Hey everybody out there! Even though I split a year early my class is '77. I hope to see a lot of old friends at the reunion.
Anonymous · Walnut Creet, CA · Friday, September 12, 1997 at 1:41pm
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Dennis Brown
George Tsaconas · Crystal Bay, NV · Thursday, September 11, 1997 at 7:56pm · email hidden
It's nice to see the names of old friends and acquaintances. For the moment, I'm out of the centers of action (Nebraska) and will be unable to attend the reunion. Thanks for establishing a virtual version. Are any of you out there? -- Robert Brown, Quincy Woodson, Ralph Fong, Erin Donahue, Ricky Nishita, Mark Robinson, Clarence Jackson, Oscar Bradley, Sasha Peters....?
Larry Becker · USA · Wednesday, September 10, 1997 at 3:51pm · email hidden
Thanx to the organizers of this. Looking forward to a groovy time! Or is that backwards?
Warren Seward · El Cerrito, CA · Thursday, September 4, 1997 at 1:08am · email hidden
Please let the reunion people know that I was NOT in the class of 77, but the class of 78! Thank you.
Andres Fernandez · Berkeley, CA USA 94707 · Sunday, August 31, 1997 at 10:35am · email hidden
Has it really been 20 years? Rip Van Winkle wouldn't have missed a thing. How wonderful to hear from all you beautiful people. I'll be in Italy during the month of October, but I wanted to let you know that I'm still here. Hi to Eric Arndt and Mark Williams. Has anyone kept in touch with Jim McKinney? Much love and laughter on the 20th reunion.
Chris Decker · San Francisco, CA · Thursday, August 28, 1997 at 12:55pm · email hidden
Looking forward to seeing everyone and hearing all that funky music!!
Nick Gibbens · San Rafael, CA · Wednesday, August 27, 1997 at 11:39am · email hidden
I agree that the price of the event ticket is steep for some and the committee discussed quite a bit. But, that's why we included the potluck picnic so those that couldn't come to Sat. event could come Sun. That's what happens when you sponsor an event like this and don't have much seed money Sorry.
Sunshine Michelle Coleman Lambright · Oakland, CA · Tuesday, August 26, 1997 at 10:02pm · email hidden
Hi Nice Idea... Is this Ellen? friends with Pammy, Tricia, & Alex? I'm looking into traveling to the renunion. I was the one with long hair and (oh alot of us had long hair didn't we...lol). Well hope to see you and great site!!!
Lori (Hackett) Dekker · Key Largo, FL · Thursday, August 21, 1997 at 5:52pm · email hidden
I am looking forward to the reunion. I am excited about seeing old friends and re-acquainting ourselves!
Renita D. Rhone-Williams · Los Angeles, CA · Tuesday, August 19, 1997 at 2:45pm · email hidden
Helloooo....
Tadashi Nakadegawa · Oakland, CA · Monday, August 18, 1997 at 8:44am · email hidden
I am class of 1978, but I heard about the site, and wanted to see who had written in.
Nancy (Briar) Backman · Kirkland, WA · Monday, August 18, 1997 at 9:39am · email hidden
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone after 20 years! Check out this site "A Net Source". It is a site reviewing the best sites on the web. Also there is a Mall for your shopping convenience.
Anonymous · Berkeley, CA · Monday, August 18, 1997 at 7:09pm
The BHS Reunion T-Shirts are coming! Check out the T-Shirt design and ordering information on the T-Shirt page... BHS Class of 77 T-Shirts
Anonymous · Saratoga, CA · Saturday, August 16, 1997 at 11:29pm
pretty scary..looking forward to it, and is it true that the reunion is going to held at Senior and Grizzly
Keith Briar · San Francisco, ca · Wednesday, August 13, 1997 at 5:50pm · email hidden
Isn't this Great! Thanks to all who are doing the work putting this together. Hey I am still in Berkeley. Email me. I hope the $100 price tag does not deter anyone from attending.
Rick Sweeney · Berkeley, ca · Monday, August 11, 1997 at 12:24am · email hidden
Great job pulling all of this together, folks. I look forward to October.
Steve Wollenberg · San Francisco, CA · Monday, August 11, 1997 at 11:03am · email hidden
Wow, man. I think I missed MY reunion. What happened to 1996? I can't believe it's been .... 21 years! Cheers to all and for those who remember ... The Road.
Dave Lesher · Sacramento, Ca · Monday, August 11, 1997 at 1:13pm · email hidden
Hi again. Just got my invitation to the party in the mail, and I wanted to coment about the price. I personally don't have a problem with it, since I currently have a good job, but I worry about some of our peers who might not be doing so well. This would exclude them based on income, and it doesn't seem fair. I understand that it costs a lot to put on something like this, so I was wondering if there would be some way to make allowances. Whaddaya think, organization committee?
Rachel Davis · Walnut Creek, CA · Sunday, August 10, 1997 at 12:10pm · email hidden
It has only been five years since the last one, right? Time flies with work, kids and other family matters and you don't remember that it has been 20 YEARS! since high school. This a great website to check out. I'm seeing names that I have not seen in a long time. I have talked with Chris Comfort and he is planning to come to the reunion. Does anyone know the whereabouts of one Oscar Bradley ?
Tim McElheney · Elk Grove, Ca · Thursday, August 7, 1997 at 9:41am · email hidden
Hey guys ... I'm not from you rclass, school, city or state but I am organizing our Class O' 77 reunion here in Austin, TX. Got any good ideas? We are planning a 70 fashion show and awards. I think this site is great. Good luck! And "Oh Thank Heaven for the Class of '77"! (Hey, it was the 70s ... what do you expect?)
Anonymous · Austin, TX · Thursday, August 7, 1997 at 4:34pm
Thank you James for creating this web site. It is incredible to think that we graduated 20 years ago. I look forward to catching up on the lives of many high school friends with whom I have lost touch. Yes, my married name is the same as my maiden name, just spelled differently!
Ann Wolff (formerly Wolfe) · Mountain View, CA · Thursday, August 7, 1997 at 5:20pm · email hidden
This is really too cool. I can't believe it has been 20 years already! I dont feel (eek!) almost 40... Ellen, James - great to hear that you're still around! I will be at the reunion - wouldn't miss it for the world, so will Heidi, trying to convince the guys it would be fun... but not being BHS grads... Look forward to seeing all of you in October!
Margaret Keith Mentakis · Elk Grove, CA · Friday, July 25, 1997 at 1:46pm · email hidden
Virtual Yellowjackets... Glad I finally took my old pal Dennis Brown's advice and visited this website... Any other alums barking up the writing/filmmaking/theatre/comics/interactive, etc., & et al. trees? Maybe we should form some kinda arts caucus and help each other along... (I actually got a theatre piece out of our 10 yr. reunion, which I workshopped down here in L.A. -- these reunion things are *redolent*!)... Expatriated down here for awhile, married & parenting and missing the north -- which I don't get to visit often enough... Looking forward to our double--decade rendezvous! Cheers...
Mark Williams · Studio City, CA · Thursday, July 24, 1997 at 2:37pm · email hidden
Just wanted to let folks know that I have been in touch with Russell Barnett, Scott Hansen, Karen San Martin, Alison (Dundes) Renteln and Paul Renteln. They will spread the "reunion word" to those they keep in contact with. I also "saw" Marilyn Adamson and the mother of Jason Winett, but unfortunately I wasn't able to make contact with either of them. Guess that is what happens when one doesn't leave Berkeley!
Mindy Scharlin · Berkeley, CA · Wednesday, July 23, 1997 at 9:28pm · email hidden
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