Thank you for visiting our blog about Sweetwater Union High School District Hall of Fame Success Stories. This blog is dedicated to Jerry LaRussa who created the district Hall of Fame as a way to honor students from our community who graduated and made a difference in our world.
Please take a look at the honorees we have inducted into the Hall of Fame and add your comments to those you know or have impacted your life.
If you have someone in mind to nominate for the Hall of Fame or other issues or items concerning the Sweetwater District, make a post here.
Disclaimer: This blog is not affiliated with the Sweetwater District and no taxpayer funds have been used in its creation. This blog is paid for by Friends of Jim Cartmill – FPPC ID# 1245974.
2004 Hall of Fame for Business at Castle Park High in 1968
Tellez is currently the President of the Health Plans Division for Health Net, Inc., as well as President of Health Net of California. She also spends time lecturing on numerous health care issues, and has received many awards for leadership and community service.
2004 Hall of Fame for Athletics at Mar Vista High in 1990
Loaiza he played high school baseball before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in March of 1991 and debuted as a starting pitcher in the major leagues with the Pirates in 1995. Loaiza played for the Pirates, the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays, and is now with the Boston White Sox and has had the best season of his career (11-5 so far). He was announced to the All-Star team.
2004 Hall of Fame for Public Service at Chula Vista High in 1966
Currently a County Supervisor for District 1 (including Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City and other San Diego County areas), Cox has also served as the Mayor of Chula Vista and a Councilmember with the city of Chula Vista. His involvement in the areas of foster care, crime prevention, welfare-to-work and many others has had a great impact on our community.
2004 Hall of Fame for Community Service at Chula Vista High in 1964
City of Chula Vista is what it is today due in part to the Community-minded dedication of folks like Blakely. From his days in CVH (64') to now, Blakely has taken an active and positive role in making his hometown city a jewel of South Bay. As a founder and owner of Jack's Sporting Goods he has come to be known as a businessman with heart, He has served as a member of director in the Bonita Sunrise Rotary Club, the City Chamber and Chula Vista Downtown Business Association of which he is now executive director.
2004 Hall of Fame for Business at Mar Vista High in 1969
For nearly twenty years, Jamison has lead Jamison Advertising Group, a San Diego-based agency, which has focused on creating memorable and effective marketing for corporate, Christian ministry, and community clients. Jamison has been active with local community events and projects such as organizing auctions for the Boys and Girls Club, serving as a guest speaker at local universities and serving as Principal for the Day at Mar Vista High School.
2004 Hall of Fame for Military Service at Mar Vista High in 1963
A life-long pilot, Tucker flew hundreds of missions in Vietnam, was a member of the elite Blue Angels team, and is currently a Boeing 737 Captain with Southwest Airlines. He founded his own computer company, Turconco, and has built computers and written software programs.
2004 Hall of Fame for Athletics at Castle Park High in 1973
After attending Castle Park High School, Fox attended Southwestern College and SDSU where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Fox is currently the head coach of the Carolina Panthers NFL team.
2004 Hall of Fame for Military Service at Sweetwater High in 1930
Richard served his country during World War II as a code breaker. He later was inducted into the United States Army Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
2004 Hall of Fame for Arts at Mar Vista High in 1977
From the drama stage at Mar Vista, Modine has gone on to star in over 40 films including Vision Quest, Birdy, and Married to the Mob. Modine has received several Golden Globe and Emmy nominations and has directed critically acclaimed films.
2004 Hall of Fame for Community Service at Sweetwater High in 1977
Zambrano is a counselor and advocate for battered women. She wrote and produced the Rape Awareness and Prevention Program, a bilingual radio series. She has served as president of the San Diego Coordinating Council Against Sexual Assault in the past and directed the first bilingual/bicultural rape crisis program. Myrna has also worked as a staff member for County Supervisor Susan Golding and State Assemblyman Steve Peace, and is currently the Chief of Staff and District Manager for State Assemblywoman Christine Kehoe.
2004 Hall of Fame for Academia at Bonita Vista High in 1983
Cassell is currently the coordinator of the Ethnic Studies Program at California State University in San Marcos, where she has been awarded the Distinguished Professor of the Year and published two books. She served as a Captain in the United States Air Force and was named Outstanding Cadet of the Year in 1987.
2004 Hall of Fame for Public Service at Bonita Vista High in 1974
Selected by the FBI Director of Intelligence to come aboard as the Section Chief of the Human Trafficking and Alien Investigation Branch in the Intelligence Operations Division in Washington D.C. Works for the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Transportation Security Doctorate, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Intelligence Division for the FBI. Originally started out with the U.S. Border Patrol, Port of Entry and worked his way into upper management.
2004 Hall of Fame for Academia at Hilltop High in 1964
A world authority on the subjects of animal behavior and welfare, wildlife conservation, and nonprofit leadership, Maple serves as the President and CEO of Zoo Atlanta. He also teaches Environmental Psychology and Animal Behavior at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
2004 Hall of Fame for Arts at Chula Vista High in 1962
Virchis is Sweetwater's first Director of Visual and Performing Arts. He was selected for his skills, leadership and experience in developing arts programs as well as for his status in the national and international arts community. Virchis has directed both professional and amateur theater at the Old Globe Theater and Southwestern College, where he served as theater professor for 25 years.