“Thank you for this great honor,” Dr. Hair said. “It was unexpected.”The Alumni Association program also remembered and honored teacher Gordon B. Woods, who taught Agriculture, Public Speaking and Parliamentary Procedures and Discipline at the High School, and Dr. Artemas J. Strong, of the Class of 1920. Dr. Strong was one of the founders of Santa Paula Memorial Hospital, and served as Chief of Staff for many years.Dr. Charles Hair joined many of his fellow alumni in thanking Beverly Harding for her work in organizing the banquet and her efforts for the Alumni Association for many years. “None of this would be possible without this lady standing to my right,” Dr. Hair said. Two hundred eleven SPUHS alumni sat at tables designated for their classes. The Class of 1932 had four members sitting together; Rhoda Ayers Barker, Frances Geisler Towne, Sylvia Gussin Jarrico and Jean Stuart Griffith.The banquet room at the Oxnard Marriott Courtyard was the setting where classmates renewed acquaintances and remembered the high school years that served as stepping stones to the future. Pianist Gil Rosas performed the musical backdrop for the evening complete with musical fanfare to highlight the evening’s presentations. The guests enjoyed the versatile array of entertainment from “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” to “I’ll take Manhattan.”
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Two hundred eleven SPUHS alumni sat at tables designated for their classes. The Class of 1932 had four members sitting together; (top photo, left to right) Rhoda Ayers Barker, Jean Stuart Griffith, Frances Geisler Towne, Sylvia Gussin Jarrico. (Bottom photos) Jean Dempsey, SPUHS teacher from 1969-1993 and Dr. Charles Hair of the Class of 1937, were special guests, honored for their contributions in their professions. (Left) are Bruce and Jean Dempsey (right) Dr. Charles and Geraldine Hair. (Photos by Susan Branham) |
SPUHS Alumni Banquet draws large crowd
October 12, 2007
Education sets in motion a lifetime of accomplishment
Santa Paula High School
By Susan Branham
Santa Paula TimesEducation sets in motion a lifetime of accomplishment, providing the foundation for achievement and opportunity. Santa Paula Union High School Alumni celebrated their alma mater at their annual Association Banquet last month. Dr. Charles Hair of the Class of 1937, and Jean Dempsey, SPUHS teacher from 1969-1993, were special guests, honored for their contributions in their professions.SPUHS AA President Beverly Harding introduced Jean Dempsey, to the cheers of former students who attended the banquet. “Some of your students came tonight,” Harding said. “Jean also has some of her family here.” Jean and her husband, Bruce earned their Masters Degrees in 1968, and both became educators. Jean Dempsey taught Home Economics at the SPUHS, and pioneered a coed Modern Living Class, designed to help Juniors and Seniors transition to the “Real World,” training them in financial independence and other life skills.Dempsey worked with the Associated Student Body and conducted a Leadership Training Class, instilling leadership qualities in students that will serve them for a lifetime. “When she retired she couldn’t stay away from Santa Paula,” Beverly Harding said. “She went to work at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital for ten years as a pink lady.”“Now we have a young man from the Santa Paula Union High School class of 1937, Dr. Charles Hair,” Beverly Harding announced. “At Santa Paula High School he was active in track, football, the band and orchestra.” Dr. Hair completed his internship in the US Army in 1945 and continued to serve as a medical officer in Salzburg, Austria until honorably discharged in 1947. He began his medical practice in 1948 in Ventura County. “He served as Chief of Staff at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, and served as the Chairman of the OB-GYN Department,” Beverly Harding said. His lengthy list of accomplishments includes service as President of the Ventura County Medical Society and the California Medical Association. “I invite you to read the program tonight and see his impressive list of credentials,” Beverly Harding told the gathering.Dr. Hair founded the Livingston Memorial Foundation with the help of his friend, the late Ben Nordman. “One of the great things for our county was the founding of the Livingston Memorial Foundation, and the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association,” Beverly Harding said. “He still serves as the chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.” Dr. Hair is also chair of the LMVNA Board of Directors.Dr. Hair was joined at his table by family and friends. His wife Geraldine and his long-time friend from the Class of 1937, Jim Culbertson were among those enjoying the evening. “Dr. Hair found time to be a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather,” Beverly Harding said.
