Happy Holidays Haybalers!
San Benito High School wishes all of our alumni a healthy and safe holiday season and we thank you for you continued support of the Haybalers
Connect (or Reconnect) Through The Haybaler Alumni Network
Welcome to the second issue of San Benito High School's monthly, alumni-focused newsletter, which will help you connect or reconnect to SBHS and allow us to share information and about our proud alumni. In addition to receiving the newsletter, there are many ways to stay connected to your alma mater, from attending sporting events and performances on campus to lending your time and expertise to future alumni activities, such as a planned alumni golf tournament, participating in a Spotlight Speaker series during our Academic Focus Time period, helping us plan future alumni activities and events, and following us on Facebook (San Benito High School, Twitter (@BalerNews) or Instagram (@Baler News and @BalerSports). You can also have a direct impact on current students by supporting our Support-A-Student Program (see details in the story below). In the meantime, if you are a Haybaler alum who wants to get involved with our alumni outreach, please click the link below to email district Communications Officer Adam Breen (Class of '87) to let him know how you'd like to help.
Save The Date For Spring Alumni Event
Mark Saturday, May 9 on your calendar as the San Benito High School Alumni Association plans an event to welcome alumni and their families back to campus to reconnect and check out how the campus has changed since your time at SBHS. We will announce specific plans after the New Year, so watch for news in an upcoming newsletter. Interested in helping us plan alumni events and outreach efforts? Send Adam Breen an email at abreen@sbhsd.k12.ca.us .
Wrestling Facility Named For Judy Rider
The San Benito High School Board of Trustees on Nov. 19 approved the naming of the campus wrestling facility after former board member and wrestling supporter Judy Rider. The facility is expected to be dedicated on January 25, 2020, when the Lady Balers wrestling team hosts its Lady Baler Bash tournament.
In a letter to Rider’s family announcing the naming of the Judy Rider Wrestling Facility, District Superintendent Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum said board members and the administration are “grateful for Judy’s unwavering support throughout the years. Her contributions to San Benito High School and the District were varied and diverse.”
Mrs. Rider, who passed away in 2006, was involved with Baler wrestling, football, baseball, band and was a founding member of the Baler Education Foundation. She was also an SBHS board member from 1990 through 2006.
The Hollister native was active throughout the community, with a particular focus on youth. She was the director of and teacher at The Methodist Preschool, served on the board at Tres Pinos School, was involved with Baler Football Boosters and Razorback Wrestling, volunteered with the Hollister Little League, the local 4-H and fire department, among other organizations.
Mrs. Rider’s sons Tim, Bill, Ken and Donny attended San Benito High School.
Click to See How Voter-Approved Bonds Have Created Opportunities at SBHS
Do You Have Your Alumni Pin?
Attention Haybaler Alumni: If you haven't yet gotten a complimentary alumni pin, please email Carol Heiderich at cheiderich@sbhsd.k12.ca.us and she will get one to you.
Science and Robotics Building Nears Opening
Thanks to voter support of recent bond measures, the new San Benito High School Science and Robotics building will open for classes at the start of the second semester in January. Our alumni and community are invited to attend the grand opening ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 1. Watch for details as the date approaches.
Alumni Spotlight: Rachel Logue '14 Pursues A Doctorate at University of Michigan
San Benito High School 2014 alumna Rachel Logue has begun her Ph.D. journey at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, having been awarded four-year funding for her project focusing on balance and movement issues in young children and elderly people with a goal of being able to help patients with Parkinson's disease and children who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
Alumni Spotlight: Kirk Ward '89 Draws on Baler Football Memories for New Movie
Any guy who has ever stepped onto a gridiron and toed the line as a high school football player can recall a particular tackle, touchdown or entire season as if it happened yesterday—daydreams about past experiences, whether it was five years ago or 55 years ago (as with this reporter). It’s particularly memorable to old Hollister Haybalers if that opponent was a Gilroy Mustang!
Such memories remain etched into the minds of former Haybalers and brothers Kip and Kirk Ward. Kirk has taken the telling of tall tales and former glories between end zones a step further by writing and producing the movie “ The Turkey Bowl ,” coming to theaters Nov. 15. It will also stream on Amazon Prime Video. He described the movie to BenitoLink as a “love letter to my hometown of Hollister.”
“‘The Turkey Bowl’ is an homage to the small towns across this great nation that gather around Friday night lights to watch two teams do battle on the gridiron,” Kirk said. “Growing up in Hollister, I had two forms of entertainment: watching movies at the State Theater and Baler football games at the Andy Hardin Field. Both had a big impact on my life.”
Alumni Class Notes
  • The San Benito High School Class of 2000 has set up a Facebook page as it prepares for its 20th reunion in 2020. Visit "SBHS Class of 2000 Alumni- Reunion Information" for details.
  • Jason Rogers '94 reports that he is living in Sanger, Calif. and is the father of two teen boys (Deshaun and Devin), a pre-teen girl (Olivia) and a 30-year-old stepson who is retired from the Navy.
  • Rhonda Case Pellin '70 has been traveling in her RV with her husband, Mike '68. Her mother-in-law, Evelyn Garner Pellin graduated from Hollister High and Rhonda has two granddaughters currently attending: senior Madison Smith and sophomore Kayla Smith. Rhonda's niece, Tiffani Pellin Maria, is a math teacher at SBHS.
  • The entire staff of the Haybaler girls' volleyball program this Fall was comprised of Baler alumni. (see photo below)
Adopt-A-Tree Continues to Grow
San Benito High School recently surpassed its goal to have 50 trees sponsored through its Adopt-A-Tree program and now has exceeded 60 trees as it looks to create a more beautiful, comfortable and environmentally-responsible campus. For $50 per tree, donors are helping to reduce the 116-acre school’s carbon footprint, while creating more shade for students, faculty and staff. Sponsored trees will include either a name plate or a rock signifying the donor’s name or the name of a business or person in whose honor the tree is being planted. Anyone interested in sponsoring a crape myrtle or cinnamon tree should contact Carol Heiderich at 637-5831, ext. 132 or by email at cheiderich@sbhsd.k12.ca.us. You may also print, fill out and submit the form below.
Alumni Basketball Games in December
Calling all Haybaler basketball alumni: The annual Baler Basketball Alumni Games fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Dec. 21 in Mattson Gym, with the women tipping off at 6 p.m. and the men playing at 7:30 p.m. Each participating player will pay $20 and receive a new, official basketball alumni uniform and get a chance to relive their glory days. An admittance fee of $5 will be charged for adult spectators. Students and children are free. For more information, contact Mitch Burley at 408-690-0022. All players must fill out and submit a participation form on the night of the games.
Visit SBHS on The Web
San Benito High School, 1220 Monterey St. Hollister, CA 95023