Gerardo Vaca, Class of 1988, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Frank Tirado Class of 1971, was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Fillmore High School (FHS) Sports Hall of Fame held its Ceremony weekend on September 14th and 15th. The Hall of Famers past and present were introduced before the Flashes Football game on Friday the 14th. What made it special for all attending was that the Flashes of Fillmore beat the Santa Paula Cardinals in the 102nd meeting between the two teams.

Past Hall of Famers greeted the new Class. The Oldest Flashes Hall of Famer at the game was George Garnica Class of 1950, the youngest April Kozar Class of 1997. They all enjoyed the game and had a chance to talk over old times.

Saturday night was the big night for the Class of 2012. The public was invited to view the Gym and the Hall of Fame at Fillmore High School. They had a chance to see the Hall of Fame wall along with the League Championship Banners and C.I.F. Championship Banners.

In the Hall of Fame they also had a chance to see Championship Trophies and the Hall of Fame Plagues. The Letterwoman’s Jacket of April Ponce-Thompson and Kevin Gross's Phillies Jersey, and all the other items from the Hall of Famers and FHS were also on display.

This year the Hall of Fame Ceremony was held in the Veterans Memorial Building. Over 200 people were in attendance to see the Class of 2012 inducted. It was great to see Hall of Fame coaches Jim Fauver and Bruce Dempsey. Over 20 Hall of Famers were there to welcome the Class of 2012. After a moment of Silence for Hall of Famers Bob Huestis and William "Bill" Pearson, who passed away this last year, the ceremony was in full speed.
This was the first year The Hall of Fame had a new award, “Charles A. Mozley Special Recognition Award". It was named after the great Ventura County Hall of Fame Teacher Charles Mozley. This year the award went to Henry "Hank" Carrillo. Hank was "The Voice" of Fillmore, and he helped out in Fillmore sports at all levels. Hanks wife of 50 years Mary Lou and their two children Richard and Lori were there to accept the award. Mr. Mozley's wife and two of their four children Melissa and Matt where there to present the award.

Two Coaches were inducted into this year’s Class, Coach Jim Hunt and Coach Robert ''Bobby" Calderon. Coach Hunt was the Track and Field and the Cross Country Coach at Fillmore in the 1950's. Hall of Famer John Scloes said, "We knew we were fast in those days, but Coach Hunt taught us how to run track the right way." Coach Calderon was the Wrestling Coach at FHS from 1988 until 2011. He had five Team league Championships and many of his wrestlers won individual championships.

The players came next for the Class of 2012. First up was William "Bill" Case Class of 1939. Bill was an outstanding Football Player for the Flashes. Bill's daughters Anne and Susan were there to accept for their father. Don "Spider" Hughes Class of 1952 was there. The great football, basketball, and baseball player was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Frank Tirado Class of 1971 came from Texas to be inducted into this year’s Class. The star football, basketball, and baseball player for the Flashes was there with his family. Heidi Hope-Popp Class of 1980 was inducted this year. Heidi was a hardnosed, team first, Basketball standout for the Flashes. Heidi was also on the Track and Field team and the Tennis Team at Fillmore.

Michael Hopper Class of 1980 came in from Utah for the event. Mike said all he wanted to do in sports was play for Coaches Bruce Dempesy, Jim Fauver, and Tom Ecklund, all of them Hall of Famers. On this night Mike was also a Hall of Famer. Mike Largen Class of 1981 was inducted, the greatest male golfer that Fillmore has seen. Mike also played basketball for Fillmore, but golf was his best sport. A three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP). for FHS and two-time League M.V.P., Mike played and was a Club Pro for many years.

Next up was Mathew Dollar, Class of 1988, MVP in football and wrestling, Matt had even a bigger night on Friday when the head football coach for the Flashes beat the Cardinals to bring "The Helmet" back home to Fillmore. His Grandfather, William "Bill" Case and he shared the night together as Hall of Famers. Gerardo Vaca Class of 1988 was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The cross country, soccer, and track and field star was on team or was a League Champion nine times for the Fillmore Flashes. Gerardo was one of the greatest runners at FHS. April Ponce-Thompson Class of 1990 was an outstanding basketball, volleyball, and softball player for the Flashes. An MVP and All-Leaguer in all of her sports, April said she owes everything to her late mother Barbara Ponce for being such a strong single mother to her and her brothers and sisters.

Last of the Players for the Class of 2012 Hall of Fame was Art Sosa Class of 1991. Art was the Quarterback and Defensive Back for the Flashes Football team. An outstanding basketball and baseball player for the Flashes, Art was All-League and Captain for all three teams. Art later was a great football coach for FHS.

The Teams that went into The Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012 were the 1915 Boy's Baseball Team, the 1975 Girl's Softball Team, the 1977 Girls Volleyball Team, and the 2006 Boy's Soccer Team.

The Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame Committee would like to thank Team Gear-up and Crown Trophy, and the Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame Club. Without the work the young men and women do for The Hall of Fame, it would not be here; and to all who have donated money and time for this great event to happen. The Fillmore High School Hall of Fame Golf Tournament will be on February 22, 2013. So make plans to join in all the fun and support the Fillmore High School Sports Hall of Fame.