Class of 1973

Prior to Senior Year
The Class of 1973 was marked by a distinctive spirit and organization. It showed greater creativity and more involvement than preceding classes by raising funds and holding events throughout its memorable tenure at San Pedro High School. The class provided a taste of antidote to the apathy that was rampant at SPHS. Activities in our Sophomore and Junior years, such as the Junior Class Art Fair, which included paintings, photographs, macrame, metal sculpture, held in April 1972 at Peck Park helped raise funds. The class name, class colors were chosen, and the class emblem was created by Helen Anderson. The guidance provided by sponsors Jake Kosheba and Nancy Wells steered the class through this time period.
Sophomore Class Presidents: Helen Bechtol, Carol Benedict
Junior Class President: Larry Laskey

Summer of 1972
Activities included bake sales to raise funds and painting the benches in Senior Court maroon and bone. Senior Court was also TP'd at the beginning of the school year.

School year begins with election of Class Officers
Steve Knowlton and Wendy Waterman were elected co-presidents by receiving the most votes.
Ervin Frazier, Marie Pilato, Denise Sanchez, and Mark Wells were elected to the board by being runners up in the balloting. Debbie Rodriquez joined them later in the year.

Senior Week: October 16 - 20
Monday: Talent Show arranged by Dan Mitchell
The class made high profits with an entry fee of a nickle and a dime.

Tuesday: Flag Day chaired by JoAnn Tominaga, Elisa Wilder and Noel Tamburovich. Elisa and Noel made a bright class flag that was flown throughout the year.

Wednesday: International Day chaired by Nina Marquez.
A gala carnival held in Senior Court with food, games and dances from around the world.

Thursday: Powder Puff Football Game organized by Steve Knowlton.
Senior girls defeated the junior girls at Dodson Field cheered on by all male cheerleaders.

Friday: Color Day chaired by Joy Palmquist.
Cars were decorated with crepe paper and tissues then displayed on the girls field. Dan Mitchell's car won first prize.

October 27: Homecoming 1972
Homecoming was held in late October during the Gardena - San Pedro football game at Daniels Field. Gina McLendon was crowned Homecoming Queen at halftime. Other members of the Homecoming court were Louise Lokers, Forrest Shaw, Helen Bechtol, Sandra Gutowski, Piper Hale, and Silvia Tognola.







November: Dark of the Moon
Drama presented Dark of the Moon a dramatic stage play by Howard Richardson and William Berney. Dark of the Moon is a dramatic stage play based on a story originally written by Richardson in 1939. The play was produced on Broadway in 1945 and was the maiden production of the now acclaimed New York Circle in the Square Theatre in 1951. Set in the Appalachian Mountains and written in an Appalachian dialect, the play centers on the character of John, a witch boy who seeks to become human after falling in love with a human girl, Barbara Allen.

Other Senior Activities
Seniors enjoyed a picnic at Irvine Park, a snow trip, and a visit to Cinerama during the course of the year.



February: Girls Basketball LA City Champions for Second Straight Year
The San Pedro High School girls basketball team won its second straight LA City Championship with a second straight undefeated season under coach Maureen Hosier. The 1973 team, led by returning seniors Cardie Hicks, Kathy Cantu, Janet Bezmalinovich, and Heidi Baade, with the addition of Georgianne Babros and a few underclass teammates beat El Camino Real (overtime win) and Fremont in the playoffs, and then Banning in the 1973 championship game (68-32). Cardie averaged 14 points and 17 rebounds, Kathy averaged 18 points and 18 rebounds, Janet averaged 14 points and 6 rebounds and scored 31 points in the final title game. The championship game was attended by 1000 fans and was featured on KCAL (9) and KABC (7). The 'SPHS team of ‘72 and ‘73' was inducted into the San Pedro Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. Cardie would go on to be a key player in the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL), a precursor to the WNBA.

March 3 - 9: Girl's Week
Girl's Week was scheduled during the first week of March. Events included a kickoff breakfast followed by a performance by Ruthie Gordon, feminist and folksinger, in the auditorium, Girl's Day in the Community with visits to local businesses and schools, a baking contest to raise funds, and a volleyball game where the students defeated the teachers.

March 22 - 26: A Cry of Players
A Cry of Players was presented by Drama and performed in the round. The playwright, William Gibson, intended the play to be a fictionalized biography about William Shakespeare's young adulthood which dealt with the struggle young Will faced in deciding whether to run away with traveling actors or stay with his wife and young family.

March 25: Renaissance Fair
In the mood of the current play production, A Cry of Players, students, teachers, and parents joined in the merriment of the Renaissance Age which included olde time sweets, arts and crafts, gymnasts, an accordian player, and even a minkey.

Renaissance at SPHS Fore n' Aft article: On a brisk Sunday afternoon, midst the leaves of Senior Court came the Renaissance. In the mood of the then current production of A Cry of Players many students, teachers, and parents joined in the merriment of food and crafts of a Renaissance Age. The date was March 25. Among the represented organizations were: the Key Club, Knightettes, the Knights, the Ladies, the Squires, the PTSA, the Junior Class, and AFS. Many of the Club's booths were filled with olde time sweets. The Photo Department had on display some breathtaking prints of untouched nature and our pensive society. Gymnasts added the theatrics of bygone days with the skills of present day athletics. Individual artists displayed their wares of rocks, macrame, knitting, crocheting, and candlemaking. The prices ranged from a nickel to $100. The variety even ran so far as to include a roving accordionist and his begging pet monkey. The play broke mid-way for a long intermission to allow the audience to browse at the fair. The fair was profitable not only monetarily, but, perhaps more so for its spirits.


April 2: Senior Fire
The school Counselor's Office suffered $25,000 damage in a fire that was caused by vandals.

April 7: Welcome Home for John Fer
John Fer, former SPHS graduate (Class of Summer 1955) and POW in Vietnam for six years, was welcomed home and given a special presentation at Dodson Field where Class of 1973 president Chuck Wilcox gave a memorable speech. An overflowing crowd of 3,000 people attended the event which was covered by TV News Channels 4 and 5. On hand were a host of dignitaries, including Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty who made a super dramatic arrival via helicopter and delivered a great speech.

April 13: Spirit Concert
A sell-out crowd at the SPHS auditorium listened as the world-famous rock group Spirit entertained students past all expectations. Spirit, a Progressive rock band based out of LA, was formed in 1967 and had released 5 albums by 1973. Spirit was known as an ambitious and acclaimed West Coast psychedelic band that fused hard rock with jazz, blues, country, and folk. Their songs had heavy play on college FM radio stations. Natures Way, one of Spirits signature songs, became a 1970’s classic rock anthem. The group toured extensively at concert venues throughout the US and in Europe, including several times in London and also at the Mannheim Pop Festival in Germany. Spirit was billed during concerts alongside such performers and groups as Country Joe & the Fish, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Blue Oyster Cult, Badfinger, Robin Trower, BTO, Canned Heat, REO Speedwagon, Muddy Waters, Dr. John, and Ike and Tina Turner. The group would continue playing through 1997.

The Spirit Concert was performed thanks to the Cabinet. Photo below of Spirit in concert, circa 1973.


May 12: Morp '37
The Prom was "briefly" held at Disneyland Hotel with the Post-Prom held at the Queen Mary. Morp 37 Fore n' Aft article:
It has been a month since Prom ‘73, and those seniors won’t easily forget it. The Prom began as scheduled at 8:00 pm in the Embassy Room of the Disneyland Hotel. There was a stunning air about the room at that time. The lovely dresses and the handsome tuxedos polished the glittery eyes and broad smiles of those attending.
The dinner was roast top Round of Beef with all the delicious trimmings. The Ice Cream Bombe was no sooner finished as dessert when the bus boys “swiped” the table lanterns from each of the forty tables. That appeared to be a strange maneuver for such a lovely affair, but since it was nice, no one complained harshly about the move.
By this time the dance had really begun. Scott Allen, the orchestra, was playing very danceable and fitting music for the atmosphere of the prom. The dance floor became crowded.
The 138 couples were enjoying Prom ‘73. They were dancing and securing their pictures with Mr. Whitson. Suddenly, at 11:20 pm, a man, cold and callused, stood at the bandstand and cordially proclaimed, “This dance is now closed!” All this due to the “excess alcohol”.
There was no final dance, no additional words, no apologies and no “class” shown by the Disneyland Hotel management.
The prom closed 40 minutes early. Principal Dave Carter made a short apology to those attending and thanked those who worked and those who attended. A lovely evening was unduly cut short.
What do you do when you are wearing formal clothes and you have three hours to "kill" before the unofficial Post Prom? Hop a tram? Well, the Disneyland tram, conducted by "Andy," escorted 100 Prom-People around the parking lot making an easy shuttle ride a roller coaster. The utter disbelief and disappointment had to have a name. So one member of the "Tram Party" coined the term MORP '37 (Prom 73 backwards). This fitting expression was quickly picked up and used henceforth to describe May 12, 1973.
MORP 37 was indeed an extraordinary night.

May: South Pacific
The combined band, orchestra, drama and stage crew presented Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific musical for several evenings in May. Set on a South Pacific island during WW2 love blooms between a young nurse and a secretive Frenchman who is being courted for a dangerous military reconnaissance mission. South Pacific, a 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical based on a 1947 James Michener short story, was an immediate hit running for 1,925 performances. At the time it was the second longest broadway run after Oklahoma. The popular musical was transformed into a 1958 Hollywood production starring Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor, John Kerr, Ray Walston, Juanita Hall. Popular songs include: Some Enchanted Evening, Bali H’ai, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair, There’s Nothing Like A Dame, Happy Talk, Younger Than Springtime, I’m In Love With A Wonderful Guy. Most of the filming took place on Kauai, Hawaii.



May: Caps and Gowns
The home stretch to graduation became apparent as measurements for Caps and Gowns took place. Graduates, including Lester C. Rodan, are measured.

June 5: Senior Supper organized by Michele Haddix, Teresa Bass, Debbie Rodriguez, Toni Figler and Denise Sanchez.
Senior Supper was held in the school cafeteria with a buffet style Hawaiian dinner of beef teriyaki, Hawaiian pork and fresh pineapple. Entertainment was provided by graduating Hawaiian dancers. Class presidents Wendy Waterman and Steve Knowlton expressed their gradtitude to class sponsors Jake Kosheba and Nancy Wells for providing their advice and encouragement throughout our senior year. 1973 Annuals were presented toward the end of the evening.

June 12: Honors Convocation
Outstanding seniors were recognized with well deserved awards.
Pledge of Allegiance: Steve Knowlton
Student Addresses: Toni Figler, Dan Maricich
"Every generation inherits a world it never made, and as it does so, it automatically becomes the trustee of that world for those who come after." - Robert F. Kennedy
Presentation of Academic Honors, School Awards and Community Awards. Recipients displayed on the "Senior Recognition" page.
Expression of Appreciation: Wendy Waterman
Recognition of Honorees: Principal David Carter

June 14: San Pedro High School One Hundred-Sixteenth Commencement
Graduation at Dodson Field at 5PM
Pledge of Allegiance: Wendy Waterman
Student Addresses: Chuck Wilcox, Sylvia Espinosa, Ervin Frazier
Presentation of the Class of 1973: Sponsor Nancy Wells
Challenge to the Class of 1973: Principal David Carter
Roll Call for the Class of 1973: Sponsors Jake Kosheba and Nancy Wells
Acceptance of Diplomas: Steve Knowlton

June 14: Grad Night
Grad Night at Disneyland closed the school year and a memorable chapter in our lives.

The Ke-Alian Class of 1973 would move on to new endeavors and adventures but certainly remember their active and eventful Senior Year.

SENIOR MESSAGES

ALL MY LOVE AND THANKS TO MOM, DAD, CURT, AND GRETCHEN. I MADE IT! TONI

BEST WISHES TO MIJA, TERRY, AND TO ALL 1973 GRADUATES. LINDA LISMAN

DON’T THINK OF THE HAPPINESS OF THE PAST NOR THE HAPPINESS OF THE FUTURE, BUTH THINK OF TODAY. AND DON’T BE CHEATED OUT OF IT. SHERRI SHRANKO

SLO-DIP, WIGGLE, WAGGLE, POOF. WENDY, TONI, DENISE, MIKE AND MARK. OCT. 19. ‘73

THIS SOCIETY CANNOT TOLERATE MORAL TURPITUDE, LASSITUDE, HYPOCRISY, PLEONASM, AMBAGIOISNESS, PLATITUDES, AND FLAGITOUSNESS,SUCH AS THIS EXEMPLARY OF HOT AIR. CHAIRMAN Y

THE SAN PEDRO FREE PRESS “BUT NO STARCH” IS ALIVE AND LIVING AT NEWPORT BEACH. SAN PEDRO FREE PRESS STAFF

REMEMBER: “HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.” CHRIS HOOKER

MS. WELLS AND MR. KOSHEBA – THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! WE LOVE YOU! KE-ALIANS

TO MONICA, CHRIS AND THE OTHER CHECHER PLAYERS: YOU WERE SENSATIONABLE! ALSO ALL THE YEARBOOK STAFF WERE “GRRRRREAT!!!!” ROXANNE WINTERS

TO BIG BUSTER BROWN EYES WHO HAS BEEN MY CONSTANT COMPANION THROUGHOUT MY LAST YEAR. I LEAVE BARRY’S LOCKER SIGNED, WITH MUCH SACRIFICE. YOUR FAVORITE “RAH-RAH”, ELISA WILDER

TO ALL FUTURE KEY CLUB PRESIDENTS. GOOD LUCK, YOU’LL NEET IT! DAVID GRAHAM

TO ALL COMPATRIOTS: STAY ROWDY AND GOOD LUCK IN ALL YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS. “STRAIGHT ANSWER” SHEEHAN. REMEMBER BROWN MEADOW!

EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT BANNING, NARBONNE, GARDENA AND CARSON!! THE SPHS YEARBOOK STAFF.

TO THE CLASS OF ’73: TAKE ONLY THE BEST FROM LIFE, ‘CUZ YA’LL DESERVE IT. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPINESS. LUV CINDY

KEEP ON CHUCK’N SR. WOODCHUCKS AND TO THE CHECKER PLAYERS. LUV U SHEF AND ALL YEARBOOK STAFFERS. TO MY DAD, MOM, PUTT AND FAMILY, THANKS!!!! TO MY MON AIMIS: ROXANNE, CHRIS, DAVID, ANTHONY, BRAD AND OTHERS, LUV U ALL. MONICA (THE MON)

GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE TO THE CLASS OF 73’ AND THANK YOU TO: GINA, CHICKEN, THE WOOD – CHUCKERS, KNIGHTETTES, MANY TEACHERS, AND SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL FOR MAKING THIS GREAT YEAR. CINDY STRICKLIN

MR. BERGERON: HANG YOUR NEXT CLASS WITH A DANGLING PARTICIPLE AND PELT THEM WITH SENTENCE FRAGMENTS. THE ALWAYS PERTINACIOUS ENGLISH CLASS. PERIOD 2.

TO VICKY, KIM CINDY, ROXANNE, MONICA, DELLA, DIANE, LORI, LOLA, LUCKY, GINA AND OTHERS. KARL

DENISE, LOVE IS FOREVER OR NOT AT ALL. MARK CHAMPION

ANOUILH IS ENNUI. CORDELL YEE

SO LONG DIRT, TREE, AND BENCH, ALSO MUD. THE WOODCHUCKS

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL UNDERCLASSMEN. A SENIOR

GOOD LUCK JIM, CHUCK, AND JOHN IN ABRAHAM. GOOD LUCK TO MARK, RONNIE, ROBERT AND TOM. KARL MONTOYA

DEAR J.C. I AM VERY FOND OF YOU STILL EVEN THOUGH YOU DON’T THINK SO. REMEMBER OUR FROG FARM? IT STILL GOES. EVEN THE ATTIC TOO. LOVE ALWAYS, PUMPKIN

BEST WISHES TO MY OLD BUDDY, CHUCK GONZALEZ. VERONICA GUERRERO

GOOD LUCK TITANIC: DAVID, ALEX, BOBBY, JIM, FROM THE GIRLS: BETTY MELODY, MARIA, AND AMANDA

TO ALL MY FRIENDS IN DARK OF THE MOON, CRY OF PLAYERS AND SOUTH PACIFIC, GOOD BYE AND GOOD LUCK. IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. AND I’LL MISS ALL OF YOU. LESLYANN HANBEY

FIGHT FOR PEACE. BILL D. CLERK

SENIOR ADVICE

THEME FROM 1973 YEARBOOK

The wave of the future approaches.
And with it comes the optimism and idealism that is youth.
The wave is the harbinger of the cultural revolution culminating in the establishment of a new society.
Based on friendship and coexisting in harmony with nature.
We starve, look at one another short of breath, walking proudly in our winter coats,
Wearing smells from lab'ratories, facing a dying nation of moving paper fantasy,
Listening for the new told lies with supreme visions of lonely tunes...
Somewhere, inside someting, there is a rush of greatness,
Who knows what stands in front of our lives;
I fashion my future on films in space.
Silence tells me secretly everything, everything.
I have learned about the universe, my world and its people.
I have learned about myself, and I am still learning.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom always to tell the difference.

And like a wave we form a crest,
Our adulthood, which carries with it to shore a vision of the future
Full of hope and imagination and abounding with wisdom
Built on adventures and experiences of our adolescence.
As the wave swells and surges, finally crashing along the beach,
We will look back upon this vision characteristic and of the memories in this book...
Elisa Wilder

AROUND CAMPUS