ROWLAND HIGH HOSTS ALUMNI HALL OF FAME CEREMONY OCT. 22
ROWLAND HEIGHTS, CA – OCTOBER 7, 2010 – Rowland High School will be hosting their Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday, October 22, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. in the school library. The 2010 inductees are: Recently retired Educator and Coach from Paramount High School, Glen Kaskela (Class of 1966); Baldwin Park High School Math Teacher and Athletic Director, Nancy L. Aandahl (Class of 1973); and Vice President of Booking and Events at Staples Center and NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live, Christy Castillo Butcher (Class of 1987). After the ceremony, inductees attend the football game where they are introduced. Established in 1991, the Rowland High School Hall of Fame honors the outstanding success of former students. These graduates excel in their chosen fields of endeavor such as business, education, politics, military, sports, entertainment and arts, and/or have made significant contributions to society. Nominations arrive from a variety of sources including staff, community members, students, family, and co-workers.
Glen Kaskela, (Class of 1966) Educator (retired from Paramount High School):
Kaskela has spent a lifetime giving to his country, his community, and his students. After graduating from Rowland High School, Glen attended Cal Poly Pomona where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree. He was drafted into the Army after graduation and served in Viet Nam where he received a Bronze Star. He then attended Azusa Pacific and got a Masters in Education. He spent 35 years at Paramount High School as a teacher and coach, serving as the Physical Education Department Chairperson from 2004 until he retired in 2010. Throughout his career, he consistently encouraged students and athletes to commit to excellence which resulted in two C.I.F. Division III football championships. Kaskela was recognized for his dedication to education by being named "Teacher of the Year" both in 1988 and in 1989. In addition, he received the "National High School Coaching Award" from Scholastic Coach Magazine (track and field), as well as the “Gib Dear Award” from the C.I.F. Coaches Association for outstanding contributions as an assistant football coach.
Nancy L. Aandahl, (Class of 1973) Educator – Athletic Director, Baldwin Park High School:
Even as a student at Rowland High, Aandahl was involved in the athletics program. She lettered in five sports (basketball, volleyball, softball, badminton, and tennis), and was inducted into the Rowland High Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973 as CIF Runner-up in Badminton. After high school she received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Cal Poly Pomona and her Master’s Degree from Azusa Pacific. Aandahl began her teaching career in 1979 at Bishop Amant High School, teaching math and physical education. She taught at Jones Junior High and Sierra Vista High in Baldwin Park Unified before finding a home at Baldwin Park High School where she has been for the last 25 years. During that time she has served as a math teacher and Athletic Director and has coached varsity softball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and tennis. She also taught math at Mt. San Antonio Community College for more than 11 years. In 2008, Aandahl was honored with the Baldwin Park Unified District "Teacher of the Year" award in recognition of her outstanding leadership and dedication to her students.
Christy Castillo Butcher (Class of 1987) – Vice President Events & Booking, Staples Center and Nokia Theatre:
Butcher has been with STAPLES Center since September of 1999 where she began as an Event Manager. In May 2002 she was promoted to the Director of Event Services for the venue, which consisted of scheduling and booking STAPLES Center year round and also overseeing tenant relations, event management and special services. In December 2005, she was promoted to STAPLES Center & NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE Vice President of Booking and Event Services. In her current role she oversees marketing, communications, guest services and event security, as well as completely oversees the event booking and production for both venues. Butcher plays a critical role in booking and managing some of the most successful events at STAPLES and the NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live Centers, including the 2000 Democratic National Convention, the GRAMMY Awards, X Games, NHL and NBA All Star Games, and Primetime EMMY Awards, American Idol Finale, and the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.
Butcher graduated from California State University, Fullerton. She is a native of Los Angeles, raised in Rowland Heights, and currently resides in Costa Mesa. She and her husband Jeff welcomed twin daughters Ella and Catalina into their family in July 2009. In July 2010 she was honored for her success by being featured in Venues Today magazine as a Venues Today "Woman of Influence."
Rowland High School is a National Blue Ribbon School, a World International Baccalaureate School and was named in 2010 as one of the top 100 high schools in the nation by Newsweek Magazine. Rowland High School is located at 2000 S. Otterbein Avenue in Rowland Heights. For more information on Rowland High School, visit www.rowlandhs.org or call (626) 965-3448.