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WHS Alumni Foundation News

TEACHER LOTTERY

In August, Board members Charmaine Stroud, Gail Pagan and Doug Rogers gave a short presentation to the WHS staff at their beginning of the year training. They provided a short history of the Foundation and promoted the Classroom Grant Program. They also introduced our latest way we support the WHS staff – a gift card lottery, which the staff entered by sending an email to the Foundation. At the September Board meeting, 15 teachers names were drawn and awarded $100 gift cards to help with classroom expenses. Staff could chose between Amazon, Staples or Target. This new program was well received by staff. Lottery Awardees Madeline Ewers, Science Mlisa Kelley, Culinary Arts Shikha Sharma, Science Nina Lim, Special Education Juliana Danner-Vera, World Languages Lisa Duncan, PE Ruth Bauer, Health Education Kevin Bermudez, English Salvador Lopez, World Language Dolores Vera-Valdez, Counseling Laura Amador, Art Garima Mittal, Math Mariah McClellan, English Matthew Hagmann, English Steven Hwang, Science An assortment of the responses we received from the staff. Laura Amador, Art – “Since we'll be making clay dominoes, your gift card covered 8 sets of example dominoes (1 for each group), Special ceramic tools for pressing round indents, XL sponges for clay cleanup, and a longer projector cord for demonstration display. They worked on these collaboratively in groups, incorporated math along with ceramics techniques, then had fun playing with their custom sets at the end of the project. Thank you again.” Shika Sharma; Science – “Thank you so much for the $100 Amazon gift card. I purchased a spiral binding machine to bind the AP Biology review books that consist of all past released questions.” Mlisa Kelley, Culinary Arts – “I have used it in Culinary Arts to purchase this amazing chocolate to make chocolate croissants this year!”

WHSAF Helps Science Department purchase new microscopes

18-year veteran teacher (2nd year at WHS) Megan Thaler came to the September WHSAF Board meeting and made a presentation related to the purchase of new microscopes. She brought with her a microscope currently being used that has been in the classrooms of WHS since the 1960’s! Each year, there are four science classrooms each with 36 students per period and at some point every student at WHS will take a science class requiring the use of a microscope so effectively this request impacts every student at Washington. The request was for help to begin replacing the microscopes with new models, 18 for each classroom. The Board allocated $2,400 to begin purchasing new scopes. Three alumni heard of the request and each pledged $1,000 to add to the purchase. Our funding provided 3 teacher’s projection microscopes (the Science purchased an additional one) and 22 student microscopes. Ms. Thaler was able to obtain additional support from the Fremont Elks Lodge #2121 and a from a scientific philanthropic group. The WHS Alumni Foundation is very happy to have helped the Science Department make great strides towards their goal.

WHS Alumni News

Tony Gemignani, WHS Class of 1991 Tony Gemignani is adding locations to his branded Slice Houses by Tony Gemignani. The pizza restaurant which currently has 19 locations throughout California and Nevada, is looking to expand beyond the current footprint with the first of the new locations to open in Salt Lake City in December. Tony’s pizza is a staple in San Francisco’s historic Italian neighborhood of North Beach, where the original Slice House is known for its award-winning New York, Sicilian, Grandma, Detroit, and California-style pizzas.

Donations in Memory Of

In Memory of Shirley Alameda Lorenz
In Memory of Billie Jacinto
In Memory of Jessica Manning
In Memory of Robert "Grandpa Bob" Almeida supporting the John Woodcock Athletic Leadership Scholarship
In Memory of Linda Wikel Clinton '68
In Memory of David Lee DeGeorge '62
In Memory of Kenneth Jones, WHS Teacher
In Memory of Dorothy Britton, Art Teacher
In Memory of Nick Stratigopoulos, Business Teacher

Memorials

KENNETH JONES

1949-2022

Teacher at Washington High School

Obituary link:Obituary link:https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/tempe-az/kenneth-jones-10706307?fbclid=IwAR37xfJyimBGeWxL4j_D65jW8K9NSCGlOPuSAjDDCa4mAhIHXH1SoRV_ms4

MICHAEL JESS JACINTO 1953 - 2018 WHS '71 - Founding Member of the Alumni Foundation Entered into rest on February 14, 2018 at the age of 65. Loving husband to Mary Robertson of Danville and stepfather to Ryan Burgess (Nicole) of Rocklin. Cherished son to Billie Jacinto of Fremont. Beloved brother to Terry Jacinto of Sacramento, Karen Jacinto of Fremont, Denise Jacinto of Fremont, Sandra and John Winslow of VA, and Suzanne Jacinto of Fremont. Treasured uncle to Michael, Patricia (Richard), Alexis, Mandee, Jessica, Kyle, Nicole, and Kelly. Proud great-uncle to Tyler, Bailey, Cain, Benjamin, Delilah, Brianna, Alexa, Brandon, Aiden, and Dylen. Cherished brother-in-law to Mike Robertson (Sheila) and son-in-law to Emma Robertson. Predeceased by his beloved father Jess Jacinto in 2008. Born January 20, 1953 in San Jose, Mike grew up in Fremont and graduated from Washington High School in 1971. He was an excellent student and highly decorated three sport athlete, lettering in football, baseball, and soccer, and was named the 1970-71 MVAL Athlete of the Year. Later, a devoted and active alumnus, he was the founding member of the Washington High School Alumni Foundation. He went on to play quarterback for Cal State Hayward and was recognized for his successes when he was inducted in the school’s Hall of Fame in 1988. Mike’s lifelong passion for sports, particularly the Giants and the 49ers, and a commitment to the lessons he learned on the field were a driving force in his life. Mike was a highly accomplished and respected businessman, first as a successful realtor having won the Bay East REALTOR® of the Year Award in 1988 and then as a business owner, founding the Jacinto Mortgage Group nearly 30 years ago. In addition to earning several leadership awards, he served many years on the Bay East Board of Directors prior to being elected as President in 1990. He also served on the California Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors. He was respected by all who knew him for his dedication to his work, clients, colleagues, and the East Bay communities he served. Mike was a committed family man, a loyal friend, a decorated athlete, a leader in his community, and an honorable, devoted businessman. He will be missed beyond measure. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Washington High School Alumni Foundation.

JERRY STEPHEN (STEVE) BARNETT 1941-2018 WHS '59, Hall of Fame Honoree Steve Barnett, engaged citizen, former NCAA wrestling champion, University of Oregon Duck, Chicago Bears NFL football player, and Rotarian passed away peacefully at his home in Danville, California on Tuesday, January 2. He was 76. The cause was congestive heart failure. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lynn, his children Kelli Smith (Brant) and Elizabeth Barnett (Will) and his sisters Linda Swiger and Stephanie Barnett. Steve was born in Sand Springs Oklahoma and came to Fremont California in 1950. He was a gifted athlete and became one of that city’s most famous sports figures. While at Washington High School in the late 1950’s, he played on Coach Bill Walsh’s winning football team. The two created the famous “refrigerator play” where Steve, the offensive tackle, ran for touchdowns. Steve was also a champion high school and college wrestler and was awarded athlete-scholar-citizen awards in both high school and college. While at the University of Oregon he was both a First Team Academic All-American and First Team Football All-American, voted All Conference three times, tapped for the Honor Society of Friars, recipient of the Emerald Athletic Trophy, elected to the University’s Senate, and played in the Hula Bowl, Liberty Bowl and East West Shrine Game. As an All-American, Steve met President John F. Kennedy, who asked him to play on his Hyannis Port football team. Steve was inducted in the State of Oregon’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 and into the University of Oregon’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. In 1963, the Chicago Bears selected Steve in the second round of the NFL Draft. That was the year the Bears won the Super Bowl, then known as the World Championship. Steve also played for the Washington Redskins for one year. Back in Fremont, Steve joined Sunnyvale’s Barnes Hind Pharmaceutical Company as a sales manager. After his retirement, he made the Bay Area community’s life richer with his many volunteer activities. Notably the Niles Rotary Club, in which he was an active member and Club President. Steve mediated landlord tenant disputes for Alameda County. He was a member of the Contra Costa County Grand Jury that published an influential report on cleaning up the San Joaquin delta. He also worked with the Danville Police Department as a “VIP” (Volunteer in Policing) and, in 2014, was awarded “Volunteer of the Year.” As a minister for 33 years, Steve has married many couples and they all cited his warmth and his open heartedness as the thing that made the ceremony special. Steve will be greatly missed by family and friends. He managed to look like the Mayor of every city he happened to be in with his handsome shock of white hair, his penetrating blue eyes and his commanding voice and presence. His kindness in the community is legend and he rushed to help those in need and was always there to listen and to assist. He was also known for his sense of humor and the heartiest and most heartfelt of laughs. He loved to play bridge, bocci ball, and just about any other game. Playing cards with him was an adventure all in itself. Steve was known as “Captain” to all the young people in his life; “The Bear” at the University of Oregon; “Partner” at the Bridge table;” Steverino” in his amateur theater group; Daddy-O at home; and My Friend to so many. Like Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers, Steve never lost a game. He just ran out of time. A memorial service and reception to honor Steve Barnett’s life will take place on Sunday, January 28 at 1:00 p.m. at the Round Hill Country Club, 3169 Roundhill Road, Alamo, 94507, Telephone: (925) 934-8211. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Steve & Lynn Barnett Scholarship c/o Fremont Bank 210A Railroad Avenue, Danville, CA 94526. The Steve & Lynn Barnett Scholarship funds scholastic pursuits for Washington High School students who are outstanding athlete-scholar-citizens.

Shirley Alameda Lorenz May 1, 1927 ~ July 8, 2024 Born in: Fremont, California Resided in: Fremont, California Shirley Alameda Lorenz, a beloved member of the Fremont community, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024, at the age of 97, surrounded by her children. Born on May 1, 1927, in Fremont, Shirley’s life was a testament to family, community, and a love for acceptance and friendship. A proud graduate of Washington (Union) High School’s Class of 1945, Shirley’s family legacy, at WHS, spanned four generations: her mother, Pauline Gronley Alameda, her 5 siblings, Shirley and her 5 siblings, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, Shirley’s six children, along with grandchildren. Married in 1951, Shirley and Gene Lorenz shared 57 wonderful years together until Gene’s passing in 2008. Their home was filled with love, laughter, extended family, sports, and friends. Her enthusiasm for sports continued throughout Shirley’s life (WHS field hockey, basketball, softball), all her children were on sports teams, and she and Gene were long-time, season ticket, Oakland A’s fans. Shirley also delighted in cheering on her grandchildren in their various sports activities. Shirley’s commitment to her children’s education was evident through her extensive involvement in the PTA, for which she received a Lifetime PTA Honorary Service Award in 1973. She also worked as a beloved teacher’s aide in special education programs within the Fremont Unified School District, where she was known for her steadfast dedication to her students. For over 40 years, as matriarch of her family’s local flower shop and affectionately known as “Shirley Momma”, Shirley was a vibrant participant in the annual Fremont 4th of July and Christmas parades, always donning costumes that matched the flower shop’s float theme. Her sweet dog, Sophie, was her constant companion, often seen perched on her lap. Shirley’s pride in her family’s heritage and their civic contributions to Fremont was a cornerstone of her identity. She is survived by her children, Mark (Susan), Wendy, Randy (Ed), Dirk (Lisa), and Paula (Tony), daughter-in-law, Cindy, as well as 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her eldest son, Eric, and son-in-law, Bud. Shirley’s legacy of love, dedication, and community spirit will be cherished.