September 2024 - Alumni and Retiree Impact
Since 1920, Foothiller alumni and retirees have had a tremendous impact on Grossmont High School in countless ways.
The displays in the GHS Museum would not exist without their support. Since our first GHS Museum opened in 2008, alumni and retirees have donated amazing Foothiller memorabilia to the GHS Museum; these items enrich our displays and capture “times gone by”. The museum is open each Friday for students; we hope by the end of the school year to have all of the students visit during their English classes. Last Friday, a senior said to us, “I love how you have items such as these, referring to dance cards, “little items” which bring the culture of the time alive.”
In August, Judy Jo Pearson, Class of 1961, visited the museum and enjoyed kneeling beside her senior sweater (which she had donated in 2008) in one of the Spirit Showcases and holding a photo of herself wearing the sweater in high school.
Several graduating classes visited the museum this summer, sharing memories and sometimes their memorabilia. When the Class of 1967 visited the museum on September 15th, Ken Hill donated his collection of weekly GHS 1965 and 1966 football programs with future NFL MVP Brian Sipe as the quarterback. He also donated spirit ribbons worn by students and staff each week of a football game, urging the team to win with various derogatory sayings such as “Bake the Birds” (Granite Hills HS Eagles) and “Jar the Braves” (El Cajon Valley HS Braves).
Our alumni and retirees have been financial supporters of the museum as well. When we were creating the displays for the 2021-22 GHS Museum, we needed more display cases. 21 alumni families and retirees responded, enabling us to purchase 28 new showcases to compliment the 5 historic showcases we already have.
This past summer, we emailed our alumni asking for their financial support to purchase 4 new small front loading showcases to replace 4 that were rear loading showcases. In less than two days, all 4 were fully funded. (We donated the old rear loading showcases to the Motor Transport Museum of Campo!)
Our thanks to donors Dave McKie, Class of 1962; Deanna Brady Sampson, Class of 1965; the Shaieb Family: Betty Jo Shaieb, Class of 1952, Mark Shaieb Class of 1980, Dora and Dona Shaieb, Class of 1982; and the the Zumwalt Family: Barbara Zumwalt, Class of 1975, Jim Zumwalt, Class of 1974, Fran Zumwalt, Class of 1972, and Sue Sharpe, Class of 1954.
Early in September, we held a retiree reunion at the GHS Museum. Despite the blazing heat on September 8th, we had a turnout of 35 retired staff and teachers, several who began teaching at Grossmont in the 1950s. They loved viewing the displays, triggering memories of their shared Foothiller memories. All of us are eager to make this a biyearly tradition.
The footprints of our alumni and retirees are also evident in the yearly scholarships they sponsor.
Alumni Sponsored Senior Scholarships
Class of 1975 $1000 Science Achievement: Megan Lyon
Alumnus Joy Stovall shares the class’s motivation for creating the scholarship: “We started this scholarship in 2020 due to the Coronavirus stopping our plans for celebrating our 45th class reunion, but wanted to do something to commemorate it. After an email asking the Class of 1975 to contribute to a class scholarship, we received an overwhelming response. We chose Science for the scholarship due to it being a vital part of STEM.”
Audrey Seidel Backstage Pass $500: Lizzie Simkovsky
In 2020, in honor of Grossmont’s historic Theatre Arts Program, a group of former Grossmont thespians partnered with the Tony Award–winning Old Globe Theatre, to sponsor a Grossmont theatre arts student for an in-depth look behind the scenes of professional theatre.
Drama teacher Amity Ecker shares about this year’s recipient, “Lizzie is a freshman who has become an integral part of our Tech Theatre Program. As our Stage Manager for the Spring Musical “Freaky Friday”, she showed incredible leadership skills and passion!”
You may donate to Backstage Pass at foothillerfoundation.com on its “Happenings” page.
Stephanie Glass Peterson, Class of 1994, Memorial Scholarship: Tenley Sitze
Through this scholarship, Stephanie is remembered as a nurturing elementary teacher for 22 years and a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend.
Retiree Sponsored Scholarships
Coach Bill Gray Baseball $2000 Scholarship: Aidan Dilgard
Bill Gray, GHS Baseball Coach from 1972-1987, GHS English teacher from 1972-2008 and Department Chairman for 14 of those years, created the scholarship to support a baseball player’s transition to college since Bill himself was a player at Arizona State University. Even after no longer coaching at GHS, Bill;s involvement with Foothiller baseball continues with the annual alumni game in December and with his many connections with players, ones he coached and ones he mentored.
Aiden expressed his appreciation to Mr. Gray with these words, “Baseball at Grossmont was an experience I will never forget, and it has set me up for a successful future. In the fall I will attend UCLA for psychology. I want to pursue a career in forensic psychology and work in crime solving and prevention. Thank you so much for providing this scholarship; I am deeply grateful for the opportunity!”
Jerry L. Lewis Art Scholarship: $1000 Sydney Luhnow
Jerry Lewis taught art at Grossmont High School for 30 years, 28 of which he served as the Art Department chairperson. An artist himself, for three years, beginning in 2020, Jerry has supported an outstanding art student as a way to promote the arts and reward a deserving senior who best exemplifies a commitment to continuing a path in the arts beyond their high school education.
George Gross $3000 Scholarships: Aiden and Elizabeth Dilgard
According to organizers Sandia Tuttle and Rory VanTuyl, “In 2007, the George C. Gross Memorial Scholarship, which was established by the Class of 1960, is awarded annually to the college-bound Grossmont graduating senior who best epitomizes a record of superior scholarship with an equally impressive concern for humanity. The scholarship honors George C. Gross, a beloved teacher and mentor to Grossmont students in the 1950s.” Over the past 17 years, the committee has honored 22 students with scholarships totaling $46,000.
Obviously, these Foothiller alumni and retirees have had a tremendous impact on GHS culture and epitomize the gratitude and hope for the future that these scholarships represent. If you would like to begin a student scholarship or contribute to an existing scholarship, please contact GHS Educational Foundation president Christina Gardner at
Visit the GHS Museum This Fall
10-1: Saturday, October 19th or
Saturday, December 14th
10-2: Saturday, November 2nd (Day of the La Mesa Home Tour-All Welcome to Visit)
OR
Fridays by Appointment
Upcoming Reunion: Class of 1962 Their 80th Birthday Reunion: October 17, 2024 Anthony’s Grossmont High School-Class of 1962 Facebook
Visit our website at foothillermuseum.com to learn more about GHS, past and present. Email us if you’d like to join our alumni and friends email registry at