Grandson to graduate Paso Robles High School 50 years to the date after grandfather
Paso Robles High School Class of 2016 graduate Brandon Smith, center, is pictured with his grandfather, Dennis Smith, PRHS Class of 1966, and his father, Steve Smith, PRHS Class of 1993. Brandon’s graduation ceremony will be held at War Memorial Stadium on Friday, June 10, 50 years to the date after his grandfather graduated on the very same field. Courtesy photo
Smith family will celebrate alongside fellow Bearcats on Friday, June 10 at War Memorial Stadium
–When the Paso Robles High School Class of 2016 walks out onto the War Memorial Stadium football field to receive their diplomas on Friday, June 10, it will be a historic moment for these Bearcats and their families. For one family, it will be one that has been 50 years in the making when Dennis Smith, PRHS Class of 1966, witnesses his grandson, Brandon Smith, graduate alongside his fellow classmates and friends.
“Brandon will be receiving his diploma exactly 50 years to the day after I received mine from Paso High,” said Dennis, who graduated on June 10, 1966 at the very same Memorial Stadium field and is in town from his home in Montana to celebrate with his family.
Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat – a sentiment that rings true for the Smith family. Courtesy photo
Born in Montana, Dennis moved with his family to Paso Robles as a toddler. He attended local elementary and junior high schools before graduating from PRHS where he was the manager of the freshman football team and played C basketball for two years. He points out Sandy McGiffin, Gil Asa, Frank Barnhart, Ace Parker, Bill Stroud, and Forrest Hahn as being among his favorite teachers and coaches at the time.
As a young man, he juggled the responsibilities of school while also working at a series of jobs at businesses some may remember including Black Oak Restaurant, Western Auto, and the Union 76 gas station at 10th and Spring streets. Dennis met and married Susie (Tangburn), Atascadero High School Class of 1970, and together they are parents of Steve, PRHS Class of 1993; Jeff, Class of 1992, and Dennis, Class of 1990.
Dennis Smith, Paso Robles High School Class of 1966, is happy to celebrate his grandson, Brandon Smith’s graduation on Friday, June 10 with the Class of 2016. Courtesy photo
Brandon, 17, was born in Paso Robles to parents Steve and Eileen (Templeton High graduate) and has a younger brother, Jacob, who just completed his freshman year at PRHS. He attended Trinity Lutheran and Pat Butler elementary schools and Flamson Middle School. During his four years at PRHS, Brandon played freshman football and competed three years in track and cross country for the Bearcats, sports in which he advanced to CIF and earned his varsity letters. He was also involved with the AVID and Advanced Peer programs and points out Jon-Paul Ewing, Jenny Martinez, and Jaylene Ewing as being his most influential coaches and teachers.
For the past two years, Brandon has worked at Rustic Fire Pizza while juggling his school and sports commitments. His plans for the future include attending Cuesta College on the Promise Scholarship and pursuing his dream to attend the Fire Academy before becoming a firefighter with Cal Fire.
His maternal grandparents, Andy and Barbara Lara of Atascadero, will also be on hand to help celebrate Brandon during Friday’s festivities, along with many additional family members and friends. Said Brandon, “I’m looking forward to seeing all of my family at the graduation and afterwards. We are very close and we enjoy doing things together. I am so very thankful for my family and I’d like to also give a shout-out to my friends for always being there, especially Matthew Keller, Justin Davis, Mitchell Iunker, Christian Erickson, Ty Jones, and Jake Hernandez. I am excited to see what the future holds for all of us.”
Dennis said he looks forward to seeing some of his former approximately 179 graduating classmates from 1966, including several that still live in the area such as Barry Edwards, Joe Brown, Dale Gomer, Fred Warner, and Susie Rowe Apkarian. He also has a few words of encouragement for his grandson and his classmates.
“I hope that Brandon is happy, that he finds love, and that he gets a good education and is prosperous in whatever he does,” said Dennis. For the approximately 450 graduates of the PRHS Class of 2016, he said, “Remember that people are there on your graduation day and beyond to support you in your next step of your lives, and remember that we all love you and want you to succeed.”
2016 PRHS graduation ceremony information
• Friday, June 10
• War Memorial Stadium, on the grounds of Flamson Middle School
• Ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m.
• Shuttles will be available from fairgrounds from 4-8:30 p.m.
• Ceremony may be viewed via live streamed at: http://livestream.com/accounts/8522144/events/5517549.
Celebrate the PRHS Class of 2016 during graduation ceremonies on Friday, June 10 at War Memorial Stadium. Gates open at 4 p.m. with ceremony set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Courtesy photo
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