We're into the new year now. And, that means it's time to start planning for the 2012 Class of 1971 Scholarship fundraiser.  El Presidente Rudy and VP Debbie would like your ideas and suggestions for this year's cool event.

They will be holding a planning meeting on Saturday February 11, 2012 at Rudy's place in Miwuk Village. Everyone is invited to the meeting. Rudy understands that it may be difficult for many to get up there. But, they would really appreciate your ideas and suggestions. So, please e-mail, call, or write Rudy or Debbie with your thoughts before February 11. You can find contact information here.

By the way, Rudy says he has room to put up some people overnight, but you'll need to contact him pronto about that.

So, Balers, put your thinking caps on!

A Letter from Ruth

Ruth Gutierrez was one of 2011 recipients of the Class of 1971 Scholarship. Currently studying at the California State University Monterey Bay, Ruth wrote the following letter to El President:

Fourth Annual Scholarship Fundraiser

The 2011 Class of 1971 Scholarship Fundraiser was a BBQ/Silent Auction that took place on August 7th at the Betabel Station Event Center in San Juan Bautista. Rudy Bermudes, the Scholarship president, issued the following statement about the event:

August 27, 2011

My Dear Classmates,

You know as well as I do what a successful reunion/scholarship fundraiser weekend it was. It was so good to see everybody. I had a tough time letting go of the weekend. It was more like a family reunion than a class reunion to me. So much good and pride came out of it. There is no other class in the history of Hollister High School that has done what we, the class of ’71, have and will continue to do with our scholarship. I am so proud, as you all are, to be part of the Class of 1971 Scholarship and to help our future leaders get a start with their education and with carrying on the Baler name and tradition.

I would like to thank all of you classmates who came up to me the night of our reunion and wished us well on our scholarship. . . .They told me what a great thing we’re doing and then turned around and handed me money for our scholarship. “Here’s a donation,” classmates kept saying to me, “I can’t make the fundraiser tomorrow.”

I thought that I was the only one who wore my heart on my sleeve. That all of you want to help with the scholarship is amazing. This scholarship is getting better and better, thanks to you. It is all because you care.

Of course, you know, we gave away two Class of 1971 Scholarships in May. Sergio Alcala and Ruth Gutierrez-Nunez each received a $1,000.00 scholarship. Again, the selection committee came through. Thank you, Linda Vaccarezza, Bill Jacinto, and Jim Tavares. Since 2009, the Hollister High class of 1971 has given away $6,000.00 in scholarships to graduating Balers and Balerettes. 

While we’re on the matter of money, our BBQ/Silent Auction fundraiser went very, very well. The scholarship made a total of $4,100.00. Thanks to all who came and bought the wonderful items at the silent auction. My appreciation also goes to the generous donors—Steve Rovella, Dan Shingai, Greg Swett, Debbie and Leandro Villalon, Linda Breslauer, Toni Rovella, Laramie Trevino, Kris and Danny Waller, Kurt Williams, Erin Bermudes, Richard Bermudes, Ed Breed, Susie Echaore-McDavid, Sondra Truman, and Diana Polanco Shockey, among others.

 

The successful fundraiser was not all that happened for the Class of 1971 Scholarship that day. We all remember our dear classmate Nancy Ann McAbee Johnson who died in 2002. In memory of her, Nancy’s husband Bill Johnson and their children made a very generous and kind donation to the Class of 1971 Scholarship. In Nancy’s name, the Johnson family has donated $8,000. Next time you see Bill or his daughters, give them a big hug and thank you.

The Nancy Ann McAbee Johnson donation brings our scholarship account to . . . Ready? Yes, $15,000.00. No mistake on the decimal points. Are we for real or what? I think that we are going to be around for good.

If you would like to make a donation, big or small, write your check out to: Class of 1971 Scholarship, and send it to:

Community Foundation of San Benito County
829 San Benito Street, Suite 200
Hollister, CA 95023

Some of you have brought suggestions to me for future fundraisers and about having a meeting so we can discuss different fundraising ideas. I’ll keep you posted when and where the meeting will take place. You are all invited to join in on the fun.
 
Thank you, all of you, for believing in our scholarship. Together we are making it happen! Go Class of 1971!
 
Sincerely yours,
El Presidente,
Rudy Bermudes

Baler CDs Still Available

The reunion committee has 27 CDs left. Who wants one?

The 1971 Baler CD: From Then to Now was part of the Reunion Night package. It is a chronicle of our lives from 1952 to 2010 that includes photos and stories about us, including birth announcements, grammar school photos, high school pictures, Free Lance senior biographies, the current questionnaire, and past reunion photos, among others.

Still not sure you want one? Here's what  Jenelle Smith Klauer wrote about the CD  and the Reunion Weekend (We appreciate it, Jenelle): "...I received the CD's and will drop Jim's (Lemos) off to him tomorrow, he will love it and will probably watch it and cry just like I did.....Lemos's are very emotional type people, lol. I just finished watching mine and wanted to say it's the nicest keepsake a person could have. I also wanted to thank all of the classmates that worked so hard to put it together as well as the entire weekend of Baler fun!!! I'm so proud to be a part of our 1971 class and love everyone of you!!!! ♥"

The proceeds of the CD sales go into our Class of 1971 Reunion checking account. The money is set aside for future reunion events that we, as a class, sponsor. The CD costs $12, which including shipping and postage. Write your check to: Class of 1971 Reunion. Mail it to Susie Echaore-McDavid, 1380 Trieste Drive, Hollister, CA  95023. 

Did you know that our senior class council started our checking account way back when?  Impressive. I recently learned about it. Thank you, Senior Class Council! A free CD to the first Baler who can name all of our senior class council members. (No peeking in the yearbook either.)  E-mail your answers to me at 71baler <at> gmail<dot>com.

For more details about the CD, click here. 

Photos from the 30th Reunion

Mr. Dean Twist

Hey Balers! Remember Mr. Twist, one of our illustrious English teachers? He remembers us and graciously and generously donated to the Class of 1971 Scholarship fund. Best of all, he wrote this wonderful letter to all of us. If you would like his mailing address or cell number, drop me a note at 71baler <at> gmail<dot>com. ~Susie

-----

July 20, 2011

Lucerne, CA

Dear Members of SBH Class of 1971,

What a nice surprise to receive an invitation to your 40th class reunion, but I regret my schedule keeps me from attending.

I’m greatly impressed to learn of your faitfhul work in continuing to raise money for a Baler grad scholarship.  What a bunch of generous souls you have all continued to be!  And what a beautiful distinction to have as the only SBH alumni class to do this!  So I’m enclosing a check to join in your efforts.

Your Prez and reunion committee have done a great job in planning the event, so I know your reunion will be great fun.  I have fond memories of all of you who were in my classes.  I liked your nine survey questions, especially #9.  I would love to read your responses to that one!  For myself, I must say I would have done a great many things differently, especially my work as a teacher: I think I must have made every mistake that’s possible for a teacher to make.  But, now after the years have flitted by, many generous sould have helped me shed a number of my beastly faults.  And I’m at peace.

I still keep in touch with some of my fellow teachers at SBH.  I talk with Mike Sullens and Jim Allen quite often, and I see Jill Clark Kunich now and then.

The most recent and big event in my life is the birth of a grandchild, my only one by my only child David Wesley.  He finally married last year in 2010 at age 34 in April, and he and his wife, Faye, had a healthy bright-eyed baby boy last month, June 24.  My biggest sorrow is that my wife, Joy, David’s mother, died in 1996 and is not with me to share in the joyful event.

But life goes on. I’m in good health and living a happy, peaceful life.  I’d love to have any of you pay me a visit here in Lucerne on beautiful Clear Lake in Lake County.  Just give me a call on my cell  and I’ll leave the light on for you.

My best wishes for a full, happy and peaceful life to all of you.

              Dean Wesley Twist