Queen of it All

Cloverdale has been educating students about 150 years.  Thousands of diplomas have been earned during this time and many of those graduates proceeded through life leaving a legacy.  The purpose of life is to create something that will outlast it—a legacy. The “North Star” for this recognition was well known to many Cloverdaleians in 1972, give or take 25 years.  Two of her “adopted sons,” Ed Bowen and Gary Mills, pooled their thoughts and the following is a collection of their memories:  She entered elementary school speaking only Italian.  Graduating valedictorian of her class of 1936, it is believed she earned the highest grade point average in the history of Cloverdale High School.  She excelled in most phases through elementary and high school.  She did most everything better than anyone.  Whatever she was involved in was better for it.  Those who worked for or with her adored her.  As a business owner she was the best.  Deeply spiritual but never wearing it on her sleeve, any clergy encountered at her restaurant would be a “no charge”.  She once created a huge celebration at her home to honor those home from military service or college.  In church and civic matters, people followed her lead like no other.  Rising like a full moon over the ocean from a child to the finish line, she inspired Cloverdale in some way for about seventy years.  Aldina Cuneo, better known as Dina Giovannetti, mother of Virginia, Leo, Paul, and Geri Giovannetti, wife of Joe Giovannetti, Jr. will live in the hearts of those who knew  her until our flame burns out.

Happy Mother’s Day, Dina!

Selecting the Best

Scanning the success journals for Cloverdale High School dating back to the beginning, 1893, selecting one male student who stands out as number one is difficult at best, therefore, a tie is the best that could be done.  Class of 1961’s John Allen and Dennis Parker were the best in just about every category that had a best.  Both played on the 1961 basketball team with a 19-0 record which became the first, and one of only two undefeated teams in the history of the Redwood Empire.  Anyone who knows of the other undefeated team wins two free throws with a ball blessed by legendary coach John McMillan.

John and Dennis both graduated from military academies where they achieved scholastic and athletic recognition.  They completed their military careers and have lead exemplary lives.  John resides in Washington state and Dennis resides in Healdsburg.

Top Rung

At least twenty “Pioneer Family” names dot the history books of Cloverdale.  Studying the paths of these prominent people, one family name is displayed on the top rung of the ladder of success.  Many names will forever be part of Cloverdale as streets, housing tracts, athletic fields, etc.  Our most disinguished family’s matriarch was mother of three boys and nurturer to hundreds of third graders between 1955 and 1975.  The patriarch inspired hundreds of Cloverdale’s youth through scouting, schools, church, etc. For about three decades.  The football field at Cloverdale high school is dedicated in his memory.  Their three sons are well remembered for their accomplishments scholastically, in sports, and scouting—each an Eagle Scout, performing brilliantly throughout life.  The parents have long passed yet Rob, Ken, and John continue to trailblaze.  We are honored to know the Maxine and John Allen family.

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More on Golden Eagles

Cloverdale's first high school welcomed students in the fall of 1892 graduating their first class in June 1893.  Fifty years later, Jean Smith,Jessie Wood, Grace Wilcox, Oscar Tyler and Charles Cheeks became Cloverdale High's first brood of Golden Eagles.

It is believed by 1968 when this inaugural class reached the seventy-five year marker on the journey, all had set up shop in another realm.

Stealth

Our Class of 1965 has a match for the B-1 Stealth Bomber.  The search for classmates, parents, teachers, clergy, community leaders and anyone else connected to our class began in 2011.  No stone was left unturned, every bush was eyeballed, every possibility for a discovery was investigated.  We had our search air tight... Until Mrs. Wilkison pointed out Harold Peters lives a stone's throw from the First Street Bridge crossing.The Russian River -- almost in downtown Cloverdale.  What?!!  Class of 1967's Nancy Peters Yoast's and our Dave Peters' father has been at our doorstep for over 50 years. A second son, Steve, graduated from CHS in 1976 and reported to West Point in the Fall.

Mr. Peters purchased a ranch in the 1950s on South River Road and has been an active member of Cloverdale since.  Losing Mrs. Peters, his wife of 62 years, in 2008 has been the heartbreak of his life.  He drives to a coffee shop 'most every morning and mentions he is home by 9:00 AM so he can get on with his day.  In his "Plan for the Day"... he has a girlfriend -- seriously!!  At 96 he will be the most seasoned "Senior Golden Eagle" attending our event.  He is a highly decorated veteran of WWII and boasts about not being "hit" once.  It seems that those with "stealth" capabilities have that sort of good fortune.  Cloverdale High School has been waiting nearly 150 years to celebrate its first Centenarian graduate.  It is yet to happen.  Class of 1965 is betting on Mr. Peters' claiming that distinction.

Senior Golden Eagles

Eaglet Farmers

Our class of ’65 was blessed with a rainbow of mothers.  They sacrificed for us in many ways from an egg to a point where they could no longer hold and rock us.  Then it was our turn to hold and rock them—what an honor!  Geri and Paul Giovannetti earned a blue ribbon for getting their mother, Dina, to the finish line providing years of 24/7 in-home care.  Many of us have had or are having a turn at dealing with aging parents, hence the term “Eaglet Farmers”.  They grew us from a seed to “Golden Eagle” status in different ways.
The following appears on the class of 1965’s “Golden Pathway”, a 50-year history from 1922—1972.

cuhsclassof65.blogspot.com