Hall of Fame Members

2010

Carol Greider
Alumni-at-Large
Class of 1979

Carol Greider, a 1979 Graduate of Davis Senior High School, was named co-winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physics in 2009.  The prize was awarded in recognition of   for her landmark 1984 discovery of the enzyme telomerase.  One of only eight women to ever win the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physics, Greider was a first year Graduate Student at the University of California Berkeley, when she detected evidence of an undiscovered enzyme, telomerase.   This previously unknown enzyme appeared to be responsible for maintaining the ends of chromosomes and protecting them from damage. The discovery increased the understanding of how cells work and helped kick off a field of research that would attract the attention of longevity researchers, cancer biologists, and the biotechnology industry.  Currently, Carol Greider is a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Daniel Nathans Director of Molecular Biology and Genetics in the school’s Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences. Although, her initial work was concentrated in biochemistry, it has since evolved over the years to intersect with the fields of cellular senescence, cancer, DNA recombination, and stem cell failure.  Elected to the Academy of Sciences in 2003, Carol comments “It's fun, because I picked one topic, but the fields keep changing, so I have to keep learning along the way.”

Ralph Villanueva
Athletics
Class of 1963

Ralph Villanueva has spent over half of his life at Davis Senior High School, first as a student, graduating in 1963 and then as a teacher, counselor and coach from 1971 to 2004.  Ralph's high school sports accomplishments remain unprecedented today.  He excelled in three sports each of his years at Davis High School.  In 1959 as a freshman, he played varsity basketball and baseball and played tailback on the undefeated junior varsity football team.  As a sophomore, Ralph was voted the  Most Valuable Player for both the basketball and baseball teams.  He led the football team in 1961 to victory over an undefeated Dixon team in the first game ever played on Halden Field.  In 1962, he was the lead scorer and captain of the only undefeated varsity basketball team (21-0) in DHS history. Ralph was the starting pitcher for his varsity baseball team, leading them to the first baseball championship in school history and voted All League and Most Valuable Player.   Ralph's senior year at Davis High School was another stellar year, where he excelled in three sports as captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams.  He was the starting quarterback on the 7-1 winning football team, their Most Inspirational Player and All League.  He was the leading scorer for the fourth straight year in basketball, Most Valuable Player and All League.  His basketball team won the Superior California Athletic League Championship that year and he was voted Most Valuable League Player.  As a baseball player his senior year, he pitched his second no hitter, was the Most Valuable Player, All League and the league's leading hitter.  He had the honor of being the 1962-1963 Davis Senior High School Athlete of the Year along with the distinction of being named the 1963 City of Davis Athlete of the Year.

Michael Franti
Fine Arts
Class of 1984

Michael Franti, a 1984 Graduate of Davis Senior High, is known around the world as a socially conscious musician, songwriter, filmmaker and peace activist.  His musical career began in 1986 with the duo the Beatnigs.  They won critical acclaim for their social commentary and in 1992 were chosen by U2 as the opening act for their ZOO TV tour.  In 1994, Michael’s new group, Spearhead, recorded their first album.  Once again, Michael won critical acclaim for his thought provoking lyrics and easy style of music.  Their 2008 album- All Rebel Rockers– became the biggest hit of Franti’s career, hitting the Top 40 on the Billboard 200, and yielded his most popular single, the Top 20 “Say Hey (I Love You).”  Michael has stated that his vision for his music is to elevate the consciousness of the listener.  In 2005, Michael turned to another form of media to promote his vision.  He traveled to Iraq, Israel and Palestine with a small group of friends, his guitar and a video camera, to explore the human cost of war.  His documentary I know I’m Not Alone, won Best International Documentary at the Harlem International Film Festival, was an Amnesty International “Audience Award Winner” and garnered Michael Best Musician Director at the San Francisco World Film Festival.  However, Michael is probably best known for founding the annual “Power to the Peaceful” Music Festival in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.  The free festival began in 1998 and is dedicated to educating attendees on issues of social justice, non-violence and environmental sustainability.  The Festival is attended by over 50,000 people each year. 

Richard Brunelle
Faculty/Staff

Richard Brunelle, fondly referred to as the 'Music Man of Davis', influenced thousands of young people and captured the love and admiration of the community during his twenty-seven year tenure at Davis Senior High School.  He often said he knew early on that he was destined to become a music teacher.  He wrote his first composition in Kindergarten in the small town of Temecula where he grew up and put his musical talents to good use as an organist at church and piano accompanist at school.  As a young student he had his own band and paid his way through college by playing the piano for entertainment.  He graduated from San Diego State University with a B.A. in Piano Performance in 1957.  After earning his teaching credential, he accepted a position as Choral Director with the U.S. Armed Forces in Frankfurt-Main, Germany.  It was while he was teaching in Germany that  he met and married his wife, Edelgard.  He began his career as music teacher at Davis High School and Emerson Junior High School in 1966, teaching four choirs and an orchestra.  Eventually working full time at the high school, he added the Madrigal Choir, Jazz Choir, Jazz Band, as well as introducing the AP course Music History and Theory to the curriculum.  During his career, Dick was fortunate to receive many honors, including the Brinley Award in 1980, the California Outstanding Music Educator of the Year in 1990 and California State Teacher of the Year in 1992.  Among his many highlights were the participation in the International Youth and Music Festival in Vienna, where his students were featured in the final concert; the first place win of the Jazz Choir at the New Orleans River Music Festival; invitations for the Madrigal Choir to sing at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington D.C. and the Harrogate International Music Festival, and a standing ovation for the Madrigal choir by the Mormon Tabernacle choir. He was honored at the Mondavi Center during the 'Fortieth Madrigal Anniversary Reunion Concert' and in the naming of the Richard Brunelle Performing Arts Hall at Davis High School as a commemorative legacy of his contribution to school music.

Ron Brown
Friend/Benefactor
Class of 1980

Ron Brown has a long history as a friend and benefactor to Davis Senior High School.  As President and CEO, his company, Ron Brown Construction, Inc., was responsible for building the newest gymnasium on campus several years ago and is currently handling the multi-use stadium project.  His company recently started Phase Two of the rehabilitation of the near fifty year old facility.  Ron has stated that the stadium project has been very rewarding to him personally as they have been able to work with the school district to facilitate a first rate, safe/friendly environment that will serve the students of Davis High School and the community for many years forward.  Because of the people who have been involved and the excitement over watching the students use the facility, it ranks in the top two projects that he has ever built.  Ron's goal was to deliver a project to the Davis Joint Unified School district, it's students and their families that had zero net gain for his company and he has been able to achieve that goal through his company's 'Build it Forward Program'.  Ron and his company have received the highest accolades from the school district and the Blue and White Foundation for going beyond his contractual responsibility with early stage landscaping and reinforcement of the home stands not mentioned in his agreement.  For Ron, it has been a dream project and a labor of love, one that he hopes has improved the community to the best of his ability.  Judging from the enthusiasm of the students who have had the pleasure of using the facility, Ron has achieved all of his goals.

2009

John Barovetto
Alumni-At-Large
Class of 1956

John Barovetto was a multi-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball and track and was senior class president while at Davis Senior High school.  He attended UC Davis for two years, where he played quarterback and halfback on the varsity football team.  John transferred to UC Berkeley in 1959 and was  a member of the Cal rugby team that won the World Championship Cup for two consecutive years.  After graduating from UC Berkeley in 1964, John enlisted in the U.S. Army, was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and sent to Vietnam in 1966.  He served with the 1st and 4th Calvalries.  During this time, he was promoted to Captain and organized the first of two “Operation Helping Hand” drives for the people of Vietnam.  Through his efforts, the help of his family, and the people of Davis, two thousand pounds of food and supplies were sent to the Village of Chu Lai.  In 1967, three thousand pounds of food and supplies were sent to the town, church and orphanage of Cu Chi, South Vietnam.  Captain Barovetto was killed in 1968 while en route to secure a downed aircraft during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam.  He was 28 years old.  As a way to honor Captain Barovetto, the Davis community rallied again and sent $2,500 to his commanding officer for the purpose of helping the children of the convent in Cu Chi.  In his honor, his troop volunteered many hours to rebuild the property and also named a rifle range after him.  For his military service, Captain Barovetto received a Silver Star for gallantry in action, a Bronze Star for heroism, among many other commendations, including a Purple Heart.

Tony Fields
Fine Arts
Class of 1977

Tony Fields was well known in the theater community of Davis.  A member of the Jazz Choir and drama department, he participated in many local productions.  As a self taught dancer, Tony won scholarships to the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, studying drama and voice, and also to the Roland Dupree Academy of Dance.  An incredibly talented and hardworking performer, Tony was one of the first two male Solid Gold Dancers.  When he began dancing on the show, Tony had less than two years of formal training.  He was a member of the cast from 1979 to 1984.  In 1985, Tony played the role of Alan Deluca in Richard Attenborough’s film adaptation of “A Chorus Line”.  He won the Los Angeles Critics’ dramalogue award for Best Actor in 1987.  Tony is also well known for his work in television and music videos, including Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and “Beat It”.   He returned to Davis in 1994 and began to work with Davis Senior High School students, conveying his passion and love for the theater.  Tony Fields passed away in 1995 at the age of 36.  Every year, an award in his name is given to the top Davis Senior High School drama student.  This award is given to recognize passion, professionalism and artistic integrity. These qualities, according to Gwyn Bruch, Tony’s friend, mentor and current DHS drama teacher, are “values that Tony demonstrated every day.”

Craig Wilson
Athletics
Class of 1975

Craig Wilson began his water polo career at the age of thirteen with the Davis Recreational Water Polo Team.  It was at Davis Senior High School where he began to play goalie and played his way to high school All-American status in 1975.  At the University of California, Santa Barbara, Craig did not play water polo until his junior year.  He began as a walk on fifth string goalie and concluded his career as the starting goalie, NCAA Champion and NCAA first team All-American.  He was invited to join the National Team Training Squad, again as a fifth string goalie and once again, earned the starting job.  Craig was a member and starting goalie for Team USA from 1981 until 1992.  A three-time Olympian (1984, 1988, and 1992), Craig has been called, “one of the greatest goalies to ever play the game of water polo.”  He currently holds the Olympic record for most saves.  Craig won Olympic Silver Medals in 1984 and 1988 and was a member of the 1991 World Cup team.  He was also a member of three Pan American Teams winning gold medals in 1983 and 1987, and a silver medal in 1991. Craig competed on Five FINA World Cup Teams for the USA in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990 and 1991, winning the gold medal in 1991. Twice, he was voted as the World’s Top Goalkeeper.  Craig is also a member of the UCSB Hall of Fame and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Joanne Moldenhauer
Faculty and Staff

Joanne Moldenhauer is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, where she graduated from Benson High School in 1945.  She earned a B.S. degree in physics at Iowa State College in 1949.  For the next two years, she taught mathematics and biology at Central High School in Omaha.  Joanne became a Teaching Assistant in Mathematics at the University of Minnesota where she earned an M.A. in mathematics in 1952.  After she was recruited at the University of Minnesota, Joanne worked as an electrical engineer at General Electric in Schenectady, New York for three years.  She taught mathematics at Central Park Junior High School in Schenectady for a year and came to Davis Senior High School in September of 1956 where she retired in 2006.  Joanne's expertise allowed her the ability to teach math at every level, from Algebra to Calculus.  In 1961, she began teaching AP Calculus, the first advanced placement class to be taught at Davis Senior High School.  Over the years, her students were outstanding and she is most proud that the majority of them earned "5" on the AP Calculus BC examinations.  For six years beginning in 1978, the College Board invited her to be a reader for the advanced placement calculus examinations.  She also conducted sessions for calculus teachers at College Board Workshops until 1992.  As a result of student nominations, Joanne received the Terman Award at Stanford, the Harvey Mudd College Distinguished Teaching Award twice, and the Edyth May Sliffe Award from the Mathematical Association of America twice.  In 1991, Joanne and Cathy Carr West were the first participants in the Uman-Davis Sister City Teacher Exchange in Ukraine.  Throughout her career, she has been an active member of the Davis Teachers Association and served as DTA representative, negotiator and vice president.  Together, with her husband, Leonard "Red" Moldenhauer, they became youth counselors at Davis Lutheran Church in 1966, where Joanne continued to be the head counselor until 1996.  She spent countless hours dedicated to her students at Davis Senior High School, spending time before and after school and during noontime, helping them until they understood important math principles.   Joanne taught mathematics for fifty years, distinguishing herself as an outstanding teacher and mentor to her students.

Dick Lewis
Friend/Benefactor

Dick Lewis was a friend and benefactor to Davis Senior High School athletes.  After retiring from a legendary thirty year career at UC Davis as an athletic employee and athletic trainer, Dick began a twenty year term as a VOLUNTEER athletic trainer at Davis Senior High School.  He set an ethical tone in the training room of hard work, teamwork, sportsmanship, going that extra mile and always doing the right thing.  Dick didn’t just tend to the athlete’s body, he also nurtured their soul and was a friend to everyone.  He wanted all athletes to be able to compete in their sport to the fullest of their capabilities and with his help, they did.  It has been said that he had “magic in his hands”.  An athlete could be struggling or in pain and Dick had the ability to rest his hands on them for a few minutes, calmly talking, and suddenly they would feel much better.  Dick felt that he had been given a gift and he needed to share it, which he generously did.  When he wasn’t on the field, his home was open to all Davis Senior High athletes, day or night.  Dick's service to DHS athletes didn’t end when they graduated.  Athletes away at college would often come to him on weekends for help with an injury and stay to talk with a trusted friend.   Dick received many honors during his lifetime, including being inducted into the Cal Aggie Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame and the California Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.  He was named Grand Marshall of the 1974 Picnic Day Parade, the first staff member to serve in that role.  The students at DHS honored Dick by naming him as the Grand Marshall of the 1994 homecoming parade.

2008

Mark Inouye, Denise Curry, A.J. “Bud” Henle & Dave Scott

A.J. “Bud” Henle
Faculty/Staff

A.J. “Bud” Henle has been selected to the Davis Senior High School Hall of Fame for his 29 years of service and dedication to Davis High School as a teacher, coach and administrator. Coach Henle is the fourth generation of his family to grow up in Davis and graduated from DHS in 1942. During his years as a student at Davis High he was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and track. His long jump record stood at Davis High for 35 years! He is a decorated veteran of WWII having served with the 102nd medical battalion of the 27th infantry division in the Pacific Theatre where he earned the Bronze Star and Combat Medal Badge for Gallantry and Service. After the war he attended UCD where he played quarterback for the football team. Later, he transferred to College of the Pacific in Stockton where he received his degree in 1950 and later, in 1952, he received his teaching credential. Although he began his teaching career elsewhere, he returned to Davis in 1956 at the request of his former coach, Dewey Halden. Initially upon his return, he coached Varsity Football, Basketball, JV and Varsity Baseball while he also taught social studies and physical education. However his duties soon expanded. Over the next 29 years, Coach Henle served as athletic director (22 years), coached football (29 years), baseball (15 years), and track (10 years), served as the Block “D” advisor (16 years) and meet director of the Halden Relays (9 years) as he continued to teach in the classroom. Coach Henle is also a member of the Sac-Joaquin Section Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, The Northern California Old Timers Sports Association Hall of Fame and the La Salle Coaches Hall of Fame.

Mark Inouye
Fine Arts

Mark Inouye has been selected to the Davis Senior High School Hall of Fame. While attending DHS, Mr. Inouye was a member of the Jazz Band and was chosen to the State Honor Jazz Band that performed in Japan. A 1989 graduate of DHS Inouye is one of a very select group of trumpeters who is equally at home playing jazz and classical music. Inouye is the principal trumpeter (Starting Sept. 2008) with the San Francisco Symphony, but has also held principal trumpet positions with the Houston and Charleston Symphonies. He has performed under the baton of Kurt Masur with the New York Philharmonic and Zubin Mehta with the Israel Philharmonic. As a soloist, he performed the Tartini Violin Concerto, arranged for trumpet, with the Houston Symphony and the Haydn and Tomasi Concerti with the New World Symphony. He has also appeared with the Tanglewood Wind Ensemble under Seiji Ozawa in volumes 3 and 4 of the video production, Marsalis on Music, performing the Carnival of Venice Variations and the Hummel Trumpet Concerto. An active composer, Inouye has premiered two of his jazz compositions; Find the Cheese and The Bull Behind the Horns - Jazz Suite on the San Francisco Symphony's Chamber Music Series; both of which are featured on his debut album The Trumpet & The Bull. In addition to his appearances on the San Francisco Symphony's chamber music series, Inouye has toured internationally with the Empire Brass and Toccatas & Flourishes, an acclaimed organ and trumpet duo. After attending The University of California, at Davis as a civil engineer, Inouye transferred and graduated from the Juilliard School, where he was founding member of the Juilliard Jazz Sextet at Lincoln Center. He has also appeared as a guest artist at the Playboy Jazz Festival and with The Who at Carnegie Hall.

Denise Curry
Athletics

A 1977 graduate, Denise Curry, has been selected to the Davis Senior High School Hall of Fame. While attending DHS, Ms. Curry played on 10 varsity teams, winning 10 league championships!Although she excelled in many sports, she is best known for her achievements in Women’s Basketball. During her varsity years, she scored 1798 points and averged 24.97 points a game. She was chosen to the first ever women’s Parade Magazine All- America team. Perhaps knowing that no one would ever match her success again, her jersey was retired in 1977. After High School, she attended UCLA where she was a 4 year starter and three-time All-America. She led her team in scoring each of her four seasons and set 14 school records. She still holds the school’s mark as the all time leading scorer (3,198 points) and rebounder (1,310). She was a member of the 1980 Olympic team and a member of the gold medal winning 1984 Olympic team. Ms. Curry also participated in several other international basketball tournaments representing the USA including; the Pan American Games (Silver Medalist 1983, Gold medalist 1979), and the World Championships (Gold Medalist-1979, Silver 1983). Ms. Curry’s UCLA jersey was retired in 1990 and in 1998 she was voted one of the 15 Greatest Players in UCLA women’s basketball history. She continued her career in Europe as a professional basketball player from 1982-1990 where she was chosen as the French player of the decade for the 1980’s. Her accomplishments in basketball have led to her to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (One of only 11 female players.), the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Since her playing days ended, Ms. Curry has been involved in coaching women’s basketball at the college and professional level and is currently an assistant coach at Long Beach State.

Dave Scott
Athletics

Dave Scott is the most recognized athlete and coach in the sport of triathlon. Raised in Davis, he is a 1972 graduate of Davis Senior High School. While attending high school he was an outstanding water polo player who continued playing the sport for UCDavis. He was also the first coach of the Davis Aquatic Masters. It was during his coaching with DAM that Dave’s career in triathlon began with the inception of the sport in 1976. He won his first Hawaii Ironman in 1980 and went on to win again in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1987. In 1993, he was honored for his accomplishments in the sport and became the first inductee into the Ironman Hall of Fame. To celebrate, Dave came out of retirement and at the age of forty, after a five year absence from competition, decided to race again. In a stunning and memorable performance, beating out an impressive field of professional athletes – many of whom were in the twenties – Dave placed second overall. This incredible physical and mental feat earned Dave a new nickname among the triathlon community and he has since been known as “The Man”. Having started his impressive winning streak only two years after the first ever Ironman contest, Dave Scott shaped the sport of triathlon like no other U.S. athlete.

Elaine Kasimatis, Ph.D
Alumni-At-Large

Elaine Kasimatis has been selected to the Davis Senior High School Hall of Fame for her extraordinary career in the development of K-12 teaching of mathematics and her service to others. Ms. Kasimatis was a 1970 graduate of Davis Senior High School and continued her education at UC Davis, earning a BS in mathematics with honors, an MA in mathematics and an MA in Teaching Mathematics, as well as a Ph. D in Mathematics. Ms. Kasimatis is well-known nationally for the establishment of College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM). As one of the 3 original co-directors of this program, she helped create an innovative mathematics curriculum that is now used around the country. CPM was designated as one of five “Exemplary Mathematics Programs” in 1999. At CSU, Sacramento, she was instrumental in the development of the first Blended Program in Mathematics in the state, which allows future teachers to take mathematics coursework at the same time as they work on their secondary mathematics credential. Currently, Ms. Kasimatis is in Rwanda, helping to open a new school and to develop the teacher preparation program in the impoverished country. She will be spending a full year there, bringing her talents to bear on problems that are unfamiliar to most of us. Professor Scott Farrand, a colleague of Ms. Kasimatis’ supports her selection to the Hall of Fame by writing, “Elaine is an excellent example of what Davis Senior High School can produce, a role model for students looking for a way to both pursue intellectual challenges and be of service to people in need. She brings honor to your school.”