VISTA DEL MAR
Most students walking the halls of Hamilton High in the 1940's-1950's and 1960's were unaware that hundreds of their fellow students were bussed in each day from a Jewish orphanage a few miles from the campus. You might have shared a locker with one or had lunch on the lunch court together. Maybe you played in the band together or caught a pass from one during football practice.
The kids from Vista (which they called "The Home") were pretty much just like everyone else, except maybe they weren't up on the latest fashions. As Bernice Lewis put it, "we didn't wear Joyces but we were well dressed. We took what was given to us, and we were thankful". I often wondered what happened to these kids. I knew a few and they had done well.
With Bugle editor in tow, we made a trip to Vista Del Mar and met with Laurie Feldman. She was enthusiastic and encouraged us to do a story about Vista and the kids. She introduced us to Jennifer Brook, Community Outreach Coordinator who supplied us with historical data and photos. I think you will find it to be an uplifting and heartwarming story that begins on page 21. I am sure there are many others who spent time at the Home. We would like to hear from you as well.
Please write to us and tell us your story.
SCHOLARSHIPS
I remind you that the current alumni board is in full support of my mission to raise a million dollar endowment in the next five years. We call it the Million Dollar Mission (M$M) The purpose of an endowment is to use only the earnings generated by the principle for scholarships. While we are proud of what we have given to Hamilton High for needed programs and to the worthy students who have applied for grants to help them with their college expenses, we would like to do more. I am grateful for the support of you alumni who renew your membership each year, new members who are joining our association in record numbers and of course our donors. We salute you! On page 2 you will find a review of the Scholarships and grants we made to this years graduates.
President "Teddy" Roosevelt said "It is not the critic that counts, the credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who at his worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly". Perhaps not as melodramatic as he, I sense The Board of Directors and you understand too well our mission and goal. My thanks to all for jumping aboard.
Marvin Sugarman ‘53 President
