The Hall of Fame
About
On August 16, 1901, Los Nietos Valley Union High School opened as the eleventh high school in the Los Angeles County School system. In 1904, its first graduating class numbered four students. This early institution eventually became Downey High School.
Over the next 100 years, our graduates—who literally number in the thousands—have made their way into society and have made an impact on America and the world with their individual accomplishments. The Hall of Fame committee, under the direction of Principal Tom Houts, hopes during the next few years to recognize as many of our distinguished graduates as possible.
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is designed to provide a motivational activity that will engender school and community pride. Further, it will emphasize our school’s continuum of high achievers by honoring outstanding and noteworthy alumni of Downey High School.
Fun Fact!
Did you know that Metallica’s James Hetfield attended Downey High School as a sophomore?
Selection Guidelines
Honorees may be recognized for outstanding or noteworthy contributions or achievements in one or more of the six specified (or related) categories:
- Arts
- Athletics
- Business
- Education
- Civic/Community/Government
- Professional
The nominee will be a graduate of Downey High School (except under special circumstances to be determined by the selection committee)
Since leaving Downey High, the nominee will have maintained himself/herself in a manner that reflects positively on Downey High and on the Hall of Fame
Except under special circumstances as determined by the selection committee, a candidate shall wait a minimum of ten (10) years after leaving Downey High School before s/he becomes eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame
2021 Hall of Fame Inductees
Mark Mandala
Mark Mandala was a proven leader throughout his life. Following his elections as Junior Class President, Senior Class President and Student Body...
Darline Llamas Llopis (Class of 2006)
Darline Llamas Llopis was a top student in the class of 2006. She held multiple leadership positions in student government (ASB), was an AP Scholar,...
Javier Lizarde (Class of 2006)
Before attending Downey High School, Javier attended Carpenter Elementary, Williams Elementary and Sussman Middle School. While attending Downey...
John A. Garcia, Jr. Ph.D.
In 2013, Dr. John Garcia returned to his roots in Downey when he was selected to be Downey Unified School District’s Superintendent. He is the...
Kathleen M. Fisch, Ph.D. (Class of 2002)
Kathleen M. Fisch, Ph.D. graduated with Honors from Downey High School in 2002. In addition to graduating as an AP Scholar, she participated in...
2019 Hall of Fame Inductees
Steve Tapia, Class of 1973
Steve Tapia is a 1973 graduate of Downey High School. While at Downey High, he served as...
Blanca Nieves Pacheco, Class of 1993
Blanca Pacheco is the first Latina elected to the Downey City Council. She is the current Mayor...
Leslie R. Murray, Class of 1986
Leslie Murray is a graduate of 1986 from Downey High School. When Leslie was a senior, she served...
Dr. Cynthia Lum, Class of 1992
Dr. Cynthia Lum is Professor of Criminology, Law and Society and Director the Center for...
Johana Hernandez, Class of 2004
Johana Hernandez is not only the Fashion Designer of GLAUDI haute couture bridal...
2017 Hall of Fame Inductees
The Terasaki Brothers
The Terasaki brothers have earned a combined 11 university and advanced degrees, including two medical degrees. The Four Sons of Dr. Shigeo...
Carey Terasaki, Class of 1973
Carey Terasaki, J.D. (Class of 1973): Carey Terasaki has had the good fortune of two rewarding careers, the first in the aerospace industry and the...
Rodney Terasaki, Class of 1971
As a senior, he was the fastest sprinter on the swimming team and was its captain and MVP. He became somewhat of a Renaissance man after graduation,...
Stanley Terasaki, Class of 1968
As a senior, he ran track, including a leg on the mile relay team, which set the DHS record that lasted until metric distances became the norm. He...
Wesley Terasaki, Class of 1965
Wesley graduated from Downey High in 1965. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the University of Southern California in 1969...
Peter Martini, Class of 1997
As President and co-founder of iboss Cybersecurity, Peter Martini has played a major role in developing iboss’ innovative technology and has helped...
Paul Martini, Class of 1997
Paul Martini is the CEO, cofounder and chief architect of iboss Cybersecurity, where he pioneered the award-winning iboss Cybersecurity Platform...
Jim Stecklein, Class of 1946
While a student in Downey schools, and during his college years and his years of military service, James Stecklein excelled in athletics and...
2015 Hall of Fame Inductees
Bob Winningham, Class of 1973
After completing his education at Downey High School, Bob became a very successful...
Grant Neilan, Class of 2005
Grant was the high school student every teacher and parent desires. He was on honor roll...
Larry D. Myers, Class of 1957
Larry began a lifetime of leadership and volunteerism at Downey High School in Student...
Michael A. Kearns, Class of 1977
Michael, usually referred to as Mikey, represents the epitome of striving to...
Yanna Bouris, Class of 1991
Salutatorian, National Merit Scholar, and Robert Byrd Honor Scholarship were...
Alida Bouris, Class of 1991
Following an outstanding high school career, which included the unique honor of winning...
2013 Hall of Fame Inductees
Steve Mooshagian, Class of 1977
During his years at Downey High, Steve Mooshagian excelled in sports. He played on the...
Jennifer DeKay, Class of 1990
Jennifer has been a lifelong resident of Downey. She attended Good Shepherd Lutheran...
Alfonso Cabrera, Hall of Fame Honoree
Alfonso Cabrera was born March 27, 1924 and was the first of five other siblings in the...
Michael Burks, Class of 1987
After graduating from Downey High in 1987, Michael attended California State University...
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees
Alan M. Shiller, Ph.D., Class of 1971
Alan Shiller received his B.S. in Chemistry, graduating with Honors from Caltech and...
James Hetfield, Honorary Inductee
To trace the roots of James Hetfield’s dedication to the heavy metal band Metallica, you...
Bobby Dye, Class of 1956
After graduating from Downey High School in 1956, Bobby Dye played basketball for...
George Cade, Class of 1946
George Cade was born in Long Beach, California, an only son of Fred and Pearl Cade. He...
2010 Hall of Fame Inductees
David van Stralen, MD, FAAP, Class of 1971
Daved van Stralen made over 7,000 rescues in the 1970s while working for the Los Angeles...
Lash Stevenson, Class of 1957
Lash Stevenson grew up in Downey and graduated Downey High School in 1957. Along the...
Kennard McNichols, MD, Class of 1966
Kennard graduated from Westmont College, Santa Barbara, in 1970 and received an MD from...
Suzanne Marques, Class of 1995
Suzanne was born and raised in Downey, graduating from Downey High in 1995. She was a...
Allen Layne, Former Principal
For over 40 years, Allen Layne served public education and the Downey Unified School...
2009 Hall of Fame Inductees
Francios Dion (Bud) Uzes, Class of 1951
Francois (Bud) Uzes entered Caltech as a freshman in 1951 after graduation from Downey...
Richard Trank, Class of 1972
Richard Trank is an Academy Award winner whose Feature Documentary, The Long Way Home,...
Harry Gifford, Class of 1945
In recognition of his many hours of work and commitment to kids and the community, Harry...
Ginger Allen, Class of 1989
Ginger Allen is a morning anchor and special projects reporter for CBS Dallas/Fort...
2008 Hall of Fame Inductees
Scott Moore, Class of 1967
In 1970, while in his senior year at California State University, Long Beach, Scott...
Shari McMahan, Ph.D., Class of 1981
Dr. Shari McMahan is Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Science at...
Jack Kyser, Class of 1951
Jack Kyser is the Chief Economist on the staff of the Los Angeles County Economic...
David R. Gafin, Class of 1972
David’s community involvement includes being past president of the Downey Chamber of...
James P. Ball, Class of 1952
James Ball graduated from Downey High School in 1952. He attended UCLA, graduating with...
2007 Hall of Fame Inductees
Rick Trejo, Class of 1979
Rick Trejo is a lifetime resident of Downey. He attended St. Raymond’s School and...
Chris A. Pristos, PhD, Class of 1971
Chris Pritsos was born in Vancouver, BC, Canada in 1953. In 1954 he moved to Downey, CA....
George Pajon Jr., Class of 1987
George and Estrella Pajon emigrated from Cuba and settled in the Southeast area of Los...
Randy Meadows, Class of 1957
Randy Meadows put Downey High School on the map for football and athletics. He was a...
Greg Fuller, Class of 1974
Greg Fuller moved to Downey Jan.1,1968 in the middle of the sixth grade school year from...
G. Lorain Brault, MS RNP, Class of 1961
Lori Brault spent more than 30 years in health care administration and education. Her...
2006 Hall of Fame Inductees
These outstanding students were nominated in 2006 to the DHS Hall of Fame due to their professional accomplishments.
2005 Hall of Fame Inductees
These former DHS students were nominated and accepted as 2005 Hall of Fame Inductees for their stellar professional accomplishments.
2004 Hall of Fame Inductees
These previous DHS students had such amazing accomplishments that they were nominated and accepted into the DHS Hall of Fame.
2003 Hall of Fame Inductees
These impressive individuals attended DHS in high school. Their post graduation professional accomplishments earned them a place in the Hall of Fame in 2003.
2002 Hall of Fame Inductees
These outstanding individuals were nominated to the DHS Hall of Fame due to their post-educational accomplishments.
2001 Hall of Fame Inductees
HERBERT FRAHM - 1935 Herbert Frahm attended the University of Kansas Business School with a management Development major. He began his career as a telephone lineman. He worked in the telephone industry for 39 years, serving in a wide range of plant and engineering...
2000 Hall of Fame Inductees
Meet some amazing former students and learn about their post high-school accomplishments.
1999 Hall of Fame Inductees
These incredible individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame due to their outstanding achievements.