Alumni, Future Alumni, and Honored Guests:

It was such an honor to be able to spend our 80th celebration dinner and homecoming activities together.

Four years ago at Hoover High, the students, the staff, and I all started down a new path together. Like the road less traveled, it has not always been easy. We have worked extremely hard and made difficult decisions as we move our school forward.

Four years ago in the final interview for the principalship of Hoover, I was asked, “What kind of school do you envision for Hoover High?” Of all the tough questions that I had been asked in the series of interviews that had brought me to that point, that answer was the easiest for me. The Hoover High that I envision is the cornerstone and pride of our City Heights community. I see our students meeting rigorous academic expectations beyond compare. I see Hoover High again as the place where families, students, and alumni come together for athletic activities, performing arts presentations, senior awards, and amazing graduation celebrations. Why? Because we are proud of our school!

I believe that every student who comes through the doors of Hoover High School should be treated with dignity and respect. Every student should be given the opportunity to be launched onto a successful path toward the future. To insure this successful path, four years ago we started the College Avenue Compact. Hoover High can proudly say that we are the only school in San Diego to offer guaranteed admission to every student who meets an academically strong set of requirements. While developing a guaranteed admission process is critical, it is only a small portion of what it takes to make these dreams a reality. Support for our students begins at Rosa Parks Elementary and grows stronger as students continue at Monroe Clark Middle before they enter Hoover High School.

Lastly, I believe that if we are going to expect great things from our students, the physical space that they come to every day (their home away from home) should cry out with a look of success. That is why one of the first meetings I had as the new young principal (a bit thinner and with more hair) was a meeting with Robert Price, Tim Allen – City Heights Collaborative Executive Director , the SDUSD Superintendant and Physical Plant operations for the district. We met in the main office at Hoover high. In the main office entry at Hoover High (recently made over to make it more family friendly) ‐‐ we put up a huge mural of the original front of Hoover High –a school that all our alumni fondly remember. This is a significant reminder to always keep us focused on the importance of the past, the present and the future. After meeting with the facilities planning team and sharing my vision for a school that looked world class as well and performed on that level, I walked the group out to show them that that glorious photo of the Hoover High that we all knew and loved. This is the spirit of Hoover we are rebuilding for our students and community.

One of the many joys of being the principal at Hoover High school, is getting to spend time with our alumni. I have been fortunate to attend wonderful lunches and reunions with many special Hoover alumni. One comment that came up over and over from all alumni ‐‐ what about the Hoover tower? For our Honored guests, The Hoover Tower exemplified the greatness of the Hoover they remembered. With a great deal of partnership and planning with our architectural team we were able to put together some facilities that I am sure the alumni and community will be extremely proud of. All of this work will kick off starting with our new athletic facilities this school year.

The 80th celebration activities represent an amazing culmination of a week’s worth of celebrations, a years with of planning ‐‐‐and most importantly and a lifetime of memories. Our vision for the next 80 years is a Hoover is one that brings alumni from all decades together to build same deep pride that you all share. We continue your commitment of excellence‐‐‐we see an amazing connection of the past, the present and a future where all students will succeed. We will continue to make you proud. Once a Cardinal, Always a Cardinal!!! 

Dr. Charles Podhorsky Principal – Hoover High School

Phone: 619.283.6281 Fax: 619.280.5837

cpodhorsky@sandi.net