Point Loma High School Hall of Fame members and prominent alumni 

(Hall of Fame members are identified by “HOF” after their graduation year)

Actors, film, television, and other media

★ Faye Emerson (’36). Film actress and television interviewer once known as “The First Lady of Television.” Appeared in 30 feature films.
★ Marion Ross (’46 HOF). Broadway, film and TV actress. Her most famous role was as Marion Cunningham on TV’s “Happy Days” from 1974-84.
★ Margaret Avery (’61 HOF). Nominated for Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her role as Shug Avery in the film “The Color Purple.” An extremely muti-talented person who also worked as a school psychologist.
★ Spencer Moses (’90). Actor with Broadway and extensive regional theater credits.
★ Joe Hutching (’72 HOF). Oscars for film editing on “Born on the Fourth of July,” and “JFK.” Credits also include “W,” “The Doors,” “Almost Famous,” and “Vanilla Sky.”
★ Chris Innis (’84). 2010 Academy Award with co-editor and husband Bob Murawski for Best Film Editing on “The Hurt Locker.” 
★ Chris Brinker (’88). Film producer and director known for his work on the film “Boondock Saints” and “Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day.”
★ Dwight Raymond (’84). Veteran film editor with 35 films to his credit including “Fun With Dick and Jane” and “Batman Returns.”
★ Breehn Burns (’93). Screenwriter, director, voice artist, author and illustrator.
★ Nicole Opper (’98). Directed and produced the documentary “Off and Running” for which she was honored by the Tribecca Film Festival and nominated for an Emmy.
★ Jack Gross (’47). Wrote episodes of TV shows including “Gilligan’s Island,” “Different Strokes,” “My Favorite Martian,” “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.”
★ Laurence Gross (’50). A talk-show host in Denver on KGMC-AM radio, Gross moved back to San Diego where he had a lengthy career in talk radio. 
★ Richard Learman (’51). Assistant director and production manager for TV and film such as “Anger Management,” “Rules of Engagement,” “Stripes,” “Spin City,” and “Brian’s Song.” His remarkable voice can be heard in voice-overs on his shows. Winner of Director’s Guild and SAG awards.
★ Mike Smith (’58). Began his broadcasting career at KPRI radio in 1964, then moved to television (KNSD Channel 39, KGTV Channel 10, KNBC Los Angeles) where he spent 21 years as a sports reporter/anchor.
★ Neil Ross (’62). Voice actor who has narrated many episodes of A&E’s Biography and PBS’ NOVA. Announcer for 2003 Academy Awards and 2004 Emmy Awards.
★ Lynn Kemp (’62). As Allen Scott, was a DJ at KOGO and Channel 39 weatherman. Did PA for Chargers, Aztecs games, 1984 Olympic rowing, SD Crew Classic. Still working in television in his 80s.
★ Jesse Macias (’65). Won local Emmy Awards at KFMB as a reporter/anchor. 
★ Scott Hopkins (’67 HOF). Award-winning writer and photographer for the Peninsula Beacon who has brought the outstanding success of PLHS, its students, and alumni into the community spotlight. 
★ Todd Benjamin (’69). Financial reporter/interviewer for CNN Network.
★ Colette Pritchard Fox (’79). Producer of several projects including “Conquest of Hawaii,” a documentary for The History Channel, in 2010.
★ Halle Standford (’87). Has been nominated for Emmy Awards twice for Best Children’s Program for the TV series she produces, “Sid the Science Kid.”
★ Justin Halpern (’98). Wrote NY Times bestseller “Sh*t My Dad Says.” Co-wrote and was co-producer of the CBS sitcom series based on the book. 
★ Neil Ross (‘62). Radio and voice-over artist. Academy Awards, Prime Time Emmys, NOVA Documentaries, TV Characters, KCBQ, KDEO, KSEA.
★ Gary Beck (’71). Radio DJ: KSDO, KSDS, KITT, KOGO, WNEW, KPRI, XTRA Gold, KIFM, KBest, Sirius Satellite, morning DJ at JAZZ 88.3 in San Diego.

Authors and artists

★ John Robert Asaro (’55). Painter whose work is currently sold in exclusive fine art galleries. The book “Asaro: A New Romanticism” covers his life’s work.
★ John Dawson (’55). His nature drawings have been used by National Geographic, National Park Service, Audubon field guide, USPS (stamps), and others. A 2012 “Forever” stamp shows his design of four bonsai plants.
★ Richard Arnold (’59 HOF). Operates a sculpture studio in Telluride, Colo. His bronze Pointer Dog, a gift from the alumni, was installed on the PLHS campus in 2010.
★ Suzy Spafford (’63 HOF). Created “Suzy Ducken,” first of over 200 characters in her “Suzy’s Zoo.”  Millions of greeting cards, calendars and stationery sold worldwide.
★ Steven V. Correia (’67 HOF). Internationally famous glass artist with works in the White House and the Smithsonian. A middle school in Point Loma bears his name.
★ Michael Ford (’91). Successful animator, artist and creator of digital effects.
★ Ann (Dolly) Medlock (’50). Speech writer to Aga Khan. Started Giraffe Heroes project. 
★ Leslie Perlis (’68 HOF). Nationally recognized glass artist. Her work is also featured in local restaurants and churches. Community activist. Longtime supporter of the PLHS music program.
★ Jon Koehler (’84). Self-taught artist known for his dynamic balloon-like steel sculptures created using welding techniques.
★ Breehn Burns (’93). Comic Book artist/illustrator.
★ Amy Schwartz (’72). Author/illustrator of children’s books.
★ John Freeman (’69 HOF). Marketing/communication career with NY Yankees, NBA, and sports writer for SD Union-Tribune. Now writing books about interesting locals.

Music

★ Capt. Leo Nicholas Schowengerdt, Jr. (’56). Served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 30 years where he started their jazz band (“The Nitecaps”).
★ Glenn W. (Bill) DeYoung (’66). Professor of Dance at University of Michigan. Multiple awards/recognition for choreography and performances worldwide.
★ Rick Gerding (’69). Played viola on music projects and film soundtracks. Has worked with Burt Bacharach, Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello, Neil Diamond.
★ Steve Withers (’78). Pianist who toured with Michael Crawford’s solo show. Veteran cast member of the comedy “Forever Plaid.”
★ Brian Verhoye (’79). Concert pianist in San Diego. Has appeared with Kenny Loggins, America, The Little River Band, Kim Carnes, and Mark O’Connor.
★ Jason Scheff (’80). Bass player and a vocalist for rock band “Chicago.”
★ Aaron Zigman (’80). Has written musical scores for over 30 films including “Sex and the City” 1 and 2, and “The Ugly Truth.”
★ Glen Fisher (’82). Originator of the San Diego’s First Friday Club of young PL musicians who play locally. Also started music programs for homeless teens.
★ Dr. Joseph E. Allen (’84). Physician who has expanded his interests into award-winning “abstract impressionist” art and music. Served as a team MD for Pointer football.
★ Eric and Chris Reading (’86). Rising country-western singing duet.
★ Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald (’96). Their band Slightly Stoopid, was signed by Skunk Records while they were still students at PLHS.
★ Sue Palmer (’65). San Diego Music Hall of Fame. Known as the “Queen of Boogie Woogie,” “Sultana of Swing.” A presence on the San Diego live music scene.
★ Bob Magnusson (’64 HOF). One of the best known bass players who has played with Madonna, Linda Ronstadt, Rod Stewart, Chick Correa and Sarah Vaughn. Joined the Buddy Rich band at age 19. Became a faculty member at SDSU, PLNU, and San Diego Community College. Member of San Diego Jazz Society Hall of Fame.

Athletics

★ Faye Baird Fraser (’27). Recognized as the first woman to surf in San Diego.
★ Jack Prodanovich (’32). Pioneer in skin diving and spear fishing. Formed “The Bottom Scratchers” group, was featured in National Geographic.
★ Florence Chadwick (’36). World-famous endurance swimmer, first woman to swim the English Channel both ways. Set record (13 hrs, 20 mins. one direction.)
★ Peter Peckham (’44 HOF). Three-time world champion sailor in PC boats. A local philanthropist and investor in the San Diego Padres, Peckham’s family funded the girls’ softball field at PLHS.
★ Malin Burnham (’45 HOF). San Diego investor and philanthropist. Won the prestigious Star Class world sailing championship while a 17-year-old at PLHS. Involved in America’s Cup wins by Dennis Conner and a partner in the 1990 purchase of the Padres.
★ Lowell North (’47 HOF). Sailing gold medal in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Founder of North Sails, known worldwide. 
★ Fred Sills (’58). Veteran track and field coach at Southwest High School, named San Diego Hall of Champions “High School Coaching Legend” in 2000.
★ Dennis Conner (’60). Achieved fame by winning sailing’s America’s Cup four times. Also a two-time Star Class world champion.
★ Larry Penacho (’61). Men’s National Water-Skiing Championship 1963; World Jumping Championship in 1965. Named to Water Ski Hall of Fame in 1995. His jump of 150.8 feet was a record that stood for 20 years.
★ Jeff Staggs (’62). Football linebacker at SDSU. Played pro football for the Chargers and Cardinals from 1967-73.
★ Greg Slough (’65). Linebacker at USC. Played for the Oakland Raiders 1971-72.
★ Eddie Butler (Skipper – ’67) and Alex Caldwell (Crew – ’66). Won national intercollegiate sailing title in ’68 and ’69 for the SDSU two-boat team.
★ Mike Coté and Randy Guyer (’69). Members of the 1973 San Diego State University Hall of Fame volleyball team that won the NCAA championship.
★ Mark Reynolds (’73 HOF). Star Class sailing Olympic gold medalist in 1992 (Barcelona, Spain) and in 2000 (Sydney, Australia).
★ Peter McNabb (’70). Played 14 years of NHL hockey. All-Star team 1977. Team USA in 1986. Currently, a Colorado Avalanche broadcaster.
★ Craig Settles (’71). Played four seasons in the Padres’ baseball farm system.
★ Kelly Ricon Mitchell (’77 HOF). Member of the U.S. Olympic crew team.
★ Jacqui (Nicoletti) Mc Sorley (’80). Jr. World Golf Champion for her age in 1973. Japan’s LPGA tour. Now teaching.
★ Lynn Silliman (’77). Won a bronze medal in rowing at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
★ Manny Neves (’79). Played professional soccer for: California Surf, SD Sockers, Houston Dynamos and Los Angeles Heat. 
★ Cecil Espy (’80). Eighth player selected in the first round of the 1980 draft. Played Major League Baseball for eight seasons in outfield of the Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cincinnati Reds.
★ Waad Hirmez (’81). Led PLHS soccer to CIF finals. CIF Player of the Year 1981, 15-year professional career. Nine seasons with Sockers, and nine championship rings.
★ Terry Mann (’87). Leader of the four-time state championship Lady Pointers basketball team (122-1 record). State record of 250 steals in a season, US record of 2,256 career rebounds.
★ Eric Allen (’83). Defensive back at Arizona State. Played for NFL Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders. Six-time Pro Bowl selection. Elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 2025.
★ JJ Stokes (’90). Wide receiver at UCLA, first round draft pick of San Francisco 49ers. Spent nine years in the NFL.
★ La’Roi Glover (’92 HOF). Defensive lineman at SDSU. Drafted by the NFL. Played 13 seasons, six Pro Bowl selections, recorded 17 sacks in 2000 for New Orleans. Donates two major scholarships annually to PLHS seniors.
★ James Leon “Jimmy” Wilson (’04). American football cornerback and safety drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Played for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL. 
★ Campbell Wear (’11). Professional baseball player for the Colorado Rockies.
★ Conner Baits (’12). Professional baseball player. Round 23 draft pick by Mets in 2012 and Round 33 draft pick by Brewers in 2015.
★ Carol Pollock Sing (’59). World records: Oldest woman to swim the San Pedro Channel, solo swim around island of Manhattan, oldest woman to swim the English Channel. Also swam Straits of Gilbraltar, Spain to Africa, Maui Channel, Loch Ness, Pennick Island in AK.
★ Larry Penacho (’62). Three time World Water-ski champion, overall world champion, ski jumping. His record of 150.8 feet held for over 20 years.
★ Peter Virgidamo (’65). NCAA track All American honors, author “US History of WWI,” Peace Corps.
★ Keith Genovese (’69). Pro Bowlers Association, North Country Hall of Fame. Drummer for Zephyr Blue cover band; author, foster parent, AlAnon sponsor.
★ Kenton Kirkpatrick (’60). All High School SCIF golf team, Helms Award 1960, USC golf team captain, Winner of over 100 amateur golf events. National board of directors with Burger King.
★ Jamal Agnew (’13). NFL wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons after being drafted from the University of San Diego.
★ John Balaz (’68). Played major league baseball for the California Angels.
★ Graham Biehl (’73). Member of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic team in men’s 470 sailboats.
★ Brianna Provancha (’07). Competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in the women’s 470 sailing. In 2019, she was elected as the Sailor Athlete Director on the board of U.S. Sailing.
★ JL Skinner (’18). Pro football player for the Denver Broncos after being selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
★ Dan White (’90). Quarterbacked University of Arizona from 1993-1995, including the Wildcats’ only Pac-10 championship as well as a record-setting Fiesta Bowl victory. Played Arena League football for Tampa Bay.
★ Keegan Smith (‘17). After winning the NCAA Men’s Doubles Championship in 2019 while playing for UCLA, became a professional player. Competing again after a near-fatal skateboard accident.
★ Marty Smith (’75). Motocross racer who won the American Motocross Association 125cc Championship in 1974, 1975, and the 500cc title in 1977.
★ Jimmy Wilson (’04). Played safety in the NFL for Miami and San Diego after playing in college at Montana.

Uniquely PLHS

(PLHS has the distinction of being the only high school in the U.S. with two alums who pitched perfect games. )

★ Don Larsen (’47 HOF). On Oct. 8, 1956, he threw a perfect game for the NY Yankees in the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
★ David Wells (’82 HOF). Also pitched a perfect game for the NY Yankees on May 17,1998, against the Toronto Blue Jays. PLHS baseball field at Dana Middle School named David Wells Field.  

Judges

★ Mack Lovett (’49). Named as a Superior Court Judge in San Diego County in 1974.
★ David Thompson (’49). Appointed as a U.S. Federal Judge, Court of Appeals, 9th District, in 1985 by President Ronald Reagan.
★ Larry Irving (’52). Appointed as a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan.
★ Gordon Thompson (’47). Appointed as a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in 1970 by President Richard Nixon.
★ John Thompson (’68) and Gerald Jessop (’69). Are currently serving as Superior Court judges in San Diego County. 

Academics, sciences, medicine

★ Jeffrey Bennett (’76 HOF). Astronomer, educator and author of children’s and adult books, as well as textbooks. His solar system model is on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
★ Michele Goodwin (’89). A legal scholar whose expertise is in the areas of bioethics and health law. Professor of law at UC Irvine, currently a professor at the Georgetown  University Law Center.  Prolific writer of books, editorials and commentaries.
★ Wayne Watson (’50). DDS/editor American Journal of Orthodontics; artist, author.
★ Dr. Ned Chambers (’69 HOF). After playing football at Stanford on a full-ride scholarship earned his MD degree at University of Cincinnati. Had a family medicine practice in Point Loma for decades, served as Pointers football team doctor.
★ Richard Hicks (’55 HOF). Earned law degree from UC Berkeley, member of US Army JAG Corps. pro-bono executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Los Angeles, president of Pacific Counsel, named Pro Bono Attorney of the Year.
★ John G. Rebelo (’58 HOF). Played basketball and baseball in college before attending banking school, served at First National Bank for 10 years before founding Peninsula Bank of San Diego where he was chairman and CEO until 2000. Has served on numerous boards, both in banking, sports, youth and charities.
★ Asa Don Morton (’75 HOF). After graduation from UCSD, Morton became an F-14 pilot in the US Navy. He then enrolled in Uniformed Medical School in Bethesda, MD where he began doing intense research on a Hepatitis B vaccine. Went to Guatemala on a medical and surgical mission. Still engaged in these missions and has expanded to Pakistan, Brazil, Mexico and India. Now director of Vision Restoration and Facial Reconstruction for Helps International. Recipient of many awards and honors.
★ Albert B. Frowiss (’57 HOF). At age 22, bought a book at a grocery store for 25 cents titled “Think and Grow Rich.” Made a 10-year plan for himself and worked as a salesman on the East Coast before returning to San Diego and co-founding an electronic instrument company. Sold the company to Emerson Electric, a Fortune 500 company and retired to Rancho Santa Fe at age 34. Later dedicated his time to helping cancer victims from the Manhattan Project gain financial compensation. Has won over $400 million for these victims.
★ Carleton Bingham (’46 HOF). Received a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from UCLA in 1959, developed a radiochemical method for determining burn, fission gas release and neutron dosimetry in irradiated test fuel capsules while at Rockwell International, supervised the Analytical Chemistry Lab. Selected director of the Atomic Energy Commission’s New Brunswick Lab where they became the certifying authority for nuclear reference standards.Also served in US Marines in Korea.
★ Steve Waterman, MD (’69 HOF). Majored in English literature at Stanford but continued on to medical school. Has become a world-recognized expert on the ebola disease. Works with the U.S. Center For Disease Control and World Health Organization traveling to remote areas of the Caribbean, Mexico City, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal and Puerto Rico. Also working to eradicate Dengue Fever, conjunctivitis, malaria and other maladies of significance. He is head of the Binational Border Infectious Disease Surveillance program with 13 sites in the U.S. and Mexico.
★ A. Lee Brown (’59 HOF) Earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree at SDSU and two doctorates at the University of Texas and a Fulbright Scholar Fellowship at Oxford in England. Taught various disciplines at Grossmont College and served as dean of mathematical, physical and behavioral sciences. Also taught at SDSU. Has written two books based on his early years in Point Loma: “Varsity” (2020) about two underage boys who dropped out of high school in WWII to join the Army where they served before returning home and playing varsity football at a fictional high school (“Peninsula” High). Also wrote “Cradle of Bitchin’” (2022) about his experience growing up on the local beach where he was mentored by surfing elders who taught him respect for the ocean and people.

Politics

★ William Cleator (’45). Served on San Diego City Council District 2 from 1976-1986. Acting mayor of San Diego in 1983.
★ John deBeck (’47). Elected to the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education in 1990.  Served until 2010.
★ Paul Fordem (’48). Mayor of La Mesa, 1974-1980. Elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, representing the District 2 from 1981-1985.
★ Bill Lowery (’65). San Diego City Council member from 1977-80. Elected to the 41st District Congressional seat in 1980 and re-elected five times.
★ Byron Wear (’72). Former city lifeguard elected in 1995 and ’98 to represent the Point Loma community in District 2 on the San Diego City Council. He remains active in the community.
★ Steve Baldwin (’75). Served in the California State Assembly, 77th District, from 1994-2000. chairman of the Assembly Education Committee in 1996.
★ Ben Hueso (’87 HOF). Elected to San Diego City Council 2006. Appointed to the CA Coastal Commission 2007. Elected to the California State Assembly Dist. 79 in 2010.

Philanthropy

★ The Hervey family: The generosity of the Hervey family, which includes four PLHS alumni, has assisted with many on-campus and community projects, including the Point Loma branch of the San Diego Public Library that bears their name.
★ Susanne Cramer Ballantyne (’50). Volunteered thousands of hours to establish and maintain records of PLHS alumni, keeping the records by hand before the computer era. She still reports information to PLHS alumni.
★ Carlos LeGerrette (’61 HOF). Has worked tirelessly for decades to improve the lives of young people, inspire them and promote leadership qualities. Worked with Cesar Chavez, supporting his causes. Founded Cesar Chavez Service Clubs in San Diego Unified, received the Mesa College Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014, the Union-Tribune’s San Diego Latino Champions Lifetime Award (2014).

Professional/Multifaceted

★ Dene Oliver (’69 HOF). Went into business at age 18, formed Oliver-McMillan development company, one of nation’s largest. Has generously supported many civic and social betterment causes, continues to work on ending homelessness.
★ James “Mouse” Robb (’51 HOF). Track and field star at PLHS who served in the Korean War. Formed Sunset Cliffs Surfers in 1944, won trophies, renowned for his tandem surfing. Mentor to many young surfers, a tireless volunteer at OB events.
★ James Wiesler (’45 HOF). During a 38-year career at Bank Of America rose from trainee to vice chairman to build a global consumer markets division with $45 billion in assets. His retirement in 1997 was covered by the Los Angeles and New York Times.
★ Lee Grissom (’60). President of San Diego Chamber of Commerce, chair San Diego Housing Commission. Jacees; 50 who made a difference SD Magazine, SDSU Alum of the year.
★Martin Vatis (’50). 23 years Air Force service. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism.

PLHS staff members

★ Lois Craig (1968-1999 HOF), A P.E. teacher and coach for 25 years, athletic director, department chair. Recognized by High School Sports Association Board, San Diego Hall of Champions Meritorious Achievement Award, made a significant contribution to lives of students, parents and staff.
★ Larry Zeiger (1975-2007 HOF), In the late 1970s, created a unique program, “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance” that blended the areas of English, film and musical theater. He produced and directed original annual productions with student casts of nearly 100, some of whom have gone on to careers in the entertainment industry. His work has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, BBC, People Magazine, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, The Miami Herald, New York Times and The Post. Zeiger has received many honors and awards including the naming of the on-campus Performing Arts Center in his name.

Miscellaneous

★ Randy Gardner (’64). Once held the world record for the longest amount of time a human has stayed awake (11 days, 24 minutes), done when he was 17 years old. (It is not clear if this feat was accomplished while in his PLHS classes.)

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