Rock On PASEO…. Pointing the
Way
click on photos to enlarge

The
rocks on the hillside that spell out PASEO seem pretty permanent, but
they have needed help through the years to maintain their dignity.

In the
fall of 1994, members of the class of 1962 got together to spruce up
what had become a less-than-pleasing vista from The Paseo looking toward
Flora. The brain child of Glenn Hunt, he and another classmate, Marc
French, spent a day repositioning and
mortaring the rocks prior to the class work day. Then about 30 workers
from the class came together on a beautiful Saturday in September to
give the old letters a fresh coat of white paint and the area a good
cleanup. Then Glenn and another classmate returned later for a 2nd
coat of paint. It was a fun, although strenuous project and we patted
ourselves on the back and said, “Job well done!”





The
pristine condition didn’t last over time. An email went out to Paseo
Pirates from Keith Adams, coordinator of the “Save the PASEO Letters”
restoration committee of the Paseo Alumni Association. Attached to the
email was a picture of the “rocks” which illustrated the deteriorated
condition into which they had fallen. A date was set for Saturday,
August 22, starting at 9:00 a.m. for the cleanup to begin. People were
urged to bring rakes, shovels, trash bags and other items for the
cleanup. It was a bright, sunny day and quite a number of Pirates
showed up ready and willing to put the “rocks” back to the beautiful
enhancement of the hill. Pirates who couldn’t come due to living out of
town sent money to help out with drinks and refreshments for those who
could help. One of the hard workers was a graduate of Southwest, Tom
Mize, and the former husband of Pirate, Karen Barber. He was voted an
honorary Pirate for all his hard work and effort. The coming together
of people from Paseo classes from about 1960-2008 was a great experience
and a way to get acquainted with graduates from other years. Some
Pirates were from the “original” school and some of the “Pirates” were
from the current school, but all were proud to be working together and
interested in having the “rocks” declare the proud name of PASEO. The
“jolly roger” was hoisted up the flag pole for all to view. Following
the cleanup there was a brunch provided for the workers. It was another
great day to be a Paseo Pirate!





The idea
of placing the Rocks on the hill from Flora to Paseo was conceived by
Coach Andy Nurski. Although several classes in the early 1950’s have
taken credit for performing the task, it was the Class of 1951 who
deserve the credit.
For some
months, Coach Nurski watched contractors who were building
Volker Blvd.
from the west and when they neared The Paseo, they encountered massive
amounts of limestone which had to be blasted out and hauled away. One
day the Coach went down the hill and asked the Contractor if he could
have some of the rock. His answer was ‘sure, we have to haul it
somewhere’ so; he had them haul several truckloads of limestone up to
the school, adjacent to the football field.




In
cooperation with Coach Dwight, both Coaches recruited the gym classes to
carry and put the rocks in place.
Thanks to those who contributed to this
article.
Forrest Weddle, ’61, Mona Halliburton Hartzler, ’62, Ruth Haubein
Weddle,’61, Raymond Vaughn, 68, Dr. Juanita Hempstead, Principal, The
Paseo
Academy.
Baylor Edwards, ’55