Fresno High School -- "A Reflection of Past and Present"

In this inaugural issue of the Fresno High School Web Page and the link called "A Reflection to Past and Present" it only seems fining that we focus on two graduates who "bleed purple" through and through. Richard Hodge Choohajian "Choo Choo" -- Class of 1949 and Meaghan Sussman -- Class of 1999. With 50 years between the two, it would seem impossible that there would be a connection but as the kids of today would say -"WRONG".

Meaghan and Dick are neighbors and Fresno High Soul Mates - living right across the street from each other - and Meaghan has known Dick Hodge for her whole life. A quirk of fate or just the way that it works in the neighborhood? What do the two have in common? - An intense pride in being graduates of Fresno High School and memories that will last them a lifetime.

No matter where you go in Fresno or California for that matter, it seems that just about everyone that you talk to has a connection to Fresno High. "My mom went there or my aunt or an uncle or my cousin Lucy -- a connection just the same. A jumping off point to reminisce about high school and the good old days -- even if those "old days" were only last year.

Cima

Try to imagine in your mind what the daily routine at Fresno High in 1949 would have been, Dick Hodge remembers Fresno High this way...

Richard (Dick) Hodge ‘49

Pride and camaraderie are the words that come to mind when I recall my years at Fresno High. I came to the high school in 1947, having been recruited from Washington Junior High. "There were three of us, Alice Melon, Janice Hall and me". The three of us made up the cheer squad. And we had a lot to cheer about in those days. We competed in the Valley Championships in both basketball and baseball my senior year. I was a left-handed pitcher and the competition was stiff. We beat Roosevelt 7-4 at Euless Park in front of more than 3,000 cheering fans. We went on to play Delano in the finals but were defeated 4-2. Toby Lawless was our baseball coach and a magnificent one, he was. That same year we were Valley Champions in basketball. Joe Kelly was our award winning coach. As athletes, we were proud and very competitive. Our support from our coaches and our fellow athletes was consistent and vocal. Our fans were always organized, loyal and impressive. There was always a "sea of white" in the rooting section. Train trips to Bakersfield evoke wonderful memories of school spirit and competition. I know that I was considered by some to be enthusiastic and a natural leader but to Nell Bartlett, my geometry teacher, I was considered an enthusiastic troublemaker. I was frequently chastised for tapping the girl in front of me with my ruler. I was not a brilliant geometry student but Miss. Bartlett had her way of making you learn. Mary Jo Kimball, my Spanish teacher, thought that I talked too much and always sighed audibly when I, once again, had to leave her class to participate in a baseball game. Cima

Dick Hodge graduated in 1949, and went on to continue his education at Fresno City College and Fresno State College. Dick's father started the family business - Hodge and Sons Clothing for Gentleman and Dick has run Hodge and Sons very successfully for over 30 years. He is just beginning to take a little time off to enjoy a game of golf now and then. Dick Hodge and his wife Patty have lived in the Fresno High area for most of their married lives. Patty, also a Fresno High Graduate, worked at Fresno High School for 20 years in the Special Education Department working with hearing impaired students. The couple has two daughters - Paige and Tracy are both Fresno High graduates. Paige attended and graduated from University of Pacific where she played tennis for four years on a scholarship and Tracy graduated from UCLA. By the way, did we mention that Richard had a "hole in one" on Number 15 at the Selma Golf Course during a neighborhood tournament -- the whole neighborhood heard about it so you might as well know too. Dick Hodge plans to retire from the business in the near future and move on the "next adventure". Cima

Meaghan Sussman ‘99

Meaghan Sussman grew up following the big kids around, including Paige Hodge. Meaghan used to go to the tennis courts at Fresno give her brother Aaron~: (Class of 96) tennis lessons. Meaghan ended up playing four years of varsity tennis for the Warriors and Aaron played 4 years of golf at FHS and 3 years at UC Davis. Meaghan attended Computech Middle School for 7th and 8th grades but she never hesitated in telling her classmates and her teachers that she was going to Fresno High for high school. She always wanted to be a Warrior. Many of the following words come from Meaghan's Valedictorian's Speech to the Class of 1999 but they provide some real insight about her feelings about Fresno High School. You will find it interesting how similar Meaghan's comments and feelings are to Dick Hodges' 50 years earlier about teachers, classmates and sports. "Writing this speech has caused me to have nonsCima flashbacks about the "good old days," when we were all young and vibrant (She was 18 when she wrote the speech). Yes who among us can forget our freshman float, which would have been great except for one small incident? And of course our first Pig Week, who in their right mind would actually kiss a live pig? It is those strange little traditions that makes Fresno High special. Cima Football games were always an exciting way to spend a Friday night. We may not have won every game, but it was always fun to watch Earl Henderson run over some people on the other team. This year's Pig Game was especially exciting, because it showed that there still was a lot of school spirit left at Fresno High. The class of "99" wasn't necessarily known for our athletic ability, but for our ability to have fun while competing. Teachers have also been a big part of the success of the class of 1999. The care and support that we have received cannot be matched. The ever-present brawl between Mr. Mackenzie and Mr. Auston kept us entertained with forehead and family jokes for years. Mrs. Osterhaus and her political views (especially on Reagan) were always very well received. Fresno High is truly a unique experience and unless you have lived it, you don't really understand what it is like. I know that my life has been shaped by the things that I have learned, not only in class, but also from my classmates and teammates. For most schools having over 100 different native languages would be seen as a weakness, but at Fresno High we embrace our differences and celebrate that as a strength. Our school also has a real sense of community as well as a sense of pride in the beautiful historic neighborhood that surrounds us. I know that each and every one of us will take the pride and that feeling of community with us where ever we go and whatever we do." Meaghan Sussman is currently a freshman at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. She is playing softball and planning to make education her life's career. Meaghan had so many opportunities at Fresno High School and such a support base that it was truly fantastic. Meaghan played four varsity sports, served as the Student Body President her senior year and was honored as the recipient of the Exchange Club Woman of the Year, the Central Section CIF Scholar Athlete and was the B'nai Brith winner for Fresno High School. She also served as President for the Senate for one term and was the Chairperson for the Fresno County Youth Services Council. Meaghan was very fortunate to have all of the wonderful opportunities that Fresno High School provided. Cima

Both Meaghan Sussman and Richard Hodge definitely possess something in common that has lasted over a half a century - an intense love and respect for Fresno High School. The Sussman Family has a picture that shows Richard Hodge holding an 18 month old Meaghan Sussman up in the air as if to say "the world is yours to grab - just reach as high as you can and grab it". Fresno High helped extend her reach. A lot has changed since Richard attended Fresno High School. Girl's athletics are now on par with the boys and the girls have benefited tremendously. The Senate, which was once only open to male students, now has both girls and boys serving as Senators and as officers. A true step in the right direction. Fresno High School is now a school of 3,400 students, where as in Dick Hodges' day the school boasted a student population of 1,200 only after 300 Freshmen came in his senior year. Dick describes the pace in his day as being "a little slower and the expectations not quite so intense. The architecture of the school allowed for a more open existence and a more relaxed atmosphere. Students could be seen eating lunch on the lawn in front of Royce Hall and strolling casually between classes. There wasn't the need to rush because of all of the extra students and the distance between buildings." Both Richard Hodge and Meaghan Sussman now understand that a major key to their success has been their link to Fresno High School. As the students of today pronounce that they are "Proud to be a Warrior" that same pride has been evident on the part of Fresno High students from its very creation. The "past truly is reflected in the present" All you have to do is look at the pride, commitment and excellence that is alive and flourishing at Fresno High School today. Cima

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