Poway High honors alumni during fundraising dinner

Poway High School celebrated the achievements of its alumni with its annual Recognition Event and Dinner on May 30 at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo.

The dinner and silent auction also acted as a fundraiser for the Poway High School Alumni Association. The event helped raise over $1,500, which will go to funding scholarships and the Poway High School museum, said Larry Ott, president of the Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association awarded $3,000 in scholarships to four graduating Poway High School seniors this year, funded through last year’s dinner and a concert fundraiser held earlier this year by Julie Rogelstad.

This year, three alumni were inducted into the Poway High School Hall of Fame: Parkinson’s research advocate Joan Samuelson, class of 1968; Surfer Magazine editor and journalist Jim Kempton, class of 1969; and professional golfer Charley Hoffman, class of 1995.

Of the three honorees, only Kempton was able to attend the dinner. Hoffman was competing in the Byron Nelson tournament, where he tied for second place, and Samuelson was prevented from traveling due to health issues. Instead, several of Hoffman’s family attended in his place, with his mother Liz Hoffman accepting his award. Hoffman also sent a brief video message, thanking everyone for the honor.

Samuelson also sent a video about herself, and spoke briefly over the phone to thank everyone for her award.

Two of last year’s inductees, biotech pioneer David Goeddel and wildlife biologist Bill Toone were also honored this year, as neither honoree was able to attend the dinner last year.