Nogales Was Like No Other.....

4/27/2010

Okay. My first year at Nogales High School was only my 3rd year of teaching overall. My first day was a culture shock as I went from predominantly all white kids at Norco HS to a good healthy mix at Nogales. I recall that first day in Concert Choir. Half of the kids were black, and they sat on one side of the room, while the other half was mostly white and they sat on the opposite side of the room. We must have spent 20 sessions of class that year simply trying to mix these kids up. In the end. They did.

12 Comments

Dietrich Day

5/9/2010 11:38:09 am

back then racism was everywhere. I'm glad to see that people even then tried to make things equal.

Ruben Hoyos

5/19/2010 04:01:45 am

I remembered that Nogales High School was one of the few top notch show choirs in Southern California that was well-known for its diversity. I'm glad that you were able to instill in us optimism and hard work, as well as teamwork.

Susan Knox

6/7/2010 01:08:12 pm

Those were great years at Nogales. It's funny that you mention that it was your third year to teach because I had a feeling that you hadn't been teaching long
I see you and your programs have come a long way since then. Great to hear that you are still teaching choir and sounds as though you are thoroughly enjoying it.
Choir was the reason I went to school. Thanks for making it great for me.

Charlene 'Zimmerman' Chausse

6/7/2010 03:37:40 pm

I was a freshmen in '79 and Chamber Singers was my elective. I lived in that room, and felt like I belonged someplace. I didn't go to many classes, but I went to that one. I remember our trip to San Diego, super fun!! Still to this day I can not listen to Piano Man, without thinking of you Dave. Thank you.

Veronica(Tucker)Halgrimson

6/8/2010 02:19:21 am

For me I think I lived and breathed Choir. I loved it so much that for my senior year (1983) I was in all 3 choirs. I think the most memorable for me was the trip to San Franciso. I had so much fun, and will never think of Alcatraz quite the same, creepy. Singing in the Hearst Mansion was pretty cool too.

Raymond Janeway

7/27/2010 01:24:48 pm

As one of those student you taught that first year, who was neither Black nor White but Hispanic. I remember you as the teacher who on his day off came from where ever you were living to fill out and sign my cal grant paper work so I could get a grant. Choir was my way of escaping from my home life and you made it fun. I would like to know what happened to the beard?

Kim (Abernathy) Alley link

10/13/2010 01:53:54 pm

I'm thankful that I was able to be part of the music program during my high school years. Not only did it lead me to the love of my life, Paul, but it gave both of us lots of shared fond memories.

You helped to instill in us a love of performing and music which we now share with our kids. My daughter and I joined our local Sweet Adelines chorus a few years ago, it's a wonderful thing to be able to share with her. Without the background in show choir you gave me I probably wouldn't have even considered giving it a shot, let alone sharing it my daughter!

Leo Angeles

9/6/2013 01:21:11 am

Happy to see you and Paul are Husband and Wife. I will forever remain grateful to Paul who always remained concerned when coming back from competitions or late rehearsals and asking how I would be getting home when I moved away from the street behind the high school. Choir was my saving grace as it helped me escape a most dysfunctional home life during my high school years.

Lori Halopoff-Fenelon

12/9/2010 09:47:28 am

Nogales was such a diverse group of students, and we all had a blast together. I honestly thought racial tension was a thing of the past til I moved on to college and then the 'real world' and realized that unfortunately, it still lingers. It seems ever-improving though, especially in CA.

Steve Hernandez link

7/27/2011 09:27:43 am

Leo Angeles

9/6/2013 01:13:29 am

Dearest Dave,

It was such a pleasure to be in Sillouette, Chamber, Uptown and Renegade. Being in these choirs exposed me to the love and appreciation of music. The most positive aspect has and will always be overcoming stage fright. Once I graduated and embarked on life, I used what I learned in choir as I quickly realized life is always a show and you are always on center stage. This helped me attain positions in public relations after college. I worked in the theme park industry soon after beginning at Knott's Berry Farm where I just happened to run into Don Cloud (May he Rest In Peace) I never knew he was part of the Bird Cage Theater. Thereafter, I was extended a position at Disneyland as a VIP Guest Relations Host.Till this day, I fondly recall the green focus arrow in the choir room. Thank you so much for instilling in me the importance of being unique and not being afraid to project self expression. Even though this post is 3 years after the most recent post, I am happy to see Kim and Paul going from high school sweethearts to Husband and Wife.

Keith Fort link

5/1/2014 03:20:01 am

Your first day at Nogales was also my first day at Nogales. I joined choir because my brother and sister were already members under your predecessor. I am from a musical family ( I was the drummer) so choir or band was just expected. I really had no intention of staying because I was an athlete and more focused on sports at the time, but you changed that. Not only did I stay in Chamber singers and Concert choir for all 4 years of HS, I played bass (Which I picked up from you along with the Piano) for you for close to 10 years after I graduated. Thank you for your optimism, encouragement and tutelage. There are way to many memories to try and list here just know that all of the memories good and bad, along with Doug, Margaret, you and all of the friends and family I met during that time will always be cherished. I tell you this every time I see you (which isn't often enough), I found my two greatest loves in the environment you created at Nogales, my wife Tracy and my music.

Eternal gratitude,
Keith

Nogales Was Like No Other.....

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