October 2024 - Homecoming
This year’s Homecoming theme was Under the Sea; Friday was a day filled with spirited activities beginning with the KUSI Alarm Clock Pep Rally from 7-9 in the New Gym. A vivid moment from the pep rally for student Leah Garcia was “Gus going through the tunnel with KUSI”.
Period 2 classes were urged to take a photo of themselves dressed in Extreme Blue and Gold. The results dazzled with the creativity of backgrounds and technology.
The Homecoming Pep Assemby was held after period 2, filled with staff and student games and, of course, fun.
That night’s game featured a halftime dance show as well as fireworks. This year’s Homecoming King and Queen are Joel Sanchez and Briana Samano.
The 2024 Homecoming Court is Jaelyn Jenson, Carlin Usborne, Kennedy King, Tiffany Silva, Queen Briana Samano, King Joel Sanchez, Edgar Rodriguez, Jeffery Lassaline, Will Gaines, and Eric Anzures.
Saturday, the Homecoming Dance with casual dress was held Saturday evening in the area behind the original 1922 school. Foothiller students excitedly reflected on these two days.
Myles Hedgeman recalls, “The moment that I remember the most was pretty much everything! The two days were soooo much fun!! About the dance, it gave me a sense of feeling close to the community of new and old Foothillers.
Harper Bolton agrees that the dance made it feel like we were making history because of the historic background.”
Savannah Johnson echoes that sentiment: “It felt like we were following in the footsteps of the students that came before us.” And they were!
The Ultimate Homecoming
Since the 1920s, Grossmont has had many of its alumni return to teach or work as integral staff members. Several members of the Class of 1928 returned as staff members. John Cornelius served at GHS from 1942-1955 as a much loved teacher, counselor, and vice principal, and then he transferred to El Cajon Valley High School as its first principal. Laurie Head taught at Grossmont from 1936-1968 as a much loved P.E. teacher and coach. A third 1928 member was Walter Barnett, whose career at GHS from 1945-1959 included being a teacher, coach, counselor, and vice principal. From 1959-1976, Mr. Barnett served as GHS’s second longest serving principal.
Amazingly, today Grossmont High has 30 staff members serving as teachers, administrators, or support staff.
23 Teachers:
Todd Bell, Class of 1993
Dwight Brinkerhoff, Class of 1981
Brian Carpenter, Class of 1996
Jeremy Cooke, Class of 1995
James Earley, Class of 1990
Matt Flischer, Class of 2000
Brianne Jones Froumis, Class of 1998, Vice Principal
Don Ginn, Class of 1987
Patrick Giovengo, Class of 1985
Jeremy Hersch, Class of 1996
Phlyn Heubach, Class of 1984
Carolyn Jungman, Class of 2010
Tom Karlo, Class of 1992
Jeff Lee, Class of 2004
Peyton Lindsay, Class of 2014
Hillary Park, Class of 1988
Justin Rutherford, Class of 2007
Shelby Schlatt, Class of 2015
Donald Sheahan, Class of 2015
Devon Shrestha, Class of 2018
Mike Smith, Class of 1983
Bryce Towne, Class of 2015
Daniel Valoria, Class of 2016
7 Classified
Katie Pfeffer Buechner, Class of 1997
Hannah Rodriguez Cuevas, Class of 2008
Rebecca Granse Hague, Class of 1994
Jessica LeRud, Class of 1997
William Radovich, Class of 1993
Marlee Dillard Ritchey, Class of 2011
Frodet Seede, Class of 2020
Several of these Foothiller alumni shared their reasons for being at GHS:
Tech teacher and yearbook advisor Pat Giovengo, Class of 1985, who has been at Grossmont for 25 years, reflects that “Grossmont was the school that I had the fondest memories of with both peers and teachers! The best thing about GHS is, without a doubt, the amazing students! Whenever anyone asks me how long I have before I retire, I always say, as soon as this stops being one of the “funnest” jobs to have!’
Special education teacher, Tom Karlo, Class of 1992, was also for many years the varsity football coach; Tom shares that I wanted to teach and coach in the community I live in and to be where my two sons go to school. This is my 13th year teaching at Grossmont, (20th overall). I like how Grossmont feels like a family and the students are great!”
Social Science teacher and GATE coordinator, Don Ginn, Class of 1987, has been at GHS for 30 years. “ In high school I loved history, and Gloria Jones, my GHS history teacher, inspired me to follow in her path. I like exciting students about US history in a place that is living history itself. And I love our museum!” (Don shares his love of GHS in many ways. Read his wonderful history of GHS on our website at https://www.foothillermuseum.com/ghs-history)
Each school day these 30 staff members “return home”, sharing their Foothiller memories, even their personal high school challenges, and, of course, their love of Grossmont High School.
Visit the GHS Museum This Fall
10-2: Saturday, November 2nd
(Day of the La Mesa Home Tour-All Welcome to Visit)
10-1: Saturday, December 7th (date change)
OR
Fridays by prior appointment, email us or call to schedule an appointment.
Visit our website at foothillermuseum.com to learn more about GHS, past and present. Contact us at