Volume 12, Issue 2 January 2021 Jim Underhill

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Piner High School Alumni Newsletter A joint publication of the Piner High School Foundation and Hall of Fame Volume 12, Issue 2 January 2021 I was born in Oakland, and lived in Moraga, California with my parents Jim & Helen, and older sisters Jayne and Patricia. We lived in a rental on a farm while our father was employed at St. Mary’s Col- lege as an assistant football and head basketball coach. Two years later we moved to Santa Rosa where he taught and coached at Santa Rosa High School. Our mother was very kind and had a big influ- ence in our lives. Our brother Richard was born after arriving in Santa Rosa. During the early years, the population in Santa Rosa was Cont’d. on page 2 about 12,000 people, and life was so much simpler. There were opportunities during those days such as, hiking in the hills and fishing for trout in the many streams through- out Sonoma County. At a young age, my brother and I would be dropped off early in the a.m., fish for 5 or 6 hours, and were picked up at a pre- designated place. Farm job opportunities were available and we took ad- vantage during our years in elementary and junior high school, including picking prunes, berries, apples, etc. Gaddis nursery was next door, and while in the 5th grade at Fremont School, I was hired to make redwood flats for 2 ½ cents per flat. From 6th grade to early 9th grade, I had a lawn mowing business. During summers while at- tending high school, I worked on a ranch as well as Codding Enterprises as a laborer for 3 summers. Santa Rosa High School was a good experience and we were fortunate to have a good faculty and administration. Participating in football and track was fun and valued ex- perience for learning team concept, hard work, and dis- cipline. During my junior year in high school, I signed up for the Naval Reserves which re- quired 6 years inactive and 2 years active duty. During that time frame I attended classes at the Naval Air Station San Diego boot camp training program, practicing tactical maneuvers on a destroyer escort. The Navy cancelled the final 2 years active-duty requirement due to so many new recruits. I was able to start teaching earlier than ex- pected. While attending Santa Rosa Junior College I was offered a job coaching the 5th & 6th, 7th and 8th grade baseball teams at St. Rose. The expe- rience was fun and I learned through trial and error. In 1955 we moved to San Jose after being accepted to San Jose State College. I majored Jim Underhill Teacher, Coach, Mentor and Much More Jim Underhill at (2017) PHS Hall of Fame Dinner

Transcript of Volume 12, Issue 2 January 2021 Jim Underhill

Page 1: Volume 12, Issue 2 January 2021 Jim Underhill

Piner High School

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

Volume 12, Issue 2 January 2021

I was born in Oakland, and lived in Moraga, California with my parents Jim & Helen, and older sisters Jayne and Patricia. We lived in a rental on a farm while our father was employed at St. Mary’s Col-lege as an assistant football and head basketball coach. Two years later we moved to Santa Rosa where he taught and coached at Santa Rosa High School. Our mother was very kind and had a big influ-ence in our lives.

Our brother Richard was born after arriving in Santa Rosa. During the early years, the population in Santa Rosa was

Cont’d. on page 2

about 12,000 people, and life was so much simpler. There were opportunities during those days such as, hiking in the hills and fishing for trout in the many streams through-out Sonoma County. At a young age, my brother and I would be dropped off early in the a.m., fish for 5 or 6 hours, and were picked up at a pre-designated place.

Farm job opportunities were available and we took ad-vantage during our years in elementary and junior high school, including picking prunes, berries, apples, etc. Gaddis nursery was next door, and while in the 5th grade at Fremont School, I was hired to make redwood flats for 2 ½ cents per flat. From 6th grade to early 9th grade, I had a lawn mowing business. During summers while at-tending high school, I worked on a ranch as well as Codding Enterprises as a laborer for 3 summers.

Santa Rosa High School was a good experience and we

were fortunate to have a good faculty and administration. Participating in football and track was fun and valued ex-perience for learning team concept, hard work, and dis-cipline. During my junior year in high school, I signed up for the Naval Reserves which re-quired 6 years inactive and 2 years active duty. During that time frame I attended classes at the Naval Air Station San Diego boot camp training program, practicing tactical maneuvers on a destroyer escort. The Navy cancelled the final 2 years active-duty requirement due to so many new recruits. I was able to start teaching earlier than ex-pected.

While attending Santa Rosa Junior College I was offered a job coaching the 5th & 6th, 7th and 8th grade baseball teams at St. Rose. The expe-rience was fun and I learned through trial and error.

In 1955 we moved to San Jose after being accepted to San Jose State College. I majored

Jim UnderhillTeacher, Coach, Mentor and Much More

Jim Underhill at (2017)PHS Hall of Fame Dinner

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in Physical Education and minored in health sci-ence. Fortunately, during those times, I was able to work my way through college without assistance. My employment was with the San Jose City park-ing lot service and a type writer company which helped pay my college experience.

In 1958 I student taught at Tennyson High School in Hayward CA. My assignment was teaching physical education, and because they were very desperate, I was tapped to coach the Varsity ten-nis team. I bought a good book on tennis and told the team they needed to help me regarding tech-niques, but I would be sure they were the best con-ditioned group in the league.

Upon graduating from SJS in 1959, I moved back to Santa Rosa and worked for a lumber mill North of Healdsburg for 5 months, then received a call from the Hayward Unified School District that I was hired at Tennyson High School as a driver training Instructor and frosh-soph Football coach. We had 2500 students at Tennyson and the total staff, students and student-athletes were like a team.

After 7 years I applied for a position at Piner High School & fortunately was hired by Principal Albert Biella. He was highly respected throughout the dis-trict. Teachers in and outside of the district wanted to be a part of the Piner experience. Mr. Robert Zeni was a key factor in the success at Piner and served as Vice Principal. In 1966 we began with a small student body and it remained under 900 students for several years. Mr. Jack Hayes became principal after Biella retired.

My assignment in 1966 was physical education, driving training, assistant Frosh-Soph football coach with Izzy Derkos, and head track coach. A year later the cross country assignment became available. I was fortunate to have outstanding coaches on our staff. Jan Hansen was involved with helping me in track and cross country for ten years and was a vital part of making the teams successful. Piner was blessed to have many very talented student-athletes through the years. Dur-ing this time, it was a delight to be able to train the athletes in their sport. I organized the Golden Spike Club, led by President Robin London-Wirtz (class of 1969). The 30 girl members were trained in officiating the various events and putting on the team banquet at the end of the season. They were

special and an important component of the pro-gram.

Piner’s 1976 cross country team of talented run-ners were ranked #1 in California and 2nd Nation-ally in both the 2- and 3-mile postal meets. They were incredible trainers and highly competitive.

In July of 1974 I met the “love of my life”, the for-mer Carol Nielsen-Sciallo. We were married a year later and combined our families, Cheryl, Theresa, Steve, Ken, Joe and Steve. They all completed their education and live from California to Colorado.

In the late 60’s, Mr. Albert Biella asked if I would like to join the West Santa Rosa Rotary Club. Over a period of years, I served as Advisor to the Rotary Interact Clubs at Piner and Ridgway High Schools. My responsibility was to work with youth and mentor them in projects relating to others.

The District Rotary Clubs started the Rotary Lead-ership Awards Program known as RYLA. Approxi-mately 65 students from throughout North-West California who had just completed their junior year would arrive by busses at Westminster Woods for an intensive 6 days leadership program. Rotary Clubs throughout the District sponsored scholar-

Cont’d. on page 4

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For the past 15 years, January is the month when Piner High School Booster, Foundation and Ath-letic Hall of Fame volunteers are feverishly putting the finishing touches on the crab feed preparation efforts. The annual event raises thousands of dol-lars supporting Piner’s athletic programs; provid-ing grants to teachers for sustainable classroom improvements and projects; and honoring student athletes, teams and coaches. The crab feed is also an annual reunion for many, where classmates, friends and family reconnect, enjoying delicious food prepared and served by the awesome Piner Culinary Department. The Friedman Center in Santa Rosa is filled to capacity in numbers, with an abundance of smiles and Piner Prospector spirit.

But sadly, not this January. As we all know, this past year was a year like no other because of the coronavirus pandemic. Although the news regard-ing a vaccine is encouraging, the timing of its availability is unknown with a distribution process that may take many months into the year 2021. Therefore, in compliance with State and local or-ders, and for our health and safety, the crab feed previously planned for January 30, 2021 is can-celled. The tentative revised date is January 29, 2022.

For the same reasons, the annual Athletic Hall of Fame induction banquet traditionally held in April is also being postponed. As many of you know, we were days away from our April 4, 2020 event when the first shelter-in-place orders were given. At that time, we secured the revised date of April 17, 2021, hoping that in a year’s time, social gath-ering would be safely permissible. However, given the uncertainty regarding the pandemic and vac-cine, the event has been rescheduled for April 2, 2022. With optimism, on that day, the Piner High School Athletic Hall of Fame, will formally induct its previously announced Class of 2020 - Michelle Ferguson - Cross Country, Track, & Soccer 1987-1990; Faith Baggett - Girls Volleyball 1994-1998; Greg Alexander - Football & Basket-ball 2001-2005; Derek Shaffer - Boys Soccer 2000-2004; Moises Medrano - Boys Soccer 2000-2004; and the 1985 Boys’ Baseball Team.

Until we see each other again, be well and stay safe.

2021 Crab Feed Cancelled

2021 Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet

Cancelled

When I ask for directions, please don’t use words like “east.”

And then put the below HOF picture on the left side of the page (below the Crab Feed article) with the article starting on the left side of the HOF pic-ture if that works.

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Editors Notes: Jim Underhill is too modest to mention any awards he received over the years, but with some research we found the following:

Vocational Service Award—For exceptional dedica-tion and ethics in his career as an educator and his service to Rotary Youth. Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West, (2016). A member for over 50 years.

Rotarian Hall of Fame Award—With Sincere Appre-ciation to Jim Underhill “Mr. Youth”, Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West, For Outstanding Dedication and Exemplary Service to The Community of Rotary. (2016)

North Coast Section, CIF, Distinguished Service Award, (2016)

California Coaches Association (2016), Jim Brown-field Coaches Mentor Award.

Piner High Hall of Fame (2006) Coach Jim Underhill 1966-1994, Track & Cross Country—21 Titles, NCS Campion, Rank 1st in Calif and 2nd in the U.S. 1976, North Coast Section Distinguished Service Award.

North Coast Section (CIF) “Honor Coach” in 1978 for Boys Track. NCS “Honor Coach” again in 1986 for Cross County.

Jim Underhill Stadium at Piner High School dedicat-ed on September 9, 2006.

Ed Taan (class of 1971) perfectly described Mr. Un-derhill, “He treated all athletes the same and inspired them regardless if they were the champion or the last person on the team” We might add that he treated all students the same way.

ships for all participants. The student’s goal was to take their leadership knowledge back to their school and share with others. After the first 4 years all 12 counselors had gone through the program and were dedicated to share their experience and lead the camp. I enjoyed being the Camp Direc-tor for 25 years. Another experience I enjoyed was when Penny Hastings, who was involved in the Northern California Girls Scouts Association asked if I would participate in a program at SRJC that gave girls an opportunity to experience vari-ous sports. For 20 years this program gave them a knowledge and encouragement to choose a sport of their interest.

The North Coast Section Commissioner, Paul Gad-dini, asked if I would serve as Meet Referee for the “Meet of Champions”, held at the U.C. Berke-ley. My responsibility was to enforce the CIF (Cali-fornia Interscholastic Federation) Track and Field rules. I held that position for 20 years. This event is held for athletes to qualify for the State Champion-ship the following week.

During my years of coaching, we had many out-standing athletes. One in particular that stands out is Ken Rossi. He was sight impaired, but was determined to not let that prevent him from run-ning with the team. His endeavors placed him in the Piner High Athletic Hall of Fame. Beyond high school he qualified to compete in the National Championship for sight impaired runners in New Jersey, where he was crowned the Mile Champion. To this day he has an amazing positive attitude.

My 28 years at Piner High School have been very rewarding: a family of good friends, students and colleagues. The high school was not completed when we first moved in, but through good leader-ship it grew to be recognize as a competitive high school. The experience of being included as one of the original faculty holds a special place for me.

Sometimes, someone unexpected comes into your life out of nowhere, makes your heart race, and changes you forever. We call those people cops.

PHS School Crab Feed 2019

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PINER HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP FORM You may also do this on line using your credit card at our website pinerhighfoundation.org Date:________ Mr. Mrs. Ms. Miss Name: ____________________________________ Please Print First Name, then Last Name Maiden/Former Name ____________________ Home Address________________________________________ State ______ Zip__________ Mailing Address _______________________________________State ______ Zip__________ Phone: Home _______ Work__________ 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 $______________. You may also do this on line using your credit card at our website pinerhighfoundation.org. Make checks payable to PHSF and send to: Piner High School Foundation, 1700 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa, Ca. 95403 Our Federal Nonprofit Tax I.D. is #68-0312001.

FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP LIST FOR SEPTEMBER 2020

THOSE NAMES IN BOLD PRINT HAVE RENEWED THEIR MEMBERSHIP FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

Dale Andersen – 1968Rachelle Merian Albini- 1979Charles Albright- 1969Dave Albritton- 1976Dale Anderson- 1978 Jim Andrade-1972 Sylvia Guiliano Andreis- 1971Jeff Avery- 1971Cathy Austin - 1978Anna Babson- Parent of Alumni Judy Bagley- Retired Staff Janet Barbaria - 1979 Judith Barcelon- Retired Faculty John Barone- Friend of PinerJeffery Barrett Lynn 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 FacultyNancy Michaelson Celms- 1968Betty Furia Clark- 1971Leslie Jenkins Conant- 1970Jerry Corbet- 1968Laurie Cameron Cornelssen- 1972Rhonda Comalli-Friend of PinerKaren Coster- FacultyBill Coset-1972Diane Cupples – 1979Mary DaleMike Daniels- Friend of PinerRachel Watrous Daniel- 1989Allison Arreola Delaney 1995Chris DeMelloIzzy Derkos – Retired Coach

Judy Dillon- Retired FacultyMatt Dillon- 1995Francine Boschetti Espiniera- 1971Jake Fitzpatrick- Retired FacultyJoan Fleck- 1971Ken Foote – 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- 1970Vincent HarrisonJack 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- FacultyUrsula Juricich—Wife of CharlesVince Klein- 1970Mark Koski- 1971Jani Logsdon Krambs - 1977Steve Kramer - 1991Doug Krikac- 1969Ron Kristof- Retired FacultySandy Lacey- Retired FacultyJim Lanz- 1976Maureen Latimer- Richard’s wifeFrank Lawler- 1968Daniel Le Roy – 1983Rubi Hernandez LopezBob & Wendy Maccario- 1972Nicholas Mancillas- Faculty

David 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 OfficeMary Montague—Friend of PinerJohn 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- 1977Rich Salmon- 1968Pat Sampson –Retired Faculty

Michelle 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- 1971Joyce Walburn Sieg- 1968Sue Sion- Retired Vice-PrincipalCathy Slack- 1978 Todd Snider -Friend of PinerDon & 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 FacultyJim & Carol Underhill- Retired CoachStephen & Maria VellaJudy 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

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Jim and his wife, Carol (Nielson) Underhill, 2018 PHS HOF Dinner

Decade of the 70’s Reunion 7-21-12

That moment when you walk into a spider web suddenly turns you into a karate master.

I don’t mean to interrupt people. I just randomly remember things and get really excited.

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Day 45 At Home And The Dog is Looking At Me Like, “See This Is Why I Chew The Furniture.”

Early College Magnet Program (ECMP)

Culinary Pathway

University Pathway

Geospatial Technology Pathway (GTP)

Health, ScienceBiotechnology Pathway (HSB)

OUTSTANDING PROGRAMSVisit Piner’s Pathways at Piner High’s website:

https://piner.srcschools.org

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Thank you to all the Foundation members who have supported Piner High since its inception in 2002—Alumni, retired Piner staff, Parents and Friends. Through your support the Foundation has been able to purchased classroom equipment and supplies that the teachers and students wouldn’t have otherwise received due to limited district funding. These items enhance our teacher’s abili-ties to teach and our students to learn. Over the years the items have included many computers, art supplies, text books in French, Spanish and English, projectors, cameras, calculators, environ-mental items, and many different science sup-plies. With the coronavirus many new teaching programs.

In the last 5-10 years the Foundation has been working with a below minimum of board mem-bers. We need help on the Board if we are to con-tinue, otherwise the Foundation may need to shut down for a while until a new Board can be cre-ated. As for membership we have less than 200 Foundation members, when literally thousands have graduated from Piner since it opened over 50 years ago. We can do so much more with ad-ditional volunteers and donations. Talk to a friend and see if one, two or more of you would like to volunteer for this worthy organization.

As you may know, our annual Fundraiser the PHS Crab Feed, has been cancelled this year (Jan 2021). That is a huge loss of revenue that provides grants to the teachers, publishes the newsletter twice a year, as well as for the Piner Boosters and Hall of Fame. This has been a difficult year physically and financially for all of us. But if you are so inclined, any donation to our non-profit PHS Foundation is greatly appreciated and benefits the students at Piner High.

Piner High School has one of the best High School Science programs in the area with a state-of-the-art planetarium that is nationally recognized, an observatory, and a variety of exceptional path-ways—Geospatial Technology; Health, Science &

Biotechnology; Culinary Arts; Early College Magnet Program (SRJC college classes while at Piner); and the University Pathway. Please consider joining the PHS Foundation which is only $20 per year. Any-body can join, alumni, parents, Piner supporters, etc. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law under our 501(c) (3) non-profit status. If you are interested in helping please call 571-7420 and leave a message so we can call you back.

Thank you to those who have renewed their mem-bership for this school year: Judy Bagley, Ursula Juricich, Martha Messana, Dennis McCarty, April Nichols, Jennifer Stenger, Jani Krambs, and new member Rubi Hernandez Lopez.

An Extra Thank you to those who renewed and gave an extra generous donation: David Hayne, Alicia Bunce (First PHS Foundation Presi-dent), Chris Garcia, Dale Solheim, Wayne Rasmussen, Larry Schalich, Carol Sher-wood, Jill Thach, Lee Ann Reuter, Larry [So-lenberger] Waite, Lee Torliatt, Rich Salmon, and Patty Michiels.

PINER HIGH FOUNDATION

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VICKY NGUYENINVESTIGATIVE AND CONSUMER CORRESPONDENT,

NBC NEWS

Vicky Nguyen not only investigates and reports headline news, she is also the subject of it for good reasons - her impressive career keeps getting even more impressive. In January 2015, she was fea-tured in the Piner High School Alumni Newsletter following The Press Democrat’s publication – TV Reporter Vicky Nguyen Recalls Her Roots (March 21, 2014). It is an extraordinary story worthy of re-telling, and bringing current.

Vicky was born in Saigon, Vietnam, leaving there as an infant when her parents fled in the dead of night in May 1979. They spent two days and nights on a boat in the open ocean and surviving a Thai pirate attack before landing on the coast of Pulau Bidong, Malaysia. For the next fourteen months they lived in a refugee camp, immigrating to the United States after being sponsored by an Oregon family. The Nguyen family lived in Eugene, Reno, and San Jose, settling in Santa Rosa where Vicky attended Piner Olivet and Mark West Elementary schools, Comstock Middle School, and Piner High

School. At Piner High, she had thoughts of be-ing a veterinarian or physical therapist, perhaps, while studying in the C-Tech Program (Center for Technology, Environment and Communication). She was also an accomplished athlete - a league champion badminton player with All-Empire first team honors.

After graduation in 1996, Vicky went on to study at the University of San Francisco (USF) on an aca-demic scholarship majoring in biology. It was dur-ing her sophomore year that she participated in a life-changing internship at CNN’s San Francisco Bureau, and the rest is history. After USF gradua-tion in 2000 as valedictorian with a degree in com-munications and a minor in biology, she embarked on a television reporting career that began with Orlando’s, Central Florida News 13. She described her role there as a “one-man band” carrying her own equipment, and doing the shooting, writing and editing before delivering live reports. From there she worked at KOLO-TV in Reno (a CBS af-filiate), and FOX10 in Phoenix working on notable stories and doing high-profile interviews with Alex Trebek, Tyra Banks, Shaquille O’Neil and Senator John McCain, to name a few.

In 2007, Vicky returned to the Bay Area as a gener-al assignment reporter with NBC Bay Area, work-ing her way up to a special project reporter, and an anchor & senior investigative reporter for the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit. In addition to her impressive promotions, she was also honored with several prestigious awards and recognitions including: the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Univer-sity Award for her “Drivers Under Siege” report about the rise in violent attacks on Bay Area bus operators; the Scripps Howard Award for televi-sion/cable in-depth reporting; the Gerald Loeb award for Audio/Video; National Press Club’s So-

Cont’d on page 10

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ciety of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award; three Gracie awards; two Clarion awards; fifteen regional Emmy awards; two regional Mur-row awards; and several awards from the Asian American Journalists Association, and the Radio and Television News Directors Association.

Not surprisingly, Vicky made another pivotal ca-reer advancement in April 2019, moving from California to New York, accepting her new role as the Investigative and Consumer Correspondent for NBC News. Her stories can be seen across all NBC platforms but mainly on The Today Show, 3rd Hour of Today, and Nightly News with Lester Holt. In 2020, she was also recognized as a New York Woman of Impact by Variety. Congratulations Vicky Nguyen, for being a National Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Journalist and all-around Su-perstar!

Cont’d from page 9

I often wonder who Pete is and why we do things for his sake…

The older I get, the earlier it gets late.

My luck is like a bald guy who won a comb

Don’t bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head. That’ll freak you right out.

Some days I amaze myself. Other days I look for

My phone while I’m holding it.

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Thanks to our Sponsors

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Page 12: Volume 12, Issue 2 January 2021 Jim Underhill

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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