2007 Inductees

Alison Peckham
Student Athlete
Inducted November 200

Graduated 6th in her class in 1992 from Holtville High School where she was an outstanding student athlete, winning many honors in basketball, softball, and volleyball. She was the CIF Division IV Player of the Year in softball for both 1991 and 1992 and set 8 CIF records with: 73 career wins, 627 strikeouts, 11 no-hitters, and 5 perfect games as a pitcher; and a .534 average, 167 career hits, 60 doubles, and 197 career RBIs as a hitter. As a Viking athlete she won 5 League Most Valuable Player Awards, 2 in softball, 2 in basketball, and 1 in volleyball. She also was the Viking Athlete of the Year in 1991 and 1992. Graduated from Gannon University with a Bachelors of Science in Finance in 1996 where she was their MVP in softball in 1996 and 1998. Graduated from University of Phoenix with a Masters in Business Administration in 2003. Currently an accounting supervisor for KBR government contractor in Arlington, Virginia.

Eugene P. Wilkinson
Alumnus
Inducted November 2007

 Retired as Vice Admiral U.S. Navy, in 1974, and was the first commanding officer (1955) of the ‘Nautilus’, America’s first nuclear submarine. He graduated from Holtville High School in 1934 where as a senior he was the Imperial Valley Tennis Champion, 1938. Graduated from San Diego State and became instructor of chemistry and mathematics there. Commissioned in 1940 during war time as an officer on the heavy cruiser USS Louisville. Graduated from Submarine school in 1942 and served on 8 patrols and 7 submarines during World War II, 3 as an executive officer and 4 as a commanding officer. Became Commander of Submarine Division 102 in 1958. In 1961 commanded the USS Long Beach, the first nuclear powered surface ship. In 1963 was Director of Submarine Warfare and in 1969-70 was Commander of all Polaris Submarines in the Atlantic Fleet. After retirement served as a consultant to the Navy, NRC, DOE, CIA, numerous electrical generation companies, and 23 nuclear plants. Among his many service awards are: The Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, various combat medals, and 3 distinguished Service Medals plus many additional awards after retirement.

George Fareed M.D.
Community Member
Inducted November 200

Team physician and health advisor for all Holtville High School athletic teams for more than 20 years since the early 1990’s and continuing to the present. He often donated medical supplies, loaned out therapy-equipment, personally transported injured athletes, and made house calls free of charge in support of Viking athletics – Graduated from UC Berkeley as a biochemistry major in 1996 where he was captain of the tennis team – Graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1970 and received Soma Weiss Award for his DNA research – Was Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, 1973-76. Founded International Genetic Engineering, Inc., 1980 and Advanced Antigens, Inc. 1991. Associate Professor at UCLA, 1976-96. Team doctor for U.S. Davis Cup Team, 1991-96. Author of one book on molecular biology of viruses and over 60 medical-science articles – Director of Aids Research Alliance since 1997 – Current staff member at both Pioneers and El Centro Community Hospitals – While working with Holtville athletes having to practice in the valley’s heat he developed “Player’s Drink” to combat dehydration and muscle fatigue.

Lendal Macon
Alumnus/Educator
Inducted November 2007

 

Music teacher and band director at Holtville High School from 1976 to this current year of 2008 (32 years and still going) where his “Viking Band of Pride” has won many honors. His band won first place in the Holiday Bowl Parade in San Diego in 1985, won the only Perpetual Sweepstakes Trophy of the Brawley Cattle Call Parade, received superior & excellent ratings at the Southern California District & Regional Festivals, and was selected to perform for President Ronald Reagan on his arrival to Imperial Valley in 1986. He graduated from Holtville High School in 1965 where he played 5 varsity sports and was a member of the band – graduated from Imperial Valley College in 1969 and San Diego State in 1972 with both an elementary & secondary teaching credential. In addition to his high school band duties he is also the Director of the Viking Flag & Shield Corps, directed high school chorus & jazz band, taught drama for three years, directed musical revues for school and community enjoyment, and even coached baseball for 2 years.

Paul Morrow
Educator
Inducted November 2007

Popular Holtville High School science teacher from 1960 to 1981 where he developed a reputation among students and staff as being humorous, unique, and a very good classroom instructor. Received his Bachelor of Science Degree in biology and geography at Indiana State College in Pennsylvania, 1958. Worked at Penn. Steel Mill while going to college. Attended University of New Mexico ’58-’59 for his teaching  credential. Worked as a fire spotter for the U.S. Forest Service. Came to Holtville in 1960 and kept expanding his education by attending University of Pittsburgh in 1960, San Diego State, ’60-’63, Duquesne University ’62, and Colorado State in ’63-’64. He often took students on summer vacations to the White Mountains in Arizona for camping and nature walks. Had a tradition of rewarding students with his own money (up to $100) for the best grade in his class and was usually working in his classroom on Saturdays where his students could always find him for help.

Sam F. Webb
Community Member
Inducted November 2007

Pioneer and early settler of Holtville in 1904 where he lived for 65 years and helped to create the incorporated city of Holtville from raw desert land. He served for 21 years on Holtville’s School Board, was a member of the Board of Trustees when the city initiated the first grammer school, and in 1969 had the Sam Webb Continuation School named in his honor. Was Holtville’s first Justice of Peace, 1904-1910. Built the first home in Holtville in 1905. Constructed the five bridges that cross the Alamo River in 1908. Owned and operated Webb Mfg. Co. until 1962. Served 8 terms on the City Council and 3 terms as Holtville’s mayor. Was a past president and member of the Rotary Club for 46 years that assisted both the community and Holtville schools.

Sam Faulk
Educator/Coach
Inducted November 2007

Holtville High School math teacher, 1979-2008, and coach of both baseball and football where he was the only coach in school history to win CIF Championships in two different sports. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1965 and Ventura Junior College in 1967. Graduated from Cal State Northridge in 1970 where he received his teaching credential. Was the head baseball coach from 1980 to 1987 and won 4 consecutive league championships, 1981-1984, and 2 CIF Championships in 1982 and 1984. Had a 33 game winning streak in league play from 1983 to 1985. Was an assistant football coach from 1979 to 1984 and from 1995 to 1997 where he contributed to 2 league titles and 1 CIF Championship team. Became head football coach in 1985 and won 5 league championships and 4 consecutive CIF Championships before retiring in 1993. At one point his football teams had won 25 consecutive games.

Simon Silva
Alumnus
Inducted November 2007 

Holtville High School graduate in 1979 who became an internationally known Latino artist and whose work was chosen to represent the United States in Latino/Hispanic Heritage Art Exhibit in Los Angeles in 1992. After high school he graduated from Imperial Valley College in 1981. In 1986 he graduated from Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design with a BFA in Illustration. Had his work exclusively on display in 1993 as part of the Raza Art Series at UCLA. Was commissioned to do a portrait for the cover of Time Magazine in 1993. One of his paintings has been selected to be on permanent display in Petropavlovsk, Russia as part of an American-Russian art exchange. Currently serves on the Bilingual Foundation for the Arts, Mexican-American Legal Defense & Education Fund, and lectures at many universities, high schools, etc. on the importance of education and cultural pride.

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