Vukovich dedication, luncheon highlights of YHS celebration

High school has been in business quarter century

by Earlene Ward

Yosemite High School District

 

YHS Principal Steve Raupp and District Superintendent Bill McCabe assist Joyce Vukovich in cutting the ribbon to dedicate the Billy Vukovich III Memorial Marquee at Yosemite High School.

 

Yosemite Joint Union High School District Superintendent Bill McCabe welcomes guests to the Yosemite High School 25th anniversary luncheon. Seated beside him are Ken and Carol Savage. Mr. Savage was the district’s first superintendent.

 

Yosemite High School held a double celebration November 17 — the Billy Vukovich III Memorial Marquee was dedicated and the school observed its 25th anniversary.

The marquee was a joint project of the YHS students in the EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technology) class, Bill and Joyce Vukovich and the Raymond Granite Quarry.

The Vukovich Foundation donated money to purchase the marquee; the EAST students designed it and the Raymond Granite Quarry donated the granite for the base for the marquee.

Joyce Vukovich cut the ribbon Saturday morning to officially dedicate the marquee in memory of Billy III, who was a 1981 graduate of Yosemite High School. He died in a wreck during a race in 1990.

 

Celebration luncheon

Following that ceremony, there was a luncheon for people who were instrumental in the formation of YHS and the current staff members, some of whom have been on the staff since the school opened.

Buddy Cudd, who was the first person to actually start work on the campus, in 1975, was honored on his retirement.

Ken Savage, the district’s first superintendent, and his wife, Carol, were present at the luncheon.

Also attending were Kay McDonald, the first district secretary, and Marsh Pitman, the son of Dr. Paul and Martha Pitman, who were moving forces behind the founding of YHS.

Proclamations and resolutions were presented to YHS on behalf of the Mountain Area’s state legislators.

Madera County Supervisor Gary Gilbert [District 5-Mountain Area] also made a presentation on behalf of the board.

The luncheon was a gift from area businesses and individuals who donated money for the event.