The San Marcos High School Alumni Association is proud of all of our alumni. The Association is eager to acknowledge the success and accomplishments of our fellow Rattlers! Watch this site and our Facebook page for the Call for Nominations for our yearly awards.
2011 Distinguished Alumni
Patty Sherrill Sullivan (1944)
Tony Walker (1977)
Rene Ruiz (1978)
Andrea Murdock-McDaniel (1982)
Helen Lowman (1984)
Steven Farr (1989)
Outstanding Young Alumna:
Taryn Guerrero Davis (2003)
2010 Distinguished Alumni
Jimmie Scott (1954)
Loraine Harrison (1965)
Charles Soechting (1969)
David Peterson (1974)
Sandra Cavazos (1979)
Darrell “Chip” Hamlin (1981)
2009 Distinguished Alumni
Rebecca Y. Mendez Sierra (1965)
Dr. Tino Villanueva (1960)
Dr. Janet Barton Speer (1965)
Dr. Ellen Grimm, MD (1984)
Dawn Breihan-Hopp (1971)
Dolores Aguirre McAllister (1969)
Linda Gregg Fields (1964)
2008 Distinguished Alumni
Frank Contreras (1954)
Liz Champagne Johnson (1969)
Randall Morris (1965)
John Roberts ((1962)
Dottie Sims (1940)
Cinnamon Linda Strassman (1983)
Melba Vasquez (1962)
2007 Distinguished Alumni
Frank Arredondo (1965)
William Pennington (1960)
Richard Phillips (1962)
Ruben Ruiz, Jr. (1969)
Rob Thomas (1983)
Tricia Tingle (1973)
2006 Distinguished Alumni
William W. Burnett (1956)
John A. Diaz (1961)
Troy Kimmel (1975)
Ross King (1954)
Dale Linebarger (1961)
Harry Max Reasoner (1956)
Virginia Witte (1956)
2005 Distinguished Alumni
Joyce Abel (1958)
Dolores Crittendon (1956)
Richard Cruz (1965)
Reece Morrison (1964)
Dr. Gwen K. Smith (1933)
Handler Smith (1953)
1933 - Dr. Gwen Smith is THE definitive “BISM” (Born In San Marcos). A 1933 graduate of San Marcos High School, she has exemplified a life of service and volunteerism. Dr. Smith is one of few people in town who can boast of having helped to plan the Texas Centennial Celebration (1936); the American Bicentennial Celebration (1976); the Southwest Texas State University Centennial (1999); the City of San Marcos Sesquicentennial Celebration (2001). Dr. Smith received her undergraduate and masters degrees from Southwest Texas State University and her Ph.D. in physical education from the University of Iowa. She spent most of her professional career teaching at Illinois State University, where she was a renowned teacher, author, campus leader and authority on collegiate women’s athletics. Upon her retirement, Smith moved home to San Marcos where she has been celebrated as “the ultimate volunteer,” devoting her creativity, time, energy and wisdom in the causes of preserving history, supporting Texas State University and contributing to public policy. She has received many honors including selection in the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame; Distinguished Alumnus Award from Texas State University; Outstanding Community Volunteer from the City of San Marcos and the recognition in “Southwest Texas Women: The First 100 Years.” The City of San Marcos celebrated her 90th birthday by proclaiming September 10, 2005 “Dr. Gwen K. Smith Day.”
1940 - Dottie Payne Sims Dottie Sims is a third generation direct descendent of General Edward Burleson, proud of her heritage and a true Texan to the core. A trailblazer for women – though she quickly admits she doesn’t think of herself as an activist –Daughter Michele said, "Mom said, ' never burned anything' – and she always wears high heels!” Dottie was the first woman to serve with the Chamber of Commerce (and remains one of the eldest and longest Ambassadors) and was one of the first women in real estate in San Marcos. After thirteen successful years in the real estate field she received a call one evening from an old friend who was county judge at the time, asking her if she would step into a position that was being vacated and would she consider running for County Treasurer. She served Hays County with distinction, honor, grace and humor, never with a hint of scandal. She is an exception to the rule in a world where so often, honesty and grace seems to be lacking. She plays by the rules and perhaps a bit naively she expects the same from anyone she knows. She was raised in a generation where your handshake and your verbal promise was your word. Traveling and spending time with her grandchildren, friends and family takes up most of Dottie’s time these days, but she is still actively involved in supporting San Marcos and the community that has given her so much and where she has given much more in return. If you can’t get her via e-mail or on her cell, you might try and catch a glimpse of her having a "pig" at Dixie Cream ("Myrtle’s Office"), sipping on a malt at Center Point Station, eating lunch at Garcia’s, or around town in her silver caddie, sporting her green Chamber of Commerce Ambassador jacket in route to a ribbon cutting, racing by the post office, silver haired and stylishly dressed and yes, still wearing those legendary high heels! She is without a doubt one of a kind and the ultimate lady. – Nom. by Kay Posey and Michele Frazier
1944 - Patty Sherrill Sullivan grew up in San Marcos. She married the love of her life, Jake, in 1946, and her son, Clay was born in 1952. Professionally, Patty was a pioneer female bank executive when few women held such high positions in the finance world. She was vice president of First Federal Savings and Loan and later served on the board of Balcones Bank. Her husband, Jake was appointed Postmaster of San Marcos by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967, and the Sullivans were active in political circles for many years. Today, she counts among her lifelong friends legislators, congressmen, and other public officials. U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett said, “San Marcos is fortunate to have long had Patty Sullivan’s active involvement for so many good causes, and I am fortunate to have had her friendship for over 30 years.” In the realm of community service, she has for served several decades on the San Marcos Parks and Recreation Board and as an Ambassador for the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce. She has been named a life member of the Texas State University Development Foundation. Among her honors, she received the Texas State Alumni Association’s Key of Excellence Award, was named to the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame, and has received the Beta Sigma Phi Woman of the Year award. Through all of her accomplishments, Patty takes the most pride in her son, Clay Sullivan and his wife, Carol; her grandchildren, Seth and Lindsey and her absolutely perfect great-grandchildren.
1953 - Handler Smith was born at home in downtown San Marcos, near what is currently the Alkek Library at Texas State University. His heart has remained in San Marcos for more than 70 years. After a long career in banking in San Marcos, he refocused his attentions to real estate development. He is currently developing the final sections of the old family ranch, all of which has become Willow Creek Estates, one of San Marcos’ most prestigious subdivisions. Smith has been instrumental in economic development and the chamber of commerce for decades. Smith has been privileged to see San Marcos grow from a population of 6000 to where we are today – and has been active in the development of San Marcos as a leading tourism and industrial center for the state. Smith has two sons, Bucky and Duncan, and one daughter, Melissa. He has been active in SMHS sports, with two sons and several grandchildren. Smith’s sons and oldest grandson have made their marks in the Rattler sports. This year, Smith’s grandson, Tate is a two-year letterman and starting quarterback for the Rattlers. Smith and his wife, Leslie spend much of their time traveling, playing golf and enjoying the grandchildren.
1954 - Ross King was born in Del Rio and a year later moved with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence King, to San Marcos, where he has lived ever since. At San Marcos High School, he was a member of the Rattler 1953 basketball team that placed third in the state. Ross was a member of the band for all four years of high school and was drum major and was also voted “Senior Class Favorite.” Ross was a member of the San Marcos City Council from 1969 to 1973 and was Mayor Pro-Tem for part of that time. For 20 years, Ross was a member of the San Marcos Rotary Club and served as president in 1966. He is presently serving on the board of directors for International Studies at Texas State University and the San Marcos Baptist Academy. Ross grew up in the First Baptist Church of San Marcos where he currently serves as deacon. But what has been perhaps his most exciting and life-changing experience was going to Kazakhstan, a former Soviet Union Republic, with his wife Martha. They went as members of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission and he served as an instructor at the Kazakhstan Institute of Management and Economics, the only Western-type Master of Business Administration program in the former Soviet Union. His work has played a major role in the privatization of the Soviet agriculture in Kazakhstan. He is the founder and President of Crown World Wide and Anchor Investments, Inc.
1954 – Jimmie Scott - In 1996, Jimmie retired as executive vice president of San Marcos Baptist Academy, bringing to a close a distinguished 37-year career in education. In addition to his achievements in that field, he has been active in community and church activities throughout his adult life. Those who know Jimmie can attest to the personal qualities that define his unimpeachable character: faith, integrity, generosity, compassion and diligence. Early in his teaching career, Jimmie was recruited by Ambassador Bill Crook (then Academy President) to become an administrator at San Marcos Baptist Academy. As a result of his dedicated and effective service, he was eventually promoted to the position of vice president for academic affairs and later executive vice president, Along with President Jack Byrom, Jimmie led the school through the negotiation and sale of its downtown campus to Southwest Texas State University in the late 1970’s. He continued to lead the Academy through the design and construction of the school’s present campus and the move to its present location in 1980. When he retired from the Academy in 1996, Jimmie was presented with the Exemplary Service Medal, the school’s highest honor, recognizing him for “distinguished service to God and man through Christian education.” Although no longer full time, he scarcely slowed down after his retirement. He continued to serve the Academy part-time in the areas of recruitment, development and accreditation for another six years and was named to the Board of Trustees in 2004. In 2008, as vice chairman of the Board, he served as part of the search committee that selected Dr. John Garrison as the Academy’s 13th and current president. In 2009, he was named chairman of the Board of Trustees, a position he continues to hold. Another recent ministry he has taken on is Coaches Outreach, through which he offers encouragement and provides Bible study opportunities to local coaches at the high school and university level. His daughter, Shelley Scott Henry said in her nomination letter, “My father is an incredibly humble person. He would never seek recognition for himself and would probably feel unworthy of the Distinguished Alumnus Award. But whether one measures success in terms of career achievement, faithful church and community service, leadership through consistent demonstration of character, or devotion and dedication to family, my father is the most successful person I know.” Jimmie was nominated by his daughter, Shelley Scott Henry and his SMHS classmate Ross King.
1955- Frank Contreras, current Director of the Center for Migrant Education, Migrant Education Coordination Services Contract (MECSC) and the CAMP Grant at Texas State University-San Marcos. In her nomination of Frank, Gloria Salazar wrote, “My nominee has spent his lifetime quietly and steadfastly improving the lives of migrant workers and their children. The son of migrant farm workers, Frank experienced first hand the realities and hardships of the migrant lifestyle and the difficulty it presented in securing a high school diploma. Yet he persevered. He graduated from San Marcos High School and continued his education at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University-San Marcos). He did not give up. His vita says it all! He is a state, national and bi-national leader in migrant education. In 2000 he was honored with the Ohtli Award, by the Mexican government for helping strengthen a binational education program between the US and Mexico. Franks efforts reach out and help children not only locally, but also all over the United States. He is touching lives today and impacting our future by preparing our leaders for tomorrow. Nom. by: Gloria Salazar
1956 - Dolores Crittendon, another San Marcos native, proudly graduated from the first integrated class of San Marcos High School in 1956. Crittendon has been a role model in San Marcos, devoting her life to God, her family and her community. A part time job with Community Action in 1968, led to a lifelong career in social work. She worked for 26 years for the Department of Human Services and upon retirement, has taken a part time job with the local unit of the Salvation Army, where she can continue to do what she loves. She has helped thousands of individuals through social service, and has received many honors and awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dunbar Heritage Association and induction into the San Marcos Women’s Hall of Fame. She has also been honored by Governor Ann Richards for her support of Partnership of Drug Free San Marcos; and earned an award from State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn for her support of Family Pathfinders. Crittendon has been an inspiration to many who have learned through example the importance of community service. Crittendon describes herself as first and foremost a Child of God, and is proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In spite of hardships and difficult times, she has continued to focus on the needs of others rather than her own. Dolores is proud of her three daughters, all of whom are SMHS graduates. Denise Harris has been with Texas State University for 27 years, and is currently an Admin III in the Office of the Provost. She has two children and three grandchildren, all products of the San Marcos school system.
1956 – Harry Max Reasoner was born in San Marcos to Joyce and Harry E. Reasoner. Harry is married to Elizabeth Macey Hodges. They have two children, Barrett Hodges Reasoner and Elizabeth Macey Reasoner Stokes. Upon graduation from SMHS as a National Merit Scholar, Harry attended Rice University where he graduated summa cum laude in 1960 with a B.A. in philosophy. His postgraduate work was at the University of Texas School of Law, where he edited the Texas Law Review, and graduated with honors in 1962. He was a Rotary Foundation Fellow at the University of London in 1962-1963, where he studied international law. The University of Texas School of Law, the University of Texas, and Rice University have honored him as a distinguished alumnus. He has been a recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa Outstanding Alumnus Award. He has received the Lifetime Excellence in Advocacy Award from the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists.
1956 - Judge William Walter “Bud” Burnett was born in San Marcos in 1938, the son of Walter John and Willie Maud Burnett. As a boy, he split his time between his family’s 4,000-acre cattle ranch on the Blanco River outside Wimberley, and San Marcos, where he attended school. Following his graduation from San Marcos High School in 1956, Bud attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State), earning a bachelors degree in history. Following his graduation, he continued to work in the family’s ranching business, which was established in Hays County in 1911.Judge Burnett has also made contributions to the community through his work for the Pedernales Electric Cooperative, which first brought electricity to the rural Texas Hill Country in the late 1930s. He has served on the PEC board of directors for 38 years, including the last 25 years as president. During that time, he has overseen PEC's growth into the largest electric cooperative in the United States and a $1 billion public utility corporation with more than 700 employees and 200,000 members. Judge Burnett has also been an active member of St. Marks Episcopal Church and is the past president of the Southwest Texas State University Development Foundation. A father of three, Bud and his wife Frances now divide their time between the family ranch in Wimberley, and his ranching business in Duran, New Mexico.
1956 – Virginia “Bitsy” Cox Witte - A career educator, Virginia Witte’s lessons did not stop when the final bell rang at the end of the school day. A native of San Marcos and a cancer survivor, she did not simply celebrate her own good fortune in “beating the devil at his own game,” but reached out to others who have been diagnosed and walked along beside them as they struggled down that difficult path she had walked. On May 5, 1998, the city of San Marcos proclaimed Virginia Witte Day in San Marcos. She received the Heritage Association’s Most Worthy Citizen Award for Education; the Principal’s Outstanding Educator Award - from two different principals during her tenure; and the National Presidential Classroom Award for Education. Locally, she has made her mark on the San Marcos Sesquicentennial Commission, the San Marcos Historic Preservation Commission, the San Marcos Performing Arts Association, innumerable Veterans Day and Memorial Day planning committees, United Way of Hays County, American Cancer Society, political campaign support and the cemetery.
1958 - Joyce Abel, a 1958 graduate of San Marcos High School, could be described as The Renaissance Woman of San Marcos. Deemed “The Original Texas Country Lady,” she worked with Hollywood costume designer Edith Head, in the early 1980s. She toured Europe and studied in London and Paris. Her world-renowned work is devoted to elegant eveningwear and designs for special occasions for women of all ages. Elegant couture designs, coordinated basics and Texas glitz are all dimensions of her creations. Abel has designed and consulted with celebrities from all fields, and is highly acclaimed in the Texas fine arts arena. She has designed wedding gowns for national newsmakers; awards show gowns for celebrity wives, and many other special events fashions. She has a signature flair that is recognized around the world and is highly regarded in the industry. An early kidney transplant recipient, as well as a cancer survivor, Abel appreciates doctors but celebrates the philosophy that “God’s In Charge!” She deems herself a living miracle as she continues to devote herself to her husband of 44 years, Herold; her son, daughter, and grandchildren, her church, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and friends. Her grandchildren call her “Mame,” because of her “Auntie Mame” attitude and spirit from the 1950s Broadway production and 1960s musical that starred Rosaland Russell and Lucille Ball. “Life is a banquet!” and Joyce Abel has traveled far from San Marcos High School and come home again to celebrate her success at the place where it all began.
1960 - Dr. Tino Villanueva is an acclaimed Chicano poet, award-winning author, publisher, and editor of Imagine: International Chicano Poetry Journal. He is currently the Preceptor in Spanish, Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures in the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University. Fellow classmates John A. Diaz and Rusty Phillips nominated Tino.
1960 - William C “Bill” Pennington - Bill Pennington was born in January of 1942 in the old San Marcos Hospital to Edra and Willard Pennington. Bill is married to Linda Kyle Pennington (SMHS Class of ’63) and they have a daughter, Kristin Pennington Wingard (SMHS Class of ’86) and a son, William Collier Pennington Jr. (SMHS Class of ’89); and three grandchildren, Matti Wingard, Emma Kyle Pennington and William C. “Trip” Pennington. Bill attended Texas State University and graduated from Commonwealth College of Science in 1961. A second generation funeral director and owner, Bill proudly followed in the footsteps of his parents before him and today is the successful owner of Pennington Funeral Home, McCurdy Funeral Home and Memory Lawn Memorial Park. Bill presently serves as president of the Texas Funeral Directors Association. Bill is an active civic and community leader, serving on the finance committee and endowment committee of First United Methodist Church; the Central Texas Medical Foundation Board of Directors, Texas State Bobcat Athletic Foundation, the Upper San Marcos Water Shed Reclamation and Flood Central District, and the Texas State University Development Foundation. In addition to truly knowing where “all the bodies are buried,” Bill Pennington proves his rock steady timing as a pretty good bass player. Bill is the original bass player for Roy Head and the Traits. After a few months of weekly Tuesday night practice, down at Pennington’s, Bill was joined by the old gang – as Roy Head and the Traits took the stage at the LBJ Student Center for a sold out performance of their historic final concert on Saturday, October 20, 2007.
1961 - John Diaz was born on Feb. 16, 1943 in San Marcos and raised in a family of business entrepreneurs that cultivated a love for learning. He is a product of the San Marcos public school system and graduated from SMHS in 1961. During his high school career, he was a member of the acapella choir for four years and began to use his artistic talents for school projects. This was the beginning of recognizing his creative abilities and using art to express messages or to market products. John attended the Texas School of Fine Arts in Austin where he took commercial art classes. While pursuing his art education, John married his high school sweetheart Mary Elena Contreras in 1965, and they are celebrating 41 years of marriage. They have two daughters, Cindy and Yolanda, both SMHS graduates. He was elected to the San Marcos City Council in May of 2003, and he is currently serving as the mayor pro-tem for the city. He was appointed to fill a one-year term to the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees in 2001. John has also been appointed to serve on various city and county boards throughout his career.
1961 – Dale Linebarger - Thirty years ago, Dale Linebarger established a law firm that has grown into the largest of its kind in the United States, specializing in the collection of delinquent taxes and fees for governmental agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service. A 1961 graduate of SMHS, Dale recently sold interest in the Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Simpson firm. That means he and his wife Libby should have more time to enjoy recreational interests, including hiking and traveling the United States in their motor home. However, he has signed on to serve as the senior advisor to his old law firm. Although they now live in a condominium near downtown Austin, the Linebargers lived for many years near Buda. After graduating from SMHS, Dale graduated from Texas State University in 1966. He attended St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, receiving a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1972, and earning his law license the same year. While in law school, Dale worked fulltime, leaving a position as a supervisor of litigation for USAA in 1973, to establish the law firm. During the last decade, he and his associates expanded into representing taxing agencies in other states and were recently selected as one of three firms in the nation to handle tax collection problems for the IRS. The firm has offices in many Texas cities, but Dale has always maintained his central office in Austin — close to his Staples and San Marcos roots.
1962 - Linda Gregg Fields is a graduate of both San Marcos High School and Texas State University who has dedicated her life to community services and philanthropic causes. She has demonstrated her commitment through her service with the American Cancer Society and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Linda and her husband Jerry Fields were recently recognized for their generous support of Texas State University, which has named the newly designed Bobcat Stadium Westside Complex in their honor. Linda was nominated by Diana and Mark Hendricks and the Hon. Kim Porterfield.
1962 - Richard E. “Rusty” Phillips, Ph.D. R.E. (Rusty) Phillips currently is Vice President, Research and Clinical Alliances for The Sorin Group, in Austin. The Sorin Group is a diverse, global medical products company with corporate offices in Milan, Italy. Rusty’s current responsibilities include implementing and managing research and clinical alliances globally for The Sorin Group. He also maintains responsibility as a technical gatekeeper for new product technology in the cardiac surgery technical application arena. Rusty has more than thirty-five years industrial experience in polymer research and development, marketing technical support, and quality assurance of commodity and engineering thermoplastics, and most recently, biomaterials and implantable devices. He has fifteen patents and has authored numerous publications and presentations in polymer, tissue and implant product technology. Rusty received his BS in Chemistry from Southwest Texas State University and his MS and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry from the University of New Mexico. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, the Society of Plastics Engineers, the American Society for Artificial Organs, the American Association for Medical Instrumentation, the Society for Biomaterials, and the Surfaces in Biomaterials Foundation. Rusty Phillips graduated in 1962 from San Marcos High School as an Honor Graduate. Some of the highlights during those great years were playing football. basketball, track. He was a Captain of both the football and track teams his senior year and was named “Mr. Football” in 1962. He was in the National Honor Society and was chosen as a class favorite and Most Popular, as a senior. Rusty is proud and grateful for the opportunity to play for and be coached by Owen Goodnight in football and Bill Krueger in basketball. At one time in his career, Coach Krueger was the winningest high school basketball coach in the United States.
1962 – John Burton Roberts – John was one of the most popular students in the class of 1062, and was honored as a senior class favorite. He participated in football and theatre and served as class officer. John’s professional history is very strong in business management, specifically as it involves the tourism and travel industry. He began his journey in tourism while at Texas State, where he worked at Aquarena Springs. From his days at Aquarena and covering a 35 year history since then, he distinguished himself as an important figure in global tourism, having risen to the top management position at Anheuser-Busch Entertainment. John was chairman of the board and president of Busch Entertainment corporation for nine of his thirty years with Anheuser-Busch Corporation. He directed the company’s ten facilities with revenues in excess of $800 million and 16 thousand employees. John has also served on the Boards of the Texas Tourism Industry Association and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. John was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas State University in 1995 and delivered the Commencement Address at Texas State that same year. nominated by Dr. R.E. “Rusty” Phillips, one of our 2007 Distinguished alums.
1964 - Reece Morrison was born in the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma in 1945 and moved to San Marcos with his family in 1952. He quickly found a niche in sports, through encouragement from Principal James Farmer, who remains a close friend to this day. As a Rattler, Morrison was a class favorite for all four years of his high school career, graduating in 1964. A natural athlete, he excelled in basketball, track and football and received a full athletic scholarship to Texas State University (then Southwest Texas), where he earned a BS in education and lettered all four years. He was inducted into the Texas State “T” Association’s Hall of Honor in 1985. Selected in the third round of the 1968 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, he played running back behind Hall of Farmer Leroy Kelly. He later played with the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers. Upon his retirement from football, Morrison fished professionally in Bass Pro Tournaments for more than a decade, sponsored by the Cotton Cordel Lure Company In 1990, Morrison ran for a seat on the SMCISD Board of Trustees, which he held for 12 years, serving as vice president for the final two years of his tenure. Under his leadership on the board, San Marcos schools experienced the most significant growth in history. While with the Cleveland Browns, Morrison became involved with teammate Bill Glass and his Evangelist team, sharing his testimony at a Billy Graham Crusade at Cleveland Stadium. He continues to serve as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Kyle. Morrison married his high school sweetheart, Beverley Posey. They have a son, Preston Morrison of San Marcos; a daughter and son-in-law, Robert and Laura Morrison Gary of Seattle; and a one-year old granddaughter, Makenna Morrison Gary, also of Seattle, Washington, the pride and joy of the Morrison family.
1965 - Dr. Janet Barton Speer is a renowned theater instructor, choreographer, play write, director and actress with credits in more than 500 theatrical productions. She currently serves as the Virginia McKenzie Reeves Endowed Chair of Performing Arts and Distinguished Professor at Lees-McRae College in North Carolina. This year, she received outstanding educator and Distinguished Professor at Lees-McRae. In addition, she is a published author of two books, SHADOWS OVER MY BERLIN and SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE and the author of approximately 40 plays. Janet was nominated by her mother Hazel Barton.
1965 - Frank T. Arredondo Frank Arredondo has made substantial contributions to both the San Marcos community and his profession through his selfless acts of leadership, volunteerism and activism. Arredondo served as San Marcos mayor, city council member and planning and zoning commissioner in the 1970s. As founder of the local chapter of the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC) #654, Arredondo set on course an active group that has made positive contributions to the San Marcos community through its scholarship activities, community activism and civic engagement initiatives. He is also a successful entrepreneur, having founded a small business. Currently, the acting field director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Arredondo has a long, distinguished career that includes a stint as executive director of Community Action of Hays, Caldwell and Blanco counties, program monitor for the Texas Department. of Housing and Community Affairs, owner of an insurance company, manager of a restaurant, Deputy Director for the Governor’s Office, an officer with the Urban Renewal Agency, a mainframe operator with the university and a non-commissioned officer with the U.S. Marine Corps Joint Chief of Staffs. He has been active in many civic organizations, including LULAC, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Gary Job Corps Community Relations Council, Central Texas Higher Education Authority, and the hospital board. He has served as chair of the Hays County Appraisal Board and many officer positions in school booster clubs and PTOs. His involvement with LULAC energized young Hispanic men, many of whom have become involved in local civic activities, serving as elected officials and on city and county appointed commissions. This group ignited the local celebration of Cinco De Mayor, which has generated more than $200,000 in college scholarships for local youth.
1965 - Randall Morris - Innovative entrapraneur Randall Morris is a native of Wimberley. Committed to the San Marcos community, he attended San Marcos public schools, graduating in 1965. Upon graduation, Randall enlisted in the Army. He served during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany. Randall returned to San Marcos in 1968 and began working toward a degree at then-Southwest Texas State University. While in college, he started a rock mason business, graduating in 1974 with a degree in Business Administration. Married to Kathy in 1970, the couple made San Marcos their home, and it has been for over thirty years. Randall and Kathy have two sons; both were raised in San Marcos and attended San Marcos Public Schools. Kathy Morris served as mayor of San Marcos from 1988 to 1996.In 1978, Randall obtained his real estate license and began working at Wimberley land Company, which he later purchased. In September of 1980 he opened his first Real Estate Company in Wimberley. Since then Randall has expanded his business by opening a real estate office in New Braunfels. The three offices house more than 55 brokers and agents as well as several employees. All three of the Randall Morris and Associates offices are thriving examples of the aggressive, honest, real estate firm that Randall has built through the years. Randall recognizes the importance of giving back to his community. Just in the past six years, Randall has donated more than 170 acres of property to various community entities. The most recent donation was 16.5 acres of land to the San Marcos Independent School District for construction of the new Bowie Elementary School. He also donated 20 acres to the Village of San Marcos, a “one-stop shop” for local social agencies, youth sports and other services. Other generous donations include a total of almost 150 acres of parkland to the City of San Marcos and a tract on Thorpe Lane to Hays County. Randall has served as director of the Chamber of Commerce, board member for the San Marcos Area Board of Realtors, on the Planning and Zoning commission of the city of San Marcos and on numerous committees of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Marcos.
1965 - Richard Cruz is another worthy recipient of the first annual Distinguished Alumni Award. Cruz graduated from San Marcos High School in 1965 and went directly into the United States Army. He served proudly in Viet Nam receiving the Purple Heart in 1967. He returned home and earned a degree from Durham’s Business College in 1969. He continued his education and received BA of Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas State University in 1989. He has been employed by Texas State University for more than 35 years, in the Information Technology Resources Division, and served as a member of the Hispanic Policy Network at Texas State University, which is now one of the leading Hispanic–serving institutions of higher education in Texas. Cruz’ honorable discharge from the Army didn’t end his public service career. Cruz has participated in all levels of community volunteerism and service, ranging from serving as chair of the City Housing Authority Board for more than 15 years, a precinct election judge, various search committees for school district leaders, and many other commissions, boards and committees. Cruz has also been very active in San Marcos service organizations. A charter member of the San Marcos League of United Latin American Citizens, he served as its president for two terms. . In leadership roles, he took the reins of many local events and organizations that have helped to shape the community. He served as general chairman of the Viva! Cinco De Mayo State Menudo Championship, and the St. John’s Credit Union Loan Committee Chair for more than 20 years. Cruz continues to honor his brothers in arms, as the founder and project leader for the Hays County Veterans Memorial. The Veterans Memorial raised more than $180,000 to create a monument in San Marcos to honor its fallen military heroes through the years from World War II through Desert Storm as well as all who have served in all branches of the military through the years. Richard is married to Stella Cruz and they have raised three children, James P. Cruz, Melissa A. Cruz, and Richard Rene Cruz, all graduates of San Marcos High School. They all followed in their father’s footsteps in community service.
1965 - The Hon. Becky Sierra Former Justice of the Peace Becky Sierra is a highly respected, local trailblazer. At the age of 25, Sierra was selected by the Hays County Commissioners Court to serve as the Place 2 Justice of the Peace. Sierra continued to serve in her elected role from 1973 until her retirement in 2002. Becky’s service, tenacity, dedication, compassion for her community, and work ethic has inspired other San Marcos residence to pursue public offices. Sierra now serves as a Funeral Director with Thomason Funeral Home in San Marcos. Becky was nominated by Gloria Salazar.
1965 – Loraine Harper Harrison serves as a role model for everyone she comes in contact with through her public service, support of education, personal and professional achievement, and dedication to family. Currently the mayor of Martindale, Loraine has a long history of service to others, an entrepreneurial spirit, outstanding support of education and a strong faith that has guided her to personal and professional success. At San Marcos High School, she was the head cheerleader. She was the State of Texas winner in Extemporaneous Speaking, a talent that her friends can attest that she still has! She also received a variety of other academic and spirit recognitions during her Rattler years. At what was then Southwest Texas State University, she was a member of the Strutters dance team. She graduated with a Home Economic Degree in 1967 and has supported our university up on the hill for the past 45 years, serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas State Alumni Association and in several other leadership roles. As the Mayor of Martindale, she is quite the celebrity as she leads this former cotton town through a resurgence. A downtown museum features her wedding dress. Her family’s legacy with Central Texas started in 1928, when her father, Robert Harper, started up the seed company, with its huge, silver cylindrical silos on Main Street. The town grew to include an insurance office, a filling station, seven cotton gin companies, three stores, a bank, a post office, an auto dealership and a cafe. Cotton trucks rumbled through town, hauling 60 percent of the state's cotton past the Baptist church that would shape town politics for decades. Loraine is the steady hand, the strong, independent advocate that continues to shepherd Martindale into the future while respecting its past. Harrison Partners Realty, Loraine and Les’ real estate venture is very successful. With a team of experienced employees and brokers, Loriane’s personal commitment to excellence and service, along with her outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, has paved the path for their firm to become one of the leading Realtor companies serving both Caldwell and Hays Counties. Loraine feels her greatest accomplishment is sharing life with her husband of 43 years, Les Harrison, and raising their three children, Laura, David, and Tish. Loraine was nominated by her SMHS classmate Connie Davidson Mitchell.
1969 - Charles Soechting’s roots run deep in San Marcos and Hays County. His family lives within ten miles of where five generations of his family settled in the mid-1800s. He comes from strong German stock, and credits his father with much of the grit and determination that has helped him face formidable opponents from cancer to courtrooms, and has catapulted him to national acclaim in both legal and political arenas. Charles has amassed a lot of “firsts” since graduating from San Marcos High School. He is a first generation to earn a college degree – and in his case, three: his associates, his bachelors, and his law degree – as well completing the DPS Training Academy. As a state trooper, Charles was the first minority recruiter for the Texas Department of Public Safety. When you look at the DPS today, it looks a lot different than it did four decades ago, and he is proud of his part in that effort. Charles has long been a senior attorney with The O’Quinn Law Firm in Houston, one of the finest law firms in the country. He is proud to have counted John O’Quinn as a personal friend as well as professional colleague and was honored to serve as a pall bearer at O’Quinn’s funeral. Charles has obtained some of the more notable medical malpractice verdicts ever awarded in Texas, and he was very instrumental as one of the architects of the litigation that derailed Tom DeLay. Charles has combined leadership, talent, energy, passion, desire and ability into a way to truly make a difference in peoples’ lives, through both politics and the legal system. Whether using politics to affect legal changes or using the law to affect political changes, he has crafted and coordinated positive changes in both systems. And he has effectively movitated a lot of people working collaboratively to effect these changes. In addition to his professional efforts, Charles has been very influential in political circles. He was first elected Hays County Democratic Chairman in March 2002, was appointed the General Counsel for the Texas Democratic Party in 2002 and then won a special election as Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party in October 2003, in a heated race with seven opponents. He was reelected State Party Chair by acclimation at the 2004 Texas Democratic Party Convention in Houston and served until April 2006. Additionally, he served on the Democratic National Committee, and chaired the Texas Delegation to the National Democratic Convention in Boston. Since he has stepped back from the inner-political arena, Charles has enjoyed being back in the business of being a fulltime lawyer. He is making plans to focus much of his practice and profession in San Marcos in the coming years, and is looking forward to the day that his son, a lawyer in the Dallas Metroplex, will join him in practice. Among his most valued treasures are the relationships Charles developed with his teachers through the years. First among them are his first debate coach, Mike Moeller, and mentor Carroll Wiley. Through all of his accomplishments and accolades through the years, Charles admits the greatest single success of his life has been his marriage to Elizabeth. She has helped him raise his son, Charles, Jr. when he was a single parent, and gave them two beautiful daughters, Ashley and Caroline. Charles was nominated by former teacher and mentor Mike Moeller and longtime friend Lyndon Nugent.
1969 - Dolores “Dea” Aguirre McAllister is an artistic director, producer and acting coach with the Palmdale Playhouse in Palmdale, California. Her theatrical dreams, which began at San Marcos High School and flourished at then Southwest Texas State University, have launched her into a television career that has included key roles on Country Music Television, The Nashville Network, and the Los Angeles Children’s Theatre. She has a long list of credits in movies, theatre and commericals as well. As an actress and director she has had the opportunity to work with actors such as Edward James Olmos and Kevin Costner; as well as musical performers Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks. Dea was nominated by classmate Kay Posey.
1969 - Melba Vasquez One of the most powerful female psychologist leaders in Texas, Melba Vasquez graduated from San Marcos High School in 1969. She received a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Texas. Dr. Vasquez has made a number of exceptional contributions to the advancement of health service psychology in both ethics and multicultural practice. She is a leader in psychological and treatment ethics. Dr. Vasquez is a psychologist in a full-time, independent practice in Austin that she owns, Vasquez and Associates Mental Health Services. Dr. Vasquez has been a national leader in multicultural psychotherapy. Her accomplishments have led organized psychology into a more inclusive, culturally responsive practice. She has authored and published extensively in the areas of professional ethics, ethnic minority psychology, psychology of women, and supervision and training. She is the co-author of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: a Practical Guide and of How to Survive and Thrive as a Therapist: Information, Ideas and Resources for Psychologists in practice .Dr. Vasquez is the president of the Texas Psychological Association and a former president of APA Division 35, Society of Psychology of Women, and 17, Society of Counseling Psychology. She has received national and state numerous awards, including: the Alfred M. Wellner Senior Career Psychologist Award from the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. the James M. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association in 2004. Psychologist of the Year from Texas Psychological Association in 2003. Senior Career Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest from the American Psychological Association in 2002. And, the Distinguished Leader for Women in Psychology Award from the Committee of Women in Psychology of the American Psychological Association in 2002.
1969 - Ruben Ruiz , Jr. Ruben Ruiz, Jr. is well-known locally and nationally for his efforts to help Hispanics seize opportunities to develop financial independence, a career that began with outstanding civic involvement here in San Marcos. Ruiz’ selfless career and civic goals are reflective of his family legacy of public service inspired by his father, Ruben Ruiz, Sr., the first Hispanic city councilman, first Hispanic mayor pro- tem and first Hispanic Hays county commissioner As President and CEO of The Ruiz Financial Group and several other companies, Ruiz teaches, educates, and provides consulting services to clients and associates in wealth management and financial planning. A successful author, award-winning financial strategist and advisor, Ruiz wrote The One Hour Hispanic Millionaire to provide Hispanics with a “Bible of Knowledge” on how to create their own financial blueprint. Since its release in 2006, the book – along with Ruiz’s expertise – has helped many Hispanic Americans realize the potential of achieving financial success. He has made it his personal mission to help 100,000 Hispanics across the country become wealthy, millionaires, or financially independent within the next 10 years. Among his professional achievements is the 2007 Wells Fargo Hispanic Businessman of the Year - Region III award presented by the U.S Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; the 2007 Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) Business Man of the Year award; and more than 30 awards from the private and non-profit sectors for his leadership and business success. Ruiz is a role model for local youth, having graduated from both San Marcos High School and with a BBA in Marketing from Texas State University. He remains active with both of his alma mater, as a member of the Texas State University Board on Estate Planning and the university’s Alumni Association, as well as a leader in organizing and supporting class reunions for SMHS. Ruiz’ dedication and commitment to help others become financially independent has not only amassed local, state and national acclaim, it has helped change the lives of countless people by providing them the opportunity to benefit from financial planning and wealth management.
1969- Dr. Liz Champagne Outstanding educator – international Fullbright Scholar; Developed a successful communication plan as a team member for a $647 million bond plan. Developed the PR Liaisons group for designated professional administrators to market their individual campuses identifying with the district mission, message and campus points of pride. Delivered credible responses as spokesperson for the district in sensitive and high-profile media inquiries concerning students, staff and school district incidents. Established a business partnership program for the school district with $500,000 in annual donations, coordinated the 8,000 volunteers in Klein public schools, provided training, management of program and data base. Envisioned, produced and posted twenty high energy videos to market the benefits of the school district for public information. Very active in civic and church organizations – credits outstanding teachers in her childhood with her passion for public education nom. by:Dr. Gerald Champagne and Barbara Tidwell
1971 - Dawn Breihan-Hopp is a life-long educator who continues to serve the San Marcos CISD as a physical education teacher. Dawn has demonstrated a passion for her students’ emotional and physical health through energetic encouragement and inspirational leadership. She has earned the Outstanding Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year for Texas, and received the AAHPERD Southern District Teacher of the Year award as well. Dawn was one of six finalists for the AAHPERD National Teacher of the Year. Dawn’s spirit and advocacy for living a heart healthy lifestyle has been recognized by the San Marcos Lion’s Club, Texas State University, American Heart Association, and the United States Jump Rope Federation. Dawn was nominated by classmate Cindy Ray.
1973 - Tricia Tingle Tricia attended the San Marcos public schools from 1964 until she graduated from high school in 1973. In 1978, Tricia graduated from Texas State University with a bachelors degree in education. In 1990, she graduated from law school and was admitted to the Texas Bar Association. She moved back to San Marcos to practice law. In 1991, Tricia founded the Texas Indian Bar Association, which is now the American Indian Law Section of the Texas Bar Association. She served as National President of this organization from 1992-1993. In 1994, Tricia moved to Washington DC where she began working for the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice, enforcing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – and specifically focusing on the language provision of the Act. While in the Civil Rights Division, she traveled extensively throughout the United states and began to understand the enormous diversity in each state’s voting practices. While she is no longer enforcing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in a professional capacity, she remains committed to seeing that all citizens have an opportunity to cast their ballots properly. From 2000 to 2003, Tricia was an assistant solicitor for the US Department of the Interior representing the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington DC. While at the Solicitor’s office, she assisted the Office of Indian Education in implementing the “No Child Left Behind Act” for the 200+ Bureau of Indian Affairs schools located all over the nation. For the last 4-1/2 years, Tricia and her husband John Scull, have lived in Minneapolis Minnesota. Tricia has worked as an assistant US Attorney for the US Attorney’s Office in the District of Minnesota. She presently prosecutes crimes in Indian Country, child pornography crimes, identity theft and fraud crimes, federal firearms crimes and bank robberies. In 2005, Tricia was recognized as a Distinguished Alumna by Texas State University-San Marcos and was awarded an Outstanding Texas State Woman’s Alumna Award in 2006. She now serves on the College of Liberal Arts Development Advisory Board for Texas State. Tricia is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Daughter of the Republic of Texas. She is a seventh generation Texan. Tricia’s parents, Boyd and Pat Tingle, still reside in the San Marcos area.
1974 David Peterson - A Rattler through and through, San Marcos High School 1974 Graduate David Peterson holds many awards and recognitions from his outstanding tenure as a law enforcement professional, community volunteer and trailblazer for African Americans in Hays County. He served the Hays County Sheriff’s Office for more than 20 years before becoming a respected elected official. His roles at the Sheriff’s department included patrol deputy, sergeant, serving on the mounted patrol, warrants and extradition duties. In 2008, he was elected to the Office of Hays County Constable Place One—with no general election opponent. David has dedicated his life to public safety (and perfecting the art of barbecue) in San Marcos and Hays County. With a life dedicated to service to others, David stands tall as a role model for our community’s youth and others because of his honesty, integrity and dedication. He blazed the path for African Americans in law enforcement and Hays County—he was the first African American Hays County Sheriff’s deputy. and the first African American to win a county-elected office. He cites his parents, Amgine and Elmus Peterson, for instilling love of community and service to others in him from a young age. His volunteerism, especially benefit barbeque events, is legendary in these parts. He has cooked literally thousands of pounds of barbeque to help with countless benefits. But he’s also an award-winning competitive cook. His team, “Four Moose BBQ” made up of David, his son and his brother, have won more than 160 trophies. He has coordinated the annual Juneteenth celebration for the past 18 years, with such finesse that the event is one of the smoothest community events of the whole year. David makes it look easy, but we all know how much work these events are. David is also a huge advocate for his hometown, helping to promote San Marcos and Hays County as a destination for people from across the state. As our “unofficial” ambassador, he coordinates or supports several tourism events, such as the annual Trail Ride, Chuckwagon Demonstrations, the Wimberley VFW Rodeo, Kyle Fair and Music Festival, and other activities that showcase our community and its proud past. Some of David’s other community service activities include serving on the Rattler Round Up Steering Committee, Optimist Club, San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, American GI Forum, LULAC, NAACP, and Fraternal Order of Police. David was nominated by his friend and mentor, Retired Sheriff Don Montague.
1975 - Troy Kimmel is a 1975 graduate of SMHS. He continued his education at Texas A&M; University, earning a degree in geography in 1983. Since graduating from college, Troy has risen to the top of his field — that of chief meteorologist for several area television stations, and numerous radio stations. He provides real-time meteorological support for business and commerce, including trip and game events and weather forecasts for the Texas A&M; University Athletic Department. Additionally, Troy teaches weather and climate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, and manages the Weather and Climate Resource Center at UT-Austin. Troy is well respected on the national level, and is an active board member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association. Troy is very active in community service in Austin, where he now makes his home including serving on the AIBA Airport Advisory Commission, as a lecturer at the Austin Police Department Training Academy, an advisory board member of the AIDS Services of Austin and the United Cerebral Palsy of Capital Area. He has been the co-host of numerous charity telethons. In the 31 years since Troy graduated from SMHS, he has not been a stranger to the San Marcos area. The son of Max and Diane Kimmel of San Marcos, Troy has made countless trips home to San Marcos schools to speak in classrooms as a guest lecturer on the topic of weather and on career opportunities in geography. He has worked with the SMPD detectives as a forensic weather expert, and has served as an emcee for countless San Marcos events. Troy has been named Best Meteorologist in Austin several times. He has chaired the Board of Broadcast Meteorology, and won Associated Press, Dallas Press Club, Austin Press Club and other broadcasting awards. He was granted the prestigious American Meteorological Society’s Weather Seal of Approval.
1977 Tony Walker - Sports are a way of life for Tony Walker and his family. Tony grew up in Martindale, where the Walker family name was synonymous with baseball, He was an All-District shortstop for the Rattlers in 1977, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds right out of high school, and was named to the Double A All-Star team twice during his seven-year tenure with the Reds organization. He returned to Central Texas to earn an associates degree in criminal justice from Austin Community College. He and his wife, Candie, have raised three children in the San Marcos schools, Jordon, Scooter and Kendall. Tony has coached Little League teams from 1998-2003. In his nomination, Terry Nichols said, “Tony has volunteered countless hours of his time to help hundreds of student athletes achieve their dreams. My daughter, Katie is at St. Mary’s University on a softball scholarship, and we thank Tony for helping to get her there.” He has served as a member of the Greater San Marcos Little League Board, coached select baseball for Grand Slam Baseball Academy, where he also worked as a hitting instructor. He has been giving private baseball lessons since 2005. Tony continues to advocate for youth fitness, and was recently reunited with his SMHS baseball coach, Peter Garza, and has been helping Coach Garza with baseball camp at the San Marcos Academy.
1978 - Rene Ruiz bleeds purple. A successful Realtor and former bank executive, his professional accomplishments are great. He has received honors and awards including Realtor of the Year and Citizen of the Year from the San Marcos Area Board of Realtors. He is an active alumnus and member of the Texas State University “T” Association, but his loyalty and support of public schools and San Marcos community take priority in his heart and on his planning calendar. Rene holds a bachelors degree from Texas State University in Finance, and a graduate degree from SMUs Southwestern Graduate School of Banking. He has been vice president of Frost Bank in San Marcos and a member of the Frost Bank Management Team, and is currently a successful Realtor. Rene has served on almost every board and foundation in San Marcos, including the Education Foundation, the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board, the Chamber of Commerce Board, the Viva Cinco De Mayo Festival Board, the St. John’s Catholic Church Fiesta Management Team, and more. He served as the first San Marcos High School Advisory Board chairman, and he organized the first five Rattler Roundup All Class Reunions, from 2005-2009. Rene has continued to be an instrumental part of the Rattler Roundup and the Alumni Association and has helped to organize the Purple Dot Golf Tournaments.
1979 - Sandra Cavazos - Her former journalism teacher wrote, “An accomplished attorney whose work has provided unlimited help and benefit to both corporate and individual clients, Sandra is one of the best examples of someone who benefited greatly from her experience at San Marcos High School and of growing up in this wonderful college/university town oh-so-many years ago.” She graduated from San Marcos High School in 1979. After graduating magna cum laude from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Sandra served in Washington DC in two Cabinet divisions, Justice and State. She was selected by U.S. District Court Judge William Hoeveler to serve as his law clerk for the prosecution and trial of deposed Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. She worked on the Noriega case for two years, during which time she dealt with issues involving international law and U.S. jurisdiction, classified information procedures and First Amendment press issues. A single mom, she realized soon after parenthood that she would need to provide generous financial support for her children and sought employment in the private sector. She then served in the U.S. Justice Department under the Clinton Administration as a Special Assistant to Deputy Attorney Generals Philip Heymann and Jamie Gorelick, where she worked on the Justice Department’s internal investigation of the FBI siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco. Sandra also worked as an appellate lawyer in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, where she was responsible for handling appeal litigation in state and federal court, reviewing applications for eavesdropping and electronic surveillance and advising trial lawyer on legal issues. While compiling an exemplary professional career, she is an equally dedicated and devoted single mother to Julia and Sam and provides a strong and nurturing environment for their growth and development. Today, Sandra Cavazos is special counsel in the New York office of Steptoe and Johnson, where she is a member of the Litigation Department, with a focus on appellate litigation. She represents clients in complex civil and criminal litigation matters, bringing the insight from her years of experience with the US Department of Justice to the complex legal problems that arise. Sandra learned the importance of public service at an early age, and she continues to do pro bono work for those who cannot afford professional counsel. She recently successfully sought and won US citizenship for an African woman who had been tortured under the dictatorial regime of her homeland. In his nomination letter, her high school journalism teacher said, “she quite literally saved this woman’s life – and has given her beyond that which she could have ever dreamed.” He continued to say, “In those confusing years of the late 1970s, I could definitely see that Sandra had something special – a gifted mind, a curiosity, and an innate sense of fairness and goodness. I loved her engagement then, and am so very proud of the adult she has become.” Sandra was nominated by her former journalism teacher, Ray Westbrook.
1981 - Darrell “Chip” Hamlin -- Darrell A. “Chip” Hamlin is currently a Senior Fellow at the Center for Civic Leadership, Fort Hays State University. He holds a B.A. in American Studies from Baylor University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from Rutgers University. As a graduate student in democratic political theory at Rutgers, Chip was a Walt Whitman Fellow at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, and he won the Svoboda prize for outstanding research and publication by a graduate student. As a faculty member of the Writing Program at Rutgers, he developed composition courses that integrated civic engagement into the curriculum. At Spring Hill College where he served as Assistant Professor of political science, Chip received the Life-Long Learning Teacher of the Year Award for his commitment to non-traditional students, and multiple awards for service to student life in extra-curricular activities. To pursue his passion for the unfolding narrative of democracy and citizenship, in 2008, Chip founded Civic Monkey, LLC as a vehicle for bringing untold stories of activism, service, and civic engagement to public attention through the mainstream media. As a consultant, he works with educational institutions to develop curricular components related to civic education. He is also a certified civic leadership coach, working directly with community players to facilitate progress on the local challenges of public life. His current book project is entitled Carrying the Torch: Turning Private Grief into Public Action. It is the story of a domestic violence reform advocate who was murdered by an ex-boyfriend, and the work her parents have accomplished to bring meaning out of senseless violence. As a writer, educator, and consultant, Chip focuses on civic renewal, citizen-driven leadership, and expanded narratives of public life. He provides commentary for print and broadcast media, and he is a contributing blogger at everydaycitizen.com and kansasfreepress.com. With a deep history of service as a board member in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, Chip is currently the president of the local Optimist Club and Chairman of the Ellis County Democratic Party. Chip was nominated by former teacher Virginia Witte.
1982 - Andrea Murdock McDaniel remembers growing up in San Marcos and taking day trips out to Canyon Lake as a child. She grew up and worked her way through college, earning a degree in wildlife management and geography at Texas State and a master’s in geography and environmental resources from Southern Illinois University. During her career, she has served two temporary assignments at Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C. In July of this year, after 23 years of service, she became the Chief of Operations of the Southwestern Division of the US Army Corps of Engineers, one of nine divisions of the Corps nationwide. Andrea’s division covers 2.3 million acres of public land and water with an annual program totaling nearly $5.3 billion It includes two major waterways, a 400-mile portion of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 18 hydropower plants, 90 lakes... and, yes, one of those lakes is her childhood stomping grounds - Canyon Lake. When Andrea joined the Corps, women in command positions were scarce. Her strong work ethic, her understanding of corps operations and her commitment to getting projects accomplished have helped to lead her to this current position. After 23 years with the Corps of Engineers, she is the first female to hold this post, and is especially proud to be back home in Texas.
1983 - Rob Thomas Rob Thomas is a self-proclaimed native Texan -- “by naturalization.” Born in Washington State, his family moved to San Marcos when he was ten years old. He attended San Marcos schools and graduated from San Marcos High School in 1983. He received a bachelor of arts in history from the University of Texas in 1987. He taught high school journalism in the Austin and San Antonio area until 1994. Early in 1984, Rob and five high school buddies formed the band Public Bulletin. The band changed its name to Hey Zeus in 1988, acquiring somewhat of a cult following in the area. Ultimately, in 1994, the band called it quits when Thomas quit his teaching job in Austin and moved to California, where he worked for Channel One, a Los Angeles-based television news show aimed at teenagers nationwide. Since that time, he has carved a niche in the entertainment industry. Rob is the author of four novels and a collection of short stories all published by Simon and Schuster. Rob’s debut novel, Rats Saw God, was a unanimous American Library Association’s Best Book for Young Adults in 1996. His short story collection, Doing Time: Notes from the Undergrad was also an ALA Best Book for Young Adults in 1998. Rob created the ABC Drama Series Cupid and served as the show’s executive producer. Additionally Rob has written episodes of Dawson’s Creek and The Education of Max Bickford, Space Ghost: Coast to Coast, and Big Shots. Rob adapted Todd Strasser’s How I Made My Perfect Prom Date into the feature “Drive Me Crazy” for 20th Century Fox. He also penned the independent feature “Fortune Cookie” which premiered at the Hollywood Film Festival. He is most recently the creator and executive producer of the television series “Veronica Mars,” another cult classic “dramady” -- which aired from 2004-2007. Currently living in Los Angeles, Rob is married to Katie Orr and they have a 2-year old daughter, Greta.
1984 - Dr. Ellen Grimm After graduating from San Marcos High School, Ellen Grimm went on to pursue a degree in psychology from Austin College and a medical degree from the University of Texas Houston Medical School. Ellen currently practices both adult and pediatric nephrology in the San Marcos/Austin area. She is exceptionally well thought of by her patients, and highly respected by her colleagues who have voted for her as a Texas Monthly Super Doctor for four consecutive years. Ellen was nominated by her family members and fellow Rattlers Katherine Grimm, Sarah Grimm Tatum, Charles Grimm and Carole Grimm.
1984 – Helen Lowman - As a high school student, Helen spent a summer in Chile as an exchange student and became aware of a world far beyond the halls of San Marcos High School. That summer experience was the first step in what was to become a world-wide adventure. As a student at Austin College, she spent a summer in a study abroad program in Madrid, Spain, and decided to join the Peace Corps. Her first tour was for nearly three years in Thailand, teaching English to middle school students. Since then, she has held a number of Peace Corps and non-Peace Corps jobs. (Peace Corps employees can only work five years, and then must be away at least five years before returning to the organization – a policy designed to keep individuals and ideas fresh.) She has since served as Country Director and Associate Peace Corps Director of the Peace Corps program in China and Acting Country Director in Mongolia. She earned a masters degree in international studies from the University of Denver, and in addition to her Peace Corps work, worked with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, currently known as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 26 years later, she was appointed by President Barack Obama as the Regional Director for the Peace Corps Europe, Mediterranean and Asia region, which she describes as, “the best job in Washington.” Today she oversees Peace Corps programs in 22 countries. In Helen’s nomination letter, former classmate Dr. Ellen Grimm wrote, “Clearly, she is not afraid of risk, embraces adventure, and loves her job.”
1988 – Linda Cinnamon Stouffer Now one of the nation’s premier cable network news anchors, Linda “Cinnamon” Stouffer grew up in San Marcos. She graduated from San Marcos High School in 1988 and attended the University of the Incarnate Word on a Phi Beta Kappa scholarship. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication, magna cum laude in 1992 and has been honored by that institution as a University Alumnae of Distinction for her professional achievement. We all remember the excitement when Cinnamon was named San Marcos Junior Miss and Texas Junior Miss, and she continues to support the scholarship program. She is involved with many other volunteer efforts and makes trips back to Texas to visit San Marcos High School, including a stint as keynote speaker for the San Marcos Education Foundation’s Academic recognition banquet a few years ago, stressing the importance of fine arts and education. She made headlines in San Antonio couple of weekends ago, when Express News columnist wrote a story about her amazing career from a San Antonio TV station reporter to anchor for the one the most respected news organizations. From 1992-1994 Linda worked as a general assignment reporter at KMOL-TV in San Antonio. From 1994-1996, she worked as a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor for WSVN-TV in Miami, joining CNN in 1997.Cinnamon is based in CNN’s world headquarters in Atlanta, where she co-anchors with Chuck Roberts. The two co-anchored in network’s coverage of the war in Iraq in the spring of 2003. Cinnamon also participated in the network’s coverage of the September 11 terrorist attacks, reporting on unfolding events as the crisis moved from search-and-rescue mission to a war on terrorism. Previously, Cinnamon co-anchored the morning news program Ahead of the Curve. One of the more exciting aspects of her job, Cinnamon reports, is the interaction between viewers and the network. This trend allows regular people to contribute stories, pictures and videos from their own towns and neighborhoods. Cinnamon and her husband, Mark Strassmann, CBS news reporter, have two children: daughter Aidan-12 years old, and son Wyatt, 5 years old. Her position at CNN allows her to have the best of both worlds: delivering up-to-the-minute reports on big stories such as hurricanes without having to travel, so she can tuck her kids in every night. But she’ll always be a Texan in her heart. “Go Rattlers,” she was quoted saying in the Express-News.
1989 - Steven Farr - As chief knowledge officer for Teach for America, Steven Farr leads the program efforts to discern what distinguishes those teachers whose students in low-income communities achieve dramatic academic growth. Since 2001, Steven has overseen various elements of Teach For America’s teacher training and support efforts, as well as studies of the best practices of highly effective teachers. He is the author of Teaching As Leadership, and his work has been featured in the Atlantic, on NPR’s All Things Considered and on ABC World News Tonight as part of the Person of the Week segment. The San Marcos High School valedictorian continued his education in the University of Texas Plan II Honors Program. Upon graduation, his work in education began in the Rio Grande Valley where he taught high school English and English as a Second Language in Donna, Texas. He attended Yale Law School where he focused on issues related to education, and co-authored, “The Edgewood Drama: An Epic Quest for Education Equity,” for the Yale Law And Policy Review, an overview of the policies and politics affecting school finance in Texas in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision that education is not a fundamental right. After law school, Steven served as a law clerk for the Honorable William Wayne Justice in Austin, Texas. He then taught and litigated civil rights and disabilities issues at the Georgetown University Law Center’s Institute for Public Representation until 2001, when he joined the staff of Teach for America as vice president of training and support.