Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Judy Bingman's Wildcat Marching Band rehearsed frequently for its participation in a 1997 New Year's Day parade in London.

Picture from the Past

John S. Baggerly

LGHS became cultural icon thanks to its dedicated staff

Los Gatos High School won't be the same after this year, as many of its longtime administrators and teachers are saying farewell to the school's halls and hills and saying hello to retirement. Joining principal of 20 years Theodore "Ted" Simonson in retiring are assistant principals Patti Hughes and Al Simon and teachers Florence Bell, languages; Bert Donlan, math; Jan Willoughby, English; Paul Bostwick, social studies; Jack Cody, English; and Judy Bingman, performing arts.

During Simonson's tenure, he has seen the high school campus and structures become the cultural, educational and recreational heart of the community.

The front lawn has been the venue of "Bunny's Fun Hunt" for children at Easter. A few weeks later, vintage cars may be on display, or bands may be playing.

In recent weeks the San Jose Wind Symphony and the much-traveled San Jose Garden City Chorus (a barbershop group) have performed at Prentiss Brown Auditorium. And this Friday and Saturday evenings, students will sing in "On Broadway IX," a musical review directed by Diana Pleasant.

In was in 1967 that the school's "theater" was upgraded seating-wise and acoustically into a venue for school plays, music events and professional acts. Two weeks ago the barbershoppers said the acoustics are the best they have ever encountered.

Two years ago, Wildcat Marching Band director Bingman initiated a band trip to London for a prestigious international New Year's Day performance. The music wing is packed with trophies the band has won in various competitions.

Cody became "The Voice of Helm Field," announcing football games in a no-frills style. His debate teams have placed high in state competitions.

In the early 1970s Exxon elected LGHS to be the recipient of a new all-weather eight-lane track circling the football turf at Helm Field. Why Los Gatos? Because the town resembled a small college town, and university athletic directors could be flown into San Jose Airport and driven quickly to nearby Los Gatos Lodge; an open gate there enters the school baseball and football fields.

The venue quickly became used for league, district and Central Coast Section track and field meets. Fisher Middle School athletes use the track and jumping pits, and Bellarmine and St. Francis students come for their group meets. Longtime track coach Willy Harmatz oversaw the building of jumping pits and storage sheds at both ends of the straightaway. Helm Field's all-weather track is also the starting and finishing point for the annual Dammit run to Lexington Dam and back.

Runners and joggers took to using the track at all hours of the day and night, although women runners sometimes felt uncomfortable running alone during dark hours. It was thus that Simonson saw a need and filled it, arranging for the track's nighttime illumination.

When it came time to resurface the track, Simonson's Lions Club buddies--including Dr. Bruce Springbett--were active in fundraising. Springbett, a native of Canada, ran in the Empire Games and was a sprinter at University of Oregon.

On May 31, a "Team LGHS" Retirement Picnic takes place on the front lawn from noon to 5 p.m. Graduation for the Class of l998 will be held on the front lawn Friday, June 12, at 6 p.m. Although graduations are often "lump-in-the-throat" events, this year it will definitely be a "two-hankie" ceremony.

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