25 years ago on June 4, 1996
720 students will soon transfer from middle and junior high schools in the PV School District to the new year-round Lakeview Middle School. It’s open year-round by eliminating summer break and having four tracks of students, with each alternately sitting out three months while the other three tracks attend a less congested campus. Its July 9 opening will help reduce the student populations of both Rolling Hills and E.A. Hall middle schools from 1,250 to 900 students. Lakeview parents unanimously adopted a student uniform requirement to discourage gangs and graffiti. Boys will wear white shirts with collars and black pants or shorts. Girls will wear white blouses and black skirts, pants or shorts. Lakeview will promote environmental subjects, since the school is located near waterways. The school will also offer many other traditional subjects, physical education, dance and music. Lakeview was scheduled to open a year ago, but construction was delayed by heavy rains and heavy construction work on adjacent East Lake Avenue.
50 years ago on June 2, 1971
An anti-Cesar Chavez rally will be held Sunday in the Watsonville High School football stadium, it was announced by Richard Ameil, chairman of the Citizens for Agriculture Committee of Santa Cruz County. Ameil labeled the event “Save Our Strawberries” to show support for strawberry growers and farm workers “who are Cesar Chavez’ latest target for forced unionization.” There was a one-day strike in local strawberry fields on May 17, and the UFW said it would continue its organizing with a later drive for a strike. Ameil said “a vast majority of farm workers do not want to join the Chavez organization,” and he said they would remain on the job if a strike is called. He also said the Citizens Committee has organized a “harvest corps of volunteers who will work in fields hit by strikes, and security patrols to protect equipment, property and farm workers wishing to remain on the job.”
75 years ago on June 4, 1946
Pajaronian sports writer Dal Brown reported: “I had the pleasure of meeting Watsonville High School coach Emmett Geiser at the dinner given to honor the championship Wildcat basketball and baseball teams at the Golden Dragon. Coach Geiser gave an interesting and constructive farewell address to the athletes who graduate this June, and pointed out the value of being a member of a championship team. Coach Geiser will have a tall ‘tree-top’ hoop squad next year; lacking in speed, maybe, but dangerous under the bucket. For instance, Norm Lien, 6’3 ½”; Jack Ogden, 6’2”; and Hans Lausen, 6’4”, with the present lightweight members sprouting higher come next hoop season. Wally Wong and Gene Freiermuth, local junior leaguers, will also be eligible for the basketball and baseball teams next year. The graduation dinner was a big success, and I enjoyed it very much, even if the kids did get through before Coach Geiser and I could get our forks into action. Eatinest bunch I ever saw.”
100 years ago on May 31, 1921
Despite prospects for unpleasant weather, Memorial Day was fittingly observed. The general order of the parade began with Grand Marshal Ray Apperson (mounted); Watsonville High School Band, High School cadets in military formation, 100 strong; Civil War veterans; American Legion; school children with a large American flag carried by nine little boys; city officials; school trustees; other officials and fraternal organizations; and automobiles carrying old veterans and flowers. At the I.O.O.C. cemetery presentations included Lincoln’s Gettysburg address read by Adam Barber; “The Day of Their Honor,” recited by O. A, Schuchard; the “Star Spangled Banner,” sung by audience; benedictions; rifle salutes by the High School firing squad; Taps, and decoration of the graves. The address of the day by Walter Drobisch concluded: “It is our duty to hold aloft the torch we have received from their dying hands in order that its light not be permitted to fail because of neglect of our duty as citizens.”
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