Farewell to Departing Faculty
Mr. Ralph Punaro
27 years with the district.............................Athletic Director Ralph Punaro has been a staple of the SPHS athletics program for over two decades. Punaro began working in the school initially as a P.E. instructor, and even spent a few years teaching health before stepping up as head athletics director. “There has never been a day I haven’t enjoyed working here at South Pasadena. Even when I was in high school, I knew this was the path I would take and it has really paid off,” said Punaro. He made the decision to retire after receiving attractive district incentives, and has yet to make plans for his retirement.
All the little things Mr. Punaro does make a huge difference for all of us. Freshman year in JV tennis, our coach was gone without notice, and Mr. Punaro immediately stepped in and coached our team to a great victory. He will definitely be missed. -Krishna Mocherla, junior
FAREWELL:
MEMBERS RETIRE DISTRICT I’ll really miss her and I’m extremely thankful for all the time she’s dedicated to South Pasadena High School. I wish her the best in the years to come. -Evelyn Faung, junior
Ms Eileen Phillips
13 years with the district.................................Health Office Clerk Sick days are tough, but health clerk Ms Eileen Phillips is always there with a smile to make ill students just a little less miserable when they come to the office feeling under the weather. Phillips will be retiring at the end of this year after nearly eight years at Monterey Hills Elementary School and five at SPHS. She is looking forward to volunteering at the Huntington Library in San Marino and at the LA USC Medical Center with her free time. “There is so much to do. I would love to learn how to play the piano, become a better cook, and go sky-diving when I’m 85 years old. That’s on my bucket list,” said Phillips. SPHS will feel the loss of her presence on campus and immense dedication to South Pasadena schools.
Friday, June 8, 2012 - Tiger
17
Mrs. Martinez is always equipped with a smile and a warm personality, eager to help any student or faculty member. – Phillip Kim, senior
Mrs. Alice Martinez 14 years with the district....
Secretary to the Assistant Principal
Mrs. Alice Martinez has manned an office desk at SPHS for fourteen years. In her time at the high school as a technician assistant to the assistant principal and secretary for the testing coordinating center and counseling center, she has touched countless student and faculty lives with her helpful smile. Now she’s ready to spread compassion and kindness in another arena. Mrs. Martinez has worked part time as an assistant funeral director at Douglass and Zook Funeral Home in Monrovia, and after retiring, she plans to increase her hours there with a few important projects. She plans to create an outreach and a bereavement program at the home, where she will help those in need to grieve and cope with the loss of loved ones.
174 ~
total years of service
Mr. Jack Smith
37 years with the district.....Assistant Principal of Instruction Assistant Principal Jack Smith isn’t your standard administrator. Smith is a charismatic, sympathetic presence around campus, always available to dole out quirky advice or his thoughts on the state of education today. He has spent years as an integral part of the SPHS administrative team, and he won’t be easy to replace. Smith also played a major role in jump-starting the South Pasadena Aquatics program during his first few years with the district. He was the first water polo coach at SPHS; he also led the girls swim team. Smith left the water for on-campus duties years ago, and now will leave SPHS altogether for retirement. He cites his most rewarding experience in the district as the work that he has done with students and teachers to benefit future generations.
“Mr. Smith suggested that we make an AP Chemistry Facebook page, and it’s been life-saving. We were also unbelievably grateful after the AP test when he let us go back to class whenever we wanted. I know he’ll be greatly missed at SPHS.” - Shirley Tan, sophomore