2008 Hall of Fame Honorees
Click here for photos of the ceremony
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Academics |
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| Dr. Harlan Stelmach’s work and experience exemplify his dedication to teaching and learning inside and outside the formal classroom. A 1963 graduate of OHS, Dr. Stelmach completed his bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Latin American Studies from Whittier College before finishing his Master of Theological Studies from the Divinity School at Harvard University. In 1977 he earned his Ph.D. in a joint program with the Graduate Theological Union and the University of California in Berkeley in the fields of Religious Studies, Social Ethics and Social Theory. He continues to serve as a tenured professor and chair of the Humanities Department at Dominican University of California in San Rafael, teaching courses in ethics and philosophy. Prior to his arrival at Dominican University, Dr. Stelmach taught at both St. Mary’s College in Moranga and the University of San Francisco. Along with serving on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations, Dr. Stelmach co-authored “Doing Ethics in a Diverse World”, a work that attempts to provide a practical framework for challenging ethical relativism and fundamentalism by bridging moral philosophy and religious ethics. The book aims to help students confront the many challenges they face in a pluralistic and interdependent world. He has also been published in “The Journal of Teaching Ethics”, “The Pacific Coast Theological Journal”, and “The Ecumenical Review”. His list of papers and public lectures is extensive and impressive. His dedication to and love for learning has led friends and colleagues to describe Dr. Stelmach and as an outstanding teacher, leader, and an excellent role model for those seeking careers in the academic world. | ||
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Arts |
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Recognized as a world class musician, Tad Calcara graduated from OHS in 1989 after completing his entire K-12 education in the Oceanside Unified School District. He began studying piano at the age of 5, and, with the help of his father, added the clarinet to his repertoire while a student at Jefferson Junior High School. Introduced to the study of jazz by his grandfather, former band leader Carl Calcara, he continued his musical journey at OHS, studying under the guidance of Mark Phelps and Sue Collado. During his senior year, he was awarded the John Philip Sousa and Louis Armstrong jazz awards. He then went on to complete his B.M. at the Manhattan School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and eventually earned his M.M. at the Cleveland Institute of Music. His musical education was enhanced by winning scholarships to attend the summer music festivals of Aspen, Music Academy of the West and Tanglewood. Today Calcara is the Principal Clarinet of the Utah Symphony, a position he won in 1998. Prior to his appointment with the symphony, he performed with the New World Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra. In addition, Calcara has made many appearances as soloist with the orchestras of Utah, Cleveland, New World, the Big Band Jazz Hall of Fame and was heard on NPR, PBS and Radio France in Montpellier. Throughout his distinguished career, he has recorded for RCA Red Seal, Reference Recordings, Toshiba EMI and Summit Brass Classical. An enthusiast of early American Jazz, Calcara’s New Deal Swing Band is an authentic 16-piece 1930s big band which performs the original repertoire of legendary artists Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson and Artie Shaw. This ensemble was established to present a unique concert/education program that traces the history of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal with the musical culture of the 1930s. |
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As a grade school student, Art Vitello developed his interest in the world of animation watching cartoons. A graduate of the Class of 1971, he started his career in the animation industry while still a sophomore at Oceanside High. When not attending classes and doing school assignments, he apprenticed by working for various Los Angeles studios doing freelance artwork for TV shows and commercials on evenings, weekends and during summer vacation. Upon graduation, Vitello moved to the Los Angeles area and continued his training, advancing to the position of animator. During the rest of the 1970s, he contributed to the films of, among others, directors Ralph Bakshi (“Wizards,” “Lord of the Rings”), Richard Williams (“Raggedy Ann and Andy”), and Friz Freleng (“Pink Panther,” “Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck”), eventually being promoted to director himself. During the 1980s and ‘90s, Vitello directed and/or produced a number of TV series, including “Spider-Man” for Marvel Productions, “Gummi Bears” for the Walt Disney Company, “Taz-Mania” and Steven Spielberg’s “Tiny Toons” for Warner Bros. (the latter earning him an Emmy Award) and “The Tick” for Fox Studios. In 1982, he worked as the key animator on Spielberg’s “Poltergeist,” creating the animation for the ghosts featured in the blockbuster film. More recently, he’s worked as a timing director for the Universal Studios’ TV shows “Curious George” and “Land Before Time”, while pursuing his interests in music, writing and painting. |
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Athletics |
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William Augustus Banks will forever be known as one of the greatest triple jumpers to ever compete in track and field. Once dubbed the “United States Ambassador” of the sport by “Time Magazine”, Banks will long be remembered as one of the most entertaining and engaging track athletes in U.S. history. He began his leap into history as a two-time state triple jump winner while representing the Pirates at Oceanside High School. Eleven years after graduating OHS, Banks set a world triple jump record in June 1985, leaping 58 feet, 11-1/2 inches, a mark which stood unchallenged for 10 years. During that record-setting year, he was recognized as the Jessie Owens Most Outstanding American Track and Field Athlete and named Sportsman of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee. In rewriting the record books, he became the first American since 1912 to hold this prestigious record. A three-time Olympian (1980, 1984, 1988), and two-time member of the World Championship teams (1983, 1987), Banks was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1999. He currently serves as president of the U.S. Olympians Association. His numerous accomplishments transcend the athletic arena. Banks obtained his B.A. in Political Science in 1978 at UCLA, and five years later added a law degree from the Westwood campus. On the public speaking circuit, Banks is regularly sought after by numerous Fortune 500 companies as a model of inspiration. It has been said that engaging Willie Banks is truly “an investment in success.” |
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| Business | ||
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Russell Holmes, M.D., cut his path to success early. Valedictorian of the graduating Class of 1970, he also served as class president, captain of the varsity basketball team, and was named winner of the Most Service to School award. As a President’s Scholar, Dr. Holmes completed his B.A. with highest honors in chemistry at UCSD in 1974. Four years later, he earned his medical degree from the UCSD School of Medicine. Dr. Holmes then went on to practice family medicine, serving as Chief Resident at USAF Medical Center Scott AFB in Illinois. In 1981, he obtained his American Board of Family Practice Certification, scoring in the top 1%. Since 1984, he has practiced medicine in the North County, working as a staff physician and chairman of the Family Practice Department at Tri-City Medical Center. He added certification in Geriatric Medicine in 1992. Dr. Holmes was an Executive Partner at Mission Park Medical Center before co-founding North County Hospitalists, Inc. In 2003, he was named the International Health Care Service Excellence Customer Focused Physician of the Year. During the past six years he has received seven Tri-City Medical Center Academy Awards of Hospital Excellence for best bedside manner, penmanship, dictation, communications, documentation, sense of humor, and computer proficiency. Prior to his arrival in Oceanside, Dr. Holmes attended school to the sixth grade in Lincoln, Nebraska. In recognition of his career accomplishments and his ties to the Cornhusker State, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman commissioned him as an Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. Dr. Holmes has served as team physician for the OHS Pirates varsity and JV football squads. |
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Community Service |
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Throughout the Oceanside community, the name Larry Hatter and the term “community service” go hand-in-hand. Since graduating with the class of 1962, Mr. Hatter has become a fixture in the North County. A resident of Oceanside since the age of 4, he is regularly acknowledged for his countless acts of goodwill on behalf of a variety of groups and causes. His significant contributions to an array of organizations are far too long to list. Perhaps his greatest achievement came in 2000 when he spearheaded Proposition G, a $125 million school bond for the Oceanside Unified School District. Additionally, Hatter served five years (1971-76) on the Armed Forces YMCA Board of Management, one year as chair, while leading the nation in YMCA fundraising four consecutive years. He spent another eight years as a board member of the Oceanside Library Board of Trustees, including one year as board chair. As a member of the Oceanside Friends of the Library, Hatter was one of 12 individuals to help institute this organization, which grew to more than 1,200 members in just one year. He was also a past president and eight year member of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. For 24 years, Hatter has been a member of the Board of Directors of the El Dorado Church of God Homes, a group for which he now serves as president. From 1980 to 1982, he assisted the MiraCosta College Foundation, and rejoined the group in 2005, currently serving as President. Mr. Hatter took the lead as the fundraising chair for the $5.3 million campaign to build the Oceanside Museum of Art, and he continues to oversee the OUSD Education Foundation. It is through his efforts that the OHS Alumni Foundation was revitalized, leading to the establishment of the very same Hall of Fame of which he is now a distinguished member. |
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| Public Service | ||
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An Oceanside resident for more than 60 years, Jack E. Rosenquist devoted his life to making the city of Oceanside a safer and better community. A class of 1950 graduate, Rosenquist was looked upon by many as a “hometown hero.” Growing up in Oceanside, he attended MiraCosta College and then moved on to the University of Arizona on a football scholarship. Though Mr. Rosenquist passed away in 2002, the impact he left on the Oceanside community will long be recognized. After serving in the Korean War, Rosenquist returned to the North County and joined the Oceanside Fire Department in 1954. In 1973 he became Fire Chief, taking the department to another level of fire protection by helping to bring paramedic services to the area. By the time he retired in 1983, the department had expanded to five stations and an investigation bureau. Throughout his distinguished career, Rosenquist served as President of the Oceanside Firefighters Association and was a highly visible member of county, state and international fire chief associations. In working to better the city of Oceanside, Rosenquist remained actively involved with the Oceanside Unified School District, developing fire prevention programs, while regularly providing lectures and counseling. Through his experience and guidance, he administered the department’s Explorer Scout Program, helping a number of young men to master his trade and move on to successful careers as firefighters. He also made time to serve as a board member and first Vice President of the Oceanside Boys and Girls Club, and assisted both Pop Warner football and Babe Ruth League baseball. |
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