SUHSD District Hall of Fame Honors Three Former Lancers
Three Hilltop alums are among the nine Sweetwater Union High School District Alumni to be inducted into the 2006 Class of the SUHSD Hall of Fame
The three Hilltop members are:
Honored for Outstanding Achievement in Academia:
Stephanie Ludi '89
Dr. Stephanie Ludi is a software engineer at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. Dr. Ludi, nearly blind herself, has worked to improve technology to help the legally blind and partially sighted. She has presented her research on accessibility for the visually impaired to researchers in Boston, New Orleans, Reno and Great Britain.
Honored for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts:
Valerie Zavala '73
Valerie Zavala is currently the Vice-President of News and Public Affairs for the PBS station KCET in Los Angeles. She anchors the nightly newsmagazine ìLife & Timesî and oversees the stationís news department. Ms. Zavala has earned eight local Emmy Awards, four Golden Mikes, two Imagen Awards for Excellence and a Greater Los Angeles Press Club Award, among others.
Honored for Outstanding Achievement in Business:
Jeff Phair, Hilltop High '70
Local developer Jeff Phair helped design the City of Chula Vistaís first planned community with the EastLake Development Company. His creation, the Phair Company, has surpassed the $200 million threshold in new construction in commercial, industrial and multifamily developments. He has been a major benefactor for charities, including sponsorship of the Bonita Road Runners 5K to benefit local schools, the funding of the John Rindone Memorial Scholarship at Hilltop High and numerous other contributions.
Pop and rock music sensations Frankie J and P.O.D. (Payable on Death) are among those being installed in this yearís Sweetwater Union High School District Alumni Hall of Fame. The nine newest honorees were chosen from a pool of 178 representing categories including academia, athletics, the arts, business and community, military and public service. They will join 56 of their peers who have already been installed in the Hall of Fame, bringing the total number of members to 65.
The 2006 ceremony to celebrate these alumniís achievements is slated for Friday, February 24, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. The event gets underway at 5:30 p.m. with no-host cocktails and opportunity drawings, followed by dinner and the induction ceremonyóemceed by KUSIís Leonard Villarreal, also a Sweetwater District Hall of Famer. The event will wrap up with live entertainment and dancing. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Proceeds for the event benefit the Sweetwater Education Foundation. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please call the district Grants and Communications office at (619) 691-5578.
The remaining member of the 2006 Sweetwater Union High School District Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are:
Honored for Outstanding Achievement in Academia:
Stephanie Ludi, Hilltop High 1989
Dr. Stephanie Ludi is a software engineer at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. Dr. Ludi, nearly blind herself, has worked to improve technology to help the legally blind and partially sighted. She has presented her research on accessibility for the visually impaired to researchers in Boston, New Orleans, Reno and Great Britain.
Honored for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts:
Francisco Javier (ìFrankie Jî) Bautista, Southwest High 1995
Frankie J is a popular hip-hop artist who is quickly on his way to becoming one of the top stars of his time. After getting started performing with A.B. Quintanillaís Kumbia Kings, he set off on a new career venture. His solo albums include ìWhatís a Man to Do?î and ìThe One.î
Noah Bernardo, Jr., and Paul Sandoval, Montgomery High 1991
Noah ìWuvî Bernardo, Jr., and Paul ìSonnyî Sandoval make up half of the triple platinum-selling rap-metal group P.O.D. that embraces Christian values. P.O.D., which stands for ìPayable on Death,î has released several albums, and is about to embark on yet another national tour in November.
Valerie Zavala, Hilltop High 1973
Valerie Zavala is currently the Vice-President of News and Public Affairs for the PBS station KCET in Los Angeles. She anchors the nightly newsmagazine ìLife & Timesî and oversees the stationís news department. Ms. Zavala has earned eight local Emmy Awards, four Golden Mikes, two Imagen Awards for Excellence and a Greater Los Angeles Press Club Award, among others.
Honored for Outstanding Achievement in Business:
Allan J. Camaisa, Bonita Vista High 1977
Allan Camaisa has been a true business leader in San Diego County. His High Technology Solutions, Inc., grew to a worth of more than $44 million and employed more than 400 workers before Camaisa sold it. Camaisa was awarded the 1998 Ernst & Young Regional Entrepreneur of the Year in the Internet & Software category and numerous other awards. His current role is founder and CEO of Anakam, Inc., an online security solutions company.
Honored for Outstanding Achievement in Community Service:
Kile Morgan, Jr., Sweetwater High 1964
Kile Morgan serves as the President and CEO of Ponderosa Homes, Inc., in northern California, but has not forgotten his South Bay roots. He has become an active supporter of numerous charitable organizations across the state. His partnership in the Boys & Girls Clubs of National City has grown exponentially over the years, with a recent contribution of $400,000 as a challenge grant to help the organization start an endowment. His own Morgan Family Foundation is currently assisting 23 students with their college educationóall Sweetwater High graduates.
Honored for Outstanding Achievement in Public Service:
Adolfo Gonzales, Montgomery High 1974
Dr. Adolfo Gonzalez is National Cityís Police Chiefóthe only chief in San Diego County with a doctorate degree and the only Latino chief. His 26 years of experience in law enforcement have culminated in a strong form of leadership in National City. While at the top post for just over a year, Dr. Gonzalez has been instrumental in reducing the rate of violent crimes by 19%. Rape incidences are down nearly a third, and homicides have dropped from 11 to 3 in that time. Dr. Gonzalez is also active in regional issues and cross-border relations, serving on a variety of boards and donating his time to numerous organizations.