The high-resolution photos of this event are in our Flickr photo album here. The video slideshow is here and the video of the induction ceremony is here.
On October 24, 2019, we had the great honor of inducting Chris Hillman (’62) into the San Dieguito Hall of Fame.
Chris arrived at the school early in the afternoon with his wife and manager Connie Pappas Hillman and three boxes of CDs to give out as gifts to all attendees. As we have discovered in the months we have been working with the Hillmans, they have very giving personalities!
Leslie Kulchin Saldana (’84 and the SDAF Executive Director) gave Mr. Hillman a tour of the campus, focusing on the Music building in the Performing Arts Center and where he met several teachers and students. Then he and Connie (and the CDs!) entered the school library,* where the Founders Reception was starting.
Mary Arballo Magaña (’40) was our most senior alum in attendance, and Chase Brokaw (’12) was our youngest. The classes of 1949, 1954 and 1957 had their official reunions at the reception and therefore had reserved tables. Classmates from surrounding years joined the members of these classes as Nanette Salud Clippinger (’84 and Alumni Chair) welcomed all attendees, introduced Principal Adam Camacho told our senior alumni guests to enjoy themselves reconnecting with their classmates, which they did while enjoying treats made by the Culinary Arts Club students.
At 3:15 pm, Encinitas City Council Member Tony Kranz (’77) began the event by reading the City of Encinitas proclamation that declared October 24, 2019 a special day on behalf of singer Chris Hillman (’62). After Chris received the proclamation, the Alumni Committee played a slideshow highlighting Chris’ 60 years as a musician.
Then Sue Sieber Cooper (’66 and Alumni Vice Chair) took over as emcee. She talked to the audience about Chris’ many talents and achievements before presenting Chris with his Hall of Fame certificate.
Chris took a few minutes at that point to tell the audience how much he enjoyed his days at San Dieguito, and what a lucky guy he was; how he enjoyed playing his music and whenever he had reached a point where he was considering going back to school, another musical opportunity would open up for him.
There are more photos in at the Flickr photo album here. The slideshow is here and the induction ceremony is here.
*Our library was renamed “The Media Center” several years ago and only recently was renamed again! It is now “The Learning Commons.”