December 2021 | GHS Museum Newsletter
A Look Back at the 101st Anniversary Celebration
Grossmont High School’s 101st Anniversary Celebration was a time for Foothillers to gather, reminisce, and share their Foothiller pride. 101 years ago, the school’s founding board members, principal, teachers, staff, and its community could not have imagined the Grossmont of today, a school that treasures its past and embraces its future.
This identity is shown throughout the campus with the preservation of historic buildings, with the additional of modern buildings whose appearance echo the school’s origins, as well as the many bronze plaques and benches celebrating its past donated by alumni and retirees.
More than once, museum visitors have told us that Grossmont looks more like a college campus than a high school.
Friday, October 15th
Friday’s events began with the dedication of the new GHS Museum. GHS former principal and current district superintendent Theresa Kemper recalled to the audience that 14 years ago, Connie came to her to ask if she and Lynn could start a museum on campus upon their retirement in 2007 and then recalling that the original museum was in a “broom closet”. Needless to say, our current location is not a broom closet.
What is amazing is how engrossed GHS Museum visitors are from the minute they enter our new space. As retired math teacher Rob Ridgway shared with us, “Wow! What a space you have created. I enjoyed watching the people more than the displays (which are spectacular). Every person, couple, or group I saw were totally mesmerized... including me.”
After the museum dedication, the football game began with a ceremonial coin toss by two of the 2020 Hall of Honorees, professional soccer player Paul Wright and 5 Time NCAA Champion runner Darcy Arreola Lange. Before the Royal Blue Regiment’s performance at halftime, the Hall of Honorees in attendance were introduced from the Science Porch seating area overlooking the field. The Zumwalt family including three 1970s graduates as well as Sue Sharpe, Class of 1954 and a retired PE teacher, enjoyed spurring the team on by singing GHS’s 1970s fight song.
New GHS Museum Dedication
ASB Foothiller Chris Falcon, Principal Dan Barnes, Connie and Lynn Baer, Superintendent Theresa Kemper, GUHSD Board Members Robert Shield and Chris Fite, ASB President Laila Aleman
Saturday, October 16th
The celebration continued Saturday with the La Mesa Historical Society’s displays of local history outside the theater along with a performance by the Royal Blue Regiment Marching Band. After the Hall of Honor ceremony, performances on the theater plaza by dance students and by the NJROTC entertained guests.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Principal Dan Barnes said, “For a century, our graduates have not only made an indelible mark on San Diego’s East County, but also on the county, state, and nation.” This year’s honorees certainly confirm that.
Dan continued with the introduction of three former principals in attendance: Bill Ashman, Brad Lichtman, and Theresa Kemper, followed by the celebration of a remarkable group of 8 alumni and 4 former teachers.
2020 GHS Hall of Honor
Jim Zumwalt, Fran Zumwalt accepting for Gloria Jones, Paul Wright, Darcy Arreola Lange, Anita Hensley accepting for Eva and Carl Quicksall and Ethel Prosser, Lora Cicalo, Carmen Colognhi Gaerin accepting for John Colognhi, Gene Chubb, Dr. Scott Lippman, Connie and Andy Danielson accepting for Kristin Danielson Rhodes
In their comments after accepting their plaques, several of them acknowledged the impact Grossmont High School had on their lives and thanked influential teachers and counselors, several of whom were in attendance. Anita Hensley, the great niece of two of the four educational pioneers, accepted the plaques for Eva McCarthy Quicksall, Carl Quicksall, and family friend Ethel Prosser. Carl and Ethel began at GHS in 1920 and Eva 1921. Their impact on Grossmont was profound.
After the ceremony, Anita said, “A giant thank you to both of you for a wonderful weekend! Being presented with 3 plaques was a thrill beyond belief. So very proud of my great aunt and uncle. The museum is beautiful.”
Scott Lippman shared with us, “I am incredibly honored to be included in this 2020 century Hall! Your time, effort and leadership on the new museum is extremely impressive - Mary and I really enjoyed walking down memory lane…amazing 101 year legacy and impact of this great HS.”
Hall of Honoree, Paul Wright later said, “I just wanted to thank you for putting on such a wonderful event a couple weeks ago. It was truly an honor to be a part of it.”
Visit the museum or our the Hall of Honor pages on our website at foothillermuseum.com to see the plaques honoring these 12 remarkable individuals.
GHS Museum Upcoming Hours
The GHS Museum will be open 10-1 on Wednesday, December 1st; Saturday, December 11; Wednesday, January 5th; and Saturday. January 15th. You may visit other Wednesdays when school is in session, by appointment only.
For more information, contact us by
Merchandise for the Foothiller in Your Life, including You!
Searching for that perfect gift? Your purchase supports the GHS Museum in our efforts to preserve, display, and celebrate our remarkable history. Visit our website’s store pages and order using the pull down menus at
Amazing Donations
Thank you to all of our 2020-21 financial donors and to the donors of our wonderful memorabilia. Here are 2 of the amazing pieces of our history, now part of our collection. To see the complete list of recent donations, visit the donor pages of our website at foothillermuseum.com.
Glenn Luhnow, Class of 1963, Donated by Sandra Luhnow: Glenn’s Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Photograph, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Letter Notifying Sandra of His Death in Vietnam on October 14, 1967. (Glenn is one of 11 Foothillers killed in Vietnam.)
Oil Painting of the 1922 Castle, circa 1971 Painted by Charles (“Charlie”) Fromer, Class of 1971
Final Thoughts
In the past 14 years, we have been blessed with the friendship and support of so many people. As we look around the new GHS museum, we see the footprints of those who went before us. Weekly, students visit the museum; their wonder and appreciation of our history reminds us again and again how fortunate we all are to be part of the Foothiller family.
We thank you and wish each of you a wonderful holiday season. Connie, Lynn, Paul, and Jerry