One thing the diverse crowd gathered Sunday afternoon in the
Live Oak High quad had in common was a place in their hearts for
the school. Their participation in the joyous celebration of Live
Oak
’s centennial is just one way the alumni continue to demonstrate
their school spirit.
One thing the diverse crowd gathered Sunday afternoon in the Live Oak High quad had in common was a place in their hearts for the school. Their participation in the joyous celebration of Live Oak’s centennial is just one way the alumni continue to demonstrate their school spirit.
Some, like Anna Vernetti Friebel, Class of 1948, choose to remain as active as possible in the school and its community.
“I just love being involved with the school,” she said Sunday. “I really enjoy supporting organizations that support kids. I love seeing kids that I used to have as students, seeing how they’ve changed, what they’re doing.”
Friebel, a math teacher at Britton Middle School for many years, actively supports the Future Farmers of America program at Live Oak and the district’s music programs. She also volunteers for various Live Oak events.
“I’m the ‘nacho queen’ at the (Live Oak stadium) snack shack every home game,” Friebel laughed. “I believe in giving back to the community, and this school means a lot to me. Plus, like I said, I just love seeing the kids, being around them.”
Other people among 290 alumni who gathered at the school on Sunday chose to honor their alma mater by continuing to challenge themselves after graduation.
Jennifer (”Jenny,” to her friends and family) Moody, Class of 2003, will be a junior at Santa Clara University this fall. When she attended Live Oak, she was active in a variety of activities, including band and student government and served as the student representative on the Morgan Hill School Board in her senior year.
As an alumni, she continues down the path to success, active in the jazz band and taking office as chair of the student senate at her college.
“I’m enjoying myself,” she said Sunday. “I had a great experience at Live Oak, and I’m sure that’s played a role in my college experience. For example, ‘Señora’ Wiltsee taught me Spanish all my years here, and that’s been something that has been so helpful to me. I have really used it …. I also learned to try things, to get involved. My mom always told me to grasp at anything I could, and I have tried to do that.”
Before alumni and their families shared memories of their high school days and mingled amid the green and gold decorations Sunday, School Board President Shellé Thomas shared her thoughts about the historic school. Though Thomas didn’t attend Live Oak, she’s aware of its importance to the community.
“When I was thinking about today, I thought about Thorton Wilder’s ‘Our Town,’ and the message to make sure you live the time of your lives,” said Thomas, who attended the celebration with her husband, George, and mother-in-law, Phyllis, both Live Oak alumni. “Live Oak embodies that, it is ‘Our Town,’ except it is really so much richer. Look around at the people here, the people who have come back, the people who continue to be here and are important to the fabric of our community.”
Live Oak High began its first century with classes in Skeels Hotel in 1905 and later moved to the site of what is now Britton Middle School. The auditorium still in use by Britton students was built during World War II, completed in 1944, and dedicated to fallen soldiers. The school moved to its current location, 1505 East Main Ave., in 1973.
Several classroom buildings have been renovated since it opened, a new track and football field were constructed and a new practice gym was built. More renovations still need to be completed.
Due to population growth, the school was bursting at its seams by 1978, and the student body went to double sessions. The freshman class was moved out of the high school, divided between Britton Middle School and Martin Murphy Middle school. The ninth grade finally returned to the school with the opening of Sobrato High in 2004.
