1968-1969: New Principal, New Coaches & FOUR Hall of Famers (updated)

1968-1969

Quartz Hill High's fifth year saw some big changes take place on the campus.  Founding principal Raymond Barnes departed making way for new school leadership.  The school's second principal, Mr. Perry Fuller arrived to lead the Rebels through continued construction of their campus. 






Hall of Fame

Coach Albee's first year at QHHS; 2014 QHHS Hall of Fame recipient.

The 1968-1969 school year holds a significant role in the inaugural Quartz Hill High School Hall of Fame. 

A handful of new teachers arrived on campus, many of whom would go on to become 30-year members of the QHHS teaching staff, including 2014 Hall of Fame inductees Mr. Ira Simonds, the new head football coach, Mr. John Albee and PE teacher Mrs. Barbara McKay, who would later become Mrs. Barbara Willibrand.

Mr. Simonds would eventually make his mark not only in the Social Studies department at Quartz Hill, but oversaw the production of the Cavalier Yearbook for many years as well. 

Mr. Simonds' first year at QHHS;
2014 QHHS Hall of Fame recipient

John Albee would continue to helm the varsity football program for the next three decades or so, being the second of only four head football coaches in the 50-year history of the school. 

Tony Kamminga's senior year; Clockwise from upper
left: Senior photo, Wrestling candid, Yearbook
listing of involvement, Football pose

Barbara McKay (Willibrand) joined the staff as a PE teacher in 1968 and would eventually move up the ranks at QHHS, as a Vice Principal, then Principal and finally an Assistant Superintendent for the AVUHSD before her retirement. 

Mrs. Barbara McKay (Willibrand)
in her first year at QHHS
2014 Hall of Fame recipient

Additionally, the Class of 1969 had Hall of Fame inductee Tony Kamminga in its ranks.  

The 2014 Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Friday night, October 10, 2014 at 6:15 p.m. at Nicholson Field before the QHHS vs. Highland High School varsity football game. 



Student Life

The Interact Club was formed for the first time. Interact, a service organization sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lancaster, works "to promote international understanding and good will through its service projects" which included sending food to Biafra and paperback books for United States Servicemen serving in Viet Nam. 

The QHHS literary magazine, now in its second year, was named "Spilled Ink."

The Associated Student Body Board of Control "formed a code for acceptable hair and dress standards in coordination with AVHS and Palmdale High School and the PTA and held an election to determine that the Confederate Flag would be adopted as the official school flag."

Homecoming Queen &
Princess 1968

The Homecoming Dance was moved to the big gym this year, marking the first time a dance was held in that location due to the overwhelming success of previous dances. The decorating committee used 23,000 feet of crepe paper, a large mural was created and a giant sign was made welcoming alumni! The second Homecoming queen for QHHS was Julia Gorrindo.

This year marked the arrival of the first foreign exchange student to Quartz Hill High School. Lynne Cunningham came from South Africa to stay with a Palmdale host family while attending Quartz Hill.  She admits she "had a hard time finding either of them on the map." She even had the added bonus of going to AVC on Senior Visitation Day. 

First QHHS Foreign Exchange Student Lynne Cunningham

Athletics

The football team traveled to Las Vegas for a game on 9/20/68.  At that game, Bruce Keeton set a single school record of 200 yards and scored the only touchdown of the game for an 8-6 victory. It was the first time a Rebel football team won their season opener.  As the team opened league play, they destroyed the Burroughs Burros 27-7, marking the first time the Rebels had won a league opener, the first time they had beaten Burroughs and the most points ever scored by a Rebels varsity football team. 

QHHS Cross Country

The Cross Country team, or Harriers, ended their season with a 6-5 record, a best for QHHS Cross Country at the time. 

Scorekeeping done on a
classic chalkboard during
a wrestling meet

Wrestling, or Grapplers, had a new head coach in Mike Meek. Tony Kamminga had a banner year on the team going into the Golden League meet undefeated. He was also a tournament winner in every tournament.

QHHS Basketball

Under new coach Don Moore, Rebel basketball faced a major setback after a strong pre-season with an 8-2 record. As Golden League began, a school record for points was achieved with a 94-80 victory over Kennedy. Mike "Chip" Erickson led the Rebs and broke the three year scoring record held by Dave Duncan. Chip dropped through 35 points with 15 of them field goals, also a new record. However, it was soon discovered the Chip was ineligible due to the fact that he had attended school for more than 8 semesters. The league office voted to take away all of the league victories in which Chip participated, plus all other games in which he played were forfeited. Despite multiple wins, the "official" final win tally for the season was 3. 


Other Fun Stuff

A view of the 200 Cafeteria.
Notice the lack of homes to the south. Just open desert.
It also appears there are doors in the quad entrance, not big
metal gates as there are today. 

The Rebelettes, or Drill Team, in QH formation for their yearbook photo.

First year QHHS Principal Mr. Perry Fuller's message in the yearbook.

The 1968-1969 Cavalier Yearbook editors-in-chief were Barbara Nishimoto and Carol Wilson