Rock On PASEO…. Pointing the Way
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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 2^nd 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, 2009, 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.

First-Person Recollections from Class of '52
Added January 25, 2011
provided by Dave Herron '52