Kay Kozuye Ochi

Wow, Jerry. I'm impressed with your entrepenurial spirit, sense of adventure and fearlessness. (Okay, who are you, really, and how did you become so secure and confident at a young age?) Our alternate universes could not have been more different. I did, however, have a waterbed inthe 70's.

Jerry Olivas, EdD

Hello Kay and All,

Thanks for the shout-out Kay. My psychosocial assessment, for what it is worth, of us folks from mid 60s Chula Vista is that most of us developed the same core American middle class values. However, as I look back I see three groups of kids that came out of Hilltop, Chula Vista, and Castle Park (yes, those poor kids that got sent to Castle Park 😉). After high school one group followed the heads-down off to college be serious about life path; another group got caught up in the Vietnam situation and/or totally dropped out; and the third group, the one I think I fell into, fumbled along with college, no Vietnam, a kid, marriage, divorce, and continued on pretty much in the fiesta mode. I believe this last (third) group mostly graduated in 1963, 1964, and 1965. Group three, my group, were searchers, adventures, risk takers, somewhat creative, and moderately crazy (and light weight troublemakers too). I can recall many stories of some wild exploits from some of my/our Chula Vista peers from that time and later on in the 60s. Yes, we were all a bit wild during High School, but after Hight School, some of us stepped it up a gear until we grew up some, which for me wasn’t until about 1980 (I might still be growing up actually). Oh, and to add a little spice here, politically, I think, hope, most of the mid 60s Chula Vista kids have become center-slightly left, but there are a few on the far right--who never ever slept, or did anything else, on a waterbed ☹/😊!

Ciao, Jerry

Jerry Pedrotti

Hi Jerry from another Jerry!

I always enjoy your posts  and your latest is no exception   Your psychosocial assessment of our mid 60 HS grads is probably pretty accurate.  LIke you I hope most of our classmates are at least politically centrist with some leaning left (myself).  The ever present divisiveness in our country and the world is troubling but we have survived many challenges in our lifetimes.  Wishing all of us the best in our remaining years.  

Bruce Wilson

Jerry-O:

That is an interesting take on segmenting the population. 

My only population "studies" focused in on cause of death. I put together a spreadshteet which is still kicking around somewhere. Besides fear itself, cancer was the thing we had to fear most.

My other thoughts were on the characteristcs of the group who got into trouble with drugs, legally and/or personally.

This is just kind of a placemarker. I may return to it later.

Meanwhile, who can ID the real scientists from the ringers in this foto of the HHS 1962 Science Club.

Gail Eileen Dillon (Boone)

Bruce Wilson

Postcard from Nepal which I received from world traveling Hilltopper in 1967

Jerry Olivas, EdD

Yo Jerry,

Good to see your post. Hope all is well and happy with you and your family and friends. Now, as for World Affairs (and National Affairs)—okay, okay I won’t go there ☹. Book banning, no, no, that can’t be in America, that was Germany in the 1930s. But our spaceship base is now in So. Cal. with all the great weather and beaches. Have a great 2023 summer.

Ciao, Jerry

Jerry Olivas, EdD

Hi Gail and All,

Normandy Invasion, June 6, 1944, and that was the day JFK came to San Diego in 1963. I do remember that—pretty well—I think. If my memory serves me … we were let out of Hilltop early so we could go to see JFK in his motorcade on El Cajon Blvd. Of course, for some of us delinquents that meant going straight to the beach to catch some waves. Jim Probert had his funeral hurst then (Cadillac, I think) and he got designated as the driver. We somehow thought we better show up for the JFK parade, maybe we needed to check in with Mr. Rice or … Anyway, we put the boards in the back of the hurst and headed for El Cajon Blvd., would check in, then on to Sunset Cliffs. Can’t remember who else was with us. But here is the stupid stuff. Jim’s hurst leaked gas fumes inside, so within about 15 minutes you were pretty tipsy--no windows in the back except a sealed back window, with a big door. There was a big crowd around El Cajon Blvd waiting to see JFK come by and we got all messed up with where to park. So somehow, we actually got on El Cajon Blvd in front of JFK’s car, not right in front, but a little way in front. I remember looking out the back and I could see JFKs car a few cars lengths back. I saw him waving at me—okay that part is bullshit. But I am pretty sure a couple of cops were waving at us to get off the road. And I believe it was a good surf day at the Cliffs, with just a little ‘gas’ fog in our heads.

Ciao, Jerry

Terry Lee Maple

Tom was a patriot and a great teacher and mentor. I also remeember on this day my uncle Graydeon who was a medic/paratrooper who jumped into Normandy the night before the invasion with members of the 82nd Airborne. We were so proud of him during the 99 years he lived. Strangely, although Mr. Rice went to Coronado High School and Graydeon graduated from Sweetwater, they didln't know each other. Of course there were a lot of Army Air Force personnel in the invasion. Thank God for these great men and women who saved our nation. Our generation needs to embrace patriotism and protect our children and grandchildren from the lefties that are taking us in the wrong direction. I also remember Kennedy's visit as he delivered the commencement at San Diego State. I attended with my parents to watch by rother Brian receive two degrees in math and physics with distinction. He just retired about 50 years in the Physics department at UCSD. Another hero of mine that helped motivate me to do my best. I pray for better, younger leaders who can rescue this country in its time of need. 

Bruce Wilson

Population_study_wise check out the Missing Classmates page. I wonder what has become of them.

I know about some of them and have contacted a couple. That leaves a lot to wonder about.

I wonder if any are in Alabama.

The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down Republican-drawn congressional districts in Alabama that civil rights activists say discriminated against Black voters in a surprise reaffirmation of the landmark Voting Rights Act.

The court in a 5-4 vote ruled against Alabama, meaning the map of the seven congressional districts, which heavily favors Republicans, will now be redrawn. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, both conservatives, joined the court's three liberals in the majority.

below to find out.

1 lives in Alabama
7 live in Arizona
1 lives in Arkansas
149 live in California
2 live in Colorado
1 lives in Delaware
3 live in Florida
1 lives in Georgia
1 lives in Guam
5 live in Idaho
2 live in Iowa
1 lives in Kansas
1 lives in Louisiana
1 lives in Massachusetts
1 lives in Minnesota
5 live in Nevada
1 lives in New Hampshire
4 live in New Mexico
2 live in New York
6 live in Oregon
1 lives in Pennsylvania
1 lives in Tennessee
6 live in Texas
3 live in Utah
1 lives in Vermont
8 live in Washington
1 lives in Wyoming
1 lives in Australia
192 location unknown
65 are deceased

George Bracey Gillow

This landslide in San Clemente occurred during our wet winter. It covered the railroad tracks. Then when this picture was recently taken it threatened the tracks and rail traffic was again stopped.

This is the only railroad in and out of San Diego for passenger and freight trains.

The building at the top of the slide is a cultural center that is now closed. The beach is at the bottom of the picture.

Bruce Wilson

Hey George:

I wonder how freeway traffic is impacted.

News video

LaBerta King (Forys)

Just had a pleasant visit from Barbara Seagren who I have not seen since our 1964 Graduation.  She is touring Australia with her grandson and their first port of call was here in Tasmania! It was so nice to see her after so much time!  Enjoy the rest of your Downunder tour, Barbara. Cheers!

Rosalee May (Rosie) O'Day (Mason)

Hi LaBerta, what a wonderful meet up with a former classmate! Thank you for sharing with us.  It reminds me of what a small world it really is.

I had a similar experience in 1996 when daughter Noelle and I took a trip to Europe for her high school graduation.  We were touring the Louvre and saw some high school kids wearing Patrick Henry High School shirts.  We asked them it they were from San Diego and they said "Yes."  Noelle told them she had just graduated from Hilltop in Chula Vista and they proceeded to tell us their parents graduated from Hilltop.  "What year?"  When they said 1964 and 1965, I couldn't believe it.  The one young lady was the daughter of Bobby Litchfield and Paula Burkey.  Bobby and Paula were both there as chaperones for the trip of high schoolers as Bobby taught at the school.  It was such a joy to see old friends and say hello after all those years.  

George Bracey Gillow

The Kellogg school was named after Dr. Karl Kellogg who was the eldest son of W. K. Kellogg the founder of the Kellogg Cereal Company.

This is a link to a pdf document on a presentation about Dr. Karl Kellogg that I have made to various local clubs.

http://www.gillow.com/images/Dr_Karl_Kellogg.pdf     

(It may take a few seconds to download)

I would be interested to hear from anyone who attended Kellogg school or who knew the Kellogg family.

Photograph courtesy of “Kellogg, Karl H. and Family, Kellogg Family Papers, Collection no. 0067, University Archives, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Jim Hawes

George,

Great post about Kellogg School! I was in the first "Graduating" 6th grade class. I posted a school pic on our site a few years ago. The first day of school they had a Dedication Ceremony at the school. There was a lady in attendence from the Kellogg family in attendance (wife or sister? of Dr. Kellogg).

I remember that the school principle was Mr. Link (John Link's dad).  

My first school day in the Chula Vista was in 3rd Grade at Hazel Goes Cook school (3rd - 6th grade). My 5th grade teacher was Mrs. Wulff (her daughter Pam was in the HHS class of 63). My memory says 3rd grade Miss. Bridgman, 4th Mrs. Wulff, and  6th Mr. Flores.

I went to John James Audbon Elementay School (Lomita Village / Skyline area) in the 2nd grade. Interesting how many elementary schools are named after well known people from history! 

Cheers to Everyone.

Jim

George Bracey Gillow

Jim,

That was probably Dr. Kellogg's wife, Etta, who attended your 6th grade graduation. After Dr. Kellogg died in 1955, she stayed at the home on Del Mar Ave for the rest of her life. She died in 1964.

Did you know Mr. John Glover a teacher at Kellogg? He was the father of our classmate Randy Glover. 

Below from Chula Vista Star News Nov. 1964:

Here is 

Jim Hawes

George,

I remember Mr. Glover's name from Kellogg, but my 6th grade teacher was Mr. Bickel. I remember most of the kids in our class, but don't recall keeping track of many after graduating. My JR high experience was 7th grade at Castle Park, 8th and 9th at HJHS, BUT...of course our 8th grade year was 1/2 days (afternoon?) being bussed to CVJH as HJHS wasn't completed until the end of the year. When CPHS was built I had the option of HHS or CPHS. About half the kids on our street went to HHS and the others went to CPHS. Chula Vista sure went through some dramatic growth during the years I lived there 1954-1966! I guess we could say the same about San Diego, Carlsbad and about many other California areas! Sure sign of "becoming a Senior Citizen"! 

Jerry Olivas, EdD

Hola All, For some end of summer entertainment check out my cover story in the San Diego Reader this week. This story is pretty much true--I said, pretty much. Oh, if you are wondering, I still have the same ‘figure’ (see snap on cover); ha ha ha. Continuing to try and stay a bit creative in my prime years. Ciao, Jerry

https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2023/sep/13/cover-san-diego-sos/

Bruce Wilson

Jerry Olivas, EdD

Hola, The difference here is that Bruce doesn’t have or wear those shorts any more, but Jerry still wears 501s and still has those Levi’s he was wearing in the photo. However, both Bruce and Jerry keep their shirts on now--but Bruce continues to sleep in a onesie while Jerry sleeps in the raw and al fresco. Good one Bruce ! Ciao, Jerry

Bruce Wilson

Hey Jerry O:

The white trunks were my first Hang Ten velcro model. They may actually be haning around in the attic. The foto is taken at Point Loma the day after I ran the Heart of San Diiego Marathon (10-14-1978), the last day I ever saw Dave Chalmers alive. I ran the marathon at 168 pounds, today I weigh 170.

Since acquiring a "skin doctor" I have been much more sun conscious. I still grab about 15 minutes of shirtless time in the late afternoon while working out. With the Giant Cell Arteritis a big factor I have lost some, but not much tone.

I get no compensation from either Hang Ten nor Nike.
I have had a number of dreams where various folks from the HHS appear, but I am wondering if what I mistook for a dream was actually you peaking through my window?
I

Our boating adventure entailed getting towed the second half of our return trip from Catalina. While not fun it was not as scary as yours sounds. We had no radio nor life jackets..

Bruce Wilson

1961 if I recall correctly. This is in NYC. I only know one guy.

George Bracey Gillow

The link below is to a pdf document based on a presentation that  I made to local clubs on the historic neighborhood of Del Mar and 2nd avenues between I and J streets.

This is the neighborhood where prominent citizens lived: mayors, doctors, attorneys, bankers and others. There are homes of many architecture styles.

It is a fairly large file and my take a few seconds to load.

CHULA VISTA HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD Del Mar and 2nd Avenues between I and J Streets 

Jerry Olivas, EdD

Hey George, Well done with all that historical info about houses in Chula Vista, but where’s my Cinderella home on East El Capitan—with the architecture being, well, Cinderella home architecture! I think my dad bought that house, for his beautiful husband, wife, and three kids family, new in the late 1950s for maybe $25K. An area and homes I always liked in CV was around Pepper Tree Road—which was the shortcut to Bonita from Hilltop. Jerry