Alumni Association Press Releases

[12.10.07] LA HABRA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI PRESENTS ANNUAL SING-ALONG DECEMBER 22

The La Habra High School Alumni Association will host the annual holiday event Sing-Along with Mr. D! at 7:30pm on Saturday, December 22, in the Pitlockry Lecture Hall on the school campus.

Longtime LHHS vocal music director Bill Dunton takes center stage at this gathering of Highlander alumni and faculty. The evening’s program includes participatory singing of Christmas carols and songs as well as Broadway musical favorites. There is also an “open mic” showcase, for which participants may bring their own music, and the traditional singing of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” The evening concludes with hot chocolate and a Christmas cookie potluck.

"Mr. D." began his career at LHHS in 1958, taught at the school for 31 years and created the legendary Scotscapades, a large-scale musical production that featured a cast as large as 400. Dunton is currently a member of the Fullerton Union High School District Board of Trustees.

All alumni, family and members of the community are invited and lyric sheets will be provided. Admission is free, but participants are asked to bring cookies to share. The school is located at 801 Highlander Ave. in La Habra. Information regarding Sing-Along with Mr. D! is available at www.lhhsaa.com.

[12/10/07] LA HABRA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI TO CELEBRATE MUSICAL TRADITION

Not every high school has a reunion every single year.

But that is what the alumni of the La Habra High School’s music department do each holiday season. Every year, on the Saturday before Christmas, students of Mr. Bill Dunton gather for Sing-Along With Mr. D!, a casual holiday party held on the school’s campus. And many LHHS alumni have made it a tradition for themselves and their families.

Dunton was the vocal music director at the school from 1958 to 1989, during which time he headed up a program that involved thousands of La Habra students. Under his direction, the school’s concert choir boasted as many as 200 voices. Dunton also produced Scotscapades, a Broadway musical production that was so large it had to held in the school gymnasium. Each year of its 25-year run, Scotscapades boasted a cast of over 400 students and provided a fabric of memories that continue to bond LHHS graduates together today.

The annual Scotscapades production was presented in an in-the-round configuration. Five round stages dominated the center of the gym floor, with scenery pieces at either end. Each musical number would feature one or more soloists and dances ranging from graceful pas-de-deux to exuberant square dances that filled the floor with student performers. Performances customarily sold out days in advance.

Dunton, who now serves on the Fullerton Union High School District Board of Trustees, lead the department and its large-scale productions with a trademark mix of gruffness and driest wit. One of the requirements to obtain a passing grade in Dunton’s class was that students had to audition for Scotscapades—on a microphone, in front of their fellow students. Such requirements “leveled the playing field.” Dunton says, and demanded that students push the limits of their comfort zone. “And there were no stars,” Dunton says. “Everyone was treated equally. One minute you might be standing with a microphone in your hand and a spotlight on your face, but the next you’re waltzing on the dance floor with 100 other kids and someone else has the mic and the spot.”

“Scotsalums,” as show veterans are called, can now be found all over the world. Many have pursued professional careers in the performing arts. For others, their experience at LHHS was just a first step in life success.

This year’s Sing-Along With Mr. D!, sponsored by the La Habra High School Alumni Association, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 22 in the Pitlockry Lecture Hall on the school campus at 801 Highlander Ave. in La Habra. All alumni, family and members of the community are invited and lyric sheets will be provided. A potluck Christmas cookie buffet will be featured. The evening’s program includes participatory singing of Christmas carols and songs as well as Broadway musical favorites and will conclude with the traditional singing of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”

[10.20.06] SCRAPBOOKING MARATHON SET FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

LA HABRA—Scrapbookers from all over southern California will gather on Saturday, November 4 for the 2nd annual “Scrapping for Education Day,” a memory book marathon sponsored by the La Habra High School Alumni Association.

“Scrapbooking is one of the most popular hobbies in America today,” says event chairwoman Dodie Moore, LHHS class of ’82. “The Alumni Association’s goals are to remember the past and plan for the future at the same time, so this popular event is a perfect fit.”

The public is invited and reservations are required. A $100 tax-deductible donation includes meals, scrapbook supply bags and raffle opportunities. All proceeds will go to LHHSAA to provide scholarships for outstanding students at La Habra High School.

Information and reservations are available at www.lhhsaa.com.

[10.30.06] LA HABRA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI TO CELEBRATE MUSICAL TRADITION

Not every high school has a reunion every single year.

But that is what the alumni of the La Habra High School’s music department do each holiday season. Every year, on the Saturday before Christmas, students of Mr. Bill Dunton gather for Sing-Along With Mr. D!, a casual holiday party held on the school’s campus. And many LHHS alumni have made it a tradition for themselves and their families.

Dunton was the vocal music director at the school from 1958 to 1989, during which time he headed up a program that involved thousands of La Habra students. Under his direction, the school’s concert choir boasted as many as 200 voices. Dunton also produced Scotscapades, a Broadway musical production that was so large it had to held in the school gymnasium. Each year of its 25-year run, Scotscapades boasted a cast of over 400 students and provided a fabric of memories that continue to bond LHHS graduates together today.
The annual Scotscapades production was presented in an in-the-round configuration. Five round stages dominated the center of the gym floor, with scenery pieces at either end. Each musical number would feature one or more soloists and dances ranging from graceful pas-de-deux to exuberant square dances that filled the floor with student performers. Performances customarily sold out days in advance.

Dunton, who now serves on the Fullerton Union High School District Board of Trustees, lead the department and its large-scale productions with a trademark mix of gruffness and driest wit. One of the requirements to obtain a passing grade in Dunton’s class was that students had to audition for Scotscapades—on a microphone, in front of their fellow students. Such requirements “leveled the playing field.” Dunton says, and demanded that students push the limits of their comfort zone. “And there were no stars,” Dunton says. “Everyone was treated equally. One minute you might be standing with a microphone in your hand and a spotlight on your face, but the next you’re waltzing on the dance floor with 100 other kids and someone else has the mic and the spot.”

“Scotsalums,” as show veterans are called, can now be found all over the world. Many have pursued professional careers in the performing arts. For others, their experience at LHHS was just a first step in life success.

This year’s Sing-Along With Mr. D!, sponsored by the La Habra High School Alumni Association, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 23 in the La Habra High School Stirling Gymnasium. All alumni, family and members of the community are invited and lyric sheets will be provided. A potluck Christmas cookie buffet will be featured along with activities for children. The evening’s program includes participatory singing of Christmas carols and songs as well as Broadway musical favorites and will conclude with the traditional singing of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”

[06.06.06]

LA HABRA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS ST. ANDREW’S SCHOLARSHIPS

The La Habra High School Alumni Association has awarded its inaugural St. Andrew’s Scholarships to two graduating La Habra High School seniors.

Jovan Bessette and Kathleen Lubliner, both of La Habra, were named recipients of this new honor and awarded $1000 scholarships at the school’s senior awards night in June.

Bessette, son of Elsa Bessette, has been active in computer networking and holds several certificates in a number of computer science skills, including construction, website design and configuration of operating systems. While a student at LHHS, Bessette assisted the school’s network administrator with repair, installation and configuration of computers throughout the campus. He was also a member of the Anime Club and the Video Game Club, for which he organized several game competitions. Bessette plans to attend Fullerton College and major in network and communication management.

Lubliner, daughter of Mary and Bruce Lubliner, has been a member of the Highlander Marching Band and Vocal Ensemble and has been in the cast of two LHHS musicals. She has been named LHHS and Rotary Student of the Month and has earned letters in music as well as academics. She has been active as a volunteer for Morningstar Christian Chapel and service learning at Macy Elementary School in La Habra. Lubliner will major in music education at California State University Fullerton, and plans to use her scholarship for piano rehearsal time.

The La Habra High School Alumni Association is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to work in a team environment with community focus and appeal to achieve the goals of building strong youth, strong families and a strong community. The Association is focused on providing educational and vocational scholarships to deserving and talented students of La Habra High School.

The St. Andrew’s Scholarships are named in the spirit of Highlander pride for St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland.

Information regarding the Alumni Association and its ongoing activities is available at www.lhhsaa.com.