Guestbook

428 posts from classmates going back to 1997, kept exactly as they were written. Newest first. The ‘Likes’ feature is new, which is why there are so few likes :-)

Highlights: 14 favorite posts

The very first note: looking forward to the 20 year reunion · Anonymous, 1997

Looking forward to the 20 year reunion

Anonymous · Saratoga, CA · Friday, May 9, 1997 at 8:02am

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A BHS science teacher (class of '78) offers a tour: the new G and H buildings · Lee Trampleasure, 1997

well, actually I'm an imposter. I'm from the great class of '78. But I'm now teaching science at BHS, and would like to offer a tour of campus to any folks returning for the renuion. We opened the completely remodeled G building last year, and are opening the new H building this summer. Lots has changed since we were students. I'm also working on the BHS web page, and we are trying to create an online alumni database. If any of you have CGI experience and would like to help with this project, please drop me an email. Good luck with your reunion. Let me know if a group wants a tour (we'll only hit you up lightly for contributions!!) Lee Trampleasure

Lee Trampleasure · Berkeley, CA · Saturday, June 7, 1997 at 11:50pm

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Will Bernard: twenty years of jazz, and an album on Verve · Will Bernard, 1997

Hey! cool to see all the familiar names!Short 20 year synopsis stayed in Berkeley played music, recorded lots of albums (mostly jazz)..I'm getting my own out finally on Verve/Antilles records. Look forward to seeing everybody tomorrow! I'll bring my green suede platform shoes....not!

Will Bernard · Berkeley · Friday, October 17, 1997 at 9:30pm · email hidden

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Brian Hardy, “exiled” to East Campus and graduating early · Brian Hardy, 2001

I was having a melancholy flashback and decided to put my search engine to work. 1977 seems so long ago. Actually, I graduated in 1976 by virtue of my exile to East Campus and an accelerated graduation (I still chuckle at my 10 credits to stop smoking), but I was originally a 1977 student before my favorate counselor Irene Obera dropped the boom on me for excessive truancy. Life's had its ups and downs but nowadays I'm fat and happy in Marin, growing old like the rest of you, but trying to stay young at heart. After BHS I worked as a disc jockey for a couple years in Monterey, then went back East for a spell and dug graves for a living, before finally coming home and falling into technology like everyone else. Today I'm a Systems Engineer and for whatever reason tonight decided to take my foray into the past and pay you a visit. I often think to myself that Berkeley in the 70's was so totally unique that we were all lucky to live the times. At any rate, thought I'd surface and say hello.

Brian Hardy · Marin County, CA · Wednesday, March 7, 2001 at 10:28pm · email hidden

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Zerda Paige-Dargan remembers the wall, the track and the gym · Zerda Paige-Dargan, 2002

oops, I forgot! Yes, Kim [Burgess-Duckett]. I do remember the wall, the track, and the gym (gymnastics). We had good times. Renita, Annette, and I talk about them all the time. Big shout outs to people that I haven't heard from in years: Manjit, Storrie, Aleso, Yvonne Hester (has anyone seen her?), Mary Conyers, Rhonda Aubrey, Lynda Fenton-Foster, and James Foster

Zerda Paige-Dargan · Jacksonville, AR · Thursday, June 13, 2002 at 11:58pm · email hidden

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Jim McKinney on the 30th - and why Lafayette? · Jim McKinney, 2007

I've been looking forward to the 30th Reunion for some time, especially since I missed No. 25. I very much appreciate the work of the Committee to put this event together for the rest of us. Thank You! That said, am I the only one who thinks it's WIERD for a BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL class reunion to be held in the suburban town of LAFEYETTE? How did this happen? Is there no Berkeley restaurant able to host a party for several hundred? I mean, why stop in Lafayette? Come up to Davis and have it here! Clearly some very thoughtful people have worked hard to find a good venue. And I'll show up in Lafeyette if that's where it's at. But I think BERKELEY is where the BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL REUNION otta be. Now - For entertainment. Can we get Tower of Power to play? Earth Wind and Fire? Donna Summer? I heard she sang at a Governor's gig earlier this year. Oh - And please be sure to make the name tags with BIG print so that those of us with failing eyesight don't have to embarrass ourselves by squinting at someone's lapel trying to remember who in the heck they are - because they sure LOOK familar - even after 30 years of wear and tear and good livin'. Looking forward to this event. Cheers - Jim McKinney

Jim McKinney · Davis, CA · Monday, August 6, 2007 at 6:04pm · email hidden

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A play about Berkeley High: “Yellowjackets” at UC Berkeley · Mark L. Williams, 2007

A play about Berkeley High!? Apparently so. I'm having quite the Berkeley afternoon, here in sweltering L.A. - watching Cal ahead (so far) of Tennessee in football, and as I go through mail, I open some U.C. stuff, to find out that a Berkeley High-reared playwright named Itamar Moses is getting a play called 'Yellowjackets' workshopped on the U.C. campus. This 'young man' was *born* in '77, and went to BHS, and then points east, became a playwright of some growing renown, and now has written a play about Berkeley High. And it's free! Sept. 15 at 8, or Sept. 16 at 2, in the Durham Studio Theatre at Cal. Did I say free? Q&A afterwards! There's more info online on the Cal Drama Dept's website (tho' I can't link from here...) You folks still on the auld sod, let us know how it is! Or what it is!

Mark L. Williams · Pueblo of Angels, CA · Saturday, September 1, 2007 at 7:14pm · email hidden

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Willa Barber Johnson: a first kiss at Longfellow · Willa Barber Johnson, 2007

It's been wonderful reading these messages! Kent McQue...my first kiss...Longfellow School! Was experiencing a bit of trepidation around coming to the reunion and I'm showing up! Been working on situps for the past several weeks hoping to flatten and firm up the stomach, oh well..... know I'll firm it up through my work on the dance floor! Showing up single so looking for dance partners! Thanks again to the committee for all of your work. Looking forward to enjoying the fruits of the labor with you all! p.s. Tony (BB) Summers thinks I should get the 'most changed award' this year! Am completing my first year in ministerial school....gonna be a 'new thought/metaphysical' minister. What a trip!!! Love and blessings, Willa Barber Johnson

Willa Barber Johnson · albany, ca · Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 10:56am · email hidden

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Kevin Vance, the day of the 30th reunion picnic at Lake Anza · Kevin Vance, 2007

Hi Everyone! I'm glad I saw all of you at Lake Anza today. I suppose the shy & awkward me didn't walk up and say Hello to each of you, but it was a delight to see how we're all doing. I'm for a 35th. I don't care how big or small it is. My 11 year old broke out his little game computer and was a good sport being dragged to his dad's 30th year high school reunion. Keep the Cheetos and the Pepsis. best, Kevin Vance, the guy in the green, black & red frog shirt, recovering Willard stoner and BHS class-cutter (to work at KPFA)

Kevin Vance · Berkeley, CA · Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 10:12pm · email hidden

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A Facebook page for Berkeley High alums, 1974-1978 · Andrea Pappas, 2009

Hey all, there's a FaceBook page for Berkeley High alums, 1974-1978. Check it out!

Andrea Pappas · San Jose, CA · Friday, February 20, 2009 at 3:50pm · email hidden

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Mei Kobayashi writes from IBM Research in Tokyo · Mei Kobayashi, 2009

I found this site while looking for the e-mail address of Colleen White (Staggers) who logged on to Classmates.com. I am at IBM Research in Tokyo (over 21 years!). Luckily Japanese labor laws make it difficult to lay off regular employees and we have great national health insurance. I go home to Berkeley now 5 times or so a year since my parents are getting old. It'd be a blast to go to one of the reunions if it coinicdes with one of my trips.

Mei Kobayashi · Tokyo, Japan · Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at 5:57pm · email hidden

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Peggy Judge: the library's Berkeley desegregation stories · Peggy Judge, 2010

Hello Yellow Jackets! Thought some of you might be interested in this project recently done through the Berkeley Public Library: Digital Stories - Berkeley Desegregation Personal stories told by students and teachers about the BUSD in late '60s. this site won't allow me to include link - go the the library's site or youtube.

Peggy Judge · kensington, ca · Sunday, November 7, 2010 at 2:41pm · email hidden

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The all-years Berkeley High alumni picnic · Sheryl Rachal, 2011

Berkeleyhighalumni.com posted its scheduled 3d ANNUAL picnic! for AUGUST 20, 2011 sounds like a LOT of FUN!!!!!! Go to the website for more info! All are welcome including our '77!

Sheryl Rachal · Merced, CA · Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 9:01pm · email hidden

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Lynda Foster: planning for the 50th begins · Lynda Foster, 2026

We’ve officially kicked off planning for our 50th YEAR REUNION — yay! Let’s show that Yellowjacket pride by showing up and showing out for this once‑in‑a‑lifetime celebration. More details are coming soon… stay tuned!

Lynda Foster · Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 5:43pm · email hidden

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Read all the highlights →

Newest first Oldest first Add your own

Has anyone heard from Lesa Pear-Taylor? Yikes! This is getting close and I'm commited! Haven't been back to the Bay Area since graduating early in '77. Have the yearbook out though and are "totaly" if I can remember a '70's phrase looking forward to it. Sure wish I had put a regular pic in the yearbook too. But..ah..hindsight..and anyway. Alan Odom are you the one with the curly light brown/blonde hair and the big smile? Heidi, Barb, Maggie, and Gordy see you soon. Wendy? did you live on Eureka or a hill and bake those wonderful apple pies? Love, *~) Lor

Lori (Hackett) Dekker · Key Largo, FL · Thursday, October 9, 1997 at 6:53pm · email hidden

Hi to everyone reading. Just thought I would check in as well. Is it me or does anyone else have 20 year old images of the email authors? These people are in their late 30's, but I'm picturing them at 18! Of course this could be a good thing, or a bad thing. So, to update you on my image... my hair is rapidly thinning, my nose is bigger (why is that?), and what I thought were real cool oblique muscles turned out to be fat love handles that keep shaking when I run. Becky Chambers' eariler email gave me an idea, so I started snooping a bit. Here are some facts half way through senior year, on Jan. 28, 1977: The Dow Jones opened at 954.54.....A new Toyota pickup was $3,488.....A Datsun 280Z was going for $7,450.....A 4 bdrm house in the Thousand Oaks area was selling for $85,000; a BIG house in the Claremont Hills was 175,000..... Movies: Playing at the California, The Enforcer; at the UA 4 was King Kong; at the Oaks Theater was Rocky.....In the music stores: Earth, Wind, & Fire - Spirit; Boston - Boston; The Jacksons - The Jacksons; Loggins & Messina - The Best of Friends. Of course there's lots of stuff to add about TV, sport, world news, etc. but this is getting long. Finally, here's something maybe others can add to about BHS: Favorite Class: Mr. Houck's CA History Favorite Teacher: John Martinez - by a long shot Most Useful Class 20 Years Later: Typing!! (PC's, who knew?) Best Memory: Too many to list! (yeah I know..sappy) See you on the 18th.

John Gaebler · Roseville, CA · Thursday, October 9, 1997 at 10:29pm · email hidden

Does anybody know what happened to John Day or John Sazuki? How about Kathy Trowbridge? Hey Heidi...great to hear from you and see you on the 18th!!

Alan B. Odom · Point Richmond, CA · Wednesday, October 8, 1997 at 7:25am · email hidden

This message was just forwarded to me from a friend -- apropos, considering the reunion next week. Remember, I'm posting to make you :-)) -- not incite a flame war! Here it is: "Feeling old? If not, consider this: People starting college this fall were born in 1980; They have no recollection of the Reagan era; Black Monday 1987 (incidentally, the same year as our 10-year reunion -- sorry! -- just trying to get a :-))!) is as meaningful to them as the Great Depression; They have no memory of a time before M-TV; They were prepubescent when the Persian Gulf War was waged; Their world always has included AIDS; and finally, ... drumroll please ... Having not lived through the Disco Scare, they can't possibly romanticize the '70s." :-)) yet? Edited for brevity. If you're masochistic and want the FULL text, e-mail me.

Anonymous · USA · Wednesday, October 8, 1997 at 8:39am

I am getting so excited about this reunion! The committee has been working hard on planning & preparing. Looking forward to seeing all of you! James Reeves, the web site is AWESOME!! Thanks to you & the rest of our committee team on all the work! P.S.James, I hung out quite a bit in the park tooooo! WOW! Erin Donahue, we'll make sure that the song you requested is played! Kent McQue....a trip to see your name! You gave me my 1st kiss...Longfellow, on the stairs??! See y'all.

Willa Barber-Johnson · richmond, ca · Wednesday, October 8, 1997 at 2:51pm · email hidden

It's been fun talking with many folks as a result of this upcoming event and reading the comments in this "guest book". As a result, one of my favorite things has been remembering nicknames. You know who you are; woof ticket, peck, ghost, peli, wacky ways, mad bomber, manly, jethro bodine, bats in the belfry, chimney, snappy, kagdog, magnet back, the 3 stooges,.. I bet I hear more on the 18th.

Matt Watson · Morgan Hill, CA · Wednesday, October 8, 1997 at 5:44pm · email hidden

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. Does anyone remember me??? I just got married last month (for the first and only time) and I am a Deputy District Attorney in Lake County (where???) CA. Hope to see eveyone there. -Susan Krones-Williams

Susan Krones-Williams · Lakeport, CA · Wednesday, October 8, 1997 at 10:17pm · email hidden

Thanks to everyone for the feedback on the site... I've really had a blast doing it. I have had the chance to get to know a lot of people through email that I never got to know in High School ... I was too preoccupied with other less productive activities - mainly in the park across the street :-) ... Even if you knew me in high school I doubt you'd recognize me now! I'm hoping that after the reunion people can return to this web sight and leave a few stories for others who may have not had a chance to attend. I'll be posting some pictures from the evening and picnic also so that you can have that "Virual Reunion"...thanks again to everyone for making this web site real! Soon I'll be posting the names of those that have paid attendance ... watch for it!

Anonymous · Saratoga, CA · Tuesday, October 7, 1997 at 8:12pm

I am now teaching at Cal.State University, Monterey Bay and living in Marina (near Monterey)

Steven Levinson · Monterey, CA · Monday, October 6, 1997 at 5:11pm · email hidden

Hey, just checking in again befor the actual event. Does anybody know if there will be many attendees from the School of the Atrs or MSA? Just wondering who's going to show up. Erin- I know just what you mean about pants with the crotch at the knees, sometimes I can't even imagine what is holding these kids pants up! Though I have to say I can remember wearing pants that were soo tight I could barely zip them up. From one extreme to another? I'm living in Oakland with my partner and our dog (a weimaraner), Berkeley these days has gotten just a little too P.C. for me, but I love living in the Rockridge district in Oakland- the quintessential "Urban Village". Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. Just like at the prom, my "date" will be Laura Gorton West. Yeah, we still get together, though not as often and things somehow don't usually come with the high sense of the dramatic that they always seemed to have when we were young and naive. Hope we have a great turnout. Eric

Eric Warren · Oakland, CA · Monday, October 6, 1997 at 6:45pm · email hidden

For those of you that are sending your RSVP's by way of electronic mail, please be sure to give a selection of Prime Rib, Chicken Florentine or Vegetarian for your meal selection. I am getting in a lot with no meal choice. Ditto for the mail RSVP's. Thanks!!

Anonymous · Hayward, CA · Monday, October 6, 1997 at 7:45pm

Hi y'all!!! This is cool, yes? Let's do the Timewarp!!! I am having a fab time emailing Steve Lindsey, so if there anymore of you class of '78-ers out there, don't be STRANGERS!! (But you can continue to be strange..) I am wondering if there are any other S of the Arters out there...particularly any IFD-ers left!!! I am dancing again--Yonit Levy has a class in ElCerrito on Wednesdays and I drive the 90 miles from Sacramento every week. I know, I'm a fanatic. Oh, well. Love to hear from anyone. Looking for Suki Stern (Steve said she was married...), Alison Lara, Bob Naumann, and gosh...probably lots more I spaced out. Can't make it to the reunion, though. :(( Later!!

Kjer Eastham (LaForce) · Fair Oaks, ca · Monday, October 6, 1997 at 11:48pm · email hidden

I've been gone 2 months; excited about our reunion. Thanks to all the yellow jacket workers for pulling this together. I want to dance to Stephanie Mills' "Never Knew Love Like This Before," ok?

Anonymous · Oakland, CA · Sunday, October 5, 1997 at 8:09pm · email hidden

Briar - don't crash Grizzly and Shasta - I heard their folks aren't out of town after all. Try us in Emeryville, instead - we can do the bumb and brick house and funkify if you're still a young man, "baby" "ohhhohhhh". Larry Becker - Nebraska is not too far away. I wish you were coming. You know how I know it's been 20 years? I hate pants with the crotches hanging down to the knees, and none of them want to work that hard, and piercing the tongue looks masochistic. See, I sound old. But I've got the same spirit. I'm married, no children, have 2 german shepherd dogs who are smarter than some of my friends and we are doing search and rescue work with them. I still am constantly on a spiritual path, meditate, live one day at a time, love poetry and dancing . . . and the best news of all - all the donahues are turning out great - marrying great partners and having little ones. I feel quite blessed. Will be great to see everyone. Erin

Erin Donahue · USA · Sunday, October 5, 1997 at 8:29pm · email hidden

Reading all the comments below, I just had to jump in one last time! I see a number of familiar names -- Barbie Ruskin, and also Heidi Farwell, who checked in all the way from Kauai (Barbie and Heidi, remember partying on that Kauai beach in '77 with Eric Rymland? I don't blame you for going back, Heidi!) I also see Tim McElheney and Kent McCue: Hello to my former Buena Vista Way neighbors! ... Though I won't be attending the reunion, I've been having a grand old time reuniting online with a few of you BHSers -- Julian Henkin, Simone Otus (I just got your baby announcement for Tench Mahmut Coxe -- congrats, girl!), Jennifer Cobb, Larry Becker, and John Laetsch. I hope we all stay in touch; in the meantime, don't let that old married man Chris Casimere slouch off on attending (Mindy, will you make sure of it for me?), and may you all have a rip-roaring, hide-the-silverware, won't-see-nothing-like-it-'til-our-50th-reunion party! I absolutely plan on being there for that one. I'll be the one with the white hair turning up the volume on the Ohio Players (what a thought). Warmest regards, Becky Chambers. P.S. Since others are so immodestly plugging their sites ... if any of you are into industrial pollution control (yawn, I know), check out my new "Water Focus" column at www.pollutioneng.com.

Rebecca Chambers Vick · Munster, IN · Friday, October 3, 1997 at 1:34pm · email hidden

In response to Heidi, Michelle Myles was married exactly one year ago (according to her sister, Simone) and lives with husband in Walnut Creek. I think his last name is "Queen". I gave my phone # to Simone and asked her to pass it on to Michelle but haven't heard from her. She is still singing acapella with LaReeva, Simone and their father! That's all I know for now!

Mindy Scharlin · Berkeley, CA · Wednesday, October 1, 1997 at 1:08pm · email hidden

IT IS MY PLAN TO ATTEND THE CLASS REUNION. SEE YOU SOON.

Anonymous · OAKLAND, CA · Sunday, September 28, 1997 at 5:56pm

Hi, Everyone! Looking forward to seeing you-all on the 18th & 19th. I never thought I would be enthusiastic about my high school reunion. I completely missed the 10 year one, but I'm psyched about year 20. Thanks to the committee member for putting this together. It'll be great! I'm still on the radio, though I just gave up my early morning show on KPFA, I'm on 91.7 KALW San Francisco Saturday Afternoons as the announce on duty ("stay tuned for all things considered") and my little folk music show, "A Patchwork Quilt" at 4pm. And you know what they say to us artistic types (musicians, actors, public radio dj's), "Don't Give Up Your Day Job". I'm 15 years at Cody's Books, now opening a new store on trendy 4th Street, where I'll be taking books out of boxes and putting them on shelves in time for the grand opening in November. I'll see you-all later! Love, Kevin

Kevin Vance · Berkeley, CA · Friday, September 26, 1997 at 8:04pm · email hidden

I'm gettng really excited about this reunion! Can't wait to see everyone. It seems like one evening and a picnic will hardly be enough time to catch up with everyone! Does anyone know where Alan Odom is? How about Michelle Myles? See you all very soon.

Heidi Scholl (Farwell) · Kauai, Hi. · Tuesday, September 23, 1997 at 1:32pm · email hidden

Concert Chorale People: I recently joined a choir here in NY and the director knows Larry Barker quite well. I may not have as full story as others, but apparently Larry is now in San Antonio working with the Music department at the University of Texas. I would be interested in hearing from former Chorale members to find out if you're still in Music and how Chorale shaped your experiences. Eric

Eric Arndt · NY, NY · Monday, September 22, 1997 at 7:36am · email hidden

As a committee member who frequents this web site, I am a little concerned that many of you who have said you are coming to the reunion have net yet sent in you reg.fee. PLEASE do so ASAP so we can plan appropriately. It is going to be a GREAT, FUN even this year, not one you will want to miss! We are all really looking forward to seeing everyone on Oct. 18th!

Mindy Scharlin · Berkeley, CA · Monday, September 22, 1997 at 10:42am · email hidden

I am disappointed that I can not attend the reunion. It looks fun and this site is wonderful!

Susan Thompson Geiduschek · Seattle, Wa · Monday, September 22, 1997 at 5:05pm · email hidden

Thanks Mindy for tracking me down. Love the web page!

Cecily Caceu (Batey) · Oakland, CA · Wednesday, September 17, 1997 at 7:47am · email hidden

So where are the rest of the Soccer Team? Steve Chew I hear your putting out fires in Oaktown.Is your arm O.K after that break in El Cerrito? I was hopping that we could get a 20 year remathch with Harry Ells for the championship! As you can see I still love Soccer , I run the Youth soccer leauge in North Lake Tahoe For 500 kids. Unfortunatly I blew my knee out this summer in an adult league in Truckee (Jerry Rice injury).I hope to Be able to dance and play at the picnic,I'll bring the soccer ball. Bring your kids I would love to kick the ball with them! Big thanks to James and the committee!

George Tsaconas · Crystal Bay, NV · Wednesday, September 17, 1997 at 9:44am · email hidden

Now I'm sorry that I didn't submit a senior picture to the yearbook in 1977.

Liz Abuan Pollack · Berkeley, CA · Wednesday, September 17, 1997 at 2:33pm · email hidden

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