Hi Saxon alumni and friends! 

This is the second edition of our new e-newsletter and I hope you are enjoying them. As we go on with these newsletters we will try to keep you current on what is happening at Loara as well as updating you on what the Alumni Association has in the works. And, some fun trivia along the way.

According to Wikipedia, Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It is a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in the United States. It usually includes activities for students and alumni, such as sports and culture events and a parade through the streets of the city or town.

We don't have a parade through the city but we do celebrate Homecoming!   We, the alumni, kick off the celebration with our monthly breakfast at Marie Calendar's in Anaheim.  Click here for directions for directions from Loara High School.   

The students begin their celebration during spirit week October 13th - 17th which focuses on all things Loara.  Since this is the year of the 50th graduating class they are focusing on that milestone as much as possible. 

The Homecoming Assembly will take place during the day on Friday, October 17th.  Later that night both students and alumni are welcome to the football game at Glover Stadium.  Kick off is 7pm.  Click here for directions to Glover Stadium form Loara High School.   

Please arrive early to purchase your ticket(s) and get a good seat for the game.  The halftime show is going Traditional.  The FULL band will be playing in FULL uniform for halftime.   

Don't forget to stop by the Alumni booth to get your spirit ribbon and check out some of the alumni gear.   If you would like us to bring something special from the Saxon Store let us know at president@saxonalumni.com.   

1962 - 1970

 The Legend of Boom Boom (John Dahlem) was well known at Loara High School during the 1970 - 1985 school years.  Boom Boom performed at all Homecoming Assemblies (until Homecoming 1984) and helped the faculty start the annual tradition of entertaining the Loara community.  Although "political correctness" would not support Boom Boom today, many Saxons fondly remember her dances and cheers for the football team.  For awhile Boom Boom's little sister Bubbles the Ballerina (Rick Martens, class of 75) came to perform but was short lived (1984 - 1987) as the Loara community changed.  Bubbles was initiated in 1985 and it was also the year they began the teachers Lip Sync, which is the tradition that is carried on today.   

1985 to the present

The all teacher lip sync came out of need.  Boom Boom retired her wig to become a Principal at Ball Junior High School, Loara's feeder school.  There was a concern to what came next after Boom Boom but with numbers like LMFAO and Psy and the teachers willingness to participate, we really solidified the next era of Homecoming Assemblies.  Our audience this year was filled with alumni and they were treated to a spectacle of cheers and spirit.  Along with the all teacher lip sync we have a 35 minute student assembly with performances from Cheer, Color Guard and Student Groups ... Loara's assemblies are legendary.

High school dances have changed in the last 50 years.  If you read the Saxon Shield and Yearbooks of old you will see that the Homecoming Dances were true Homecomings.  The alumni were invited back for free and the cost of the dance was $1.00.  But the decor was not extravegant but it worked for the time.  Most of the time there was a Dj spinning records in the corner and everyone had a great time.

Surprisingly the cost hasn't shot up that much in 50 years.  A ticket is $15.00 today, surly that doesn't match the cost of living increases.  Loara works hard to make the dances as affordable as possible for all to attend.  Nothing worse than a dance with no one there.  In a 1990's yearbook they reported they were over 400 attendees, today we get about 800 in attendance in good years but we generally hit the 700 mark.  Sadly that's about 1/3 of the school, many have to work, baby sit or are not interested in dances. 

In 2013 terms Dj is a name that has morphed Vj (Video Jockey), Digital Dj's and more have entered the scene.  Oddly enough many have turned back to vinyl to mix their music but most do so on a Digital turntable not playing records or cd's at all but digital remixes that are further remixed at the dance itself.  Video has entered the dj scene that allows Dj's to play music videos of the songs they are tracking at the same time.

As he looked back at his high school years, his most memorable experiences were "competing in the Academic Decathlon and placing" and "learning from Mr. Klevos that English courses can be more than just reading and writing. That it can be an infusion of culture, art, and music as well." It is no surprise that English became his favorite subject because of Mr. Klevos, Daniel's favorite teacher.

Academics is not the entire story though. Daniel participated in the band all four years of high school and says, "band was the most influential high school experience shaping my social life during high school." Along with band he also played baseball and soccer for two years and was on the Academic Decathlon team. "Being a part of extra-curricular activities taught me a lot about persistence and commitment to be the best I could be and be a part of something bigger than myself."

When it comes to his most memorable extra-curricular experience it was all four years of Band. Daniel states they were, "Standing ovations during the concert season and earning the highest award from the judges, football game half time shows, parade season, band trips and band camp, and waking up ridiculously early to submit myself to Mr. Schroeder's craziness in zero period."

After high school, Daniel received his BA from CSUF in Communication/TV and Film. "I decided to go back to school after having a career in the film industry to study English and get my teaching credential. In many ways it was a leap of faith, that I could be a quality educator." Daniel has earned his BA in English, teaching credential, and MA in Education Administration from CSULB. "My education at CSULB confirmed that I wanted to be an educator and prepared me well for both being a teacher for 15 years and an assistant principal for the past two years."

The students, faculty, and staff at Loara are very lucky to have Daniel as part of their team/family. Daniel offers this piece of advice to his current students, "take advantage of the time in high school to try new things and get involved in as many activities as you can - doesn't matter what it is - JROTC, Band, sports, ASB, theater, computers..."

Thank you for all you do Mr. Klatzker!   

Active Military                     $5

Member                             $20

Member and Spouse         $30

Name Plaque on Locker  $100

Lifetime Membership       $500

Click here for the online application!   

LOARA Athletics Trainer needs HELP!

Loara's Athletic Trainer position has finally been filled but we have a problem, Many of the items that they have to work with are out of date, no longer work, or we just don't have it.

• Loara Athletic Training Room Wish List
• Rehab/Exercise equipment
• *Ankle
• Weights                  
• Towels ( Hand Towels)
• Arm Slings
• *5lbs Dumb
• Bells                 
•  *BioFreeze                     
•  Pen Light
• *Foam / Balance Pad            
• * Lotion
• *BosuBall                              
• *Rescue Shears
• *Small Step Stool                  
• * Scissors
• *Ice Bag Dispenser                
• * Skin Lube
• *IceBags                                  
• * Ibuprofen Tablets
• Modality Equipment
• *Ultra Sound Machine         *
• Game Ready Machine
• *STIM Machine                       *
• Foam Rolls ( different size pool noodles)
• *Stretch Rope
• *Massage Stick
• *Treatment Table