Greetings!
Well, I took a Virtual Tour of BHS by visiting the web site. If you haven't done it, I highly recommend it. Here are some of my reflections on BHS...
BHS hasn't really changed that much since I attended. One thing I did notice was that everything has gotten smaller! I guess everything gets smaller as we age. I realize that as I walked down the various hallways, I walked so long ago and saw the lockers standing there as sentinels to my past, I could still hear the echo of my horse shoe taps ringing off the red tile floor. We didn't have a cafeteria in my day; we all did lunch at the Balboa Clubhouse. So, that is quite an improvement. I love it! Just like "Happy Days!"
The main office is just like I remember it. The Counselor's office seemed smaller. But that could have been that back then I wasn't a very tall person. But hey, we all seem to grow some after we graduate. The Gym still looks first class. Of course, outside it is all there except the flagpole. Time marches on.
That brings me to the present. Although, I will not be with you as the last BHS Class of 1999 graduates with Pomp and Circumstance, I will be there in spirit! And if I can leave you with this one message, it is that you who graduate today, and have spend four long years burning the midnight oil can be very proud that you attended the Best High School in the whole World!
You had the best Teachers in the whole world. You can travel the whole world, but you will never find a school that can compare with Balboa High School. So as you venture out and make your own way in this world, I wish you all the best that life has to offer and remember the great lessons you have learned here..........That if you Can, You will!
On those gloomy and rainy days, we all have them, think and reflect. Never lose sight of your goals! Paradigms are made to be broken. Also a favorite theme of mine: "When the going gets tough, the tough get going!"
Good Luck with the rest of your LIFE.
God Bless all who read these tracks.
May you all have fair winds and following seas.
Hasta la vista,
Louie Barbier
BHS Class of 1957
