High school is a pivotal time in many people’s lives that shapes the basis of who they will become. Many versions of it exist in people’s minds from movies, TV shows and their personal experiences. In the 1960s, the high school experience of students was enormously different from that of today, with different activities, different hangout spots and different cultures, but in many ways, the core values and lessons learned that are carried throughout life remain the same.
The Alumni House, which is maintained by School Historian Terri Martinez, frequently hosts groups of RUHS alumni and plays a substantial role in reuniting old friends. On September 5, a group of friends, known as the Senile Sea Hawks, who graduated in 1960 and 1961, visited the Alumni House to reminisce on their time in high school.
“High school is so different and you all are living it right now,” Ron Serrato ‘61 said. “We never had to lock our cars or our houses and there was no fencing in the school. We could walk off campus and go anywhere. We would go over to other guys’ houses to eat and then come back. It was wonderful. I hope it’s still wonderful for you guys, but you know it’s gonna be different and that’s the beauty of life.”
The rich culture of the 1950s and 60s began blossoming after the end of World War II when hope was booming and there was a widespread appreciation for life that was echoed throughout the United States.
“[Redondo Union] was a really great school to come to, you know, we couldn’t wait to get to high school when we were in junior high. All of the cool kids were in high school. Surfing and rock and roll were just coming in and so, so much of the culture revolved around that,” Joseph Rodriguez ‘60 said.
According to Serrato, socializing was a prominent aspect of life in the 60s, especially by the beach. High school students built connections with their friends through beach outings, school activities and most importantly the dances held in the old cafeteria after football games.
“The entire school used to be on the lot across where the auditorium is and the cafeteria is where we started the old hideout, the ‘cantine’ as we called it,” Serrato said. “Once a month, we’d buy the top ten records and then play them at our dances. I got really into DJing. There was so little to worry about back then.”
Serrato, who met his wife in high school, found himself reminiscing on the times that he shared with his classmates and how glad he was that he could look back on all of the “incredible memories” he made.
“My class [re]started the yearbook, [which was discontinued in 1959], because we wanted to [capture] what Redondo was like so that one day, like today, we could tell the people that came after us all about what it used to be like,” Serrato said. “I met my wife here in front of the auditorium when I was a freshman. I was freshman class president and my friend Bonnie and I were coming out of an assembly one afternoon and she introduced me to my now wife and she told [Bonnie] ‘I’m gonna marry that guy,’” Serrato said.
According to Serrato and Martinez, part of what makes high school so special is the people that you meet and what you do with the four years that you have at this school. Although it may seem like what you are doing is meaningless and it can feel like you are invisible at times, it is those moments when you can speak to someone who has had those same experiences that make them all worth it. As the historian, Martinez finds joy in rekindling the flame that people found in high school by reuniting them and connecting them with current students.
“I was on the High Tide in high school, so sometimes I’ll sit down with someone else that’s on the High Tide but 40 years later and I think that’s beautiful. You’ll find yourself talking to somebody who graduated years before you, but you’ve had the same experience.“ Martinez said.
Martinez, who is still close with her best friend from high school, believes that these are the years that shape who you become as a person, and that you never forget the people you meet and the experiences you have when you are young.
“The thing I loved most about this school was the people. [RUHS] has always been known as a place where all sorts of people come and learn to work together,” Martinez said.
The Senile Sea Hawks are just one example of how Redondo Union has connected people who ended up being lifelong friends who would guide each other through the good and bad, the curveballs and successes that life threw at them.
“It just seems like ten minutes ago we were in high school. It goes so fast and you gotta go with your ups and downs and whatever it is. Take advantage of everything you experience because you won’t be this young all your life. We’re living proof,” Rodriguez said.
