for Ukiah Daily Journal

Barra Winery was festooned in purple and gold last Friday as the Ukiah High School Alumni Association gathered to honor this year's distinguished graduates.

Each year, along with distributing scholarships, Alumni Association members select and recognize distinguished graduates, who then spoke at Ukiah High's commencement ceremony.

"Phil Gary, Charlie Myers and Francine Selim created the Ukiah High School Alumni Association around 1996," according to Bob Frassinello, chairman of the association's distinguished graduate committee. "Then the group decided we should do something to honor outstanding graduates." Admiral William Standley, Ukiah High class of 1890, was the program's first inductee. One to three individuals are recognized annually.

"We want our students to see what these folks have done, and that you could do these things too. It's also a way to record the history of Ukiah High," says Joan Moore Erickson, the association's vice-president and member of the distinguished graduate committee.

"Our committee takes suggestions from the community for distinguished graduates and brings our selection to the full board for a vote. Nominees have to be able to come to Ukiah and speak briefly at graduation, because we want our graduates to see them. Even though Ukiah is a small town, we have so many talented people," says Erickson.

Channing Cornell has served as the association's president for over a decade. "I moved back to Ukiah in

Plaques honoring all the distinguished graduates are displayed in the high school's new library. This year the Alumni Association raised $8,500 for scholarships through membership dues and donations.

"Businesses, community organizations and churches provided about $250,000 in scholarships to Ukiah High students, which we should be very proud of," says Cornell, noting that scholarships can provide only a small portion of the $32,000 necessary for students attending University of California campuses.

Former Ukiah High Principal Phil Gary noted that Ukiah High was founded in 1890. "But there were no stories," he explained, stating that distinguished graduates inspire today's students "to dream about your future based upon what other people from Ukiah have done."

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Rad grads: Ukiah High School Distinguished Graduates honored