brothers,” Cathedral High School would have ceased to exist more than thirty years ago.

By the late 1970’s and early 1980’s the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles had started to experience financial difficulties, and had initiated a program of selling property that it considered surplus. Certain elements within the Archdiocese’s Chancery Office had decided to include Cathedral as part of this selling program. The Archdiocese claimed that there had been a change in the demographic character of Cathedral’s service area, thereby causing an under enrollment of students. This alleged lack of enrolled students made the school financially untenable, so claimed the Archdiocese.

The Archdiocese was – and still is – unaccustomed to being opposed. Decisions that are potentially

controversial are routinely shrouded in secrecy, and announced with little or no publicity. The Chancery Office announces its decision as a fait accompli and expects everyone to accept the decision without any dissent. However, in the spring of 1984, a few men refused to accept the status quo, and challenged the Archdiocese’s decision to sell Cathedral High School. What follows here is the story of how, but for the actions of a small group of stubborn alumni Cathedral High School would today be just a memory. It is a story interlaced with loyalty, commitment, courage, dedication, outrage, and a resolute sense of social justice. It was the spring of 1984 when a group of concerned alumni met to organize a supportive effort for their Alma Mater. Cathedral High School had fallen on difficult times, and the group had volunteered to help the institution recover its place on the list of prominent high schools. Little did they know that they were to embark on an epic journey to Save Cathedral . At the initial meeting, a member of the group announced that he had been informed of the Archdiocese’s plan to

sell the property on which the school was located. Disbelief, shock, resignation, and anger – much anger – were but a few of the emotions that surfaced that evening. The group debated among itself a future course of action. Some members felt that it was futile to challenge the Archdiocese and its decision; others, a small minority, were unwilling to capitulate. Fortunately, an unwillingness to accept what many considered an inevitable decision won the day. Thus, was born the Friends of Cathedral. Each week, for almost two years, the Friends of Cathedral faithfully met to strategize, plan, design, and manage an effort that became known as the “Save Cathedral” Campaign. During those weekly meeting the Friends developed a two part strategy: a public relations component and a legal action component.

Public Relations A large portion of the public relations plan took the form of a media blitz. Newspaper articles and editorials, television and radio newscasts, billboards, bumper stickers, and campaign buttons, supporting Cathedral High School flooded the entire community. It was a rare week if the local news media did not print or broadcast a story chronicling the


Campaign’s progress. A highlight of this media campaign occurred when a plane carrying a “Save Cathedral” sign flew over the Rose Bowl during the 1985 Rose Bowl game in Pasadena (Trojans 20/ Buckeyes 17). As a result of the media blitz the Friends was able to organize wide spread community support from civic leaders, the business community, and the general public. In addition to the media blitz, local elected officials were lobbied for support. This lobbying effort was rewarded by City, County, State, and Congressional resolutions expressing disapproval of the attempted sale and

requesting that the Archdiocese reconsider its decision to sell Cathedral High School.

Legal Action On April 30, 1985 a legal complaint was filed by the Friends which claimed that the attempted sale was illegal; thus the second prong of the Campaign was launched. The Friends law suit argued that the property which the Archdiocese was attempting to sell was public property that had been conveyed to the Archdiocese without just compensation – a violation of State law – and therefore the transfer was null and void. The legal complaint stated that on October 28, 1844 the Ayuntamiento (City Council) had granted to the Archdiocese the “use” of the property, for the purpose of maintaining a cemetery. Legal title to the property was not conveyed by the City to the Archdiocese until July 18, 1927 (two years after Cathedral was built). However, there was no record that the City received any compensation for the property. The Friends argued that

because of the lack of compensation, the 1927 conveyance of the property was a violation of the state constitution and “amounted to an unlawful gift of public property … by a city to a religious entity for a sectarian purpose.” In addition to the law suit, and with support from the Alumni Association, the Friends was able to lobby the City Council and had Cathedral designated as a cultural site.

The Brothers It would be imprecise to state that the Friends and its strategy was the sole reason that Cathedral was saved. Standing alone, the actions of the Friends could not have forced the Archdiocese to continue operating Cathedral – the only authority with the power to force the Archdiocese to reverse any decision is the Vatican. The Friends had neither the resources nor the formal standing to address their appeal to Rome. Nevertheless, it was the Friends media blitz and legal actions that provided the time necessary for another entity to play its critical role. The other entity was the Christian Brothers. Together, the Friends of Cathedral and the Christian Brothers, although acting independently, created circumstances that forced the Archdiocese to reconsider its decision to close Cathedral. Canon Law limits the actions that are available to Religious Orders. Specifically, Religious Orders are prohibited from taking a public stand against the Archdiocese in which they operate. However, Canon Law does

permit a Religious Order to complain to the Vatican if it asserts an injury by an adverse decision. The Brothers argued that they had been injured by the Archdiocese’s decision and therefore felt that they were within their rights to challenge the decision to close Cathedral. Thus, the Brothers filed an appeal with the Sacred Congregation of Religious in Rome. The nature of the appeal has never been disclosed; but it is safe to assume that, as a result of the appeal, sufficient pressure was created forcing the Archdiocese to reconsider its decision.

Resolution As the Friends and the Brothers were pursuing their courses of action other events were taking place. The head of the Archdiocese, Cardinal Manning, had decided to retire and agreed to delay the sale of the school until his successor was appointed. The Vatican announced, after several months, that Cardinal Manning’s successor was to be Archbishop Mahoney. Upon taking office Mahoney announced the creation of a special task force to investigate the sale of Cathedral. After several meetings, the task force announced its recommendation. In summary the task force found that the original circumstances surrounding the attempted closure of Cathedral had

ABOUT THE AUTHORClaude Martinez Class of 1957 “Friends of Cathedral” co-founder

Continued on page 17 “Friends of Cathedral”


ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 12

Sal Castro was a Mexican-American educator and activist. He was most

well known for his role in the 1968 East Los Angeles high school walkouts, a series of protests against unequal conditions in the LAUSD schools. Although he retired, he continued to lecture about his experiences and the importance of education, especially for Mexican-Americans. Castro was born in Los Angeles and began kindergarten at Belvedere Elementary School in East Los Angeles, but moved to Mexico when his father was forcibly repatriated during the “Repatriation Movement”. There, he attended a private elementary school in Mazatlan, Sinaloa. Returning to East LA while still in grade school, he experienced discrimination for speaking spanish in the classroom. It was then off to Cathedral High School, where he would graduate in 1952. As class of 1955 graduate Frank Moramarco recalls his time knowing Castro.....”Sal Castro was a couple of years ahead of me at CHS, so I knew who he was but did not know him. I believe he enlisted in the U.S. Army after his High School graduation because I met him later in the fall of 1955 at LA City College after his Army enlistment. I believe he mentioned he was Airborn. My observation was that Sal was an activist even back then. When the fraternaties and LACC clubs held a basketball tournament, Sal applied to have an unaffiliated team enter the tournament (a group of CHS alumni who were LACC students). When he was turned down, he raised such a fuss that they reconsidered and his team was entered.

Following his time at Cathedral and in the Army, where much was spent in many of the southern states, it was time to think about a career. Always interested in higher education, he was particularly impressed by the campus of College of William and Mary while stationed in Virginia but left the Army to marry his high school sweetheart, and to attend LACC before transferring to LA State, now known as California State University Los Angeles, where he obtained his BA in social science. Around 1956, while still a student at LACC, he got his first job in the educational field, as an assistant playground director in the inner-city neighborhood school. He held various positions in the Los Angeles-area schools before being hired at Belmont High School as an interpreter and social studies teacher. He began coaching Mexican-American students to run for positions in student government. At a campaign assembly, candidates from the new political party addressed the student body in spanish, when addressing the student body in Spanish was prohibited at that time. This prompted the cancellation of the assembly and the suspension of the offending students. Castro, who was ignorant of the rule, had given the go-ahead to use spanish, and was immediately transferred to Lincoln High School. Meanwhile, Castro continued his education, undertaking a Masters’s program at CSULA. He joined the Mexican-American

Education Committee, a group of graduate students who made recommendations to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on ways to improve services to Mexican-American students. The only committee recommendation the supervisors acted on, however, was the creation of an “Urban Affairs Liaison”, which had little effect on the quality of education in Los Angeles schools. Nonetheless, Castro began meeting informally with Mexican-American college students, who were by this time beginning to call themselves “Chicanos and Chicanas”, and a network of Mexican American education activists began forming. The result of the network was the holding of Chicano Youth Leadership Conferences (CYLC), training grounds for student activists, the first of which was held in 1963. At conferences, students discussed inequalities between schools within the LAUSD, the

need for bilingual and cu l tura l ly re levant education, and the need for systemic reforms that would place students on the track to higher education. They founded the Piranya Café, which became the headquarters for the movement.

SAL CASTRO 1952


As Castro helped students make demands of the school board, underground newspapers floated the idea of a boycott of East LA schools. When district officials ignored the students’ demands, calls for a boycott grew stronger. In March of 1968, students from Wilson High School walked out after the school principal cancelled a performance of the Neil Simon play “Barefoot in the park”. The next day, another walkout was staged in protest of a school policy prohibiting male students from wearing their hair long. Following the small walkouts, students from the five public schools in East Los Angeles (Roosevelt, Wilson, Lincoln, Garfield, and Belmont), with the aid of local Chicano college students, coordinated unified protests. Dubbed the “Chicano Blowouts”, the first day of protests were peaceful, but the second day was marred by police violence against students from Roosevelt and Belmont high schools, who, unlike protesters at the other schools, had no protection from college students. In the wake of the demonstrations, Castro was arrested and charged with 15 counts of conspiracy to disrupt public schools and 15 counts of conspiracy to disturb the peace. Twelve

others, many of whom were Brown Beret members, were also arrested and charged. The charges were dropped in 1972. Castro, who was fired after the walkouts, fought successfully to be reinstated to his teaching position following weeks of protests by Eastside parents. The victory was blunted, however as the district

transferred him several times to schools that had largely non-latino enrollments. Months after the protests, 40 teachers at Lincoln High School asked to be transferred if the district allowed Castro to return. After a long period of “freeway therapy”, bouncing around to different schools and being demoted to substitute teacher, Castro landed back at Belmont, where he taught and counseled hundreds of students from 1973 until his retirement in 2004. Many of his students became educators, including several who today are principals. Although Castro continued to lament high dropout rates and other problems, he discouraged students who wanted to launch new walkouts, arguing that staying in school was more important. In 2006, he was highly critical of radio DJs who encouraged students to walk out of classes in protest of an immigration bill that would stiffen penalties on unauthorized immigrants and their employers. While not opposed to the demonstrations themselves, Castro was concerned that those encouraging the protests did not plan to accompany the students to protect them as he and other organizers had done during the 1968 walkouts.

In 2008, addressing a symposium on Chicano activism at Cal State San Bernardino, Castro counseled his youthful audience to be disciplined, not disruptive. “Here’s the protest: any kid with a book”, he said. “That’s the only way we can move forward, through education”. Nevertheless, Castro continued to see the blowouts as a full-blown civil rights movement, comparable to such milestones as lunch-counter sit-ins or the Selma march for African-Americans. To Castro, they jump-started the whole Chicano rights movement. On April 15, 2013, and after a long bout with cancer, Salvador Buruel Castro, died in his sleep at his home in the Silver Lake district. His ultimate victory came four years earlier, with the official vindication of his vision for equality in LA schools. In 2009, the school board he had so assiduously battled over the years voted to name a new middle school in his honor. Salvador B Castro Middle School was officially dedicated on Saturday, June 5th, 2010, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the outspoken educator. Fittingly, the new school shares the same campus location with Belmont High, scene of his early activism. “The naming of the school on the Belmont High campus in honor of Sal Castro is much more than a token acknowledgement of his long career in education”, said Carlos R Moreno, a former student protegee of Castro’s and a current California Supreme Court justice. “It serves as a constant reminder to those staffing the school and to those served by the school, to strive for the model of education to which Sal Castro has devoted his entire life”. Here’s to Sal Castro ‘52, our CHS Alumni spotlight recipient for the summer of 2014.


LOOKING BACK 14

YEARBOOKS THROUGH THE YEARSIt was my freshman year and as

freshmen, we were told to take an elective. The choice of elective for me would be “The Yearbook Staff”. As part of this staff, I requested the photography department. Working in the dark room lab, my duties were to load the 4 x 5 film into the film holders, which had a twin pack. This had to be done in the dark. I had to make sure the Graflex Camera had a film holder in it and the carrying case had plenty of holders and film. Included was the strobe light and battery pack, which was always charged. After taking pictures of all of the football games, track meets, dances, pep rallies, and other events, we were to develop the film and hang them to dry. After they were dried, we would print proofs and contacts. The following monday, I would meet with the staff to review the proofs and they would choose which pictures were needed in order to meet our paper deadline. Depending on our deadline, we would come in on saturdays to print pictures. We would use enlargers to print pictures and develop them. The Chimes newspaper moderator was

Mr Peter Mohorko, who was a very nice person to work with. He guided us to the very best and helped us in meeting our deadlines. We also had Brother Stephen Kenneth, our Chimes Yearbook Moderator. He also was good in helping us in many areas from layouts to planning our deadlines. He taught us how to be creative. One of the two biggest moments being a photographer was the day I was called , via the PA system, to report to the office. I said to myself, “what did I do wrong”? During construction of the new buildings, a piece of skull was found. Brother Gerald, the principal at the time, had asked me to take a photo of this skull. This would make the headlines for the Chimes Newspaper. This campus was a cemetery for sure.

The other biggest moment was when I was asked to take pictures of what was going to be the new stadium for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both myself and associate editor Aurelio were assigned to do this article. He interviewed while I photographed. The field was not in place yet (or even seeded) while the seats were in the process of being installed. We were both given a first

class tour. To this day, I still have pictures of the stadium in all black and white. The best part of my high school years was being part of the Chimes staff. Having experienced and witnessed events, I’m glad to say I was there. Taking pictures of the guys and their girlfriends dancing to the music of the Armenta Brothers at our dances was also fun. Fridays would be the days when we would have our pep rallies, where guys would show off their talent. Unaware of me having a camera, I would also take “candid shots” of guys doing crazy things. In my senior year, I was chosen as an “Outstanding Senior”, because of my dedication and hard work in putting together our yearbook and newspaper. I am proud to say that I was part of Cathedral’s history. I enjoyed working and enjoyed sharing my knowledge. It has instilled confidence and discipline in myself. Today, I am a professional sales person, where I have assisted in designing and meeting customers needs. Because of what Cathedral did for me as a Chimes photographer, I know what it takes to develop a product.

1927 19391933 1942


ABOUT THE AUTHORRalph Noriega Class of 1963 Cathedral Chimes Yearbook & Newsletter Photography Editor

1946

1967 1973 1979 1984

1989

2009 2014

1994 1998 2006

19561952 1961


FACULTY SPOTLIGHT 16

BROTHER ROCH DUFRESNE FSC

Q: Neighborhood you were raised in. A: I was born in Montréal, Québec. Q: Your education history (grammar, high school, college). A: I graduated from Montréal University in Theology. I also studied in Rome in Religious Communication with the Paulini of Don Alberione. Q: Years at CHS and where did you teach prior. A: I’m at Cathedral for a second time since 2007. I also taught at Christian Brothers School in Sacramento in Broadcasting – The TV Station is called: KBFT Sacramento. Q: Subjects you currently teach at CHS. A: I teach Broadcasting at Cathedral. Our TV Station is called: KCHS Los Angeles (please visit our station at www.kchsla.tv). This year we just reached 500 shows and in our 6th Season won for “The Best Live News Production from US Education” at the STN (Student Television Network) Convention in Orlando, Florida. KCHS Los Angeles got a $5000 prize. I’m very proud of my team! Q: Clubs or sports teams at CHS you are in charge of. A: I’m the moderator of the Arts Boosters for the Visual and Performing Arts Department Q: Best part of being associated with CHS. A: The strong brotherhood you

discover quickly and are invited to be part of! Unique!

Q: As the KCHS Director, which popular, present-day news anchor would you love to see on K-CHS, co-anchoring with your students....and why this one? A: Steve Hartman, from CBS. Hartman brings viewers moving stories from the unique people he encounters. His motto: “Everybody has a story”. I try to teach my KCHS Reporters to find the story behind the interviewee. Like De LaSalle, we need to touch the heart. Q: The “Brother Roch story” is in the early stages of production. Which actor would you want to portray you? A: Ricky Gervais.....students tell me he looks like me! Q: Favorite foods/restaurants. A: Indian food, Thai food, Italian food, and Carne Vino Las Vegas! Q: Favorite sports teams. A: Who else? The Montréal Canadians Hockey Team!

Q: Favorite TV shows. A: At this moment....Black Box!

Q: Favorite movies. A: The Shawshank Redemption Q: Favorite hobbies/activities. A: Computer Animation & Power Walk. Q: Favorite places to visit. A: French Polynesia, Greek Islands, Italy, and Australia Q: Advice to the next incoming freshman class of 2018. A: Focus on the Academics but be involved in the school life. Try a musical and a sport. Go outside of your comfort zone but more important....be always in the presence of God. Q: Advice to the newest graduating class of 2014. A: If your dreams don’t scare you,

you are not dreaming big enough. Dream Big and make it reality!

"BROTHER ROCH AND KCHS TEAM CELEBRATING 500 SHOWS THIS YEAR"


Continued from page 4 “Mission Acomplished”

changed and therefore the school should remain open. Finally, on December 3, 1985, victory was declared when it was formally announced that the plans to close Cathedral High School had been rescinded. Almost two years had passed since the spring of 1984 when that small group of men dedicated itself to saving Cathedral High School. Each member of the group recognized that the opposition was formidable; it was clear from the beginning that success would require perseverance and commitment. Nonetheless, withstanding much criticism and many objections, each member was willing, with great personal sacrifice, to openly confront the powerful leadership of the Archdiocese. The Friends of Cathedral provided the

catalytic leadership for the successful Campaign that forced the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to end the darkest

chapter in the history of Cathedral High School. It was the Friends of Cathedral relentless

dedication and tenacity that made the difference. Today Cathedral High School enjoys a

success that is built on the shoulders of a small band of alumni that refused to accept the decision

of a few powerful men who would have destroyed an institution that had been so instrumental in the formation of

community leaders. Legacy is an often-used word that has lost the impact of its true meaning. However, what the Friends of Cathedral accomplished in those dark days created a legacy that will last as long as a young person graduates from Cathedral High School.

Continued from page 13 “Friends of Cathedral ”

Continued from page 6 - “Swan Song”

17

attendeded by hundreds of Phantoms, was where one of the fathers, with tears in his eyes, approached Coach Art Lopez to thank him for all he had done. So moved was he. Lopez returned the gratitude and appreciation “for your time and dedication to our effort”, making routine league contests seem more like playoff games. Coach Art Lopez delved deeper to explain that the emotion revealed how much the many Latino national parents, whose sons are first-generation Americans, recognize what Cathedral is doing to educate their children and also recognize the financial assistance the institution gives to defray the prohibitive cost of a quality private Catholic school education to working class families. “They get it and are proud to be associated with the school “, says Lopez, adding that “they bleed Phantom purple too”.

teams in California, and even beat the Division III Champions (South Pasadena) and Salesian. Winning the 3 peat with my brothers was one of the best feelings in the world. Never before in Cathedral history has a sports program been so dominate. Under Coach Godoy, the volleyball team will hopefully bring more success with our homegrown players. Support of the sports programs like volleyball, swimming, soccer, and other undermined sports is essential for further success for Cathedral as a whole. It is necessary to bask in the greatness of all of our sports programs, but winning isn’t everything. All the sports programs should be building character and prepare each student-athlete to be successful in the

classroom before succeeding on the playing field. I would like to thank everyone who has made an impact in my life as well as in my time at Cathedral. We should all thank God for the opportunities he has given us each and every day of our lives. The gift of life is truly a gift and it is up to us to make the most of that gift. I would like to thank my parents for the endless amounts of love they have shown me and the plenty of sacrifices they have made for me. I love both of you with everything I have. Thank you to all the teachers, especially Mr. Jay, Mr. Catlin, Mrs. Staveley, Br. Paul, and Br. Robb for all of the guidance, love, and support during my years at Cathedral. Finally a big thank you and good luck to all of the members of the

Cathedral student body as they “enter to learn” and “leave to serve.” Cathedral High School has truly been a blessing in my life and it is clear to see why. Cathedral has prepared me and has allowed my dream to attend UCLA come true and for that I will be forever grateful. My future dreams will hopefully come true as well, and I will never forget what Cathedral has done for me. I plan to give back to Cathedral and possibly become a member of the Cathedral teaching staff. My blood is truly “Phantom purple.” Like the saying goes, “once a phantom, always a phantom.” Thank you for taking the time to read my story and experience at Cathedral. God bless, Tristan Hom ‘14


NEXT ISSUE PREVIEWMore Current CHS News

Stories and Photos from Past and Present

CHS Alumni Member Spotlight

CHS Faculty Member Spotlight

Looking Back ... Frosh Initiation Week

2014 Return to Cathedral Gala Highlights

CHS Yesteryear Spotlight on Another Year in CHS History

more info contact: www.cathedralalumni.com

FOOTBALL (Varsity)09/05 @ Muir (Pasadena, CA) 7pm

09/12 Locke (Los Angeles, CA) 7pm

09/19 @ Washington (Los Angeles, CA) 7pm

09/26 Dorsey (Los Angeles, CA) 7pm

10/03 Verbum Dei (Los Angeles, CA) 5pm

10/10 Salesian (Los Angeles, CA)* 7pm

10/17 St. Francis (La Canada, CA)* 7pm

10/24 Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, CA)* 7pm

10/31 @ St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs, CA)* 7pm

11/07 @ La Salle (Pasadena, CA)* 7pm

* League Games

Dont forget that you can view all Cathedral Football home games online. http://www.kchs.la/

GET ON THE NEXT ISSUE COVERDon’t forget Phantoms.....the class with the biggest

representation at september’s Return to Cathedral

Alumni Gala gets the cover of our next issue.

It is a very exciting time here at Cathedral. We have cutting edge academic and athletic facilities.Come out and support your teams this year.View all Cathedral Schedules at www.maxpreps.com

GET A $25GIFT CARD

limited to the first 500 paid couples.(will recieve gift card with your gala tickets)

With a purchase of a pair of tickets to the Gala

DON’T FORGET

Documents

Cathedral Alumni Newsletter Summer 2014 Issue 9