Wednesday, February 19, 2025
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The Good Stuff by Shelley Bennett

by Shelley Bennett

Last Friday, hundreds of folks showed up to celebrate the dedication of the LHS gymnasium in memory of Coach Bob Levada.

It was heartwarming to hear his two daughters, Michelle and Ann, speak of their memories in the gym. And it was even better to see Bob’s sweetheart Mary, looking as beautiful and kind as I remembered.

Many other former students and athletes paid tribute to Coach Levada online by remembering his excellence in and out of the classroom.

Thank you to everyone who was part of this effort, including my dad, Vern Templeton and husband Leo. It was a long process (it’s been over 10 years since they first mentioned it), but you got it done!

It wouldn’t have been possible without the tenacity of Donna Morelini, president of the Alumni Association or Bill Ellena, the man with the gift of gab.

As I decorated the gym with a group of ASB students on Friday morning, I thought about all the other teachers, coaches, and administrators who deserve an on-campus monument.

Greg Myers suggested that the snack bar and Driver’s Ed office be named after his dad Everett. I would love to see that, especially if they had some of Mr. Myers’ iconic sayings painted on the walls. One of my favorites is “even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.”

It just applies to so many situations!

I can also imagine a “Wilczynksi Wing” where our Science classes used to be located in the 300 building. It would be a tribute to our lovely Rita, who taught Chemistry to hundreds if not thousands of students in the 80s and 90s. Maybe we could sell candy bars there.

The Vice Principal’s office could be dedicated to Mr. Bob Hicks. While I was never a guest in his office, I do fondly recall him growling “Templeton” at me in the hallway when I wore overalls to school one day. He was not impressed with my fashion choices, but made sure I knew he commented with care.

Our ASB area would be named in honor of Mr. John Kingston and Mrs. Rosemary Poteete.

That dynamic duo got things done at Lassen High School. They were the ones who organized assemblies, guest speakers, game times, and Homecoming elections when we didn’t have a class dedicated to that.

A desk in the Main Office would be a tribute to former VP’s secretary Jane Voss. Jane was one of the reasons I never ditched school. I knew I couldn’t come back to school and face her “look” without bursting into tears and admitting all guilt. Even to things I hadn’t done.

Plus, her laugh was the best and could be heard in the hallway while walking by.

There would be something for Mr. Larry Terrill too. Maybe plaque on one of the Driver’s Training cars with the second brake in the passenger’s seat. Heavens knows, he earned it. He put his life into the hands of an unreliable 16-year old driver every time he opened the door.

We have so many deserving teachers and staff members and not enough buildings, rooms, or fields. It’s a good problem to have.


Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings, family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to [email protected] and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”

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