2024 Inductees
John Balfanz
|
John Balfanz
Balfanz earned all-league honors in baseball and football; voted Best Athlete in his WHS class. He played baseball at Cal State Northridge and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. At 50, John became a professional golfer and has played in the US Senior Open and Senior British Open. Bernie Barmann Bernard C. Barmann, Jr. (“Bernie”), is the Supervising Judge of the Civil Division of the Kern County Superior Court. While at West High, he was California’s first two-time state debate champion and had two top-10 finishes at nationals. He is a founding board member and President of the West High School Alumni Association, and was instrumental in the relaunching of speech and debate at West High. Raij K. Brar Brar is a community activist and Chief Operating Officer of Countryside Corporation. She was named “Women of the Year” by the California State Senate. Brar is a four-time Gubernatorial Appointee. She was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom as a Trustee to the CSUB, board, and currently serves on several other boards, including the Bakersfield Sikh Women’s Association, which she co-founded. Chris Craven Craven attended West High from 1969 to 1973 and returned as a staff member in the Special Education Department in 1980. Chris was hired as the 3rd varsity baseball coach in West High’s history: coaching the Vikings from 1980 until 1995. Leon Denweed Denweed, class of 1988, is a community leader and long-time contributor and benefactor to West High School students and athletes. Art & Sherry Lutes Art and Sherry were heavily involved in Boosters Club organizing fundraisers, and building much of the football, track, softball and snack bar infrastructure that still exists and benefits WHS students today. Even after their two children (Brian & Cheryl) graduated from West, they continued to help and contribute to the school and community. James Scruggs Scruggs was an iconic, gifted teacher who was respected and loved by hundreds of students and colleagues. Jim inspired, challenged, motivated and mentored his students wherever he taught. He was an excellent language arts teacher and an amazing Academic Decathlon coach for West High. Bob Zeimet Zeimet was a stalwart science teacher for decades at WHS, inspiring students to explore the depths of physics and other sciences. He is known by his students and colleagues for his quick wit and terrific sense of humor. Bob to help develop and launch the first Kern High School Physics Day Competition that was held annually at Bakersfield College. 1978 Valley Championship Baseball Team West High School’s 1978 varsity baseball team beat Bullard High School, the team ranked number one in the valley in the semifinals, and then beat the number three team in the Valley (Hoover high school) in the finals. West was rated number five when the playoffs began. |
