The San Lorenzo High School Veterans Memorial Program began in the fall of 1998. It was started by the San Lorenzo High

School DECA teacher, Mr. Jim Rodrigues. It was to be a project for selected DECA students from Mr. Rodrigues'

DECA/Marketing class. This class is part of the Eden Area Regional Occupational Program of Hayward, Calif. The initial

goals of the project were: (1) to identify all the San Lorenzo students who were killed in action in the Vietnam War and (2)

to present to the school an appropriate memento honoring these students.

The idea came from an earlier effort by a former San Lorenzo teacher, Mr. Al Hilbert. Mr. Hilbert was a PE teacher and

track coach. He was later director of student activities for the high school. He wanted to learn the names of the students

from SLZHS who were killed in Vietnam. He started gathering information, but retired before he could complete his

efforts.

After the first year of the project, we were able to identify eight former students who died in Vietnam. A plaque with the

names of the deceased veterans was presented to the school. The team members also took part in a school rally honoring

the veterans. Because of the success and interest (of both students and the community) in the project it was decided to

continue the project indefinitely.

In the second year two further goals were added to the project: (1) to establish a scholarship in honor of the veterans. This

scholarship would be presented to a student who performed outstanding volunteer work or community service; (2) to have

a permanent display honoring these veterans placed somewhere on the campus. These goals were further modified when it

was decided that a portion of the money raised would be donated to a non-profit organization servicing veterans.

In the course of the last four years we have been able to identify 11 former San Lorenzo students who died in Vietnam. We

believe this is the total number from this school. The year 2000-2001 team decided that any former San Lorenzo student

who died in Vietnam, whether they graduated or not, would be honored by the program. This school strongly feels that

"Once a Rebel (our school mascot), always a Rebel". The 2000-2001 team also decided that if any San Lorenzo student is

killed in action in any future conflict (and we hope not) then that student will also be honored.

As of May 31, 2001, with the dedication of the permanent Veterans Memorial on campus, all the original goals of the

project have been met. As of 2003 a scholarship is no longer given. Rather, the project will now direct its efforts to

supporting veteran organizations. The primary reason for this is the increased number of veterans needing assistance.

Also, in the last two years the Memorial Teams have been asked on several occasions to take part in veteran oriented

activities (such as Veterans Day activities, meetings of veterans organizations, etc.). We will continue to support all our

veterans and to represent this school and this program whenever asked.

This program is student managed. The students are responsible such duties as setting goals, deadlines, etc; for assignment

of duties; for publicity; and any other activity as necessary. There is a staff project advisor and a DECA advisor/teacher.

Their function is to insure that the requirements of the school district are met and offer advice.

In addition, team members must also take part in DECA competition at local, state, and national levels. This includes both

group competition such as the Veterans Memorial Project and their individual skills competition.