It was a project of the 100 Buccaneers Service Society, in the Fall of 1969, to start a Balboa Alumni Association, and with the special help of Beverly Rodriguez (S' 70) and other 100 Bucs, the Alumni Association held an organizational meeting in April of 1970, with John Payne, (S' 70) 100 Buc President presiding. Over 200 people reported and one of the shining lights I met that night was Emily Powell (F'46), many times elected Alumni President. That's one of the great things about Balboa, it's students, it's graduates. They are enormously proud and loyal to their school. There is a PASSION for Balboa that does not exist in other schools.

Of course, there are those wonderful traditions: the Senior Sweater, the Senior Panoramic Picture, the Senior Jinx, and other traditions, but none so unforgettable as the Move-Up Assembly. I will never forget the first Move-Up that I saw in June of 1957. The music from "Aida", the Senior Song,

the GARLAND presentation. circa '65

No school can match that!

Many people have helped me learn the Balboa history: Ms. Aced and Ms. Leta Wheeler, about the school beginnings, Helen Appenzeller Rodriguez, December '32, and Viola Archer Kimble, December '31 (the year of the FIRST Senior Panoramic Picture).

We love Balboa so much that many of us feel a need to "GIVE BACK", to say "THANKS" to Balboa and it's students for those wonderful traditions and friendships.

The students change every year, but we are bound together by our wonderful traditions; and when today's students see that Move-Up and see those new seniors wearing their new senior sweater, there's still that desire to be a "Part of Balboa"!

Foster City Councilman qoutes Bal  Teacher   -->Kafkas

And Now a Note   From the Gabby Greek

The Senior Sweater tradition needs your help! I believe
in the Senior Sweater tradition at Balboa so much, that!
unabashedly ask for your help once again. This year we
have more students in the '09 class than the past
several years , but the price of the sweater (Like everything else) goes up. Many of our students lack the
ability to pay even the $40 the Alumni charges for the
sweater and block (actual cost is $65).

What motivates me most is the beautiful Move-Up
Assembly with the special enthusiasm shown by the
incoming seniors as they run down the aisle to take over
the senior section in their new sweaters. The Balboa
history video we have added to the Move-Up Assembly
adds even more significance to this wonderful' tradition.


When you think of Move-Up, you remember the spirited
passion we had for Balboa. How wonderful to pass on
that experience to these new seniors. Let's keep the
spirit of Move-Up alive.

We have set a goal of $5,000. We know these are
difficult economic times. Any contribution will be
welcome. Just write a check to Balboa Alumni, memo to
Jack Payne S'36 Senior Sweater Fund, and remember contributions to the Alumni Assoc. are tax deductible.

Balboa Alumni Association
P.O.Box 31866
San Francisco, CA 94131.

OR

Sweater Fund 501(c)3 Charitable Organization