Piner High School

Alumni Newsletter A joint publication of the Piner High School Foundation and Hall of Fame

Volume 11, Issue 1 September 2019

Pete Stringfellow – Singer, Musician, Actor & Producer

Editors note: We want to thank Pete for taking the time between family and work to do this interview. Unfortunately due to space, we had to edit a lot of it, but the entire will be placed on Facebook at a later date. Pete graduated from Piner High in 1990.

When did you start get-ting involved with music?

Well, as crazy as it sounds, I start-ed my music training when I was 2 years old. I was very lucky in that I had parents and grandparents who supported my passion for music. The story my mom tells, is that while she and my grandpa were milking the cows in the barn, they heard me playing rhythms on some milk cans. I was only 6 months old, so they were very sur-prised to say the least.They put me into a music appre-ciation class for children, and then at the age of 4, they bought me my first drum because I wanted to be a drummer. I started out playing by ear, but eventually my parents got

me drums lessons. I started when I was 9, and continued until I was 17. Happy it turned out that way because rhythm is a huge part of my sound as a writer and performer

What influences do you have? Goodness that’s a loaded question. As far as styles, I have never limited myself to a particular type of mu-sic. I’ve had many artist and bands that have made an impact on me

over the years, and I continue to add to that long list: George Strait, The Eagles, Travis Tritt, Merle Hag-gard, yeah, no way to answer that without giving you a laundry list. Growing up, my family listened to

cross over country like the Kenny Rodgers and Linda Ronstadt. At the family dairy ranch where we hung out on the weekends, it was always traditional country. Of course, when I went to school I had the pleasure of hearing all of that 80s pop goodness I still listen to.

When did you pick up other instruments?

I had a small piano when I was 5, and played it all of the time by ear. I really liked the guitar, and took a few lessons when I was 10, but it didn’t stick until later.

When I started attending junior high, I really wanted to learn key-boards so I got heavy into playing and sequencing. All of the music in the 80s had those cool synthesizers and samplers and songwriting was huge for me. Hard to write when you only know how to play percus-sion. In the process, I also learned how to record on my own. Started out on a 4-track cassette recorder, and went from there.

Did you play music when you went to high school?

I did! By then I was comfortable with playing keyboards and writ-ing songs for bands. Back then, the Hip-Hop community was pretty tight. I remember beat boxing for rappers like Tu Pac Shakur before

Cont’d. on page 3

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Pete Stringfellow – Singer, Musician, Actor & Producer (Cont’d.)

he made it big. Not sure you know this, but Tu Pac per-formed at Piner when he was in the group “Strictly Dope”.

I wasn’t in the school band, but I took a guitar class with Mr. Patterson when I was a senior. I fell in love with the guitar, and at that time I had rediscovered country music. I knew then that I wanted to be a solo country artist.

What’s your favorite instrument to play?

Piano, then guitar. I quietly fill in for drummers in a few different bands, too much fun! I’ve been on hiatus with the harmonic, need to get back into that.

What did you do after high school?

Well, I continued writing music and producing records for artists and bands, but I wanted to go to college to really dig deep. At that point, I only knew music theory from trial and error so I attended the Santa Rosa Junior College and earned an Associate degree in music.During that time, I worked at several different jobs to make enough money to get by, gas ain’t cheap especially when you’re a truck guy like me. I started working when I was 12 at a construction company my neighbor owned so I was used to working in the real world. While I attended school, I worked at my dad’s mechanic shop, and had different jobs in the restaurant business. One of the gigs I had, was performing in a busy cover band “The Professionals” as a keyboardist, giving me more stage experience. Those were some nutty times!

How long were you at the JC?

I was there for 3 years. I could have left for a 4 year college at 2, but there were so many classes I wanted to attend out-side of what’s required to earn a music degree. Classes like songwriting, Jazz, and advanced piano.

Did you continue your studies?

Absolutely! I went to Chico State which at the time, was one of the only schools you could earn a Recording Arts Bach-elors degree in California. I double majored in both music and recording arts. After that, I got married but stayed in Chico to further my education.

I knew the competition is fierce in the record industry, so I wanted to have some kind of edge as a recording artist. I decided to stay and earn a Master’s Degree in interactive media. My master’s thesis was a book I wrote, a video game I created, and a symphony orchestra piece I composed. So much work, but loved every minute.

It was during my studies when I had my first break in the music industry. A small fighting competition by the name of Ultimate Fighting Championship, commonly known

as the UFC, started airing tournaments. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! I became an instant fan, and remain so today. In fact I sponsor a professional MMA fighter “The Guardfather” who trains here in Santa Rosa. Oh, and coin-cidently he’s also a Piner alum.

Anyway, one of the fighters, Ken Shamrock lived in Califor-nia. Back then, all of the fighters had the same music as they walked out. So I came up with an idea and wrote and re-corded a song called “Stuck Between Shamrock and a Hard Place”. When I was ready, I drove several hours to his house to pitch it to him. It wasn’t long after that I was hearing my song as he walked out to the Octagon on Pay-Per-View. I gotta tell ya, that was an awesome feeling, I’ll never forget it!

Where did you go from there?

I quickly got a job in Santa Cruz as a programmer for an online training company. We had clients like Cisco so it was pretty demanding. It was an exciting time being that it was what we now refer to as the dot com era.My ultimate goal was to move to Nashville because that’s where it all happens in the country music business. I tell ya what, it was pretty difficult trying to get a creative job there while living here in California. I would send résumés, and would even fly out to interview.

Did you make it out there eventually?

Yes. The company I was working for laid me off. As luck would have it, my persistence paid off and I got a 3-month contract with the creative agency New Order Media which was located in downtown Nashville. I hit the road, and moved out there right away. After a month in, they offered me a full-time job and I ended up living there for about 5 years full-time.

Artistically though, I found that I started sounding like everyone else. I was singing on demos for people, and they typically want you to sound like the artist they’re pitching to.

Of course, I wanted my own sound, and wanted to incor-porate many of the unique qualities of California country into my new Nashville sound. So I decided to make my way back to west coast.

Also, my wife and I wanted to start a family and wanted to raise our kids in California. For about 2 years, I worked half the month in Nashville, and telecommuted half the month in Santa Cruz. After a couple years we bought a house in Santa Rosa, and in Nashville, literally the best of both worlds.

Cont’d. on page 4

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Pete Stringfellow – Singer, Musician, Actor & Producer (Cont’d.)

How was the experience living in Nashville for you?

It was awesome! So much talent in one place, at first it was overwhelming but then it became my second home. Met some amazing people, some of which are still close friends of mine. I’ve had the opportunity to work with musicians I dreamt of just meeting let alone working with.

Definitely up-ed my game as a recording artist and songwriter living there. I thoroughly enjoy writing songs and perform-ing with guys who are seasoned pros. It’s the only place I record my country songs. Although, I record my parts in my own studio which saves money, but more importantly I can work when inspired and be super meticulous with my editing. This is a Blessing and a curse.

When did you get your first publishing deal?

As I mentioned earlier, I was writing and producing other bands. One of the bands was a Hip-Hop group by the name of BB Swing, who by the way are also Piner alumni. We got a record deal with Classified Records, and because we had recorded some songs in their studio, we were already friends and comfortable with how they conducted business. They eventually became an imprint of Sony Records which was pretty cool. My job titles were producer, co-writer, and recording engineer.

The group ended up getting dropped from the label because the label genre direction didn’t include Hip-Hop. Unfortunately, BB Swing broke up soon after the departure.

The songs we created and recorded never got released. I didn’t want our blood, sweat, and tears to sit on a shelf somewhere, so luckily, I was able to get the masters of the songs I was part of. This is pretty rare, but the president was amazing and made it happen.

I was in the “West Coast Songwriter’s Association” at the time. They would fly out LA and Nashville publishers who were looking for material. I pitched the song “1440” from the BB Swing catalog and in about 30 seconds in, the rep decided to put it on hold.

Now you have to understand, in Nashville they want songs they can get artists and bands to cut for their records. That means to pitch a song, you only have to record a demo, in many cases that means just a guitar and vocals version. In the movie in-dustry, they want a finished product. That way they can sync it to TV and movies right away. This worked perfectly with the BB Swing songs I produced because they were record quality and ready to go. About 2 months after we signed the deal, they asked for more. The rest is history as they say.

A few years later, the publishing company was bought out by Universal Music. Hard to believe, but to date I have 314 song placements in both TV and feature films. Some of the shows I was already a fan of, which made it even more cool. Programs like South Park, Cold Case and CSI.

Nothing like going to the movies and hearing your song in a scene or 2 in a major motion picture. Biggest movie back in the beginning for us was “Meet the Parents”. Having your name in the credits with guys like Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller? Forget about it!

What was your first song on the radio as a solo act?

A song I co-wrote called Unpainted Pictures, but my favorite song on the radio that I wrote is a song called “Santa Rosa”. Besides the number of downloads and streams, it’s a special song about my hometown. I co-wrote it with a good friend of mine, Glenn Dawson. You can hear my son Wyatt say “Good Grief!” if you listen carefully. Oh hey, I mention Piner in that song!

What’s your favorite place to perform?

For small venues that would be “The Bluebird Cafe”. It’s all about the song there, folks can’t even talk once the performers start their set or they’re kicked out.

For a large venue, I would say the Ryman Auditorium. Great acoustics and all, but the history there is ridiculous. Singers like Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline blessed the stage back when it was the Grand ‘Ole Opry.

As far as local venues, I love performing at the Green Music Center, the LBC, and Hopmonk. I actually went to pre-school at the LBC many moons ago. [laughs]

Cont’d. on page 6

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PINER HIGH’S 14TH ANNUAL CRAB FEEDMark you calendar, this years Crab Feed is January 25, 2020. If you’ve never been to one of our

crab feeds, you’ve been missing out. We’ve been told it’s one of the most fun crab feeds people have attended, along with the delicious food. Dinner includes appetizers, salad, french bread, pasta and all the crab you can eat. Melted butter is also provided. Dinner is topped off with dessert, coffee or tea. We are once again holding our “Famous” dessert auction that offers homemade and professional desserts.

The event is put on by the Piner Boosters, Piner Foundation and Piner Hall of Fame. All of the profits from this event goes back to Piner High through these non-profit organizations. Tick-ets for this limited seating event will be available towards the end of November, at any of the Oli-ver Markets in Sonoma County. If you mail in your check your name will be placed on a WILL CALL LIST at the front. No tickets will be mailed to you. See page two for additional information.

PINER HIGH FOUNDATION It’s never too late to join or make a donation to the Piner High Foundation. Anybody can join. Your $20 member-ship along with any donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law under our 501(c) (3) non-profit status. The money received by the Foundation goes to classroom equipment and supplies, that the teachers wouldn’t otherwise get. These items help enhance our students learning. We also share half the cost of the printing and mailing of the Alumni Newsletter with the Piner Hall of Fame, which is twice a year. Help is very much need-ed with the newsletter and other Foundation duties. If you are interested in helping please call 571-7420.

Thank you to those who recently renewed their membership for this school year. An Extra Thank you to those who renewed and gave an extra generous donation: Joan Fleck, Sylvia Andreis, Carol Sherwood, Diana Spritzer, Larry Schalich, Margaret Nelson, Marsh Richter, Sam Bertacco, and new member Daniel Le Roy—Class of 1983.

Thank you also to Tony Walls, for your continued monthly donations through P.G.&E’s “Youth Cause” program; Edna Gaddie for your donations in Memory of Piner Teachers Steve Casperson and John Dolan; Marylou Beltrami in memory of Steve Casperson; and Bob & Dolores Zeni in memory of Marilyn Turner and Steve Casperson.

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Is there a particular show that sticks out for you?

Yes, when we opened for Merle Haggard at the Uptown Theater. He’s one of my big country influences so opening up for a legend like that was mind blowing. He and I met after my set and he thanked me for a good show. I’m think-ing, did that really happen? Talk about a dream come true!

Do you have a regular band that works with you?

In the studio, no. I hand pick musicians depending on the sound I’m going for. For my live show yes! The “Stringtones” have been with me for years, I love those guys and they rock it hard. We have a blast when we perform. Outside of having your songs in movies, you’ve gotten into acting yes?

Yes, as an actor, I get to become other people. It’s like when I was a kid, and we’d pretend we were cowboys, or Jedis or something. As an actor you have to learn lines and get paid. Doing voice over is always fun, especially when you get to add your voice to projects like video games.I became a professional actor years ago because my man-ager at the time suggested I get more on-camera experience for my music career. I trained in Nashville and in Holly-wood here and there for “on-camera” acting, but doing it a lot it is what got me to hone in my skills a bit. I have a very long way to go with my acting, but I enjoy it very much! I got my first agent in 1999.

Any favorite movies or TV programs you’ve been in?

I would say the TV show called Nashville. I was a co-star on that show, but they ended up changing the story quite a bit for ratings in season 1 so that they wouldn’t get dropped from NBC. In turn, my lines were cut in editing. I still got credit as a co-star and it got me to the SAG eligible stage which is huge as an actor. Another surreal moment in my life was seeing myself on a major TV show.For movies, I would say “My Brother’s Shoes”. I got the lead in that one, and although I wish I could re-do some of the scenes, it was an awesome experience making it.

What’s your favorite job you’ve ever had?

That’s easy, being a dad. I have 3 amazing kids, Wyatt, Wade and Walker. Best job in the world!

How is it balancing being a single dad and be-ing in a crazy industry like you are?

Hmmm, well I don’t recommend someone getting into entertainment unless they’re willing to put up with a lot. And I do mean a lot! If you don’t have an enormous pas-

sion for your craft, better reconsider. The income is up and down, and there are a lot of empty promises out there. Emotionally it can be super challenging.I absolutely love being an involved father. Because of my loose schedule, I get the pleasure of taking kids to school, coaching baseball and football, and even going on field trips from time to time. I suppose the balance is personal to each individual. All I know is that I’m most happy when I’m with my kids.

You mentioned income, what do you recommend for those who want to get into the business with regards to making money while they chase their dreams?

For me, college worked well. I know it’s not the answer for everyone, but what I got out of it propelled me into a place where I could do creative as my “day job”, while pursing my music career. Worked my way up the creative latter as a de-signer, art director, multimedia developer, filmmaker and finally a creative director in the software, marketing and advertising verticals. Currently I still do creative consulting.

I found that doing creative for fortune 100 and 500 com-panies like Microsoft and Radio shack, took my over-all game up to a new level, which in turn has helped my music career a ton. Things like having hard dead-lines, last minute changes, working crazy hours, con-stantly learning new technology are just some of the things you have to deal with in the corporate world.

And yes, being very computer literate is necessary as a re-cording artist these days. You write, record, distribute, pro-mote, engage, and perform with technology, just the way it is. I’m good with that because I’m a bonafide nerd. [laughs]

Also for me, I’ve had several amazing music opportuni-ties like writing and performing songs in the commercial world with clients like Target. Also being that I’m classically trained from school, I’ve been blessed with being hired to compose movie scores.

So yeah, I highly recommend getting into a second career that parallels your passion that pays you well. Not only do you need to keep the lights on, so to speak, but you’ll need a lot of money to spend on your career. Goodness sakes, I’d be embarrassed to even look at what I’ve spent on my career to date!

But I will say that I’ve been able to save a boat load of mon-ey with doing my own creative like photo editing, graphic designfor both print and web, filmmaking, audio, websites, and social media assets. It also gave me more consistent income.

I know guys who went to college and got their MBA, another huge advantage for artists.

Cont’d. on page 8

Pete Stringfellow – Singer, Musician, Actor & Producer (Cont’d.)

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FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP LIST

Those names in bold print have renewed their membership for this school year

Rachelle Merian Albini- 1979Charles Albright- 1969Dave Albritton- 1976Dale Anderson- 1978 Jim Andrade-1972 Sylvia Guiliano Andreis- 1971Steve Athens- 1971 Jeff Avery 1971Cathy Austin - 1978Anna Babson- Parent of Alumni Judy Bagley- Retired Staff Janet Barbaria - 1979 Judith Barcelon- Retired Faculty John BaroneLynn Cook Beniot- 1974 Pat Berry- 1968 Gayle LaForce Berry- 1971Sam Weston Bertacco- 1970Marylou Kniffin Beltrami- 1970Cheryl Pedroncelli Bennett- 1971Mike Biando - 1978Sally Bimrose- Retired PrincipalMitch Bonar- 1969Valerie Lane Burgoyne- 1971Michelle Patterson Brittain- 1988Charlie Buff- Retired FacultyAlicia Bunce- Parent of AlumniJackie Stevens Callaghan 1973Bill Campbell- 1976Rosemarie Cartier - ParentBetty Castino- Retired FacultyRon Casselli- Retired FacultyNancy Michaelson Celms- 1968Betty Furia Clark- 1971Leslie Jenkins Conant- 1970Jerry Corbet- 1968Laurie Cameron Cornelssen- 1972Rhonda Comalli-Friend of PinerKaren Coster- FacultyBill Coset-1972Diane Cupples - 1979Mike Daniels- Friend of PinerRachel Watrous Daniel- 1989Allison Arreola Delaney 1995Chris DeMelloIzzy Derkos – Retired Coach

Judy Dillon- Retired FacultyMatt Dillon- 1995Judith Pedroni Engelstad - 1971Francine Boschetti Espiniera- 1971Jake Fitzpatrick- Retired FacultyJoan Fleck- 1971Ken Foote – Retired FacultyKen Fox- Retired FacultyLorna Nelson Fox- 1973Jane FrostEdna Gaddie- Wife of Retired CoachCindy Gaddie- Coach’s DaughterChris Garcia- 1970Scott Garcia- 1973Karen Gunderson & FamilyAbby Hanes- Piner StaffMarnie M. HansonTanya Harlin- Parent of AlumniSherman Harris- 1970Jack Hayes- Retired PrincipalDavid Hayne- 1972Casey Hillman- 2001Keith HintonJohn Huntzinger- Retired FacultyNicki Obritsch Hinch- 1968Arne Hoel - 1979Dave Hover-1976Jim Hurt- 1971John Hurt- 1970 Magdalena Almarez Hurt- 1971Marilyn Jackson- Retired StaffJoel Jacobsen 1969Tiffany Jahnke- FacultyDonna Jeye- School BoardUrsula Juricich—Wife of CharlesVince Klein- 1970Mark Koski- 1971Jani Logsdon Krambs - 1977Steve Kramer - 1991Doug Krikac- 1969Ron Kristof- Retired FacultySandy Lacey- Retired FacultyJim Lanz- 1976Maureen Latimer-Wife of DickFrank Lawler- 1968Daniel Le Roy - 1983

Bob & Wendy Maccario- 1972Nicholas Mancillas- FacultyDavid Marshall- 1970Lindsay Schalich Malik- 1972Mark McCarthyDennis McCarty- Retired CoachDeena McConnell- 1979Jill McCormick-1989Pete McCormick- ParentRandy Merian- 1977Martha Bastoni Messana- 1970Tom Michaelson- 1971Patty Michiels- Retired FacultyLinda Burke Miller- 1969Steve Mizera-District OfficeJohn Morris -1971Tina Murray – 1974Allen Nelson 1970Margaret Hayne Nelson- 1971April Wycoff Nichols- 1974Paul Nikol- Retired CoachTom Nix- 1968Randy Nunes- 1971Cyndi Ogle- 1970Larry Olenberger- 1968Gary Palmer- 1970Randy Palmer- 1971Terrie Hays Palmieri- 1970Erin Parr- 1997Rich Pedroncelli- 1973Karen Mejia Pennrich- 1971Kathy Perez-Penrose-Retired FacultyGail Laughlin Pippi-1969Virginia Pitts—Alumni ParentJulie Buchanan Poirier- 1979Wayne Rasmussen- 1968Kathy Denner Reese- 1969Denise Rehe- 1979Marilyn Graff Reiss- 1969Lee Ann Cameron Reuter- 1979Ruth Richmond- Retired StaffMarcia Thompson Richter- 1968Doug Robbins - 1969Bianca Rosario- FacultyMerle & Ann Rossman--Alumni ParentsRandi Rossman- 1977

Pat Sampson –Retired FacultyMichelle Scarboro- FacultyLisa Wittke Schaffner -1987Bill Schalich- 1979Cindy Misner Schalich- 1983Kasey Schalich- 2010Larry Schalich- 1974Joe Schalich- 1971Nancy Schell- Retired Faculty Dolores Seymour- Retired StaffCarol Cake Sherwood- 1971Sue Sion- Retired Vice-PrincipalCathy Slack- 1978 Don & Patty Soekland ’72 & ‘74Dale Solheim- 1971Pamela Rippin Sorensen- Retired FacultyDiana Valentino Spritzer - 1971Jennifer Stenger-1988Jason Stephenson-1989Sue Woods Stone- 1970 Karen Scott Suiter- 1979Claire Morey Taan- 1970Ed Taan- 1971Steve Templeman- 1968 Jill Smith Thach- 1973Craig Thompson- Retired FacultyMary Gowan Thomsen- 1970 Lisa Tiedeman- 1976Lee & Marj Torliatt- Retired FacultyIlene Traverso- Retired FacultyKathy Trenchard- Retired FacultyMarilyn Turner- Retired teacherJim & Carol Underhill- Retired CoachJudy Vesper-1968Larry Waite 1968Pam Jenkins Wallace- 1968Tony Walls Friend of PinerDonna Starr White- 1968Pauline Scinto Whitchurch- 1971Jeanette Babson Wilson- 1986Cliff Woodruff- 1975Craig Wycoff- 1978Chris Zeek- SRHS Class of 1968Bob & Dolores Zeni- Retired Vice-Principal

PINER HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP FORM Date: ________ Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss Name: Name ____________________________________ Please Print First Name, Then Last Name Maiden/Former Name ____________________ Home Address________________________________________State ______ Zip__________ Mailing Address _______________________________________State ______ Zip__________ Phone: Home _________________ Cell __________________E-mail____________________ I am joining the PHS Foundation for 1 school year at $20. I am a PHS Graduate. Class of_____ I am associated with PHS as a (parent, supporter, etc.) _____________________. I am enclosing an additional TAX DEDUCTIBLE contribution of $______________. Make checks payable to PHSF. Print and complete this form, then mail along with check to: Piner High School Foundation, 1700 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, Ca. 95403 Our Federal Nonprofit Tax I.D. is #68-0312001. To pay by credit card or for further information about us, go to our website at www.pinerhighfoundation.org

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What’s your current state as an entertainer?

Honestly, I’m more fired up as an artist than ever before, feeling happy and confident with where I’m at artistically. Of course I’m consistently being humbled with the ample amount of talented folks out there, but at the end of the day you just have to be authentic with what you bring to the table. Wisdom has taught me that I just have to be better than who I was a year ago. I’ll leave the cocky egos for other folks, but at the same time, I’m definitely proud of what I’ve accomplished. So much more to do!

What are you currently working on?

I’m finishing up the pre-production on my new record which I extremely excited about. Some of the best songs I’ve ever written so I’m chomping at the bit to get into the studio.

Just finished a 3-year project that I can’t say much about because it’s a spin off on a popular franchise. Definitely not a sure thing, but what is in this industry? Well, there are things but we won’t get into that. No need to depress people. Hah!

Another project that’ll start production in 2020, is a film I wrote called “Assume”. I won’t act in it, I’ll just be directing.

A lot has happened over the last 2 years, you have no idea. I’ve had some crazy, outrageous, literally unbelievable things happen on both the good and bad side of things.

Appreciate you speaking with me today. Anything else you’d like to add?

I suppose I should ask everyone to follow me on social. I’m on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I’ve been vacant from the social world for a while, but that’ll soon change. New website will be up in the near future. Thank you for thinking of me, such an honor! I have a lot of incredible memories of my high school years. Good people, great staff, and unforgettable experiences. I have to say sorry to all of the Piner teachers reading this that had to put up with me and the sound effects I’d made.

Pete Stringfellow – Singer, Musician, Actor & Producer (Cont’d.)

Piner High has a new PrincipalMrs. Stacy Desideri is Piner High’s new principal. The for-mer principal, Tim Zalunardo moved over to the Santa Rosa School District Office in the newly created position Director of Teaching and Learning. He will work with a team of educational professionals focusing on education, curriculum and instruction K-12.Ms. Desideri come to us after serving two years as prin-cipal at Windsor High School. She has been in education for 27 years. She grew up in Texas, but graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with a degree in English and a single subject teaching credential. She taught at junior and senior high schools in the Sacramento area. In 2010 she began her administration work serving as vice principal at Davis Senior High School, then as principal at Emerson Junior High. After her two children graduated high school and began college, she and her husband move to Santa Rosa in 2017, when she became principal at Wind-sor High. The Desideri family have a long legacy in the SRCS system. Her father-in-law was in Montgomery High’s first graduating class, where many other family members also graduated. Though her husband graduated from Santa Rosa High. She stated she enjoys hiking the beautiful park system in Santa Rosa, along with improving her gardens and relaxing at the beach or swimming/exploring the Russian River.

Sad NewsMarilyn Turner, passed away on January 9, 2019. Mari-lyn taught Home Economics at Ursuline High School and Piner High School for many years, and was a favorite among her students and their parents.

Dave Ciapusci, passed away in January 2019. He was in Piner High’s first graduating class( 1968) and played multiple sports. He unexpectedly passed away in Janu-ary 2019, when he had a massive heart attack while hunting on his property in Gualala.

Jennifer Topper, a 2002 PHS graduate, died on Jan 29th, 2019. Topper, a former Navy rescue swimmer, was pilot-ing an emergency medical helicopter when it crashed. She was flying through frigid, snowy weather to pick up a patient in southeast Ohio. Two flight nurses also died in the incident.

John “Jack” Dolan passed away on March 24, 2019. John was a long time business teacher at Piner, who helped open Piner in 1966, and was well respected by his stu-dents and peers. Mr. Dolans wife, Thea, who was also a teacher, was suffering from declining health when she passed away 36 days after Jack died.

Cont’d. on page 10

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OUR 15TH ANNUAL HALL OF FAME DINNER IS APRIL 4TH 2020

This years Piner High Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner was another success headed by President Joan Fleck, at the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club. Highlighted by past performance stories of outstanding athletes and the touching story of an awardee that passed away too soon. The 2020 inductees will be announced towards the end of December. A week after the dinner President Fleck received an e-mail from Keith Johnston, one of the inductees who graduated in 1983 and a standout in football, and track. He is currently a Doctor of Chiropractic’s. Keith thanked Joan for all the kind [well deserved] words she said about him. He said he was honored to be inducted into such a great group of athletes and people.

Keith went on to say, “After the presentation my youngest son turned to me and said, ‘Man Dad, Wow! I never knew you won all those awards and you were a Baller’ [incredible athlete]. That made me laugh.” That in essence is one of the main reasons the Hall of Fame was created.

Go to www.pinerhalloffame.org to view pictures of our Hall of Fame dinners.

Sad News (Cont’d.)Mike Obritsch class of 1970, passed away in an unfor-tunate accident on April 3, 2019 at the Grand Canyon while he was on vacation. Mike had a mathematics de-gree from UC Davis and worked many years for Pac Bell in San Roman as a computer analyst.

Kristen (Kenney) Lichau, was in Piner’s second grad-uating class 1969, along with her brother, Tim Kenney (deceased). She passed away peacefully on April 24, 2019. Kristen attended the University of Puget Sound and graduated with a doctorate in podiatric medicine.

Free Educational Events Open to the Public at Piner High SchoolPiner offers free monthly science presentations in their renowned planetarium/science building. Check out these websites for more information or find them on Piner’s website.

http://pinerhighstemcafe.weebly.com/STEM = Science - Technology - Engineering - Math

http://www.sparqatphs.com/SPARQ = Science – Position - Astronomy - Research - Query

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PAT BERRYP.O BOX 6476 SANTA ROSA, CA 95406 (Office) 707-571-7887 (Fax) 707-571-0091

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836-

9735

Piner High School Athletic Hall of Fame Permit Number One PO Box 2339 Santa Rosa, CA 95406 Piner HS Alumni Newsletter Published Quarterly Issues #2 For sponsorship information visit our website at www.PinerHallOffame.org or call 836-9735 Published by: Piner High School Athletic Hall of Fame

NON PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #1

FULTON, CA.

Piner High School Foundation…..

Dedicated to offering grants to Piner teachers for classroom improvements and projects

Piner High School Athletic Hall of Fame…Dedicated to honoring graduates of Piner who excelled in athletics dur-ing their high school years

Piner High School Athletic Hall of Fame P.O. Box 12284 Santa Rosa, CA 95406