Photos
The Lincoln High School Foundation End of the Year Celebration was June 17, 2022 at the home of Marla and Gary Lenz. Many thanks to Marla for hosting the event. President Rachel Bata announced the winners of the 2022 Educator/Classified Staff of the Year award in addition to thanking the members and supporters of the Foundation. It was a great event to celebrate another successful year!
Bonnie Thompson Memorial Scholarship Ceremony at the Lincoln Center May 25th, 2022. Many thanks to Janet Akin for organizing the event. Thank you to Mary Prevost for your donation to the Lincoln High School Foundation. Thanks also to Janet Owens, Principal Joe Heffernan, Aaron Lilly, and Helen Chapman.
Taco Tuesday Fundraiser May 10, 2022. Thank you to our hosts Nicole & Aaron Lilly, event organizer Oreen Gernreich, David Gomez, President Rachel Bata, and everyone who came out to support the students of Lincoln High!
The Foundation recently funded a Classroom Grant for Deana Thai’s Visual Arts Department class. Here is the requested grant description:
“I’m requesting a refresh of textbooks for my classroom use where 150 students will benefit annually. The last edition of textbooks have been in used for the last 15 years. I would love to be able to get an updated version to use. The funds would be used to purchase a class set of “Focus on Photography” and a class set of “Communicating Through Graphic Design”. Both sets will include a complimentary teacher’s edition and instructional support bundles.”
The total amount provided by the Foundation: $5049.
Your donations support all Lincoln High School students!
Mr. Gomez working with Lincoln students using the new Yamaha Harmony Director 300 that was purchased from a Lincoln High School Foundation grant. Here is a Mr. Gomez’ description of the Harmony Director 300: “This device that looks like a small Casio keyboard is used to help the students play in tune, with good intonation, and better time. The device is capable of creating pure tones for the students to match by ear. It can also be used to demonstrate various chords and chord qualities. This device allows me to adjust the tuning to various Hz (Hertz) and tuning systems such as just intonation and equal temperament.” Donations to the Foundation help all Lincoln Students!
Bonnie Jean Thompson May 25th, 1932-Jan. 6th, 2022
On January 6th, 2022 our family, friends and community lost our lovely Pink Lady, Bonnie Jean Thompson. Bonnie was born on May 25th, 1932 in Escalon, CA. She was the youngest daughter of George and Edna Thompson of Escalon, CA. She had two sisters, Helen Polhemus and Betty Applequist. As a young girl Bonnie had what she described as an idyllic life in Escalon. She always felt loved and cherished by her parents, her two sisters and family. She will be deeply missed by all those who loved her including the many students and teachers she mentored throughout her life.
More than anything Bonnie loved making those around her happy. She had an infectious smile that lit up any room she entered. She loved spending time with family. When her parents were alive, she enjoyed taking them on trips. Bonnie loved riding her pink motorcycle. She also loved to travel and had many wonderful stories to share. Bonnie was very private about her faith, but had a deep abiding faith in God. She would often keep a list of people to pray for near her bed.
It is hard to pay tribute to a woman who gave so much of herself to so many. She was humble and most likely would not like much fuss being made about her, but here is a brief story of her professional life.
Bonnie attended grade school and high school in Escalon, CA. She received both her BA and MA from the College of the Pacific (Stockton CA) in Education and Psychology. She went on to receive her certification as a psychologist. She also studied at Stanford University and did continuing education at San Jose State University.
Bonnie’s first teaching job was at the Burwood Elementary School, Escalon CA. She then became a teacher and school counselor for Oakdale Elementary School. In 1959 Bonnie was asked to be the Dean of Girls at Hughson Highschool (Hughson CA); a job she loved.
In 1962 Bonnie left Escalon to take a position in San Jose, CA, at Lincoln High school. She was the Dean of Girls, and then Vice Principal until 1975. She was a proud Lincoln Lion until her last days. Many lives were changed during her tenure at Lincoln. She always had a jar of jelly beans on her desk!
Bonnie’s other school positions in San Jose included Principal at both John Muir Jr. High and Leland High school. She was also Principal at the South Peninsula Hebrew Day School in Sunnyvale, CA.
Bonnie’s contributions to San Jose State University are too numerous to write here but a few are: preparing and mentoring student teachers and administrators; authoring a student handbook for secondary education students; and as a lecturer in the school of Education. Many young teachers’ lives where molded and changed by this incredible woman.
Bonnie’s last professional position was at the San Jose Unified District Office. She was employed by the teacher’s union as a liaison. She was a source of tremendous knowledge of district history and her contributions there were invaluable.
Bonnie is predeceased by: her parents; her sister Helen and her husband Harold Polhemus; her niece Patti Santini; and brother-in-law Marvin Applequist.
Bonnie is survived by: her loving sister, Betty Applequist; nephew, Marvin Applequist II (Peggy); niece Jo Ann Crouch (Bruce); nephew Peter Applequist (Pam); niece Estella Lougman (George); nephew Ron Polhemus (Clyta); nephew Bill Polhemus; niece Patti’s husband, Bill Santini; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. Each person was her “most favorite”.
Bonnie is also survived by daughter of her heart Mary (Crabb) Prevost (Ron), and their daughter, Bonnie E. Hart, Bonnie’s namesake.
A memorial scholarship fund has been established in Bonnie’s memory at the Lincoln Highschool foundation. The scholarship will go to students pursuing teaching degrees. Please mail checks payable to: Lincoln High School Foundation, 555 Dana Ave, San Jose, CA 95126 and write-in “In Memory of Bonnie J. Thompson” or donate using the Donate button at: http://www.lincolnhighfoundation.org and write-in “Notes” In Memory of Bonnie J. Thompson.
A Celebration of Life for Bonnie will be held at a future date. May 25, 2022 would have been Bonnie’s 90th Birthday. Wear Pink in her honor.
Wine Tasting Fundraiser 2021
November 11, 2021
Joseph George Wines, San Jose
This annual fun event was another success for the students of Lincoln High! Many thanks to Bert George for hosting us and allowing us to get together for a great evening.
Lincoln High School Foundation End of the Year Celebration 2021
June 9, 2021
Hosted by Gerry and Susan DeYoung
Congratulations to Margaret Iseid and Katherine Batti, Outstanding Educators of the Year!
Congratulations to new Foundation President Rachel Bata and Vice President Helen Chapman!
Thank you to Principal Matt Hewitson for your outstanding leadership and dedication to the students of Lincoln!
The Taiwan Dinner fundraiser October 11th, 2020 was a huge success. We sold 165 dinners and raised a record amount for this event. It was the biggest fundraiser for 2020. We want to thank Oreen Gernreich, Janet Akin, Matt Hewitson, Rachel Bata, Helen Chapman, Dan Chapman, Aaron Lilly, Paul Kanter, and Wayne Zang, owner of the Taiwan Restaurant. We hope to see you at the virtual Wine Tasting in November!
June 3rd, 2020 is the official Lincoln High School Graduation Day and hundreds of our grads were able to visit our campus and pick up their personalized graduation pennants. This wonderful opportunity was thanks to the amazing efforts of Teacher of the Year Liz Neely and with the financial support of the Lincoln High School Foundation.
October 20, 2019
Hosted by Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, and San Jose City Councilmember Dev Davis at Cindy Chavez’ home in San Jose. This was a huge success and we raised a record amount of money for the students of Lincoln High! Thank you to Sal Pizarro from the Mercury News for being our “Mix Master”. We had a lot of fun for a great cause!
Day in the Redwoods 2019
August 24, 2019
Bowden Residence, Aptos
Lincoln High School Foundation End of the Year Celebration
June 12, 2019
Craig & Debbie Travis were hosts to a great event to cap another successful year for the Foundation. Thanks to President Craig Travis and Foundation secretary Cecily Zazueta for your dedicated service to the students of Lincoln High! We look forward to a great summer! Come out and the support Lincoln High by attending a fund raising event! See you then!
“Mexican Fiesta” Fundraiser hosted by Craig & Debbie Travis
May 18, 2019
English teacher Liz Neely’s students designed, organized and currently maintain the “Garden of Growth” project located near the Lincoln High School athletic fields. The Garden of Growth project was the winning project for the “Thinkin Lincoln” contest in 2018. Thinkin Lincoln is sponsored by the Lincoln High School Foundation to encourage students to recommend projects anywhere on the Lincoln campus that will improve life for all students. LHS Foundation board member Richard Nguyen has been organizing the contest since it began several years ago.
Spring Dinner
March 24, 2019
Taiwan Restaurant
Brunch & Silent Auction
February 10, 2019
The Villages Clubhouse
Lincoln High School Foundation
Holiday Party
December 5, 2018
Big Bone Bash 2018
November 23, 2018
Day In The Redwoods 2018
October 13, 2018
Bowden Residence, Aptos
Winetasting 2018
October 5, 2018
Many Thanks to Janet Akin & Malcolm Thompson for allowing us to switch venues at the last minute. Thank you to Bert George for donating the wine and your $1500 donation to the Foundation! We will be back at Joseph George Wines next year! Please purchase wine at Joseph George!
Lincoln High School Foundation 