West High - Hall of Fame

11/25/2025

If you have a Viking you'd like to nominate, please take 5 minutes and visit whsfame.com. Nominations for 2026 are due by Thanksgiving.

- - - - 2025 HOF Inductees - - - -
Randy Ariey (Class of 1981)
Randy Ariey was a multisport athlete at West High and an elite one, especially in track and field, ultimately earning a scholarship at Auburn University. Ariey’s 61’6” shot put throw remains the school record at WHS.

Dave Bolar (Class of 1977)
Dave Bolar is one of the finest golfer’s West High has ever produced. He is also a benefactor and long time supporter of West High’s golf teams for over 25 years, providing both facilities and inspiration to the next generation of golfers.

Denise Duncan Chesney - Posthumous (Class of 1982)
Denise Duncan Chesney was a three sport varsity athlete who received numerous all league selections as well as All Valley in basketball. Her senior year she was a member of the Valley Champion volleyball team and won the Jim Tyack Award for best female athlete in Kern County.

Diane McGee
Diane McGee served the students, staff and community, for 46 years as West High’s Campus Security. McGee founded or advised many groups on campus, including: the Rally Club, The Black Student Union (BSU), Mecha, and Young Women Empowered for Leadership (YWEL).

Cherie Shoemake (Class of 1982)
Cherie Shoemake was a three sport athlete at WHS, who used the lessons of sport to turn her life into one of service and community. Shoemaker umpired softball for 40 years, served as president of the Kern County Officials Association (KCOA), officiated basketball, worked as the Community Services Director for Kern County of the American Cancer Society, served at Optimal Hospice, and helped over 1,800 children who experienced the death of a loved one attend a grief camp.

Keith Williams (Class of 1984)
Keith Williams was a football, basketball and track star athlete at West High, graduating in 1984. He went on to play football for Taft and UNLV, earning many honors.

1980 Valley Championship Football Team
The 1980 Valley Championship football team achieved a perfect 13-0 season to win the Valley Championship, but it took a miracle play with 32 seconds left to come from behind to win the final game. Only two West High football teams have completed the journey of an undefeated season: 1977 and 1980.

1981 Valley Championship Football Team
Coming off a 13-0 undefeated season in 1980, the 1981 team entered preseason with plenty of skeptics, who thought a repeat Valley Championship would be impossible, but the 1981 team proved themselves elite. With a fantastic playoff run, against ready-and-waiting northern teams, the 1981 Vikings repeated and silenced the critics.

1981 Valley Championship Volleyball Team
Only one player from the 1981 Valley Championship volleyball team went on to play at the collegiate level, but head coach Kermita Myers extracted every ounce of talent and grit this undersized group could muster, to beat their rival, Highland, and win it all.

1981 Valley Championship Boys Tennis Team
The WHS 1981 tennis team was one that many consider a premier team in Bakersfield history. Richard Titus and Russ Geer dominated the doubles category, while Bill Wakefield and Ronald Titus never surrendered a single set, the entire season, in singles play.

11/24/2025

If you have a Viking you'd like to nominate, please take 5 minutes and visit whsfame.com. Nominations for 2026 are due by Thanksgiving.

- - - - 2024 HOF Inductees - - - -

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.

11/23/2025

If you have a Viking you'd like to nominate, please take 5 minutes and visit whsfame.com. Nominations for 2026 are due by Thanksgiving.
- - - - 2020 HOF Inductees - - - -
Ray Juhl: After beginning his teaching career at Foothill, Juhl transferred to open West High School in 1965. He was hired to teach drafting and driver's education while also serving as the school's head wrestling coach. During his tenure as head coach, the Vikings won back-to-back South Sequoia League titles in 1966 and 1967, including Dual Meet Champions and South Sequoia League Tournament Champions.

Rob McCombs: McCombs graduated from West in 1973. McCombs earned All City football honors two years playing the positions of tail back and defensive corner. He also played basketball and baseball, and was on the Presidential Physical Fitness team. After graduating from West, McCombs attended Bakersfield College for two years, where he started as a tail back both years in football and played baseball one year.

Julie Seay (English): While attending West, she played volleyball for three years and participated in track and field for four. She was the SYL high jump champion for three consecutive seasons as well as track and field MVP. After graduating in 1979, she earned her bachelor’s of arts in child development at Cal State Bakersfield and master’s in education. She's currently a teacher and coach in Boron.

Woody and Etta Morrison: They have been avid supporters of the West High Viking programs since 1975, with exceptional active involvement in all Viking activities. Both attended public schools in Lebanon and graduated from Lebanon High. Woody Morrison graduated from King University in 1960, and Etta Morrison became a registered nurse after graduating from Johnson Memorial School of Nursing in 1962. After they were married in 1962, Woody Morrison accepted a position as special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was transferred to Bakersfield in 1968. Etta Morrison became a member, and eventually president, of the V.I.P. Club, a parent organization which supported all of the Viking activities. She was an integral part of the group until her departure from West in 1990.

1982 and 1983 State Speech & Debate Teams: They won back-to-back state championship titles for West High. Supported by the first booster club for an academic team, Friends of Forensics.

1978 Physical Fitness Team: Coached by Dr. Tucker and made up of Jim Folger, Gary Snyder, Ben McKnight and Jim Ennis, they won the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports national title in Washington D.C. Additional members of the team included Brad Dickens, Joel Dooley, Scott Douglas, Kevin Dutt, Dave Norris, Greg Powell, Jim Peacock and Bob Tucker.

Susan Bigler: Bigler graduated from West High School in 1985. She was a four-time Valley diving champion and four-time Valley finalist in swimming. She also qualified for Nationals five times. Bigler was part of the forensics team for four years

Ann Cierley: A Bakersfield High (1948) and UCLA (1952) graduate, Cierley returned to Bakersfield in 1975 to coach the Academic Decathlon and speech and debate teams at West. She led the Vikings to 10 consecutive and 16 out of 20 Kern County championships. The 1982 speech and debate team won the state title. Cierley was principal at West from 1981 to 1992. She passed away March 20, 2019.

Fred Laningham Jr. In 1962, the beginning of a 38 year career with the Kern High School District. Fred was the first head baseball coach at West High School, a position he took in 1965. He taught physical education, biology and science and eventually served as a West High School guidance counselor.

11/22/2025

If you have a Viking you'd like to nominate, please take 5 minutes and visit whsfame.com. Nominations for 2026 are due by Thanksgiving.
- - - - 2019 HOF Inductees - - - -

Ed DeMello came to the Kern High School District in 1941, teaching Social Studies and English. Ed served as Principal at McFarland and Arvin High Schools before returning to lead West High. He spent the 1964-65 school year preparing for the opening of West High in the fall of 1965. Ed assembled and led one of the finest team of teachers and staff members, building the foundation for West’s success in all educational and athletic areas.

Tom Jones teaching career began in 1961 in northern California at Mountain View High School teaching U.S. History and coaching track. He returned to Bakersfield the following year to teach social studies and coach track at North High School. In 1964 he joined the opening staff at West High under Principal Edwin De Mello as the Social Studies Department Chair. He taught U.S. History and Government at West until 1969 when he became an administrator and followed Ed DeMello as West High’s second Principal.

Darrell Roberts played varsity football for three seasons at West High. In 1977, Darrell became a two-way started playing right guard on offense and linebacker on defense. West was an undefeated SYL Champion once again and became an undefeated Valley Champion defeating the Mount Whitney Pioneers for a perfect 12-0 season. Darrell was selected to the All-City football team, was awarded the Lineman of the Year and selected to the All-Northern California football team. Darrell was also on the Track and Field team throwing the shot put and discus.

Michele Aguilar Carlin is the Executive Vice President of the HR Policy Association, a Washington, DC based organization representing the interests of Chief Human Resource officers of America’s largest employers on federal policy issues. She also serves as the CEO of the American Health Policy institute. Michele graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Political Science in 1983 from UCLA, she was a 4 Year starter on the UCLA Softball team earning Academic All-American Honors and was a member of the 1982 NCAA Championship team.

Kermita Myers graduated from Bowling Green State University and accepted a position at South High teaching PE, coaching tennis and as an advisor to the drill team. After 2 years she transferred to West High School where she spent 23 fun-filled years. During that time she taught PE, was the cheer advisor, coached track, basketball. softball and volleyball. Two of her volleyball teams won the Valley Championship. She enjoyed the opportunity to work with students and athletes, watching them grow athletically and personally into strong young adults was one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
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Kevin Sneed was an exceptional athlete. He played quarterback all four years at West High. His senior year was filled with accolades. Kevin continued to excel in football at Bakersfield College and San Diego State. He started both years at BC and was recognized as Homecoming MVP, Team MVP, Captain, and All-Metro Selection in 1973. At San Diego State, he led the team to a Pacific Coast Championship with a record of 10-1-1 and was ranked 19th nationally. Kevin was named Sports Illustrated’s Player of the Week while at San Diego State. Kevin was an assistant coach at West under Dallas Grider before taking the head coach position in 1983 to 1992. Kevin also coached at Centennial, B.C., Foothill, Ridgeview. Kevin coached in seven CIF Valley Championship games and two Potato Bowls.

Mike Bhone was a teacher and administrator for 40 years and the band director at West High for 16 years. He and Gordon Mehling started the first CSUB Jazz Band and in 1986 Principal Ann Cierley hired him to be West’s band director. Initially, there were only 39 students enrolled in the marching band, however, the band eventually grew to 220. He is featured in the book “The Other Music of Bakersfield” and is the founding father of the Kern County Honor Jazz Band. Mike started the Showcase of Bands at West, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary.

1977 Valley Champion Football Team was the West High Vikings’ first ever. A major coaching change for the Vikings was made and Dallas Grider became only the second head coach in West High’s relatively short history. When Coach Grider took the helm he instituted a rigorous weight training program. His goal was for the Vikings to become bigger, faster, and stronger. Grider and his staff didn’t stop there, however, as they also focused on building team pride, team unity, a new-found work ethic, and respect for each other. Grider’s staff also had a key ally in the West High Athletic Booster Club. The Booster Club built the first modern weight room in Kern County. The combination of all of these things helped the 1977 Football team accomplish its goal of winning the Valley Championship. With an undefeated 12-0 season, West High became the first SYL School to capture a Valley football title under the playoff format initiated in 1968. Coach Grider was quoted as saying “This was a great group of kids. We asked extra out of them and they responded. They deserved the Valley Championship, although you could say that for both teams.”

11/21/2025

If you have a Viking you'd like to nominate, please take 5 minutes and visit whsfame.com. Nominations for 2026 are due by Thanksgiving.

2018 HOF Inductees

Hazel Ellis, a staff member at West for 31 years, taught Spanish before becoming a counselor and then head counselor. Also served as a guidance consultant for the Kern High School District.

Ron Lauria (class of 1968), a four-sport athlete who garnered many awards, including the Sam Lynn Award in 1968. He taught in the Kern High School District for 37 years and was the first West High student to return to teach at West.

Tarus Mateen (class of 1985) is a world-renowned double-bass and electric bassist who began his professional career at age 12. He is known in the world of jazz as a genius on bass. He currently plays in the Washington, D.C., area.

Van Thurman (class of 1979), an outstanding, three-sport athlete at West, whose awards include the Sam Lynn award in 1979. He worked in the criminal justice system in Kern County for more than 20 years.

Dave Titsworth, a two-sport athlete in high school and catcher at Bakersfield College and Cal Poly, where he was All-Conference both years. At West, he taught PE and coached football for 25 years and baseball for 15 years before serving as athletic director for another 11 years. He was an assistant football coach at BC for 3 years.

Don Vettel, honored posthumously, was a 33-year teacher and forensics/debate coach who won state and national recognition, as did his award-winning teams and individual students.

Jim Wren, an outstanding high school track and cross country athlete, was a history teacher and highly successful cross country, track, and basketball coach at West. He became an athletic director, dean of students, and vice principal at West before serving at the district office and later becoming principal at North High.

Donny Youngblood (class of 1968) enlisted in the army following high school, serving in Vietnam. Joined the Kern County Sheriff’s Office in 1972. He was elected Sheriff -Coroner in 2006 and again in 2010 and 2014.

David Zulfa (class of 1985) was an award-winning speech and debate student, who practiced law for 14 years before being appointed to the California Superior Court. He now serves Kern County in Bakersfield and the East Kern area.

The cross country team of 1967 had an undefeated season and won the first-ever school Valley championship.

The cross country team of 1968 won the Valley championship. The team’s score of 42 points is a Valley meet record that still stands today.

The 1971 cross country team went undefeated and won the Valley.

-PHOTO-
L-R: Cross Country Team Member 1, Dave Titsworth, Tarus Mateen, David Zulfa, Donny Youngblood, Ron Lauria, Van Thurman, Hazel Ellis, Cross Country Team Member 2, Cross Country Team Member 3, Jim Wren, Cross Country Team Member 4, Cross Country Team Member 5, Cross Country Team Member 6, Cross Country Team Member 7, Cross Country Team Member 8, Cross Country Team Member 9, Cross Country Team Member 10.
**PLEASE comment, if you can help us identify the cross country team members photographed.****

11/20/2025

2017 HOF Inductees: L-R: Don Gabbitas, Mike Butcher, Randy Maples, Patty Cruz (sister of) for Richard Bridges, Chuck Holloway, Lisa Kiggens D’Amore, J. Eric Bradshaw, Nikki Blue, Rich Tucker, Carl Dean
NOMINATE @ whsfame.com BEFORE Thanksgiving

11/19/2025

The Inaugural Class, from 2016: L-R: David Manning, Dr. Fred Laningham III, John Mears, Brock Marion, Dallas Grider, Opal Kilgore (for Booker), Dr. Bruce Scurlock, Thomas Andrews, David K. Cohen, Jeff Garnett
NOMINATE @ whsfame.com BEFORE Thanksgiving

11/19/2025

11/19/2025

These photos are of the inaugural class (2016). If you have a Viking a deserving Viking, please nominate at whsfame.com

03/13/2025

Terrific celebration with the latest West High School Hall of Fame inductees!
Thank you everyone who helped plan, promote, and support the event. Some great (current) WHS students will benefit from your grace and generosity.
We're taking nominations for next year; submit yours: westhighvikings.com

03/08/2025

Game day for the WHS Hall of Fame!

Thank you to everyone who's worked so hard to plan and promote this event. Giving back to the students of West High and honoring the deserving inductees makes all the effort worth it.

Go Vikings!